Episode 162 - Sacred Sendoffs-An Animal Chaplain Makes Life Meaningful
Reverend Sarah Bowen is an ordained minister, animal chaplain, seminary faculty member, columnist for Spirituality & Health magazine, co-founder of Compassion Consortium, and author of Sacred Sendoffs: An Animal Chaplain’s Advice for Surviving Animal Loss, Making Life Meaningful, and Trying to Heal the Planet. She teaches interspecies mindfulness practices, works with humans grieving the loss of companion animals, loves up animals in shelters, and provides wildlife struck by cars a sacred sendoff. The daughter of a pastor, Sarah shares her story growing up as a free spirit tomboy who cared for "God's creatures" and was also concerned about them when they died. We talk about the importance of recognizing animal loss and healing from its wounds, our cultural and personal blind spots regarding animals, and how Compassion calls us to engage in interspecies relationships that are fair to all.
"If there is one book you choose to read about how to enjoy and improve your relationships with animals and fully appreciate who they truly are, this is the one."
― MARC BEKOFF, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals and other books; professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder
Rev. Sarah Bowen