To NJAFA readers and supporters: I wanted to share with you a letter from our
good friend Dr. Elizabeth Severino. It is very hard for most of us to
understand or to deal with animal abuse. Perhaps you will get comfort from
her note:
The dog had an experience of profound suffering and fear. I have
done the processes necessary to bring its spirit to a state of peace.
In your email, you ask if I can send you something, a note about
what we need to do to deal with this.
When we are faced with such horrific cruelty, the primary energetic
to be in, is to remind ourselves that we CAN make a difference and that we
DO make a difference...to remind ourselves that we CAN process such horrors
and CAN continue to move forward.
To process such a horror:
#1. Begin by absorbing into ourselves, all aspects of the cruelty
witnessed. By this I mean to quite literally, breathe in all pictures, all
words, all thoughts and all feelings about the event, as fully and deeply as
possible. In this way, as we breathe in, concentrating first on our
in-breath, we ourselves set our intention to energetically process and
transform the event as fully as we can internally. By acting on the very
confidence that we ourselves can process it, using our deep breathing and
our strong intention, we transform ourselves into a place of centered peace
and resolve. While breathing in and out, we concentrate first on the
in-breath, until we realize that we are feeling increased, centered
peacefulness and resourcefulness.
#2. When we get to the place of increased, centered peacefulness
and resourcefulness, we begin to concentrate on our out-breath while
breathing ... breathing out the centered peacefulness and
resourcefulness into the world around us. We then radiate that feeling of
commitment, centeredness and resourcefulness.
#3. Notice that by our act of confidence that we can process the
horror ourselves, we experience strengthening while we move into action to
continue to make the difference that is presented to us to make.
All there is in the world, is ignorance and enlightenment. Those
who are capable of doing such a horrific deed to an innocent dog, act from
ignorance. Those who wish to end suffering for all beings, and who act on
the commitment to end suffering, act from enlightenment.
Kathy, I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Elizabeth