ENCOURAGING
Good Shepherd
Compassion
&
Humble Cooperative
Conversation through
Science, Philosophy, and Theology
Dr. Marcelo Gleiser PhD – Agnostic, theoretical physicist, cosmologist, philosopher of science
“Despite significant advance, the earliest moments and the fundamental cause
of the Universe’s inception remain shrouded in mystery – perhaps forever so.”
“Indeed, there is a nuanced role for faith-based belief within science,
and it is arguably needed in order to advance knowledge of the natural world.”
Good Shepherd Compassion – Always Free Since 1983
OVERVIEW – First of all, this website is simply a convenient place for me to express, store, and update my thoughts and perspectives as I continue to grow. Second, it’s for others. It’s not only for current friends and colleagues, but especially so that my former counselees, colleagues, & students can see how and why my views and emphases have significantly changed. I removed my past many articles-essays-booklets and I’m replacing them with new or updated ones to better reflect my growing worldview. My focus now in retirement is to let the lessons and stories from hundreds of animals in my past, present, & future serve as a bridge to humble, cooperative conversation about consistently practicing Good-Shepherd compassionate (agape-love) for everyone – even “others” who seem to act like “enemies. Yes, there is goodness and joy in this world, but also a lot of suffering. The question for all of us is – how can our lives become more productive causes of the good.
STORIES – Everyone’s life is a unique story among countless others that blends into the big story of history. Now at nearly 70, my own story involves over 45 years simultaneously serving in the overlapping areas of Counseling-Psychology (Individuals, Couples, Families, often with AAT – Animal-Assisted Therapy), Conflict-Mediation, and Science-Philosophy Education (teaching adults college level counseling-psychology & teaching teens college prep biology), plus throughout it all, always Animal Rescue/Rehabilitation (exotic, wild, domestic – literally elephants, lions, tigers, & bears, plus otters, raccoons, dogs, cats, cows, pigs, chickens, & many many more). Especially my gentle giant tiger friends Akela & Raksi (see the photo above) way back when I served as their daily caregiver at the New Orleans Audubon (conservation) Zoo decades ago.
Sid Galloway BS, M.DIV. (PH.D.? not quite – see the about page)
In memory of my surrogate black “grandfather”
Mr. Will Hall
& my surrogate red-black “aunt-mother”
Mrs. Jerline Henson
Mini-Mule DAVY Leopard MANDY Elephant JEAN
- Currently, DAVY the mini-mule is my new animal friend where we moved in Texas.
(I’m little Davy’s service-human, helping him learn to trust and enjoy human touch & care. Davy belongs to a friend who adopted him as a companion for her horse Aimee.) - Clouded-Leopard MANDY 45 years ago was my best exotic animal friend & mutual therapist.
(I was her caregiver & comfort trainer at the Audubon (conservation) Zoo in New Orleans.) - Gentle Elephant JEAN was only 10 years old when I started as her caregiver at the zoo.
(Jean is still there. She’s an old lady just as I’m now an old man. For many years after I left the zoo to become a counselor and teacher, I’d take my students and counselees to interact with her in AAT)
Dr. Curt Thompson MD,
Christian Psychiatrist-Neurologist,
ANATOMY OF THE SOUL: Surprising Connections Between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices that can Transform Your Life and Relationships.
“…. interpersonal neurobiology. This term expresses the reality that the mind is ultimately a dynamic, mysterious confluence of the brain and experience, with many aspects of it deeply connected (or potentially so) in ways that often go unnoticed. The interactions within interpersonal relationships deeply shape and influence the development of the brain; likewise, the brain and its development shape and influence those very same relationships.” p. 6.
“Thinking of ourselves as individuals is common in the West, but such thinking is much more limited to a left hemisphere way of the mind rather than a more integrated way. To live in the way of love requires that I pay attention to the fact that my mind, through the process of emotion, longs to be connected to others.” p. 99.
“Even in such situations the vision of obtaining God’s … agenda of justice and mercy can be realized. In these macro sayings, paying attention to the mind leads us ultimately to the way of love that is shared, not only between individuals, but between groups torn asunder as well. p. 254.