Dr. Linda Bender & Animal Wisdom
OMTIMES: Why is it important for us to understand the spiritual lives of animals?
Linda Bender: All life is an expression of the Divine mind, and all life forms have meaning and purpose, deserving respect. In the great reality, there are no divisions, no perfect and less perfect. Unfortunately, in our society we have claimed dominion over nonhuman beings resulting in diminishing not only animals but ourselves as well, creating the problems we face today.
OMTIMES: How can our relationship with animals support our emotional and spiritual growth? You say “when we rescue an animal we rescue ourselves,” what is the connection?
Linda Bender: Animals support our growth emotionally, spiritually and promote physical health, as so many recent scientific studies have shown. Consider the amazing healing we have seen when children bond with animals after exposure to physical trauma, divorce, and illness. Prisoners who help train rescue dogs feel love and purpose often for the first time in their lives. These are just a few examples. When we help an animal we help ourselves – taking your dog for a walk, also gives you the benefit of exercise!
OMTIMES: Why are animals important to our ecology and as you say… restore “paradise” on earth?
Linda Bender: Animals do not think they ever left “paradise” that is why they are most often happier than we are. They live in a reality that is connected more intimately to Source, there is no separation to them. Their example can reawaken our connection to the paradise that we have talked ourselves into believing we are separate from.
