ANIMALS-OUR FELLOW BRETHREN

　　　　　　Chapter Ten

ANIMALS-OUR FELLOW BRETHREN

         ( シルバーバーチの霊訓　八

七章　愛すべき仲間たち───動物 )

YEARLY millions of animals throughout the world undergo horrific experimentation by their "civilised" caretakersーman. If there is a worse spiritual crime than inflicting deliberate harm on a fellow man or woman, it is cold bloodedly abusing humanity's　fellow creatures of the animal kingdom. Does it ever occur to the hordes of white-coated, blood-stained experimenters, scientists and researchers that man also is simply an animal? Because of the wider vision and responsibility that Spiritualism bring, many Spiritualists are prominent animal welfare crusaders.

　If, as you say, the law is perfect, why is it that a large propor-tion of the animal world, fulfilling natural law, can survive only by causing appalling suffering to other living creatures?

　Yes, the law is perfect, even when you fail to understand its manifestations. A long experience has shown me that there are no imperfections in natural law. It is conceived by infinite wisdom and sustained by infinite love. As you have heard me say many times, it has made provision for every facet of creation and ensures that nothing or nobody is ever forgotten, uncared for or overlooked. from

　Evolution, part of this law, is a constant progress from lower to higher forms of being and activity. In its lower animal forms it outworks itself by what is seemingly cruel as these animals prey on one another. Through evolution these predatory instincts gradually vanish. If you look at prehistoric times the greatest of all predators have disappeared from the physical scene, while those animals not involved in preying on one another have survived.

　There is another aspect to be considered. In some respects the animal creation reflects its human counterpart. As man evolves and manifests less cruelty to his fellows, so this will be reflected in the animal kingdom.

　A circle member commented, "I have noticed there are animals who are ahead of their own natural species and exhibit more human qualities."

　This must be true because in all the outworking of evolution there are those who are the pioneers showing what will be achieved in the future, just as there are the laggards who have not even caught up with what should be the normal expression of evolution for their species.

　In human activity you get the genius, the reformer and the saint who exhibits qualities of his spiritual nature and by his gifts he can show what your world of tomorrow could be like. Similarly there are animals who have gone some stages ahead of the others and exhibit qualities that can often compare with the finest examples of heroism and service that humans can offer.

　If the reason for life is to learn love and compassion, why does nature set such a bad example by allowing predators?

　Nature does not set anyone a bad example. Nature is an expression of the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit is perfect. The laws of the Great Spirit are perfect. Nature left to its own devices will always achieve the right balance and harmony. If man lived in harmony with nature then your world would be a paradise, a kingdom of heaven.

　There are predators, but that is part of the way nature ensures the survival of the fittest. Yet that is only one aspect of natural law at work. The essence of nature is co-operation. Nature is symbiotic. You, for example, are a gardener. If you prepare your garden and co-operate with nature, the results are beautiful. Man is the predator in your world, the greatest destructive creature that has been known for many millions of years.

　Another question came from a woman who, saying she had a great respect for all life, asked, "Is it wrong to spray with insecticides to try to prevent malaria, sleeping sickness, etc?"

　Of course you must have respect for all life, but this is a question of motive and of degree. If you have conditions where, due to certain circumstances, there are the kind of insects that cause disease, then your motive in using sprays is a good one. Respect for life must be tempered with the necessity of ensuring there are conditions in which it can flourish. Similarly if you have houses infested with bugs, it is easier to spray and get rid of them if your motive is to improve the health of those who dwell there.

　If an animal on earth develops human qualities, such as noble sentiments and intelligence, will it remain an animal without any chance of further evolution, or may it in time step into the human realm?

　Evolution is part of a natural law. It has a mainstream and many tributaries, but all are part of the same law. The spirit within you is in essence the same spirit within the animal. There is no difference in essence but only in degree. Potentially, being infinite, the spirit can achieve the tremendous expression latent in man or animal, but spiritually it is all part of one path. Who is to determine where spirit has branched off to be expressed through an animal, as distinct from branching off to be expressed through man? I do not see the problem there at all.

　Does an animal evolve in a similar way to man?

　It follows its own path of evolution. It is part of the same pattern which is behind all evolution; it is a development. If I say to you, "Do all children evolve in the same way as their parents?" the answer is "Yes" and "No." They have a predestined pattern which they must follow, but within that there is a certain amount of free will regulated by the awareness reached at stages of unfoldment. Every-thing which has spirit is capable of infinite development.

　After listening to comments made by circle members the guide said:

　Animals follow their line of evolution according to the part they play in the whole process. The law of cause and effect is immutable. Whatever is must be the result of what was. The animal is an essential part of the evolutionary plan, just like the tree, the ocean and everything in nature.

　The link is the unifying spirit. All life is one. You have a relationship not only with animals but with all wherever there is life. They will follow their preordained paths. The extent to which they develop is governed by that part of the law which applies to them, as it applies to a flower, a tree, a bird, to the beasts of the field or to a human being.

　Can an animal therefore break its own law?

　Only in a sense that you contravene a law, but it will operate just the same. You can transgress, but you cannot break the law in the sense of preventing effect from follow-ing cause. You can only kick over the traces.

　Could an animal ever do anything for which it can be blamed spiritually?

　Yes, if it transgressed the operation of natural law. There are rogue animals just as there are rogue human beings.

　Would the individual animal know it had broken the law?

　I do not know. I am not an animal. You must have the good and the bad. No animal, no human, nothing is perfect in your world.

　If a human is bad he has a conscience. If an animal is a rogue animal there are reasons.

　It is still subject to the law of cause and effect. I cannot alter the law.

　It has been said by many guides that when an animal dies it returns to a group soul. However there is considerable evidence for animal survival. Could you enlighten us on this apparent paradox?

　There is individual survival for domestic animals that have had association with humans. Thus they have been helped to achieve an individual evolution that is not possible with animals who are still in a group soul, or soul group, even on earth.

