Over-emotional response to animal abuse?

[aaronfransen]

We lost our kitty in December (I posted here and received much help from the group, thank you!) and one thing I've noticed ever since is that if I even see a headline about an animal being abused I nearly lose it.

Anger, sorrow, the usual thing I suppose, but it makes me so #*%&! angry that I want to hurt people. Not kill, hurt. Lots.

And I realize that is hardly the sentiment of someone trying to "evolve/ascend". I do try to analyze the feelings, but it's actually quite hard. It makes me think that I'm being programmed to think this way.

In any case it occurred to me this morning that if I had one wish, it would be that all creatures be spared from suffering; animals especially so should not be subjected to our behaviour because they are "innocent". Yes, the lion is going to eat the gazelle. But we sure don't need poachers taking down elephants for fun. (You get the idea...I hope?)

Anyway I was just wondering if I was the only one who feels this way :(

 

[Oxajil]

We lost our kitty in December (I posted here and received much help from the group, thank you!) and one thing I've noticed ever since is that if I even see a headline about an animal being abused I nearly lose it.

Anger, sorrow, the usual thing I suppose, but it makes me so #*%&! angry that I want to hurt people. Not kill, hurt. Lots.

And I realize that is hardly the sentiment of someone trying to "evolve/ascend". I do try to analyze the feelings, but it's actually quite hard. It makes me think that I'm being programmed to think this way.

In any case it occurred to me this morning that if I had one wish, it would be that all creatures be spared from suffering; animals especially so should not be subjected to our behaviour because they are "innocent". Yes, the lion is going to eat the gazelle. But we sure don't need poachers taking down elephants for fun. (You get the idea...I hope?)

Anyway I was just wondering if I was the only one who feels this way :(

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty, Lost Spirit. I also feel bad when I see people killing animals (elephants, lions, giraffes, etc.) for fun. I don't get the feeling of wanting to hurt those people, but I definitely wouldn't want to be friends with them.

In some cases, taking the lives of animals (in a humane manner) is in accordance with Nature so to say, such as for food, or depending on the situation when certain animals are causing havoc in a certain area. But I don't know why people hunt amazing animals such as elephants and happily take a picture with their bodies afterwards. It's horrible.

I guess that in some circles it is 'normal' for people (usually rich people) to do such a thing. I also support punishment for people who abuse animals. I remember reading an article once that Putin wanted to tighten penalties for animal abuse in Russia. I think that was a great idea, and I think it should be done in every country.

 

[edgitarra]

Well if you want to hurt them, you no better than them. My opinion is that, it is not in the position of any of us to blame anything. I try not to blame anything, because I am not aware of all, ALL, the suffering that happens in this world. So just because you see a clip with an animal that is hurt, be aware there are millions of such cases happening at least every week. I don't think you have the energy to feel bad for all. So then what is it? It's your focus. - You constantly live in the past, in frustrations of what you could not do, or could have done about certain situations. Focus on something else. Focus on what you can bring for the others, what can you offer, and spend less them on pointing the problem. Most people know the problems of the world. Many choose to ignore them.

instead on focusing on a facebook feed, that shows you torture of animals, for which they get views and likes, better go and give food to a poor man.

ed

 

[Meg]

We lost our kitty in December (I posted here and received much help from the group, thank you!) and one thing I've noticed ever since is that if I even see a headline about an animal being abused I nearly lose it.

Anger, sorrow, the usual thing I suppose, but it makes me so #*%&! angry that I want to hurt people. Not kill, hurt. Lots.

And I realize that is hardly the sentiment of someone trying to "evolve/ascend". I do try to analyze the feelings, but it's actually quite hard. It makes me think that I'm being programmed to think this way.

In any case it occurred to me this morning that if I had one wish, it would be that all creatures be spared from suffering; animals especially so should not be subjected to our behaviour because they are "innocent". Yes, the lion is going to eat the gazelle. But we sure don't need poachers taking down elephants for fun. (You get the idea...I hope?)

