A new awareness!

Anna and I went for a one month long Life Formation Seminar at the invitation of late Dr Hans Burki, Switzerland in 1982. He had formal training in psychology, adult education, counselling and theology because of which he had a view of life which was composite and transcending! He was a devout follower of Jesus of Nazareth and followed His teachings by integrating them through reading of the scripture, prayer, meditation and contemplation. He invited about 20 people each year for a time of 'revision' of life by introducing the disciplines of reading of the scripture, prayer, meditation and contemplation. The village Rasa, on the Swis alps, was a serene setting for such an experience which was accessible only by cable car.

One afternoon in the first weak, at tea time in the garden, a lizard fell into his lap from the creeping grape vine above! Some watching this screamed in fright. But Dr Burki, least disturbed, but in quiet composure allowed the lizard to crawl in to his palm. He kept looking at the lizard silently and the lizard in turn settled in the safety of the hollow of his palm comfortably. He allowed the lizard to move away when it was ready to do so. Just as the lizard was crawling out, he said 'thank you for visiting me' to which the lizard turned back to look at him one more time!

Later after supper time, Dr Burki gave us an introduction to the creation story in the book of Genesis in the Bible. His introduction was about how we are created relationally and meant to be that way. 

So for the first time in my life, I had a different view of lizards than I grew up with.  It also helped me to demystify my thoughts about animals generally. I had sense of fear about dogs as I was chased by them on a few occasions. I was bitten by a water snake, while crossing a stream when I was ten and needed some treatment. I had suffered bee stings on a few occasions while trying to pluck cashew nut fruits. I  had heard stories of people dying with rabies following dog bite !

It is all these collection of impressions that got revised when Dr Burki suggested that all humans and animals are to live relationally. 

It was a yer or so later Re Peter Miller, a Scottish minister at the St Andrews Church, Chennai, who decided on his own to gift us their pet dog, Dingy, when it was time for them  to return to Edinburgh. Dingy was even prayerful, apart from displaying all the outstanding qualities of being a well trained dog.  At prayer time he would kneel and stay still the prayer is over. Dr Burki's proposal of a inherent natural friendly relationship between humans and animals got illustrated vividly from this personal experience. Dingy was a good companion to Arpit and Anandit and would sleep under their beds at night.  She would give a lick on their feet when the visitors showed a friendly gesture towards her, although it was too much for some to put up with it. 

Since then, both Anna and I developed some interests in having pets.  We had an aquarium with colourful fishes which Anna took care of with of the help of Arpit and Anandit. 

Gradually our interests in pets got wider. Now we have dogs, fish, birds, tortoise, and a visiting cat. 

My interest in birds, squirrels, insects in the garden has grown gradually.

During the last one year, I have been looking our for dragon fly, butterfly, caterpillar, etc.

When I watched the butterfly above in this blog in the garden, I was reminded of the first butterfly I photographed years back. That photo is on our wall, framed and hanging. It is a picture of 'intimacy' because the butterfly was resting on the flower peacefully and delightfully! 

In the book, 'things hidden-scripture as spirituality' by an accomplished author, Richard Rohr, quotes from St Augustine,  who said, 'Goodness is accompanied by peace, patience, and even consolation..'

I have watched this to be true from our experiences with both our current dogs, Dulcie and Dafny. In case we have delayed their breakfast, they would remind us by a gentle mourning sound. 

So there is goodness in the animal kingdom because they too are created by the good Lord!

The eco-spiritual advocates bring this aspect into the forefront to plead for kindness towards stray dogs. While we were living in the CMC Vellore Campus, I remember how Dr Anna Tharien, professor of Psychiatry, took an initiative to vaccinate all the stray dogs against Rabies, rather than kill them as advised by some veterinary doctors. Her argument was that dogs have a right to live in the campus as CMC has a large campus and dogs are fond of human contact. As humans we need to learn to be kind and considerate, which is what we as doctors do anyway towards our patients. This argument worked and we had several stray dogs living in the campus, with a few of them being regular at some homes at meal times.

However, I am also grieved by the stray dogs randomly biting and harming others. Not because they are rabid, but hey are hungry and feel harassed. 

Fortunately I was introduced to dogs early in life as my father was fond of them and had them live in a kennel at home, with regular walks and games provided for them.   

Our environment is a resource for us to learn from.

 We as humans are one sided when we look at our environment. We do what seem to be good for us without  considering the inconveniences or unsettlement we cause to others or animals! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)