　It is part of the wonderful relationship that can exist between humans and animals, each helping the other to develop spiritually. You help the animal that comes into your surroundings to achieve a consciousness that is more personal and individual than it otherwise would have been. It is that which survives death. But where there is not this more evolved "human" expression it joins the soul group or group soul.

　This led again to a circle member's comment: "I feel that as humans develop under present circumstances and know more and more about animal life, this too will help the animals. This is so because we have proved that kindness affects animals. If you are kind to a wild baby animal it has demonstrated in many cases that it grows to have human characteristics."

　"This is because all life is one," said another member. Silver Birch replied:

　These are all branches of the evolutionary tree. These are all developments of the evolutionary pathway. In all such matters kindness produces kindness, compassion produces compassion, love produces love and hate pro-duces hate. So you must follow the highest ideals. In doing so you are helping one another in your evolution, the animal and the human, because all life is one life. There are physical divisions, but spiritually all are one.

　A third member asked, "Would an animal reincarnate?"

　No, though there is a theory about the transmigration of souls.

　When the animal is no longer in contact with the person who is the cause of its progress, does it then slowly begin to return to the group soul, or alternatively is it in a kind of limbo?

　All the animals associated with you will be there to greet you when you come here. They will stay with you as long as it is necessary to do so, because you have helped them to gain an individuality that cannot be dissolved and this will be perpetuated. It is the individuality that

persists.

　Is it the intention that all such animals shall gain this individu-ality in association with human beings, that all animals shall have consciousness in their own right?

　Yes, as man radiates love in his thinking and his actions towards all the animals, then in return they will radiate love and, as it says in your Bible, about the wolf and the lamb, man will lie down with them at the same time.

　In order to sustain life, man has no alternative but to take plant life, filch fowls' eggs and cows' milk or, more savagely, slaughter animals. How can such imperative, robber sustenance be reconciled with an all-beneficent Creator without offence to that reason which you, often enough, have bidden us not to disregard?

　Don't blame the Creator because you kill animals. The choice is yours. You do not have to kill them, but in any case the answer is very simple. Your evolution will decide for you what you should do in all these matters. If you have any doubts your conscience will give its added answer.

　You are responsible for what you do, and all your actions will affect your spiritual nature. An added factor is your motive. If your motive is clearly good and you have to kill, then that obviously produces an ameliorative result in your development.

　You cannot cheat the spiritual laws because they are based on cause and effect, reaping and sowing. Everything you do, think and say has an automatic, inflexible result; no cheating is possible. If you do wrong consciously then you are responsible for it. Your shoulders must bear the burden that results.

　If you do good because you desire to do so, not for vanity's sake, because the motive then is poor, but because your soul desires to serve, then by the very fact of that happening you must be spiritually better for it. This is the law that will always operate.

　I have always said that it is preferable not to be involved in consuming food that bears the mark of Cain upon it. Killing is wrong, though sometimes motive must of neces-sity be taken into account.

　Those who desire spiritual mastery must be prepared to pay the price and live in harmony with the natural laws of the universe. These are spiritual in origin. The aspects of the spirit are always the same, love, compassion, tolerance, sympathy, co-operation. If you follow these principles you will find you are being led to eat aright, to drink aright, to live aright. But yours is the responsibility for deciding because the Great Spirit has endowed you with the gift of free will.

　Perhaps you would like to say something about the latest problems in what they call animal farms. Antibiotics and other drugs given to animals are finding their way back into the people that eat their flesh.

　It is part of nature's eternal cycle that if you inflict suffering on others you must pay the price for it. You cannot be cruel to others and escape the result of your cruelty. If, because of greed, and for no other reason, you imprison the animals and deprive them of their natural rights, then you are creating a vicious circle. The law of cause and effect operates with the result that you must suffer. Only through compassion, love, mercy, kindliness and co-operation do you achieve the best that the whole of nature has to offer, whether it be animal, vegetable, flower, bird or human.

　Are we on the verge of discovering that we cannot help people through what we call vivisection? When that is understood, will that mean a great advance in our moral and spiritual life?

　I would say that you can help people through vivisection, but it is not right to do so because it is contrary to every-thing spiritual to inflict cruelty and suffering on creatures who have done nothing to deserve it.

　Man is responsible for what he does. His motive may be good in many cases and that will affect his spiritual development. That is how the law works. But it is not part of the divine plan that the children of the Great Spirit should become healthy through exploitation and cruelty to the animals in your world. This is so obvious that it requires no emphasis so far as I can see.

　This is where the doctors have taken the wrong path. They justify themselves by saying that man is more impor-tant than the animal. Therefore he has a right to improve his health and well-being by experimenting on these creatures. But that is wrong.

　The law is co-operation. Responsibility should engender mercy and compassion. You cannot exploit others without your suffering as a consequence. Exploitation is harmful to the exploiter. Cruelty is bad for the one who performs the cruelty. When you manifest love you are the better for it. When you manifest hatred you are the worse for it. This is how the natural law works.

　It is right to strive to lessen the cruelty inflicted on animals, to show there is a better way, a way of mercy, that by teaching people how to order their lives aright, to live in harmony with the natural law, they will become well, healthy and radiant.

　What is wrong spiritually can never be condoned. But in an imperfect world there will always be abuses and excesses. You must fight to promote the welfare of all who should dwell together in amity, peace, concord and love. For love is the fulfilling of the law. You cannot have love if you wreak cruelty on others.

　The Nazarene laid it down that the greatest expression of love was to direct it towards your enemies. This is not easy. It is easy to love those for whom you feel affection, sympathy and kinship. But if you can love those who possibly may often be your enemies, then this is the highest manifestation of the divine. It always must be that the things that are worth while are the most difficult to do If it was easy to attain spiritual advancement, it would not be worth the having.

　Probably a small advance is to wish our enemies well, which is as far as most of us can go.

　Yes, but it must always be our task to direct you to express love, compassion and tolerance. These are the qualities of the spirit. As they manifest your world becomes better. So, you must go on doing the best you can. If you help one person, or one creature, it is worth while.

