On the ‘Big Walk’ to the dam with some of the Twala Trust residents I am spending a few weeks in Harare, Zimbabwe, and as always when I’m here I am enjoying the most profound sense of homecoming. The familiar filter of sunlight through the trees, the warm reconnection with friends. And of course, the opportunity to spend time in the presence of our wonderful animals. One of the highlights of any stay here is a visit to Twala Trust, the animal sanctuary which all of you, who are paying subscribers, are directly helping to fund.
Metta - Universal Loving Kindness - I loved your article - it goes straight to the heart. I enjoyed your photos of different dogs and have never owned one myself - always being a cat person. But since moving to this beautiful retirement centrer , at least half the residents have beautiful dogs and sometimes I find myself surrounded by 6 dogs and their owners. How wonderful they all are. anne sharpen
Thanks so much Penny! It would be great to spend time with you again after all these years! Please make sure you are on the priority list by telling my wife Koala: safari@davidmichie.com
What a heartwarming account of the extraordinary people who are Twala and the many and varied creatures that are rescued and cared for. Fascinating to read of Kadiki’s relationship to Sarah as she transitioned from a cub to a lioness - instinctive nature stronger than nuture! Lovely they still bond and that Kadiki has a lifetime sanctuary. Great photo of you with the happy dogs. 💚🌻
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your report of your visit to Twala Trust Sanctuary, complete with photos. It is really a positive joy and gift of our present day ability to connect with each other (from all over the world) and unite in serving and helping others. I just read a little devotional on the concept and meaning of expansion. If being able (through you and your efforts) to connect in this way isn’t a marvelous example and result! i am so grateful to be a part of it all…. As always, thank you, David, for your loving kindness in taking the time to share all this with all of Us!
It brings a tear to the eye to see such happiness being brought to those sentient beings in need. To have a genuinely open heart without questioning is one of the hardest things I know. But by giving to others we are giving also to ourselves. Great merit will come from those at Twala, and it is lovely that we all can help.
Animal Rescue, no matter which country, is a wonderful organisation of truly dedicated people & thanks for doing your bit David to bring to our awareness.
Twala Trust seems like a wonderful place, as is the Ernesto's Sanctuary, providing love, care and compassion in very difficult circumstances, in another country. Love is so apparent, and felt, and it shows.
I was deeply touched by your stories of compassion in action. And your remark that "the greatest feat of all is to open our hearts." I have been pondering lately how my local sangha might become more engaged in compassion in action. Your article inspired me to finally send an inquiry to one of the sangha leaders. 💜
Many thanks Deborah. The Dalai Lama himself has said that Buddhists can learn from Christians about doing more to help others. Yes teaching shunyata is the ultimate gift, but simple connection and support creates the causes we need to experience reality as divine, thereby serving both self and other.
I Ioved your comments about the dogs, the sad one about Miriam and the great one of Georgina. Very sad about Kadiki, but I understand it, I am sure I would get a heart attack if I see her running to join me.
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful stories. Wish you the best.
I was so deeply moved and inspired by this email from you, David. Deepest respect to Sarah and Vinay, and to you for embodying such patience, compassion and wisdom in our world. I love the idea of being part of an online sangha with you and fellow readers. I learnt many things from this writing, not least of which was your sharing of Geshe Loden's comment that "calm abiding is much easy if you have merit. Best you collect merit first." Much gratitude and love 🙏🏼💖
Thanks so much Sharadha. That link between merit and cal abiding is something I believe we need to make more of. Just sitting on one's backside without any accumulated merit is not going to cut it!
The animals can feel your love and kindness and they enjoy relaxing with you and soaking up the love. Even your clothes match their fur. It is so wonderful to be one with another living soul.
Thank you for sharing your visit to Twala Trust Sanctuary and deepening our awareness on the power of instinct. So happy to be part of this wonderful community. Looking forward to one day hearing a lioness purr. Truly a dream come true.
Such a personal story that brings us readers into a small piece of your life, David. I'm thankful that my support of you and your journey also supports these worthy efforts. In gratitude for you and your path!
My heart swelled and my eyes stung reading this. How utterly beautiful.Thank you for helping us to be part of this, what a blessing.
My heartfelt thanks, Sarah!
Metta - Universal Loving Kindness - I loved your article - it goes straight to the heart. I enjoyed your photos of different dogs and have never owned one myself - always being a cat person. But since moving to this beautiful retirement centrer , at least half the residents have beautiful dogs and sometimes I find myself surrounded by 6 dogs and their owners. How wonderful they all are. anne sharpen
Thanks so much Anne. Cats and dogs - very complementary beings in different ways!
