Read Of Mice and Zen. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist

Of Mice and Zen. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist

Stewart McFarlane

4.9/5 (28947 ratings)

Description:MY LOVE OF ANIMALS AND NATURE WAS GREATER THAN MY FEELINGS FOR MOST PEOPLE!It was my concern for nature and the environment, and my strong feelings about the way animals are treated individually, which led me to an interest in Hinduism and Buddhism. When I was fifteen and becoming interested in religious, ethical and philosophical issues, I started reading about these religions and the cultures in which they emerged.On realizing that higher caste Hindus and many East Asian Buddhists are vegetarian, and rejected the killing of animals, I became fascinated and devoured translations of early Buddhist texts. I understood their respect for nature, and slowly began to engage with Hindu and Buddhist teachings. I read everything I could on the cause of animal welfare and how we could mutually benefit each other as a species.Dogs in particular are known to have a calming effect on humans. Petting your dog and playing with it can actually raise your serotonin levels. This is the feel-good hormone, so reduces stress, and gives people a more positive outlook. In addition, owning a dog can even help you live longer and prevent heart problems because regularly exercising a dog can reduce human cholesterol and triglyceride levels. I do believe responsible dog ownership, or caring for a pet generally can help to make you a better person. I discuss some of the cross-cultural implications of attitudes to dogs in Thailand and Western countries, and how they influence the socialisation and training of dogs.Our encounters with animals deeply enrich our lives, and help make us what we are. I think we should delight in those encounters and honour and respect the animals that have made this relationship possible.Dr STEWART McFARLANE, the well-known Buddhist scholar and T’ai chi master has respected nature for as long as he can remember. Having spent a lifetime in the company of animals he developed an understanding which few people possess – his knowledge and discoveries have now been compiled into a personal and reflective collection of animal stories. Warning - if you think that you really know what makes animals tick, you are in for quite a surprise, as Stewart reveals his Buddhist thinking and philosophy around all things living.In our hectic and stressful life it’s all too easy to turn to short term so-called ‘solutions’ but animals have a wonderful knack of radiating a calming and relaxing feeling–they give this without expectation of reward.FIRST ANIMALGetting his first dog when he was nine- a collie-terrier cross who came from a local farm. She went everywhere with him; exploring the woods and lanes, swimming in the river, camping out under the trees. She even tracked Stewart on a two-mile walk to school one day, so he had to get permission to take her home during the morning break, but only after she had received a full quota of petting and admiration from his classmates, who crowded around them in the playground. It was about this time he began devouring all the animal stories he could get hold of.ANIMAL PHILOSOPHYThe author holds strong views on animal cruelty and mistreatment and opposes the unnecessary killing of animals; hating with a passion the burgeoning animal cruelty stories; consequently he became a vegetarian at the age of eleven. He also abhors the cruelty involved in the mass production of meat in factory farming and in slaughterhouses.OF NATUREIt was his concern for nature and the environment and his strong feelings about the way animals are treated which led him to an interest in Hinduism and Buddhism. A later chapter is devoted to his favourite Hindu animal story; the account of Prince Yudhisthira and his faithful dog. He records it later in the book, even though the story is from the ‘Great Epic the Mahabharata’. This didn’t happen to him personally, but its message has been profoundly important in his life, so heconsiders its inclusion is justified. When he first read the story at the age of 16, he was even more convinced of the wisdom of Hinduism and Asian religions.CALMING EFFECTSThere are clear benefits to children and families to having animals around, especially dogs. If dogs and children are raised correctly, then they learn self-discipline and the importance of being responsible for an animal and taking care of it properly. They are better socialized generally because they learn to put the needs of the pet first at times, and so learn to be more selfless and more caring. If they regularly walk and play with the dog, then they get the benefit of exercise as well as the dog. Dogs in particular are known to have a relaxing effect on humans. Petting your dog and playing with it can actually raise serotonin levels.ANIMAL STORIESEver since the first people sat around their campfires we have told stories to try and make sense of the world – or more likely to escape it. When we tell a story, we make connections and none more so than with our pets. Stewar...We have made it easy for you to find a PDF Ebooks without any digging. And by having access to our ebooks online or by storing it on your computer, you have convenient answers with Of Mice and Zen. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist. To get started finding Of Mice and Zen. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist, you are right to find our website which has a comprehensive collection of manuals listed.
Our library is the biggest of these that have literally hundreds of thousands of different products represented.

