Comments on: Lessons in Love and Cultural Competency

By: Julia R

Julia R — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:27:21 +0000

Oh Hildy. This is a lovely post. My fave phrase of yours:

“That “dominion” and “dominant” appear to share a linguistic root, and that I consider compassion to be more “alongside each other” than “one above the other.””

Beautiful line and a lesson worth remembering. Thank you!

Best,
Julia

By: Jane Garthson

Jane Garthson — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:38:33 +0000

Beautiful post, Hildy. I too have wondered how terribly damaging the idea of human dominion over the world has been, and how much better we can help the world be if we see all life as having intrinsic value. I listen to discussions about protecting the environment for the sake of future humans, and think that is a great reason but far from the only reason.

I have yet to get to know an animal who wasn’t smart enough to understand and train me better than I could understand and train it.

Max is almost ready to move on; wasn’t it great that he spent his lifetime with you!

By: Hildy

Hildy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:16:35 +0000

Steve and Nancy:
Your words have me purring (Max, too!).
HG

By: Lessons in Love and Cultural Competency | Creating the Future! | Creative Wonk

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:46:37 +0000

[...] Last night on Twitter, my friend Christine Egger wondered aloud, “If you hadn’t been taught you had dominion, how would you treat other species? If we hadn’t been taught that, would we be less likely to think we had dominion over other people? Their lives, their choices? What does “dominion over others” mean to you? How do you play it out? I think there’d be a huge part of me that would relax and celebrate more, if I could let that dominion stuff go…” via hildygottlieb.com [...]

By: Lessons in Love and Cultural Competency | Creating the Future! | Creative Wonk

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:44:11 +0000

[...] Krishanna on July 29, 2009 via [...]

By: Nancy Iannone

Nancy Iannone — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:31:10 +0000

Once again you have reminded us all how interdependent we are – not just as humans, but as all living beings!

Loving and supportive thoughts for you and Max as you travel together on this journey.

By: Steve Jennings

Steve Jennings — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:28:22 +0000

Hildy, I’m deeply moved by your words, you’ve taken my breath away with this wonderful post. “only love dispells hate” This is so true. Steve

By: Hildy

Hildy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:22:44 +0000

Many thanks to each of you – Christine and Ron and John. Max is having a good day today – eating and looking at me wondering what the big fuss is. She’s always been classically feline, and it is so curious to watch her change, to want only to be with me all the time, only to drink out of my water glass, only to eat off my fingers.

And of course, John, you are correct – we really do not give anything to anyone, cat or anyone else. Except that we do give them our respect and our listening and our patience and our love – all creating the space for them to be their own best.

Thanks for asking her name. It’s Max. And she is a girl.

By: John Haydon

John Haydon — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:32:22 +0000

Nichiren (a 13th century Japanese Buddhist) taught that all human suffering is ultimately cause by ignorance. Ignorance that all living beings are intimately linked to each other. And enlightenment, ultimately is an awareness of this expansive connection – within us and without.

In this sense, you can’t “give” your cat anything she doesn’t already have. You can only savor this moment – together.

What is your cat’s name?

By: Ron Miller

Ron Miller — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:18:13 +0000

Hildy,

I have a beautiful cat who came from animal rescue about 10 years ago. I can see her slowing down. All the power and dominance in the world will not keep her from, one day, slipping away. Love is the only thing that has the power to handle relationships – in the now – and at the time when we have to let go. And the time always come, when we will always have to let go. Dominion lies impotent in the face of this inevitable truth. Only love has the power to walk through. As your message tells us, this should be a very strong hint on how we handle all levels of relationships each day. I don’t need to dominate you. I only need to care about you.

P.S. Please let your sweet cat know we love her too.