　You have said that if the spirit is right then the material things will naturally follow and be right. How does that apply

to animals in this world who are being born to be tortured, slaughtered and misused generally by man? Surely their spirit is right.

　No, that is not in the same category as the human spirit because man is given the responsibility of making the right choice; that is his free will. Man has the power of helping or hindering the evolutionary plan. Thus he has free will to decide, within limits, how he treats those who share the planet with him. Your world is full of many abuses. Not the least among them is the needless cruelty to animals and their exploitation. But it cannot be otherwise if man is to progress. Were he deprived of his free will he would not have the chance to evolve his individuality and develop. So this is the crux of the whole matter.

　It is so difficult for us to understand how this is allowed to happen.

　If you use the words "allowed to happen" it means you would rather humanity was robbed of its free will. I repeat that if humans are deprived of their free will they cease to be anything but puppets and are unable to unfold the divinity within them. Their spiritual natures will not evolve and the whole purpose of earthly life will be missed. You are put on earth because life is the nursery, the school, the training ground for the spirit. The spirit can evolve only when it is exercised by meeting challenges and overcoming them.

　A circle member joined the discussion by saying: "It does seem unfair to our mortal, human minds that because mankind is learning and sometimes making bad mistakes, the corollary must be the ones that pay are defenceless animals. It seems there is something amiss where man does the wrong things and the animals pay."

　How else would you have it?

　"One would think that if a man did something wrong, then retribution would be on his head rather than on an animal." Silver Birch answered:

　There is the law of compensation and retribution. You are affected spiritually and automatically by whatever good or wrong you do. None escapes the law of cause and effect. Compensation and retribution are intrinsically parts of the natural law. There is compensation for those animals on whom cruelty is wreaked, just as there is compensation for those who suffer from the despotic acts of humans in your world for which they are not responsible.

　Another circle member said, "I do not think man will ever be other than cruel to animals."

　No, that is not necessarily so. There will be a gradual awareness of man's responsibility to other forms of creation.

I do not say there will come a time when overnight cruelty will finish. You are evolving in an evolving world. There will be heights and depths, rises and falls, because evolution is spiral in its effect. But the overall picture is a gradual shift towards progress, otherwise there would be no evolution. You must recognise that the plan is devised, by infinite wisdom and love, so that provision has been made for everything and everybody.

　Yet another circle member joined in: "I was going to say it is our fault that animals are being treated cruelly. Gradually human beings are learning they must not eat them." To this a visitor added: "I wish it were evident to man when he acted cruelly. He seems to get away with it." The guide countered:

　Nobody gets away with it, to use your parlance. The law will always fulfil itself. If you cannot see the results in your world, I assure you they obtain in ours. You cannot in any way alter the law of cause and effect. This law is immutable, inevitable, mathematical in its operation. Effect must follow cause.

　Nobody gets away with it. If people could, then the Great Spirit would cease to be the perfect justice that the Great Spirit is. There is another aspect which I always stress. It is that unfortunately you can only have the short-term, not the long-term, view. You see only what happens in your world, but the results are outworked in ours.

　"We are impatient," said the visitor.

　That we know. Do the best you can to awaken responsi-bility in others. Help to bring nearer that time when the wolf shall lie down with the lamb. Evolution must fulfil itself.

　"If we as humans were able to live more the natural, divine way of life, thousands of animals would not be subjected to experimentation," said another guest.

　That is true. We must persist in our efforts to spread enlightenment and truth wherever we can. Every time we break down a barrier we must rejoice. The power of the spirit works by evolution, not by revolution. The people of your world must pay the price for divorcing themselves from nature and all its great powers which are locked within its recesses.

　Man is a spiritual being with spiritual attributes, spiritual potential, spiritual capabilities. Man has the power so to order his life that he is able to help others, particularly the animals, to evolve as well as himself. The plan must fulfil itself. Man can hinder and delay, but he cannot prevent it from coming into operation.

　Animals are said to be our "lesser brethren." Is it true that they are less developed than humans and have not yet reached our stage of evolution? I am thinking for example, of the selfless

devotion and patience of dogs. Surely we could learn from them. Are they on a different path from ours?

　No, evolution embraces all life. There is only one law of evolution for all facets of life. Words are always difficult. When you use the phrase, "the lesser brethren," it is suggested animals have not achieved the stage of awareness that humans have. And it implies this must be so because they are not endowed, as humans are, with all the mechan-ism for reason, understanding, judgement and for decision-making and to a large extent they are controlled more by instinct. So it is suggested they can be considered lesser from one point of view. But that is not the ultimate test.

　Of course there is much to learn from animals. They express qualities of fidelity, devotion, helpfulness, sacrifice and dedication which are excellent examples for humans to copy. But, then too, humans are also capable of express-ing these qualities, and even to a greater degree, because their consciousness has evolved to a higher state, not a higher spiritual state, but a higher one than animals.

　A circle member said, "Many people now dislike the word 'lesser' and say 'younger."

　I think that is a much better description.

　"We have so many wonderful stories of animals doing far better things than humans," the same member said.

　"And some animals are psychic," added another.

　That is part of the law of compensation which always operates. When there is a deficiency of one faculty there is a compensating faculty. Thus the blind man gets an increasing sensitiveness that ordinary people do not possess.

　A lot of people ask if cats who live in homes are aware of spirit entities when human beings are not.

　Of course they are. This is due to the fact that your civilisation, as it is sometimes mistakenly called, has com-pelled people to live further away from nature than they should. They are divorced from all the power and strength that nature brings. Thus their psychic faculties have become more inhibited than races who lived and still live closer to nature and all its tremendous resources.

　Domestic animals, generally speaking, have not had the "benefits" of your civilisation. Their natural psychic faculties are functioning more than the humans who are allegedly called their masters. And they have a natural awareness of people from our world that unfortunately most human beings do not possess.

