All Writings
I hope whomever reads through these posts are moved to walk through the world with a wider sense of being, a more compassionate heart, and with a greater intention to recognize and work towards fostering interconnectedness with all beings. One of my favorite Buddhist texts, the Bodhicaryavatara by Shantideva has these beautiful lines that for me, sum up my intention as a human and as a chaplain:
May I be a guard for those that are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to cross the water.
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.- Bodhicaryavatara by Shantideva (chap. 3, vs 18 Padmakara Translation)
Goatieodeo
Goatieodeo, the goat I’ve been caring for here on Orcas, (he didn’t really have an owner) didn’t show up for his grain last week. I found him under a cedar tree in the woods he’d lived his life in on the adjoining property. The timing was ironic as I had found someone who really wanted to give him a great home among lots of other animals on her stupendous farm. She planned to come meet him that very day.
Caring for Our Pets & Ourselves at the End of Their Lives
Chances are, your beloved furry soul mate pet knew before you did that the time to say goodbye was approaching. That doesn’t make it any easier of course. Our pets absorb our thoughts, feelings and emotions in ways we as humans are just beginning to understand. It is quite possible that your thoughts about your pet’s old age, sickness, injury, etc are getting in the way of them being able to let go.
Tiger, May Your Spirit Fly Free
Tiger transitioned into his spirit body on Friday, Dec. 16th, after a very long and heroic fight with laminitis in his RF hoof. He made it clear to us that he was ready - after 4 years of being a willing patient, he’d systematically rejected every intervention, one by one.
What is Animal Chaplaincy?
When I first heard the term “Animal Chaplaincy” my heart jumped. Though the term felt so familiar to me, a life-long animal lover and steward of the earth, I needed to know more about what Animal Chaplaincy actually embraced. I started off on a journey to find out. Luck was with me, as my advisor in my Masters of Divinity program agreed to let me formally study Animal Chaplaincy as an Independent Study project. Below is an excerpt from my report, along with some stories sharing some of my Animal Chaplaincy experiences.
The Animal Chaplains of San Quentin Prison
The day my chaplaincy supervisor at San Quentin State Prison asked me to coordinate a program that would bring animals into the prison was a happy day indeed. Animal chaplaincy has been a focus my entire life, though it was only after my formal chaplaincy training began several years ago that I heard the term animal chaplain. My excitement did not match the obstacles that met us in this endeavor. Starting a program in San Quentin is not something that happens overnight.
Writings By Category
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Prison Chaplaincy
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Animal Chaplaincy
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Interfaith Writings
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Buddhist Writings