Massive Easter, Earth Day, Animals in Labs Week, Cosmic Grand Cross, "Noah" the Movie--lots going on!!

Prayer Circle for Animals # 163: Massive Easter, Earth Day, Animals in Labs Week, Cosmic Transformational Global Prayer Wave, April 21, 2014

Prayer Circle for Animals Weekly Update

Please share with friends!!

Our prayers for all animals continue to circle the earth, to

uplift humanity’s consciousness, and to bless the animals themselves.

 Thank you for joining people around the world who are praying this

prayer in many different languages but all with the same love:

“COMPASSION ENCIRCLES THE EARTH FOR ALL BEINGS EVERYWHERE

Advance apology: This will be a little longer than usual.  So much is happening this week.

Easter is on Sunday; World Week for Animals in Labs starts Sunday; Earth Day is the 22^nd; the release of the movie “Noah” is in theaters, and on top of all that, there is an astrological Grand Cross with transformational power reaching its peak on the 23^rd.  I hope I can do justice to the tremendous potential that lies within this week.

Easter’s message of an end to animal sacrifice and forgiveness “for they know not what they do.”

As we’ve discussed before, many Biblical scholars believe that Jesus was a vegetarian who taught nonviolence and may have been crucified primarily for his demonstration against the highly lucrative animal sacrifice in the Temple. Yet he forgave those who killed aniimals and who persecuted him  

Animals in Laboratories are crucified and tortured daily in sacrifices to the gods of money and “science.” 

This week is dedicated worldwide to the awareness of their suffering and our ongoing work to bring an end, once and for all, to using animals in experiments as well as supporting the work of those who are developing non-animal tests that can actually help people and animals.  In Defense of Animals is encouraging people to leaflet, demonstrate, and educate people about the cruelty and uselessness of animal testing.  At the website http://www.wwail.org you can find encouragement by seeing what many groups are doing as well as find ideas for action.

Earth Day brings with it the promise of human consciousness rising as more and more people learn that we are here to care for the earth and not destroy it.

The fact that Earth Days all over the planet keep growing and multiplying is a sign that we human beings have the capacity to change our ways, to become nonviolent and to see the earth as a sacred, holy place.  While the vegan message has been just a squeak among the rain barrels and recycling craft booths at Earth Day events, thanks to activists it is growing louder and more visible every year.  As we know, none of the green ideas will save the earth if veganism is not at the heart of it all. 

“Noah” the movie is in theaters now.  Noah and his family are clearly portrayed as vegan.

Noah and family, descendents of Adam and Eve’s son Seth live as vegans. In the film, the descendents of Cain have overrun the earth and devastated it with weapons, mining, cities, and endless violence.  When Noah is out one day with his sons, an animal runs by having been speared by people.  Noah tenderly caresses the animal as he takes his last breath.  When the boys ask him why people would kill an animal, he explains that they want to eat him.  The boys ask why, and Noah tells them that the men think it will make them stronger.  “Will it?” the boys ask.  “No,” answers Noah, “Only God makes us strong.”  Noah often refers to the animals as “the innocents.”  During the flood, a violent king manages to get onto the ark.  He kills animals in the ark to eat them, and tries to convince one of the sons that you have to eat them in order to “be a man.”  Of course, putting Hollywood and the Bible together to try to tell a cohesive story has its drawbacks, but what is important to us and to the animals is that this message of compassion and kindness was crystal clear in a movie that will be seen by millions.  And it has been released at a time that is positively exploding with transformational energy.

The Grand Cross is a powerful celestial alignment.

It is occurring now and for several months, but it will reach its peak this week on April 23.  Four planets are at an equal distance from each other forming a cross in the sky (even more interesting since it is so close to Easter).  The Cross aligns with our equinoxes and solstices causing what many believe to be “the turning of the age.”   According to www.universallifetools.com  “…the Cardinal Grand Cross [opens] a Quantum Gateway of potential to a most cherished ancient truth; a cosmic truth built upon the foundations of LOVE and a deep reverence for all of LIFE.   People are awakening en-masse to a higher wisdom and transcending the social, political and religious frameworks built on fear, to co-create a new world based on foundations of LOVE, compassion, sovereignty and unity.” 

A Prayer Wave for this Week Full of Promise

Great Spirit, Light of the World, we give thanks for all the activists around the world working to educate people about animals in laboratories and those teaching vegan truths at Earth Day events.  Strength and wisdom pours through us from Universal Love to empower each one of them to carry the precious message of the sacredness of all beings.  We give thanks for the producers of the movie “Noah,” for their courage in so clearly connecting violence toward animals with war and environmental devastation.  We give thanks for the many scholars who put forth the possibility that Jesus was vegetarian, opposed animal sacrifice, and taught nonviolence and compassion for all beings.