　Animal welfare was also mentioned when the guide spoke to a bereaved husband whose wife had laboured in this field:

　Your wife says she is pleased with you because you have continued the task which was the whole of her earthly life and in which you shared, playing your part in helping to end needless, foolish and wicked cruelty to animals. These are blots, foul stains on what is called civilisation. Those of you who are aware of the oneness of all life must never weary in the struggle to ensure that animals regarded as lesser beings should have the fulness which is their right.

　Continue your challenge to oppression, cruelty, torture and needless shedding of blood. Help to play your part in this worthwhile struggle in which ultimately good will overcome man's folly.

　For too long, this man commented, it was unfortunate that those who practised cruelty seemed to be on the winning side.

　Good will triumph over evil, just as light will triumph over darkness. The power of darkness cannot triumph over light, neither can the power of evil triumph over good. Never lose heart. You have at your side many whose earthly lives were devoted to these causes and who continue to co-operate to ensure that freedom should come to all who dwell in your world.

　The plan is there. You have the great privilege of help-ing to share in it so that it can be fulfilled, as ultimately it will be. Man can thwart, man can delay, man can hinder, but man cannot overrule the plan of the Great Spirit.

　Silver Birch was told, "What I cannot understand is the lack of unity in people who are supposed to be fighting these

cruelties while those on the Other Side present a solid front."

　Unity is very difficult to achieve. Unfortunately in your world personalities often take priority over principles. People engaged in good causes tend, as time goes on, to forget them and to think of self. This is a human problem. It exists largely through the lack of spiritual understanding. They are dedicated to the causes they serve only if they can be achieved their way, they say. In their vanity they believe that theirs is not only the right way but the best and the only one. This is one of the problems that causes dismay to those in our world who spent their earthly lives in championing these same causes.

　What you have to doーit is not easyーis to get these people to understand they must try to forget their person-ality clashes, concentrate on the fundamental principles on which they should be engaged and work selflessly for those causes to which they were attracted first. It is not only true in the sphere of service in which you are engaged. It is true in other spheres.

　Is it not true that in the movement called Spiritualism you have the same problem of people refusing to submerge　personalities and there are clashes due to vanity? I say to you that no effort for good is ever wasted. Gradually these fights will be won because the power that is behind you is such that it cannot be halted. However great the opposition it will be forced to retreat.

  Reform is not only inspired from our world, it has the blessing and co-operation of enlightened beings who bring great power to bear. You must always be urged to continue to fight for the things that matter. Never become weary in well doing. This is important. Keep a stout heart. There is plenty you can do. You are acquitting yourself well. When things are most difficult the way will be shown.

　I cannot recall any difficulty that has come to any of you which has been insurmountable. Sometimes you have to wait until the 59th minute for help to come to you, but it comes.

　The most beautiful rose is surrounded by thorns. Beauty emerges out of seeming dirt. There is a pattern, a polarity, a diversity, a corollary always to be observed in the working of natural law. Depth and height, sunshine and storm, ignorance and knowledge, war and peace, love and hate, error and truth, weakness and strength, each has its part to play.

　Evolution cannot work in any other way. In your weakness you will find strength. In your darkness you will find light. In difficulty you will find help. It is plati-tudinous but still true to say that the darkest hour always precedes the dawn. This is part of the paradox of all being. This is how evolution is able to achieve its immutable purpose.

　With this knowledge there should never be any need for sorrow, for thinking the powers-that-be do not know what they are doing. There are factors of which you are unaware. Just do the best you can. You are human, but you have the golden thread of divinity running through your being. This is your storehouse, your powerhouse, the source on which you can call for extra strength. This is your spiritual reserve that can help you.

　When others are difficult, feel sorry for them. They have missed their way. Try to win them, not with heated words but with simple truth. They will learn in time. What you are doing is the choice made by your free will, perhaps one of the most important gifts conferred on you by the Great Spirit. You could have been puppets, ettes, with no ability to reason, think, challenge or question.

　Instead you have potentially all the infinite qualities of divinity. You call them into being when you face challenge. This is the fire in which the steel is forged. This is the priceless opportunity; so show your mettle so that the gold of the spirit can emerge and exhibit its divine origin.

　Never be afraid of the challenge or the fight. The combat is good for you as long as you realise you have a spiritual purpose to fulfil. I, a somewhat older soul than yourself, encourage you to realise always that eternal, spiritual principles are your guide lines and that adhering rigidly to them you cannot fail.

　Welcoming another animal welfare worker, the guide said:

　I am very glad to have you here. It is a great pleasure to welcome any servants of the spirit whose lives are dedicated to the task of spreading enlightenment and teach-ing compassion to all forms of sentient life.

　I know that this task is not an easy one, that the path is full of difficulties, but the prizes of the spirit are to be won by those who can be the most steadfast when they are confronted with obstacles. You did not choose an easy path to follow. I am not suggesting that you complain. I am merely pointing out that this is what you have chosen to do of your own free will. There are many associated with you in my world who would like you to realise, as I think you do, that those engaged in championing causes that matter are never alone.

　It is a very difficult task on which you are engaged. There are so many reforms to be accomplished. But every time you succeed in ending or lessening cruelty you are helping the eternal processes of creation to be fulfilled.

　I do not have to tell you that the animals in your world have rights which are as inalienable as those of the humans with whom they share the same planet. I do not have to tell you that the evolutionary law encompasses all beings; that none can be outside this operation; that the whole of life, no matter how varied its forms, moves forward together; and that every act of cruelty, whether to humans, or animals, retards the progress of the whole of life.

　You must regard it as a victory when you make any progress in this important field. You know, as well as I do, that the evolution of the human race is bound up with the evolution of all animals. Man retards his own progress when he ignores or forgets his obligations to those who serve him with devotion and fidelity, or who are placed on earth so that man can help them to progress as he does.

　All the difficulties, wars, greed, selfishness, the by-products of materialistic thinking, these cannot be abolished until man on earth expresses the divine qualities of love, affection, pity, compassion, service. These are the divine attributes with which he is endowed. Until he manifests them he is marring his unfoldment. Every act of exploita-tion or cruelty hinders his advancement, apart from its deleterious effect on others, be they human or animal.

