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, 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. 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. Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Sendoffs-Chaplains-Surviving-Meaningful/dp/1948626594 Memorial tips: https://www.sacredsendoffs.com/memorials Animal Meditations: https://www.sacredsendoffs.com/meditations Become an Animal Chaplain: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/training Compassion Consortium: https://www.compassionconsortium.org/ Whole Planet Spirituality Forum & Retreat: https://thespiritualforum.org/retreat