We feel the Cosmic and Grand Cross energy of Love, Compassion, and Reverence for Life moving in all hearts and strongly drawing all of us to Higher Consciousness and Wisdom.  We see people at Easter services finally understanding Jesus’ message and refusing to eat ancient traditional meals of sacrificial lambs and others.  We see everyone who attends the movie “Noah” suddenly understanding that human violence is directly connected to eating animals so  that they may free their own souls and the animals at the same time.  We see them transforming to lives of ahimsa.  We see animal experimenters falling to their knees at the grief-filled realization of what they have done to animals, receiving forgiveness, and going forth to create cruelty-free scientific methods.

Above all, during this powerful and sacred time, a Prayer Wave of Divine Love and Tenderness will flow through each of us to encircle the world and bless every single animal on earth. ‘Though we appear to be physical, yet we know we are timeless spiritual beings and One with all life. Together we raise our voices and sing a new song with the innocents of earth. We sing your song with you, dear animals, and we know that Love and Justice will prevail so that all of you will be safe and free to live in peace.              

Thanks to all of you, compassion is encircling the earth for all beings.  Thank you for your devotion to truth, love, liberation and peace for all beings.

With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy, and also Will, Madeleine, Tara and the Circle of Compassion team

If you haven’t already done so, please join us at the Prayer Circle for Animals Facebook page.  You can share ideas and prayer requests there.  I will post these updates on the facebook so that you can share them if you wish.  Thank you.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/prayercircleforanimals  

 

May all beings be happy.  May all beings be free.

***************************************************************************  

Please visit the website www.circleofcompassion.org often to see updates and special prayers, and also to join in our “A prayer a day for animals” which features a prayer for a different group of animals each day of the week.  Please forward this widely so that we may continue to add more people to our ever-expanding circle of compassion.

Free Birds--a Hollywood Movie that Teaches Kids Turkeys Don't Want To Be Dinner

Here is my (as you can see) 156th prayer circle update.  To sign up to receive these weekly updates go to www.circleofcompassion.org.  

Prayer Circle for Animals-Free Birds, the Movie -- # 156

Prayer Circle for Animals Weekly Update

Please share with friends!!

Our prayers for all animals continue to circle the earth, to

uplift humanity's consciousness, and to bless the animals themselves.

 Thank you for joining people around the world who are praying this

prayer in many different languages but all with the same love:

"COMPASSION ENCIRCLES THE EARTH FOR ALL BEINGS EVERYWHERE

Through Films like "Free Birds" animals can talk directly to kids

When I sat down to watch the animated "Free Birds" with my grandkids, I had no idea I was about to be treated to an animal rights Hollywood movie.  In the film, actors Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson, are the voices for two turkeys whose mission turns out to be TM"not to save 10 turkeys or even a 100, but all of them."  There is even a scene of a factory turkey farm from which a turkey youth attempts to escape with several precious eggs.  To say that my jaw dropped repeatedly as I watched is an understatement.

Critics were merciless but the film grossed over 96 million worldwide

Whether the critics (many, I'm sure, offended by the undeniable veg and animal rights message) liked it or not, that is a lot of children (and parents) who saw the film right before Thanksgiving.  It is now in DVD so many more kids can watch and learn empathy, all while being mightily entertained.  Following in the footsteps of Chicken Run and Charlotte's Web, few influences could be more powerful than these to help children see animals for who they really are. In "Free Birds" every child is called to identify with the turkeys and not the people who are trying to kill them.  

Let us pray this week for the children, for they are the hope for birds and all animals to finally be free.

We give thanks that children everywhere are being given opportunities through films, books, teachers of kindness, and through personal experiences with animals to know the truth.  We give thanks for the film makers, writers, animators, and all the courageous individuals who are leading the way, regardless of the critics, to teach the children of the world love, empathy, and compassion for all beings everywhere.  A new world of peace for all is dawning and coming soon to a theater near you.      

Thanks to all of you, compassion is encircling the earth for all beings.  Thank you for your devotion to truth, love, liberation and peace for all beings.

With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy, and also Will, Madeleine, and the Circle of Compassion team.

May all beings be happy.  May all beings be free.

**************************************************************

Please visit the website www.circleofcompassion.org often to see updates and special prayers, and also to join in our "A prayer a day for animals" which features a prayer for a different group of animals each day of the week. It is also a place to send ideas or prayer requests.   Please forward this widely so that we may continue to add more people to our ever-expanding circle of compassion.

 

Lawrence (KS) Journal World prints my article about hunting and fishing

The editor of the Faith Page asked me to answer the question--Are hunting and fishing consistent with religious values?.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to do that and to reach a broad audience.  This was printed on February 15, 2014, but so far they have not posted it online.  

ARE HUNTING AND FISHING CONSISTENT WITH RELIGIOUS VALUES?

In his “Hunter’s Poem” Lemuel T. Ward  described his final hunt.  He shot two geese who fell to the ground near him.  He watched as the male bird called to his mate. “And she dragged herself to his side,” he wrote, “...Then covering him with her broken wing, and gasping with failing breath; she laid her head against his breast; a feeble honk, then death….”  With tears streaming down his face, Ward buried the birds and threw his gun in the bay, never to hunt again. 