　A band of great souls work with you. The man you call St Francis is almost the leader. He plays a very active part in this crusading and brings the power that he has gained since coming to our world to help in all that you are trying to do.

　When you meet with problems, you have to make the decisions as to how to deal with them. There is no better rule than to withdraw into the silence and allow the divinity within to point the way where you should go.

　The fields in which you labour are yours for the choosing. Organisations, societies, councils, these do not matter unless they fulfil the purpose for which they were formed. Always those with knowledge of inner life, and of spiritual values, who have access to other levels of being, should try to allow themselves to be guided so that what they do is actuated by the single motive of service.

　If these words, which I have been asked to say, are of any help, then I am glad to have been the instrument for conveying them. The generals who are to be in charge of battles have to be tried and tested to ensure that they will not falter.

　All that has gone before is an essential part of the trials and tests to make certain that the pure gold of the spirit emerges closer to the surface and that you become increas-ingly aware of that inner strength, that inner refuge, that inner sanctuary which is there and on which you can draw, or to which you can retire, as occasion demands.

　"Your words are exactly what I need and will be of great help," said the visitor. "Sometimes we don't know which course to pursue."

　You must always do what you think is right. Be sure you think it is right. If there is purity of motive then what follows is always to the good. If the motive is wrong then you have only yourself to blame. But if you fight and lose, and the motive is right, then you can pick yourself up and fight again.

　We are warriors if necessary for war to be waged. After all, are we not engaged in one of the biggest of all wars? This is the war against ignorance, stupidity, selfishness, superstition, all the forces of darkness that resist the light. It is a war against oppression, cruelty, exploitation, needless suffering. This is a tremendous battle that has to be won.

　If you enable one form of cruelty to be abolished then the whole of your earthly existence is worth while. It is this needless cruelty that must be fought again and again until it is driven from the face of your earth. Never allow yourself to be disheartened no matter how seemingly large the oppression. You will continue to have victories.

　You may not be able to achieve in your own earthly period all the reforms you desire, but if you achieve one, two or three then you have justified your existence. Sometimes I wish that those of you who are immersed in this service could see how the animals in our world dwell in peace and harmony, with a complete absence of fear or terror. It is indeed a heaven for them.

　　シルバーバーチの霊訓　八
七章　愛すべき仲間たち───動物

　毎年毎年、世界中で幾百万とも知れぬ動物が〝万物の霊長〟たることを誇る人間の手によって実験材料にされている。霊的に見れば本来人間の仲間である無抵抗の動物を人間が冷酷非情に虐待することは、人間どうしが故意に苦痛を与え合うこと以上に罪深いことである。

血染めの白衣をまとった科学者や研究者は、人間も動物であるという事実に一度でも思いを馳せたことがあるのだろうか。

───あなたのおっしゃるように、もしも自然の摂理が完全であるならば、その摂理にしたがって生きている動物界になぜ弱肉強食という、むごたらしい生き方があるのでしょうか。

　「おっしゃる通り摂理は完全です。たとえ人間にはその顕現のすべては理解できなくても完全です。（三千年もの）永い経験で私は自然の摂理には何一つ不完全さがないことを知りました。無限の叡智と無限の愛によって生み出されたものだからです。

これまで何度も申し上げておりますように、創造活動のありとあらゆる側面に対応した摂理が用意されており、何一つ、誰一人として忘れられたり、放ったらかされたり、見落されたりすることがないのです。

　その一つである進化の法則は、存在と活動の低い形態から高い形態への絶え間ない進行の中で働いております。低い動物形態においては、見た目には残忍と思える食い合いの形を取ります。が、進化するにつれてその捕食本能が少しずつ消えていきます。先史時代をごらんなさい。

捕食動物の最大のものが地上から姿を消し、食い合いをしない動物が生き残ってきております。これにはもう一つ考慮すべき側面があります。そうした動物の世界の進化のいくつかの面で人類自身の進化がかかわっていることです。

すなわち人類が進化して動物に対する残忍な行為が少なくなるにつれて、それが動物界の進化に反映していくということです」

───（サークルのメンバー）私の観察では、動物の中にも同じ種属の他の仲間より進化していて人間的資質さえ見せているのがいます。

　「それは当然そうあってしかるべきことです。どの種属においてもそうですが、進化の世界では未来において発揮されるものを今の段階で発揮している前衛的存在と、現在の段階で発揮すべきものすら発揮していない後衛的存在がいるものだからです。

　人類について言えば、天才、革命家、聖賢といった存在が霊的資質を発揮して、あすの人類のあるべき姿を示しております。人間として可能な最高の英雄的精神と奉仕的精神の見本を示しているわけですが、動物の世界にもそれに比肩しうるほどの資質を、他の仲間から抜きん出て発揮するのがいます」

───生命活動の目的が愛と慈悲の心を学ぶことがあるのなら、なぜ大自然は捕食動物のような悪い見本を用意したのでしょうか。

　　「大自然が悪い見本を用意するようなことはしません。大自然は宇宙の大霊すなわち神が顕現したものです。神は完全です。神の摂理も完全です。大自然は、その本来の仕組みどおりに働けばかならずバランスと調和が取れるようになっているのです。人間が自然と調和して生きれば、地上はパラダイス、神の御国となります。

　たしかに捕食動物はいますが、それは〝適者生存〟の摂理の一環であり、しかも大自然の摂理全体のほんの小さな側面にすぎません。自然界の本質は協調です。共存共栄です。たとえてみれば人間は地球の庭師のようなものです。

植物の本性に合わせて手入れをしておれば庭は美しくなります。今では人間が捕食動物となっています。何百万年もの歴史の中で人間ほど破壊的な生物はおりません」

　生命あるものすべてに敬意を抱いている女性のメンバーが尋ねる。

───マラリヤとか眠り病などを予防するために殺虫剤を使用することは間違いでしょうか。

　「すべての生命に敬意を抱かなければならないのは言うまでもないことですが、これも動機と程度の問題です。特殊な環境において病気の原因となる虫が発生するので殺虫剤を使用するという場合は、その動機は正しいと言えます。

