TILIKUM, PRISONER OF SEA WORLD, DIED ON JANUARY 6. Tilikum, the orca, was innocent of any wrongdoing, but was captured at the tender age of two, stolen from his family, and condemned to death row until his final passing at the young age of 35. In the wild seas, surrounded by family and friends, free to be who he truly was, he could have lived another 35 years or more. Sea World is feeling the pressure of public disdain since the movie “Blackfish” revealed the truth about the suffering caused by marine parks to hundreds of captive orcas and dolphins. Still Sea World is attempting to make it appear that they took the best care of Tilikum and that he had a good life. Because of Sea World and the anthropocentric mindset that supports such organizations, this orca brother of ours endured 33 years of torture, confinement, and emotional, physical, and spiritual deprivation. His zoochosis caused him to kill several people, something orcas in the wild have never been known to do. The same thing that killed Tilikum is also killing billions of young land and sea animals every year. It is the mindset of domination, the idea that human beings can exploit anyone and anything for our pleasure. Tilikum’s death is a dramatic symbol of the horrors of speciesism, and it is a call to close down all marine parks and zoos and free the animal captives.

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER: IN MEMORY OF BRAVE TILIKUM. Dear Tilikum, you fought for your freedom. You found ways to tell the world that marine parks are immoral and cruel. Many of us have stood in solidarity with you, cried with you, and felt your heartache, your loneliness, your fierce anger, despair, and frustration. What people did to you was terribly wrong, but perhaps you understand now that we human beings are very confused about who we are. Our species has lost its way and forgotten our true nature. But through your extreme suffering in life and now your untimely death, people are beginning to awaken. Dear Tilikum, we have loved you and we have longed for your freedom. We honor you, and we will keep your memory alive. You will always live in our hearts. And we will not cease to take action and to pray for the liberation of all animals who are suffering under the heavy hand of yet-to-awaken human beings. Yours is a different freedom than we had hoped for, but, dear Tilikum, now you truly are free. And with you, we give thanks. You held onto your soul, and you are free at last.

As always, I send my thanks to each of you, dear Prayer Circle members, for

May Divine Wisdom, the animals’ grace, and our true hearts guide us toward ahimsa, peace, liberation, and lovingkindness for all. As always, I send my thanks to each of you, dear Prayer Circle members, for joining this circle of compassion and shining the Light of Truth for all to see, so that one day soon, all beings will live in peace together.

With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy Carman, and greetings from Will, Madeleine, Tara and the Circle of Compassion team

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