GOOD READ Several years ago I was asked to take a lamb to live with me because he was one of triplets and his mother could not care for him. Within a week I realised that he was lonely and needed a companion: she, Cara (the Irish word for friend) was also one of triplets. Thus began the sanctuary I run today for farmed animals. Within a very short period of time I saw that not only did we have two eyes, two ears, a nose, a mouth and even eyelashes and eyebrows in common: we share a common sentience that enables us to be consciously aware of physical and emotional sensations such as pain, fear, frustration, pleasure and joy. This recognition of our shared sentience and my practice of loving kindness meditation has led me to live my life as a vegan. How could I eat the turkey who runs to me for a hug every day? Or eggs from my hen friend who has developed reproductive cancer as a result of the human demand for her eggs, as over 96% of egg laying hens do. Or milk that a mother cow produced for her calf, who was piteously torn from her so that I can have the milk she lactates for him? She is a mammal, as I am; the loss of her child breaks her heart just as my heart would break if someone took my new born infant. My awakening to the horrors they suffer when we exploit them for our use has created in me an understanding of the inextricable interconnection of all life on this planet. Our use of other animals causes the top diseases and killers of humans in the western world whereas a plant based diet prevents them. This is not propaganda but scientific fact as evidenced in the growing body of medical literature. Our use of them contributes to world hunger (the most recent report estimates that a plant based diet could feed an additional 4 billion humans); and it is linked to the exploitation of the workers who we pay to harm and kill other animals on our behalf (Perpetrator Induced Traumatic Stress along with other injuries are very prevalent among farmers and slaughterhouse workers). Our use of them contributes to the destruction of our planet and environment as mentioned in the United Nations figures quoted above. These figures may be conservative: Goodland and Anhang have produced scientific estimates of human caused green house gases and other forms of environmental destruction, attributable to animal agriculture, that are significantly higher. I now care for over 100 rescued farmed animals and I dedicate my life to animal rights and vegan education. As a scientist my focus is on the science of compassion and compassion focussed therapy. I believe that compassion is the bedrock of justice. This is the perspective I teach from. If we change how we relate to other animals, we will serendipitously change the outcome of human evolution from a world that is violent and destructive to a world that is compassionate, productive and just. My life is utterly transformed by my relationship with the animals at Eden. I would be honoured to help and to share my experience of compassionate, joyful living with all the lives of the earth, if anyone is interested. There have never been so many books, scientists, websites, and people of integrity who are willing to share this message and to plant the seeds that Susan has mentioned. All we need is an open mind and an open heart. Warmly, Sandra Higgins
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 20:48:35 +0000
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