生きるための環境条件を確保する必要を考慮に入れなければいけません。たとえばダニが発生した場合、その家に住む者の健康を確保するという動機からであれば、スプレーして駆除してしまった方がくつろいで暮らせます」

───地上の動物がたとえば気高い情や知性といった人間的要素を発達させた場合でも、死後はやはり動物の類魂の中に帰っていくのでしょうか。それとも遠からず人間界へと進化していくのでしょうか。

　「進化も自然の摂理の一部です。これにも一本の本流とたくさんの支流とがありますが、全体としては同じ摂理の一部を構成しております。あなたがた人間に潜在している霊性と動物のそれとは質的にはまったく同じものです。程度において差があるだけで本質においては差はありません。

霊は無限ですから、可能性としては人間においても動物においても驚異的な発現力を秘めておりますが、霊的には両者とも一本の進化の道に属しております。その道程のどの時点で動物へ枝分かれし、どの段階で人間へ枝分かれするかは、誰れにも断定できません。私はそこに取り立てて問題とすべき要素はないと思います」

───動物も人間と同じコースをたどって進化するのでしょうか。

　「動物には動物としての進化のコースがあります。それも進化活動全体の背後にある同じパターンの一部です。動物の場合は（進化と言うよりは）一種の発達過程です。

もしも私から〝子供はみんな両親と同じように進化するのでしょうか〟と尋ねたら、答えは〝イエス〟でもあり〝ノー〟でもあるでしょう。子供にはそれぞれにたどるべき人生のパターンがあらかじめ定められております。が、そのパターンの範囲内において、「それまでに到達した霊的意識の段階によって規制された自由意志の行使が許されております（それが進化の要素となる───訳者）。霊を宿した存在には無限の可能性があります。」 

　ここでメンバーどうしで意見を出し合っているのを聞いたあとシルバーバーチはさらにこう続けた。

　「動物には動物なりの、進化の全過程の中で果たすべき役割があり、それを基準とした進化のコースをたどります。やはり因果律が絶対的要素です。今現在あるものはすべて、かつてあったものの結果です。動物も宇宙進化の大機構で欠かすことのできない存在であり、それは山川草木、海、その他自然界のあらゆるものが欠かせない存在であるのと同じです。

　それらを一つにまとめている絆が〝霊〟です。生命は一つなのです。人間は動物とつながっているだけでなく、命あるものなら何とでもつながっているのです。ただし、それらはそれぞれに定められた進化のコースをたどります。

そして、それらがどこまで進化するかは、それぞれの次元での進化の法則によって決まります。花、木、小鳥、野生動物、そして人間と、それぞれに適応した法則があるのです」

───ということは動物にもそれなりの法則を破ることがあるということですね？

　「あなた方人間が摂理に背いたことをするのと同じ意味においてのみ、そう言えます。が、やはり因果律は働いております。人間も、摂理を逸脱した行為をすることはあっても、因果律の働きを阻止するという意味で〝摂理を破る〟ことはできません。ダダをこねてるだけです」

（訳者注───最後の文は　Kick over the traces という成句を使用している。traces というのは馬の引き革のことで、人間が摂理に順応できなくてわがままを言うのを、馬が引き革をきゅうくつに思って蹴ってあばれることに喩えている。）

───動物でも霊的に咎められるべきことをすることがありますか。

　「自然法則に逆らったことをすれば、それは有り得ることです。人間に〝ならず者〟がいるように動物にも狂暴化した動物がいます」

───そういう動物は自分が悪いことをしたことを個的意識の中で自覚するのでしょうか。

　「それは知りません。私は動物ではないからです。ともかく善良な動物もいれば邪悪な動物もいるということです。いかなる動物も、いかなる人間も、つまり地上のいかなる存在も完全ではないのです」

　（訳者注───シルバーバーチの答えの中で私が解しかねるものが二、三ある。これがその一つである。自分は動物ではないから知らないという返答は、はっきり言って無責任である。が、シルバーバーチは知らないものは正直に知らないと言う霊であるから、それがこんな素っ気ない返答をすることには何かわけがありそうである。

意識の神秘はとうてい人間には理解できないからということでわざとそういう言い方で茶化したのかも知れないし、深入りしてはならないと命じられている問題の一つなのかも知れない。そのいずれかであろう。

シルバーバーチ自身、そういうものがあることを別のところで述べているし、『霊訓』のイムペレーターも、自動書記の中でも霊言の中でも、〝霊的なことがらの中には人間には知らさない方がよいことも多々ある〟と述べている。）

───動物が死ぬと類魂の中に帰って行くということを多くの霊が述べておりますが、実際には死後もずっと地上のままの姿を留めていることを示す証拠が沢山あります。この矛盾を説き明かしていただけませんか。

　「人間と親密な関係にあった動物にかぎって、個体を具えたままの存続が可能なのです。そうした動物は地上にいる時から、類魂としての本能のまま生きる動物には得られない、個体としての進化が促進されております。それは人間と動物との間で霊的進化を促進し合うという、すばらしい関係の一例といえます。

動物が皆さんとともに同じ環境で過ごすということは、そうでない場合よりもはるかに人間らしい個性的な意識を発達させることになるのです。そうした〝人間的〟表現というものに縁のなかった動物は類魂の中に埋没していきます」

　ここでメンバーの一人が 「私は人間が進歩して動物の生命についてもっと多くを知るということも、動物の進化を促進することになると思うのです。優しい心が動物に良い影響を及ぼすことはよく分かっているからです。

野生の動物の赤ん坊を優しく育てると人間的性質を見せるようになる例がよくあります」と言うと、別のメンバーが「それはすべての生命が一つだからですよ」と言う。するとシルバーバーチが───

