Reader comments

An “aha moment” crept up on me midway through the book, as animals are personified and great human thinkers are trivialized. You must discover the contentment resulting from learning that the human animal is indeed ONE with the animal world. This realization must be shouted from the highest mountain; we must elevate our reverence for the animal world and every spirit within! A sustainable planet depends upon it.

Jim K.  Stuart, FL

Book Intention

            Whether we are interested in the other animals or not, we share our lives with them.  They are everywhere -- flying overhead, meowing a greeting, buzzing at our window, swimming in our lakes and in the glass bowl on the kitchen counter.  Animals share the earth we walk on, the air we breathe, and the food we consume.  They are the food we consume.  Whether we notice them or not, they are there.  Always there.  They live among and with us.

        

         The intention of THE QUESTION is to inspire a shift in beliefs and attitudes toward all animals that is unswervingly compassionate.  The book might be interpreted as a challenge to established religions, especially among their conservative adherents.  It is not an evangelistic treatise “pro” one point of view and “con” another.  Far from it.  This is why the action takes place somewhere across time and space in an imaginary realm, Sanctuary, where every point of view is accepted as an aspect of the same truth.  The other animals accompany representatives of people as they are taken to their self-secret innermost core and out to the edge of their imaginations where they are able to discover the answer to the animal’s question is within their own true selves.

            The readers are asked to check their beliefs about the other animals at the door, and sit back and participate in the action as if they were seated at a play.  From their seats, the reading audience will witness Universal Images -- people from out of past history and living today -- enacting their innermost beliefs as they seek the answer to the animals’ question.  Maybe some in the reading audience will leave the theater with their minds changed.  Perhaps be inspired to tell others what happened there.  That would be the greater intention.

the QUESTION.

I just finsihed reading a preview of your book. I'm really impressed with the leaps you have made in clarity, cohesiveness, and flow in the story line. You have done a remarkable job in getting your message out there in a way that is thoughtful, intelligent and provoking. These are very difficult topics to broach, but you have managed to combine a rational presentation of facts with an entertaining story and touches of humor. No one who reads your words can be unaffected. There is so much to process! Your ideas will linger and, for those who are conscious and ready, offer a more expansive view of who we are and our place in the oneness of which we are all a part.  Your book is finished.  I wouldn't change anything.  I'm very proud of you. You have persevered in this path that you have believed so passionately must be followed.  Congratulations!

Dorothy in Taos

Safe Transport

6/27/2011

"I was there for a long time alone.  And the sort of feeling that I got when I was out in the forest is that there's a little spark of this Great Spirit power in each living thing.  And if it's a soul in us, then I think the chimpanzees also have souls."    Jane Goodall.

Connecting

Circle of Life

WHAT ARE THE PREMISES OF THE QUESTION?

•  “Religion” and “Spirituality” are not interchangeable concepts.  

            Spirituality is the actualization of one’s innermost, self-secret beliefs as shown by his and her attitudes and behavior toward people, and also the other animals.  In this context, all interactions with others is spiritual action.  

            Religion is a set of doctrines and laws adhered to by followers to be the appropriate way to worship God; and usually is founded by a set of ideas expounded by a great teacher who taught what is or isn’t a perfect human being.  One can follow a religion and be spiritual.  Conversely, one who doesn’t follow a religion is always spiritual.

•   There is a disturbing vacuum in Humanity’s spiritual beliefs that denies the other animals a place in our lives.  The void appears to be impenetrable.   Animals are rarely mentioned in our laws, sciences, histories, the religious texts -- other than using them as sacrifice or healing tools.

•   It is time for an universal shift in human consciousness, which reconnects humankind’s partnership with all other animals -- not only for the Earth's sake, but also for the evolution of the human soul. 

WHAT IS THE INTENTION OF THE BOOK?

            Whether we are interested in the other animals or not, we share our lives with them.  They are everywhere -- flying overhead, meowing a greeting, buzzing at our window, swimming in our lakes and in the glass bowl on the kitchen counter.  Animals share the earth we walk on, the air we breathe, and the food we consume.  They are the food we consume.  Whether we notice them or not, they are there.  Always there.  They live among and with us.

        

         The intention of THE QUESTION is to inspire a shift in beliefs and attitudes toward all animals that is unswervingly compassionate.  The book might be interpreted as a challenge to established religions, especially among their conservative adherents.  It is not an evangelistic treatise “pro” one point of view and “con” another.  Far from it.  This is why the action takes place somewhere across time and space in an imaginary realm, Sanctuary, where every point of view is accepted as an aspect of the same truth.  The other animals accompany a group of amazing people as they are taken to their self-secret innermost core and out to the edge of their imaginations where they are able to discover the answer to the question as well as find their own true selves.

            The readers are asked to check their beliefs about the other animals at the door, and sit back and participate in the action as if they were seated at a play.  From their seats, the reading audience will witness Universal Images -- people from out of past history and living today -- enacting their innermost beliefs as they seek the answer to the animals’ question.  Maybe some in the reading audience will leave the theater of their minds changed.  Perhaps be inspired to tell others what happened there.  That would be the greater intention.