What do you think has provoked an increased respect for animals in recent years?There is not one specify thing that has catalyzed increased respect and interest in animals. Looking back over history shows that animals have formed an intregal part of humankind's world that is reflected in art, mythology, and even religious or spiritual analogies. Now humankind has more leisure time, increased wealth, and is exposed to animals from a variety of sources. All these changes help shift our awareness and changes the attitudes humans have about animals.
Can you explain this change in viewpoint a bit more?As survival becomes less of a struggle humans have time to reflect on their lives and doing that allows people to gain new insights. The change in viewpoint about animals is motivated by interest and concern. But sometimes people see what they want and not the actual fact, which can get them into trouble or danger. On the other hand, it can also be channeled into constructive efforts.
About thirty to forty years ago there was not such a widespread concern for captive wild animals. Whales are a good example. Fisherman caught whales and brought them into oceanariums. As our awareness and exposure increased, along with the studies about these amazing animals, the pendulum swung to the other end of the spectrum. Fisherman began whale watching trips and interest soared. Now there are people who want captive whales released, without an understanding about what it requires. But not too long ago people didn't think much about it. The concern and care came from the close exposure.
In our concrete jungles and computerized world we have lost the connection to our environment and other living beings. The connection is something that people long for.
What is the difference between respecting an animal and anthropomorphizing?Respecting an animal means taking the time to glean factual information about it and seeing the creature as it truly is instead of how humans would like to imagine it is.
Anthropomorphizing means projecting human qualities and traits onto the animal. More specifically, it means supposing non-human behavior is motivated by human emotions. So, ultimately it does not mean that animals do not feel, as was supposed in the past, just that we cannot accurately interpret what they do think or feel.
Because we are human and only have our human experience and perspective, we can only view animals through that lens. Many people lack first hand experience with animals and therefore inaccurate assumptions about animals are difficult to circumvent.
For instance, views on pets varies drastically. In
What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality I talk about how a dog wagging her tail might not be friendly, but millions of people (as attested by the 4.7 million reported dog bites in America each year) assume it is friendly. Also, dogs might be ostracized to the yard in one neighborhood, while they may be incorporated into the home in another. Cats may be simply mousers to a family in the country, while they are pampered pets in the city. Cultural traditions, experience with animals, religious practices or beliefs, and prosperity all influence the viewpoints concerning animals.
The difficulty lies with the misinterpretation--many people have problems with their pets because humans project and form misconceptions. But from the human lens we can only imagine what someone else (or an animal) is feeling or experiencing--for we only have our personal perspective.
Are you worried that What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality is a little too anthropomorphic?What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality is an allegorical illustration using animal interactions and stories as examples of living by spiritual principles. It is not meant to be a treatise on animal behavior or a scientific work. Nor is it meant to be a religious work. It is a collection of stories and examples for people to enjoy and ponder--and a handbook for developing better animal relationships.
Ultimately, each person must research and explore religion, spirituality, and animal behavior elsewhere. Since my interest and background is in animals, I include animal resources to assist my readers.
Finally, I am human so my only perspective is that of a human animal. I believe my author's note sums it up best.
Authors note from What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality:
Historically, human-animal comparisons provided sources of moral
instructions and examples. Within this book you'll find analogies
tied to animal behavior. All creatures exhibit a wide range of
"good" and "bad" traits. Anthropomorphizing
is considered heresy in some circles, but people remember animal
examples and stories. So, I have taken creative license and described
them from my human perspective.
You don't mention your religious beliefs in the book, why?Actually, I believe I do.
What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality explores what I believe are spiritual principles found throughout the world and within different religions as illustrated by animals, their behavior, and human relationships with animals. However, my intention was not to endorse or favor any particular religion or spiritual practice.
The book is for animal lovers and those interested in what they can learn from animal examples of principles taught by many faiths and religions. Although
What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality mentions a few religious leaders and paths, I consider religious or spiritual beliefs to be the personal responsibility of my readers, which I hope encompasses a broad range of beliefs and cultures.
What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality is also a handbook on how to understand animals and develop closer relationships with them by changing our perspectives.
What ways have animals influenced your spirituality and the spirituality of others? It is hard to pinpoint. I've always felt closer to the Divine while out in nature and when working with animals. From early childhood I was fascinated with animals and the stories about them. Ultimately I think animals influenced my spirituality by example and through story. I had a traditional religious upbringing and stories with animals were the most interesting to me. I can't answer for other people, but I believe mythology and religious stories use analogies to illustrate the human condition and lessons symbolically.
Do you know anything about ancient civilizations besides American Indians using animal forms for deities?Animal forms of deities and examples of humankind's fascination with animals abound throughout the world from ancient to present time.
Visual evidence goes back to the stone age in the remains of painting on caves. African bushmen and Australian aborigines, whose verbal traditions have been told over generations, share animal symbolism, as do other native cultures.
Totemism has existed for a long time and such symbolism can be found in contemporary books such as
Animal Speak and
Spirit Animals. The mystical qualities or symbolic meanings are commonly used even in theological works.
Totems in Africa turned to religion in Egypt. Integration of man and animal is illustrated through the art and religion of Egypt. Most Egyptian deities have zoomorphic forms: Anubis (jackal), Horus (falcon), Toth (ape, ibis) Bast (cat), Hathor (cow) are some examples. The bull and lion were semi-sacred animals of the Middle East. In Judeo Christian works the animal symbolism included the dove, lamb, and more.
In the book,
Sacred & Symbolic Animals, author Kenneth Clark notes:
"Since God did nothing without a purpose, each animal carried a moral lesson for man to learn or carried a symbolic message."
The world of Middle Age bestiaries illustrate the concept that man can learn from the wisdom of the animals. Aesops Fables (still popular today) is an example of such work as well as the two thousand year old Panchatantra.
Finally, Greek and Roman Mythology (centaurs, harpies, mermaids), Eastern Indian religious figures (such as Ganesh, and the Lord Vishnu who incarnates as a fish, turtle, and boar) Chinese animal symbolism, Celtic, and other paths incorporate unique and interesting animal symbolism.
What comments do you have on the work of biblical zoologist Rabbi Natan Slifkin?Rabbi Slifkin gives tours of zoos based on the spiritual lessons of animals as found in the Torah. Although an apt title, I doubt "biblical zoologist" is widely recognized.
My belief is that any effort that increases the respect and care for nature, and that teaches spiritual principles is a good one.
Both evolution and creation are theories--and neither have been proven. Rabbi Slifkin believes that there are more similarities between the two than others profess. Although he is not an animal man by education, most well known naturalists, collectors, and zoo icons were not either.
The zoos I have called to discuss this topic with have been not willing to comment, can you tell me why?Animal facilities rely more on empirical or scientific data instead of the intangible, like faith--or stories illustrating principles using animals as examples. So it is predictable that most will avoid comment on the topic. It also opens up a whole can of worms when you discuss animals as spiritual beings or examples within the context of captive animal care and management issues. This is why I included a disclaimer within
What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality.Labels: diana l guerrero, isbn 1893361845, skylight paths publishing, what animals can teach us about spirituality