The Buddha said, “All beings tremble before violence.  All fear death.  All love life.  See yourself in others.  Then whom can you hurt?”  Ward saw himself in those dying geese, and he could never again do such harm.

After decades of hunting and fishing, Steve Hindi had a spiritual awakening of compassion.  He buried the fish, birds, and mammals he had killed and hung on his walls and became a vegan activist.  Regarding the violence that fish experience, he said “…I know they suffer tremendously, just as we would if subjected to such horrendous treatment.”

Deep in our souls we feel a kinship with all creation.  Nearly every religion, at its core, teaches nonviolence and love for all life. Norm Phelps concludes in The Dominion of Love: Animal Rights According to the Bible that “We have no moral right to make choices that destroy the happiness and steal the lives of helpless beings who are absolutely at our mercy.”

The Jain religion promotes living a life of  harmlessness to all living beings.  St. Francis of Assisi said we must not hurt animals and that we actually have “a higher mission—to be of service to them…”  May we all awaken to our highest calling and finally bring peace to earth for all beings.  

© 2014 Judy McCoy Carman, M.A.

Author of Peace to All Beings: Veggie Soup for the Chicken’s Soul

Co-Author with Tina Volpe of The Missing Peace: The Hidden Power of Our Kinship with Animals.

www.peacetoallbeings.com and www.circleofcompassion.org

Here is the complete Hunter's Poem.  The article was limited to 300 words, so I couldn't include it in the article for the paper.  

The Hunter’s Poem
Written by Lemuel T. Ward (1896-1984)

We don’t know if Mr. Ward was vegan, but we were so moved by this poem 

we felt it should be shared.

A hunter shot at a flock of geese

That flew within his reach.

Two were stopped in their rapid flight

And fell on the sandy beach.

The male bird lay at the water's edge

And just before he died

He faintly called to his wounded mate

And she dragged herself to his side.

She bent her head and crooned to him

In a way distressed and wild

Caressing her one and only mate

As a mother would a child.

Then covering him with her broken wing

And gasping with failing breath

She laid her head against his breast

A feeble honk . . . then death.

This story is true though crudely told,

I was the man in this case.

I stood knee deep in snow and cold

And the hot tears burned my face.

I buried the birds in the sand where they lay

Wrapped in my hunting coat

And I threw my gun and belt in the bay

When I crossed in the open boat.

Hunters will call me a right poor sport

And scoff at the thing I did.

But that day something broke in my heart

And shoot again? God forbid! 

Prison of Hope

This is my latest "Eating as Thought the Earth Matters" column for Sierra Club Planet Kansas, Winter, 2014, Issue

 

 Prison of Hope

After over twenty years of fighting to save the sacred Haskell/Wakarusa Wetlands in Lawrence, Kansas, the highway builders now have the go-ahead to destroy the precious and rare ecosystem  killing many animals in the process.  Dolphins off the Louisiana coast show signs of serious illness after the BP oil spill, and the oil companies just keep drilling, spilling, and killing.

We continue to fight the Keystone XL pipeline which would be one of the worst threats the earth and her wildlife have ever known.  Already, according to Sierra Club news, Canada is allowing the poisoning and hunting by air of wolves in preparation for tar sands sludge pipelines. A baby humpback whale was thankfully rescued from a fishing net pulled tight around her chest.  How many more are there who are never  rescued?

You and I could fill volumes with the tragedies befalling the earth and her waters, soil, animals, and plants every single day.   As we go forth into this new year of 2014, we are all looking for signs of hope. 

Looking for hopeful things, I remembered an experiment that was conducted at the Victor Valley Correctional Facility in Adelanto, California.  For a period of seven years inmates were given a choice between living in the “New Start” wing of the prison or a regular wing.  The “New Start” program which was chosen by 85% of the prisoners included bible study, anger management, job training, and a vegan diet.  During that time, California had a recidivism rate of 95% while Victor Valley’s record of recidivism dropped to 2%. 

Not only was the recidivism rate significantly lower for the vegan prisoners, their behavior in prison was atypical of normal prison life.  There was no evidence of racial tension, gang violence, or hierarchical behavior.  

Individuals committed to nonviolence toward all life choose not to consume animal based foods.  Conversely individuals who may not have made such a commitment but who are fed only plant based foods actually may become nonviolent. This makes sense on many levels—spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional.  Killing an animal requires violence, and the animal’s reaction of terror and pain fill his or her cells with adrenalin and extreme stress. 

Every day we hear of someone with great power making violent, destructive decisions against the forests,  oceans, and the places of peace we all cherish.  What if they, like the prisoners at Victor Valley switched to a vegan diet (along with anger management, of course)?  What if we all did?

In our 2014 prayers and visions for a healed earth this year, let us be open to all the possible ways to bring human consciousness away from its destructive tendencies and into its highest possible expression.  There are signs of hope everywhere, and the greatest hope of all lies in your ongoing willingness to speak truth to power and in the hearts of activists everywhere