Pages: 153

Format: PDF, EPUB & Kindle Edition

Publisher: Mowbray Publishing Ltd, UK

Release: 2013

ISBN

Description: MY LOVE OF ANIMALS AND NATURE WAS GREATER THAN MY FEELINGS FOR MOST PEOPLE!It was my concern for nature and the environment, and my strong feelings about the way animals are treated individually, which led me to an interest in Hinduism and Buddhism. When I was fifteen and becoming interested in religious, ethical and philosophical issues, I started reading about these religions and the cultures in which they emerged.On realizing that higher caste Hindus and many East Asian Buddhists are vegetarian, and rejected the killing of animals, I became fascinated and devoured translations of early Buddhist texts. I understood their respect for nature, and slowly began to engage with Hindu and Buddhist teachings. I read everything I could on the cause of animal welfare and how we could mutually benefit each other as a species.Dogs in particular are known to have a calming effect on humans. Petting your dog and playing with it can actually raise your serotonin levels. This is the feel-good hormone, so reduces stress, and gives people a more positive outlook. In addition, owning a dog can even help you live longer and prevent heart problems because regularly exercising a dog can reduce human cholesterol and triglyceride levels. I do believe responsible dog ownership, or caring for a pet generally can help to make you a better person. I discuss some of the cross-cultural implications of attitudes to dogs in Thailand and Western countries, and how they influence the socialisation and training of dogs.Our encounters with animals deeply enrich our lives, and help make us what we are. I think we should delight in those encounters and honour and respect the animals that have made this relationship possible.Dr STEWART McFARLANE, the well-known Buddhist scholar and T’ai chi master has respected nature for as long as he can remember. Having spent a lifetime in the company of animals he developed an understanding which few people possess – his knowledge and discoveries have now been compiled into a personal and reflective collection of animal stories. Warning - if you think that you really know what makes animals tick, you are in for quite a surprise, as Stewart reveals his Buddhist thinking and philosophy around all things living.In our hectic and stressful life it’s all too easy to turn to short term so-called ‘solutions’ but animals have a wonderful knack of radiating a calming and relaxing feeling–they give this without expectation of reward.FIRST ANIMALGetting his first dog when he was nine- a collie-terrier cross who came from a local farm. She went everywhere with him; exploring the woods and lanes, swimming in the river, camping out under the trees. She even tracked Stewart on a two-mile walk to school one day, so he had to get permission to take her home during the morning break, but only after she had received a full quota of petting and admiration from his classmates, who crowded around them in the playground. It was about this time he began devouring all the animal stories he could get hold of.ANIMAL PHILOSOPHYThe author holds strong views on animal cruelty and mistreatment and opposes the unnecessary killing of animals; hating with a passion the burgeoning animal cruelty stories; consequently he became a vegetarian at the age of eleven. He also abhors the cruelty involved in the mass production of meat in factory farming and in slaughterhouses.OF NATUREIt was his concern for nature and the environment and his strong feelings about the way animals are treated which led him to an interest in Hinduism and Buddhism. A later chapter is devoted to his favourite Hindu animal story; the account of Prince Yudhisthira and his faithful dog. He records it later in the book, even though the story is from the ‘Great Epic the Mahabharata’. This didn’t happen to him personally, but its message has been profoundly important in his life, so heconsiders its inclusion is justified. When he first read the story at the age of 16, he was even more convinced of the wisdom of Hinduism and Asian religions.CALMING EFFECTSThere are clear benefits to children and families to having animals around, especially dogs. If dogs and children are raised correctly, then they learn self-discipline and the importance of being responsible for an animal and taking care of it properly. They are better socialized generally because they learn to put the needs of the pet first at times, and so learn to be more selfless and more caring. If they regularly walk and play with the dog, then they get the benefit of exercise as well as the dog. Dogs in particular are known to have a relaxing effect on humans. Petting your dog and playing with it can actually raise serotonin levels.ANIMAL STORIESEver since the first people sat around their campfires we have told stories to try and make sense of the world – or more likely to escape it. When we tell a story, we make connections and none more so than with our pets. Stewar...We have made it easy for you to find a PDF Ebooks without any digging. And by having access to our ebooks online or by storing it on your computer, you have convenient answers with Of Mice and Zen. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist. To get started finding Of Mice and Zen. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist, you are right to find our website which has a comprehensive collection of manuals listed.
Our library is the biggest of these that have literally hundreds of thousands of different products represented.

Special Offer | $0.00

Special Offer! | $0.00

Of Mice and Zen. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist

Of Mice and Zen. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist

More Books

The Complete Book of T'AI Chi by Stewart McFarlane (1-Apr-1999) Paperback

The Complete Book of T'AI Chi by Stewart McFarlane (1-Apr-1999) Paperback

The Complete Book Of Tai Chi by Stewart Mcfarlane (1997-05-03)

The Complete Book Of Tai Chi by Stewart Mcfarlane (1997-05-03)

The Complete Book Of Tai Chi

The Complete Book Of Tai Chi

Buddhism Skillfulness and Mastering Life. Dharma Stories Ancient and Modern

Buddhism Skillfulness and Mastering Life. Dharma Stories Ancient and Modern

T'ai chi ch'uan. Wisdom in Action

T'ai chi ch'uan. Wisdom in Action

Ways of the Spiritual Warrior. East Asian Martial Arts and their Transmission to the West

Ways of the Spiritual Warrior. East Asian Martial Arts and their Transmission to the West

Tai Chi for Health, Strength and Fitness

Tai Chi for Health, Strength and Fitness

Buddhism, Nature & Environmental Values

Buddhism, Nature & Environmental Values

Tai Chi: Das Praxisbuch

Tai Chi: Das Praxisbuch