Other Creations

Christopher Manes is a serious scholar, but he is also capable of writing a book that is emotionally moving and accessible to the reader. A number of modern writers have asked us to recognize the sanctity of all living things, and the presence of the divine in creation (for example, Tom Hayden's "The Lost Gospel of the Earth"). They ask us to reconsider whether creation was made for us, to do with as we please, or whether we are part of, and inseparable from, that creation--in other words, what we do to the Earth, we do to ourselves. Manes takes this one step further by focusing on and documenting the spiritual nature of our relationship to animals, throughout all of human history. He does so with amazing thoroughness and detail. In an Associated Press interview, he says that "if animals matter in your life, I think you have a deeper view of creation." And, if you spend time with nature and animals, you will realize that "you're not the center of things. Other people matter. Other things matter." He certainly speaks for me; currently I am the companion of a large white parrot. When I look into her eyes, I am aware that there is another being, another and different consciousness, inside that animal body. We are not the center of creation. Other creatures do exist and do matter. Yet at the same time, it is no tragedy to be disabused of the notion that we are masters of the universe, for once we realize that we share our world with others, we realize we are not alone. We have lost a kingship that was never more than an illusion, and gained a host of companions. Manes makes it clear that our our spiritual relationship to animals is an ancient one. As the book jacket says, animals are truly "part of the very texture of human spirituality." Highly recommended!