The Inspiration
"everything that comes from love is a miracle" ~ ACIM
"In their capacity to love unconditionally and not judge appearances, animals teach us the power of compassion and forgiveness. In that, they help us return to our true nature of Love and help heal humanity one person at a time. This can help facilitate change on personal, societal, and global levels. In essence the animals are here to offer us a link to the Divine. They mirror for us a way to remember our own true Self, and that at the core - all of creation - is an equal, beautiful, holy expression of the glory of God!" ~ Shiri Joshua, Founder.
How it all began
The Question
S.O.U.L Academy came through via a quest to make a difference. On March 30, 2010 Shiri Joshua, a human psychotherapist and animal intuitive, was on her way to see a client (a horse and his person) outside of Vancouver, B.C. As she traveled down the highway, her car passed by a truck filled to capacity with... chickens. They were cramped into tiny cages and it was quite obvious where they were headed. Wishing to expand on her commitment to service for animals and humanity, Shiri felt her heart break and in her pain she knew there must be a better way! Amongst her tears and while still driving she yelled:
"Please show me how can I help change your fate?!"
"Please show me how can I help change your fate?!"
The Answer
Within seconds, a neon-like sign flashed before her eyes that read: "S.O.U.L. Society." The words began to appear one by one as if from an ancient sacred text: SERVICE. ONENESS. UNITY. LOVE - some of what we can learn from the animals and bring back into our own human community for both our sake and theirs! Before she could fully "catch" the vision Shiri heard a clear inner Voice which would change her life forever; it stated calmly:
"COMPASSION WILL CHANGE OUR FATE!"
“Oneness with all creation means moving away from the belief that separation exists between souls.”
From 'The Animals’ Messenger: A Tale of Truth and Purpose' by Shiri Joshua.
The Confirmation: A Dolphin-Trader turns to compassion to save life
The very next day a confirmation to this plea from the animals (on behalf of all living beings, including humans) came in the most surprising form: A front-page cover article of the Vancouver Sun featuring a dolphin trader who had 'a change of heart' once he was able to see through the eyes of compassion. He is now dedicating his life to saving, advocating, and releasing pods of dolphins back to the wild!
COMPASSION changes lives - of animals and humans - individually and globally!
Shiri knew that this vision did not come "out of the blue" but rather as an answer to an inner asking to be shown a way for greater service; and so she awaited further guidance. Over time more details became clear (and still many are unfolding daily): Shiri was guided to establish a brand new concept, whereby the aim is to offer books, workshops, public speaking events, and study programs focusing on what animals teach us on Service, Oneness, Unity, Love, and how compassion can help change our fate and theirs.
No Separation: The vision does not speak of only being compassionate towards animals or towards humans as separated kingdoms; rather it comes as a plea for Unity of all children of Life to remember their Oneness and essential inter-connectedness, and by that to help heal the world from its painful sense of separation.
When a person is able to see the soul-essence within another living being, they are able to look through the eyes of compassion and be transformed. This contributes to deep healing not only in a personal way, but also on societal and global levels too!
Animals teach Compassion to humans
(and change everyone's fate):
(and change everyone's fate):
The Bull that was saved and brought healing:
Another example of how compassion changes the fate of humans and animals alike came from "The Bull who cried" - moments before his unfortunate impending death this buffalo changed his butchers' lives by making them see him through the eyes of mercy and not only stop their actions, but to turn around and share their experience with other humans - creating a ripple effect!
A piglet and a life-changing moment of mercy
A pig-farmer caught a glimpse of a distressed piglet's eye and changed his life to animal rights advocacy
The little piglet in this article was a teacher of compassion and helped to not only changed his fate, but the fate of many others including the other animals and the human farmer himself by showing him that we are all the same at the core!
When we can take the experience of compassion towards one living being and then translate it to our own life (ourselves) and those around us - we re transformed forever. Those around us also benefit in the process!
The Lion and the Lamb - a unity symbol for grace, purity, and strength
