Weekly Newsletter from Christian Vegetarian Association CVA - July 14, 2024
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

  1. Toward the Beloved Community: Finding Peace of Mind (continued)
  2. All-Creatures.Org Ministry

1. Toward the Beloved Community: Finding Peace of Mind (continued)

In the last essay, I discussed the role of mindfulness meditation for finding peace of mind. There are also social, interpersonal components in gaining a sense of equanimity. There are several reasons for this.

First, humans are highly social creatures. Nearly all people find comfort and pleasure from human companionship, though nonhuman relationships can suffice for many people. This relates in part to the need of our early human ancestors to survive in a hostile world. Relative to other animals of our size, humans are slow and weak, but collectively humans are formidable. Our modern world also requires benign human relationships, because we depend on each other for food, clothing, shelter, and consumer goods. These relationships are grounded in trust, and I will be exploring this further in the future.

Our relationships serve several roles in terms of finding peace of mind. We gain a sense of worth and importance through the assessments of other people. Perhaps more importantly, other people (as well as nonhumans) can be sources of support in good times and in bad times. And, the views of other people can correct our tendency to have our opinions and values align with our self-interest.

Because humans are social creatures who want and need the approval of others, respectful, open support for animal protectionism is very important. When we respectfully, compassionately advocate for animals, it encourages others to do likewise. This ultimately helps lead us towards the peaceable kingdom, a nonviolent world where we don’t fear other people, which gives us a greater sense of peace of mind.

Stephen R. Kaufman, M.D.

2. From All-Creatures.Org Ministry

All-Creatures.org Newsletter, July 10, 2024
Wildlife harmed by human food waste — Tule River Tribe bringing back Beavers — celebrating Judy Carman and John McDougall — another dog racetrack closing — veganizing Caesar salad — midlife crisis? start a sanctuary — two Vietnamese dog farmers close businesses — American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA votes that ventilation shutdown slaughter is ‘ethical’ — climate talks and again food systems not mentioned — sad pet store bird poem — rescued Chickens’ dustbathing joys — and more…

All-Creatures.org Newsletter, July 3, 2024
Saving large carnivores — perils of ‘plant-based’ — Fireworks traumas — Ellie’s torturer gets 5-year prison sentence — Lebanon’s vegan hospital hosts vegan conference — bearing witness as powerful activism — Plant-based Athlete [book] — Cows are great mothers — two Vietnamese dog meat farmers follow their herts and close their businesses — cruel Camel ‘wrestling’? — SAD diet, earth’s biggest threat — and more…

Do you have things that you would like to see included in future newsletters? Then send it to us at veda@all-creatures.org. 

In the Love of the Lord,
Frank L Hoffman
All-Creatures.org

and

Kindness,
Tams Nicholson
Executive Directress
All-Creatures.org 

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