All this talk re souls  got me to thinking about the time I was teaching a
unit on "The Transcendentalists' Revolt Against Materialism" Ralph Waldo
Emerson, Henry David Thoreau in my Advanced Placement and College Core
Curriculum American History classes.  Remember these are 11th graders.

I was trying to get across the opposite of materialism, that reality we
can't see but know is there.  When I suggested we all  draw a picture of our
"soul", not one soul objected, saying I don't have one, I don't want to do
this.  A great sense of peace, unity, and spiritual activity began in EVERY
class and we proudly put the results up in the room. Mine was a series of
strong interlocking circles, so you can imagine my surprise when the space
ship that Jodie Foster "flies" in the movie "Contact" written by Carl Sagan
looked exactly like it.

Don't know what all this means, but
I count this as one of my most successful lessons.
Ray

PS - had another "soul" experience when doing  biofeedback when I had
cancer, but that's another story.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peggy Willocks" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 5:42 AM
Subject: Animals & people have souls!!


> Edith
>
> I was touched by your response to this topic, as I have been by all others
> who responded.  I truly believe that the world's BEST, most compassionate
> people are those who love and appreciate animals.  But read on - this is
> not
> only about animals as in cats, dogs, horses, etc.  It's about PWP's.
>
>
>
> Our local newspaper reported recently about a man who had a field of
> lovely
> horses.  When found, they had been without food or water (in this heat!)
> for
> lord only knows how long. The carcass of one horse was found near the
> watering trough, while the others revealed bony ribs, lack of a luster on
> their coats, and many other maladies due to malnourishment.  I can think
> of
> a very hot place not even punishment enough for this man!  (Oops!  Being
> judgmental here!)
>
>
>
> People who detest little children are likewise useless in my book (and I
> don't mean molesters).  I mean those who think children should "be seen
> and
> remain silent;" people who find youngsters disgusting until they are of an
> age to be socially manipulated to behave in a preset manner when in
> public.
> Every creature has a right to occupy space on this earth; everybody has a
> right to an opinion; and every animal has a soul.  (Remember the biblical
> passage about how the lamb will lay with the lion in Heaven?)  And as far
> as
> those who harm children (physically AND verbally), well - don't get me
> started!
>
>
>
> I watched the movie "Million Dollar Baby" last evening.  It is slow and
> has
> a lot of unexciting dialogue, but is one we PWP's should see.  I won't
> give
> away the storyline or you'll be able to predict the end, but in one scene
> a
> young lady recants how her father had to make a decision to put down the
> family dog - my same dilemma a few weeks ago.  What I am about to say next
> is not to indicate that PWP's have no hope, because there is more research
> activity going on for Parkinson's than has ever been!  But we must face
> the
> fact that not all of us will be cured and will have some tough decisions
> to
> make in the end.
>
>
>
> Just as I wished my dog had left me a "living will"  so I wouldn't have
> had
> to fret about what to do as he aged, we must likewise help lighten such
> decisions for those left after us.  It's logical; it's wise; it's humane .
> .
> . and it's life.
>
>
>
> Peggy
>
> Celebrate Life!
>
>
>
>
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