　「それも一本の進化の大木の枝のようなものです。進化の道が枝分かれして発展したものです。そこにおいては、優しさが優しさを呼び、哀れみが哀れみを呼び、愛が愛を呼び、憎しみが憎しみを呼びます。ですから、人間は常に最高の理想を目標としなければいけないことになります。

そう努力することの中で、人間と動物とが進化の道程でお互いに促進し合うことになるのです。それはすべての生命が一つだからです。物質的にはさまざまな区別がありますが、霊的には一つです」

───動物は再生しますか。

　「輪廻転生説というのがあるようですが、動物は再生しません」

───動物が死んで、進化を促進してくれた人間との縁が切れたら、その時点から類魂へ帰りはじめるのでしょうか、それとも、どっちつかずの状態に置かれるのでしょうか。

　「人間に可愛がられた動物は、霊界でずっと待っていて、その人が他界してきた時に出迎えます。永遠に消滅することのない個的存在を与えてくれた人ですから、必要なかぎりずっと待っています。存続するのはその個的存在です」

───すべての動物は人間との縁を通じて個的存在を獲得するように意図されているのでしょうか。つまり個としての独自の意識をもつということです。

　「そうです。人間がその思考とその行為において動物に対する愛を発揮すればするほど、動物の方も愛を発揮するようになり、それこそ、聖書の中のオオカミと小ヒツジの話のように、人間と動物とが並んで寝そべるようになります」

───自分の生命を維持するために人間は植物の生命を奪い、動物の卵や乳を横取りし、もっと酷いこととして、動物を殺して食べざるを得ません。こうした強引な言わばドロボー的生き方は、あなたがよく強調なさっている理性を反撥させずにはおかないのですが、これを〝愛の造物主〟の概念とどう結びつけたらよいのでしょうか。

　「自分たちで勝手に動物を殺しておいて、神がそうせざるを得なくしているかにお考えになってはいけません。どちらにするかは、あなた方が決めることです。動物を殺さないと生きて行けないというものではありません。

が、いずれにせよ、答えは簡単です。そうした問題をどう処理していくかによって人類の進化が決まるということです。自分たちのやっていることに疑問を感じるようになれば、その時、あなたの良心が次の答えを出します。

　人間は自分のすることに責任を取ることになっており、その行為の一つ一つが、その人の霊性に影響を及ぼします。その際にかならず考慮されるのが動機です。動機にやましいところがなく、どうしても殺さざるを得なかったという場合は、その行為はあなたの成長にプラスに働きます。

 　霊的摂理は原因と結果の関係、タメ蒔きと刈り入れの原理の上に成り立っており、これは絶対にごまかせません。あなたのすること(情報を盗み、分かった気になる) 、考えること、口にすることの一つ一つがそれ相応の結果を自動的に生み出します。そこに「ごまかしは利きません。」悪いと知りつつ間違ったことをした場合は、その結果に対して責任を取らされます。その結果としての苦しみは自分で背負わねばなりません。

　良い行いをする場合でも、それが見栄から出ているのであれば動機がお粗末でいけませんが、魂の自然の発露として善行を施した場合は、そういう行いをしたという事実そのものが、あなたを霊的に向上させます。それが摂理というものなのです。

　私が常づね申し上げているのは、〝殺害〟の観念がつきまとう食糧品はなるべくなら摂取しない方がよいということです。殺すということは絶対にいけないことです。ただし、その動機を考慮しなければならない場合があることは認めます。

　霊的向上を望む者は、いかなる犠牲を払っても大自然の摂理と調和して生きる覚悟ができていなければなりません。その摂理は霊的なのです。霊が発揮すべき側面はいつの時代も同じです。愛と慈悲と寛容と同情と協調です。こうした原理にしたがって考えれば、食すべきものを食し、飲むべきものを飲み、正しい生き方に導かれます。

しかし、最終的に選択するのはあなた自身です。そのために神は自由意志というものをお与えになっているのです」

───動物に投与している抗生物質などの薬品類がめぐりめぐって人間の体内へ入ってきている事実をどう思われますか。

　「それは、他の生命に害悪を及ぼすと必ずそれに対して責任を取らされるという、大自然の永遠のサイクルの一環です。他の生命に残酷な仕打ちをしておいて、それが生み出す結果を逃れるということは許されません。

貪欲以外に何の理由づけもなしに動物をオリの中で飼育し、動物としての本来の権利を奪うことは、悪循環をこしらえることにしかなりません。

そのサイクルの中で因果律が生み出すものに対して、人間は苦しい代償を支払わねばなりません。動物であろうと花であろうと小鳥であろうと人間であろうと、自然界全体が恵んでくれる最高のものを得るには、慈悲と愛と哀れみと親切と協調しかないのです」

───いわゆる動物実験では本当に役立つものは得られないということを人類が理解する段階はもう来ているのでしょうか。そのことに理解がいけば、それは道徳的ならびに霊的生活における大きな進歩を意味することになるのでしょうか。

　「動物実験によって何一つ役立つものが得られないというわけではありません。が、その手段は間違っていると申し上げているのです。何の罪もない動物に残酷な仕打ちをすることは霊的なことすべてに反するからです。

　人間は自分のすることに責任を取らされます。動機は正しいといえるケースも沢山ありますし、それはそれとして霊的発達に影響を及ぼします。摂理とはそういうものなのです。がしかし、神は、子等が動物への略奪と残忍な行為によって健康になるようには計画しておられません。それは改めて強調する必要を認めないほど明らかなことでしょう。

　学者が道を間違えているのはそこのところです。人間の方が動物より大切な存在である。よってその動物を実験台として人間の健康と幸福の増進をはかる権利がある、という弁解をするのですが、これは間違っております。

　共存共栄こそが摂理なのです。人間がその責任を自覚すれば、哀れみと慈悲の心が生まれてくるはずです。他の生命を略奪しておいて、その結果として自分に及ぶ苦しみから逃れられるものではありません。略奪行為は略奪者自身にとって危険なことなのです。残虐行為はそれを行う人間にとって罪なことなのです。