What a privilege to be part of the support for such loving care. I cannot wait to go to Zimbabwe with you next August.
The bonus will be getting to travel with my favorite author and other like-minded people. Thank you for your work, all of it.
Thanks so much Penny! It would be great to spend time with you again after all these years! Please make sure you are on the priority list by telling my wife Koala: safari@davidmichie.com
What a heartwarming account of the extraordinary people who are Twala and the many and varied creatures that are rescued and cared for. Fascinating to read of Kadiki’s relationship to Sarah as she transitioned from a cub to a lioness - instinctive nature stronger than nuture! Lovely they still bond and that Kadiki has a lifetime sanctuary. Great photo of you with the happy dogs. 💚🌻
Many thanks indeed, Susan. Yes that instinct/nurture dynamic is an interesting one. Perhaps a bit like karma/nurture. ..?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your report of your visit to Twala Trust Sanctuary, complete with photos. It is really a positive joy and gift of our present day ability to connect with each other (from all over the world) and unite in serving and helping others. I just read a little devotional on the concept and meaning of expansion. If being able (through you and your efforts) to connect in this way isn’t a marvelous example and result! i am so grateful to be a part of it all…. As always, thank you, David, for your loving kindness in taking the time to share all this with all of Us!
My sincere thanks for your kind message, Susan!
It brings a tear to the eye to see such happiness being brought to those sentient beings in need. To have a genuinely open heart without questioning is one of the hardest things I know. But by giving to others we are giving also to ourselves. Great merit will come from those at Twala, and it is lovely that we all can help.
I totally agree, Erin!
Animal Rescue, no matter which country, is a wonderful organisation of truly dedicated people & thanks for doing your bit David to bring to our awareness.
My privilege, Sue!
Thanks for the update David. Very humbling but great to hear at the same time!
Absolutely, thanks Chris!
Twala Trust seems like a wonderful place, as is the Ernesto's Sanctuary, providing love, care and compassion in very difficult circumstances, in another country. Love is so apparent, and felt, and it shows.
Very much so, thanks Kerie!
I was deeply touched by your stories of compassion in action. And your remark that "the greatest feat of all is to open our hearts." I have been pondering lately how my local sangha might become more engaged in compassion in action. Your article inspired me to finally send an inquiry to one of the sangha leaders. 💜
Many thanks Deborah. The Dalai Lama himself has said that Buddhists can learn from Christians about doing more to help others. Yes teaching shunyata is the ultimate gift, but simple connection and support creates the causes we need to experience reality as divine, thereby serving both self and other.
Thankyou David.
I feel so lucky to be part of this online community of shared loving kindness and compassion.
Annemarie 😊
Wonderful to have you with us, thank you Annemarie!
Dearest David,
I Ioved your comments about the dogs, the sad one about Miriam and the great one of Georgina. Very sad about Kadiki, but I understand it, I am sure I would get a heart attack if I see her running to join me.
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful stories. Wish you the best.
Rossy Cortes
Mexico
Thanks so much Rossy! Yes it would be very alarming to have a lioness pounce on you!
I was so deeply moved and inspired by this email from you, David. Deepest respect to Sarah and Vinay, and to you for embodying such patience, compassion and wisdom in our world. I love the idea of being part of an online sangha with you and fellow readers. I learnt many things from this writing, not least of which was your sharing of Geshe Loden's comment that "calm abiding is much easy if you have merit. Best you collect merit first." Much gratitude and love 🙏🏼💖
Thanks so much Sharadha. That link between merit and cal abiding is something I believe we need to make more of. Just sitting on one's backside without any accumulated merit is not going to cut it!
😂
The animals can feel your love and kindness and they enjoy relaxing with you and soaking up the love. Even your clothes match their fur. It is so wonderful to be one with another living soul.
Thank you so much for your kind message, Trisha! I certainly love being with them!
Thank you for sharing your visit to Twala Trust Sanctuary and deepening our awareness on the power of instinct. So happy to be part of this wonderful community. Looking forward to one day hearing a lioness purr. Truly a dream come true.
Nothing quite like it! Just like a domestic cat but deeper!
Such a personal story that brings us readers into a small piece of your life, David. I'm thankful that my support of you and your journey also supports these worthy efforts. In gratitude for you and your path!
My heartfelt thanks to you, Maura!