Facing the reality of the torture of animals for human consumption – the largest-scale moral catastrophe of our times
- HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene, a collection that focuses on the invisible animals in our lives: those with whom we have a close relationship and yet fail to see, seen through the lens of 40 photojournalists, including Jo-Anne McArthur
- The Lives of Others, a collection by Timo Stammberger. "Far outside our cities, pigs are kept in industrial breeding and fattening facilities. A closed parallel world."
- Dominion (2018), a full-length documentary that expose the dark underbelly of modern animal agriculture
- Earthlings (2005), a classic documentary, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, that chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit
Compassionate eating
- OPIS's Guide to vegan eating: Essential tips on how to thrive on a cruelty-free plant-based diet, with links to many other resources
Compassion and self-compassion training
- Training exercises to cultivate compassion, from Positive Psychology
- Compassion meditation from The Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley
- A 12-minute guided meditation for activists I produced to support self-forgiveness and compassion for others, especially for people aiming to reduce suffering in the world
- Self-compassion exercises from Dr. Kristin Neff
- Compassionate mind audio exercises from Elli Tholouli, specialist in compassion-focused therapy
- Time magazine article: "4 rituals that will make you happy, according to neuroscience".
Ways to make a difference for humans and non-human animals
- 7 steps you can take to be a force for compassionate change, from my short film The Battle for Compassion, 2015:
- Carry out small acts of kindness towards those in need.
- Switch to a healthy, plant-based diet.
- Donate to charities with high impact in reducing suffering.
- Explore the power of Nonviolent Communication (watch Marshall Rosenberg's workshop).
- Help children develop their capacity for empathy.
- Support new initiatives, petitions and organizations fighting for a kinder world.
- Share these ideas with others...
- Some key principles to spread, from my book The Tango of Ethics, 2023:
- Listen empathetically and address the needs of all—including those with different views and ideas.
- Seek to understand rather than blame.
- Follow the spirit of the Golden Rule and treat others’ suffering as if it were your own.
- Take the suffering of all sentient beings into account—not just those whose voices are the loudest.
- Treat extreme suffering with the urgency it demands.
- Respect the truth and use rational thinking to make better, more compassionate decisions for society.
- Fill existence—yours and others’—with love and meaning.
- Aim high.
- Live these principles and share them with others.
- Engage in advocacy and activism for social change:
- OPIS initiative to promote systemic change and compassionate governance: concept note
- To get involved in or support this ambitious project, contact me here
- OPIS initiative to promote systemic change and compassionate governance: concept note