愛を発揮すれば、それだけ自分が得をするのです。憎しみの念を出せば、それだけ自分が損をするのです。摂理がそういうふうに出来ているのです。

　したがって当然、皆さんは動物への残虐行為を減らし、もっと良い方法、哀れみに満ちた手段を教えるための努力をすべきです。人々に、みずからの生活を規則正しくし自然の摂理と調和して生きる手段を教えてあげれば、みんな元気で健康で明るさいっぱいの人間になれるのです。

　霊的にみて間違っていることは決して許されるものではありません。しかし、不完全な世界においてはある程度の間違いと行き過ぎはやむを得ません。そうした中にあって皆さんが、平和と友好と和合と愛の中で暮らすべき全生命の福祉を促進するために闘うべきなのです。愛とは摂理を成就することなのです。

他の生命に残酷な行為をしているかぎり、愛を成就しているとは言えません。ナザレのイエスは自分の敵に対して向けられる愛を最高のものとしました。もとより、これは生やさしいものではありません。

情愛、共感、近親感を覚える者を愛することは容易です。しかし、とかく敵対関係になる相手を愛することがもし出来れば、それは神の御心の最高の表現であると言えます。

　何ごとにつけ、価値あるものは成就することが困難にできあがっているのです。もしも霊的進化がラクに達成できるとしたら、それは達成するほどの価値はないことになりましょう」

───敵のことをせめて悪く思わないでいられるようになれば、小さくても進歩は進歩だろうと思います。大部分の人間にとってそれが精いっぱいです。

　「おっしゃる通りなのですが、私たちの立場としては、愛と哀れみと寛容の精神を発揮するという理想へ向けて皆さんを導かねばならないのです。それが霊の資質だからです。それが多く発揮されるほど地上は良くなります。

ですから、皆さんには可能なかぎりの最善を尽くしていただかねばなりません。たった一人の人間、たった一頭の動物でも救ってあげれば、それは価値ある仕事と言えます」

───霊的に正しければ物的な側面も正しくなるとおっしゃったことがありますが、地上の動物についてそれをどう当てはめたらよいのでしょうか。人間によって虐待され屠殺され誤用されるために生まれてくるようなものです。動物は霊的に何も間違ったことはしていないはずですが･･････

　「そうではありません。動物の霊は、霊は霊でも人間の霊とは範疇（カテゴリー）が違います。人間には正しい選択をする責任が負わされています。そこに自由意志があります。進化の計画を促進することもできれば遅らせることもできます。

つまり、限られた範囲内においての話ですが、地球という惑星でいっしょに暮らしている他の生命をどう扱うかについて自由意志を行使することが許されております。地上は悪用、濫用、誤用だらけです。

その中でも決して小さいとは言えないのが動物への無用の虐待と略奪です。しかし、人間が進化していくにはそうした過程もやむを得ないのです。もしも人間から自由意志を奪ってしまえば、インディビジュアリティを進化させ発展させていくチャンスが無くなります。そこが難しいところなのです」

───そういう事態が生じることが許されるという、そこのところが理解できないのです。

　「〝生じることが許される〟という言い方をなさるということは、あなたは人間から自由意志を奪い去った方がよいとお考えになっていることになります。くり返しますが、もしも人間が自由意志を奪われたら、ただの操り人形でしかなくなり、内部の神性を発揮することができなくなります。

霊的本性が進化せず、地上生活の目的も果たせません。あなたが地上に生を受けたのは、地上が霊の保育所であり、学校であり、訓練所だからです。さまざまな挑戦にあい、それを克服していく中で自由意志を行使してこそ、霊は進化できるのです」

ここで別のメンバーがディスカッションに加わる。

───人類が過ちを犯しながら学んでいく、その犠牲になるのが抵抗するすべを知らない動物たちであるというのは、我々の限りある知能では不公平に思えてなりません。人間が悪いことをして動物が犠牲を払うというのは、どこか間違っているように思えます。

　「あなたご自身はどうあるべきだとお考えですか」

───人間が動物に対して間違いを犯せば、その天罰は動物ではなく人間の頭上に降りかかるべきだと考えます。

　「埋め合わせと懲罰の法則というのがあります。あなたが行う善いこと悪いことのすべてが、自動的にあなたに霊的な影響を及ぼします。大自然の因果律は絶対に免れません。

埋め合わせと懲罰の法則はその大自然の中核をなすものです。罪もない人民が支配者の横暴な振舞いによって被る犠牲に対して埋め合わせがあるように、残虐な取り扱いをうけた動物にもそれなりの埋め合わせがあります」

───（別のメンバー）人間はこれから先もずっと動物に酷いことをしつづけるのではないかと思うのですが･･････

　「いえ、そうとばかりも言えません。他の生命に対する責任を徐々に理解していくでしょう。人間は進化しつつある世界での進化しつつある存在です。絶頂期もあれば奈落の底もあり、向上もすれば転落もします。進化というのは螺旋形（スパイラル）を画きながら進行するものだからです。しかし全体としては少しずつ向上しています。

さもないと進化していないことになります。無限の叡智と無限の愛によって、すべてのもの、すべての人間についてしかるべき配慮が行き届くように、ちゃんとした構想が出来あがっていることを認識しなくてはいけません」

　ここでさきのメンバーが〝私が言いたかったのは、動物が酷い扱われ方をしているのは人間の過ちだということです。人間も徐々にではありますが動物を食糧にすべきではないことを自覚しつつあります〟と言うと、その日の招待客の一人が〝残酷なことをしたらすぐにそれと気づくようになっていればいいのですが･･･。

どうも人間はうまく罪を免れているように思えてなりません〟という意見を出した。するとシルバーバーチが───

　「うまく罪を免れる人は誰一人いません。摂理は間違いなく働きます。たとえ地上で結果が出なくても、霊界でかならず出ることを私が断言します。