Anyway I was just wondering if I was the only one who feels this way :(

Hi Lost Spirit,

Getting angry over injustices is a fairly normal response for some people. How can someone look out at what's going on in the world and not get angry over some of the events we witness and are covered on SOTT? Still, those emotions can be useful for us in the Work context. You might get some insights from the two threads below.

Self-Observation, Inner Talking & Work Instrument
The Usefulness of the Negative Emotional Center thread.

It's possible too that your strong reaction is a programmed defense mechanism linked to unexpressed emotions of your own. Have you delved into the big five psychology books discussed here on the Forum?

You'll also find frequent references on the forum to the "Big Five" psychology books, which are extremely helpful tools towards acquiring a basic understanding of your own "machine". Should you decide to explore those books at some point in the future, Laura suggests that they be read in the following order: The Myth of Sanity by Martha Stout; The Narcissistic Family by Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman & Robert M. Pressman; Trapped in the Mirror by Elan Golomb; Unholy Hungers by Barbara Hort; and Character Disturbance by George K. Simon.

 

[BrendaH]

Hi Lost Espirit. I agree with what edguitarra said, it is true that if you want to hurt the people that is being violent with animals, you are not being different than them, as edguitarra said I think the best thing to do is to try to focus on something else. It is wrong to hurt animals and it gives you a feeling of sadness when you think about the innocence of animals and the violence of some human beings towards them. But look, all kind of violence is wrong either towards animals or human beings, but hurt another human being would be worse, because that person is, indeed, a human. I don't know what you mean by hurt, if you mean to do him / her the same thing he've done to the animal, to kill him if we are talking in an extreme (I've met people that really thinks this) or what. But the first thing would not make you different than the person who hurted the animal and the second one would make you a killer. So I think the best thing for you to do is not to focus on that, there are millions of videos on youtube about dogs being rescued from the streets, people put them with a family, they cut the dog's hair and you can see the happiness in the dog, I mean, there is an equilibrium, you have people hurting animals but you also have people rescuing them from the streets and there are also organizations that take care of this. And as Menrva:

It's possible too that your strong reaction is a programmed defense mechanism linked to unexpressed emotions of your own.

Hope it helps you!!

 

[Phill4]

I think that it may be a normal reaction of empathy to see or hear about a situation like that with an animal, but in terms of your reaction which seems to have increased, it seems to me that you are letting the horse run wild, and allowing this particular reaction to to come forward.

It may be good to spend sometime observing closely the reaction itself,

It may be that the rationalization goes along the lines that animals are at a disadvantage in some way and that at lest people can defend themselves, I'm guessing, the thing is that even though it is difficult to accept or observe happen animal abuse is a fact, and it is unfortunate to hear this happening, it still happens.

The only thing about having a clear mind in order to not become part of, or in a way drained or exhausted by this reaction is to definitely develop some awareness of the reaction, and try to see the emotions ad the thinking association and inner talking that takes place with regards to how you take these news or hear about this, taking a deep breath or two may help

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty

 

[loreta]

I can understand you feeling, if you love animals you don't want to see them suffering and also you become aware of how the human being can be a very dangerous animal. Try not to see all the news in Facebook for a while about the suffering of animals. I have a friend who is always depressed and in part it is because she is all day in that circle, reading about the cruelty of animals, seeing videos, etc. You know that this cruelty exists. That's enough. I think so. You can help an animal association, give some hours by month to take care of animals. You can bring food for cats that are astray, or give your name for dogs that need a house while waiting to find a family.

Obsession is no good at all. In my case I refuse to see movies or videos or even pictures about the suffering of animals not because I don't care but because I know that I will become obsessed and this obsession will take from me energy, strength for others things that I have to do, and my mental health. This cruelty on animals will be always there, and more and more because we live in a psychopathic society. This cruelty is a sign of the times. Do what you can to help animals, and helping just one animal that is suffering is a big, big step to help the animal condition. And for the rest of humans. and for yourself.

 

[aaronfransen]

Thanks everyone...some very good advice...looks like I have some reading (and introspection) to do!