Sangha of Auspicious Companions

My Shift From Sales to a Farm Sanctuary with 150 Animals

Andreas Nussbaumer, with credit to his wife, recounts being lured away from a successful business career and the empty feeling that came with it “into just being, surrounded by the vegetables and the animals.” They steward a sanctuary for rescued farm animals in Weppersdorf, Austria. Animals “show you, every single moment, whether you are actually present. The horses will tell you the truth about yourself that you were too busy to hear.” At one point, snails arrived by multitudes. They let them be instead of poisoning them. They found that snails left healthy plants alone, and only feasted on the ones left to die from attacks by other animals. They learned to focus on plant health – not the snails. While their hearts break amid the multitude of issues facing the world, the animals and plants taught Andreas to be present, and focus on staying physically and emotionally healthy. “I can be fully present here at the sanctuary, pet the animals, laugh, feel grateful, and put my energy into the things I can actually influence.”

Be The Change

Devote a few moments to pay attention and be present to one little organism in your ecosystem. Be open to learn what your body already knows.