Aging, sickness, death, loss – all of these are just words until they happen and they happen all too frequently and soon. This is certainly the case when it comes to Animal rescue and care. Living with Animals carries two extremes: incredible joy and incredible pain. There is joy of being able to help someone from terrible suffering and death- that is rescue. But we often forget that rescuing an Animal also includes witnessing their declining health and eventual death.

One of the most difficult aspects of living and caring for Animals is that typically their lifespans are much shorter than ours. While Horses and Cows can live for decades, the lives of Cats and Dogs generally do not exceed more than their teens and Rats, Rabbits and Chickens, even with loving, healthful care, spend only a handful of years on Earth. Genetic engineering leads to both internal and external wounds which emerge with time. In the case of colonized Animals – such as Cows, Turkeys, Chickens, and other captive “bred” individuals, inner and outer, psychological and physical, injuries are often hidden from sight. Bearing witness to these brief rainbows of life repeatedly, carers are challenged and often experience depression, untended grief and other mental and physical suffering.

The Five Remembrances (Upajjhatthana Sutta) are Buddhist teachings and practices focusing on the impermanence of life. In this course, we study and discuss these teachings to better understand and care for our Animal and Plant kin while supporting our own health and wellbeing in service as carers and activists. Each class lecture is accompanied by a companion guided meditation. No prior experience with mindfulness or meditation is required.

For more information please contact: coordinator@kerulos.org