What is the Blue Sky?
I started to learn and practice Buddhism and meditation at the same time as I began to study acupuncture. My training in Buddhism has continued throughout my acupuncture training and practice, and I am now an ordained Buddhist. My ordination is non-monastic, which means that I can to continue to live and work in the way I find most helpful for my own life and to benefit others.
Studying Buddhism has meant that I am able to live in a way that is more sustainable for me and I am much clearer about the kind of work that I want to do. Buddhism has helped me to work more effectively, and for that and much more I am profoundly grateful.
I was ordained as a Buddhist in June 2007. At this time I was given the name Ambaravajri. It literally means ‘Sky Vajra’, the Vajra being a symbol in Tibetan Buddhism for the nature of reality and the mind. Since the ordination I have reflected a lot on the meaning of this name and it’s relation to my work. The blue sky in ‘Blue Sky Natural Vet’ has come from this Buddhist name. In Buddhism the blue sky is a symbol for Sunyata, the unceasing change that is the nature of all things. All things arise and pass away in dependence on conditions.
The blue sky also represents the interconnectedness between ourselves and all other beings, including our animal companions. We create conditions for one another as well as being subject to them. Factors such as breeding, early experiences, diet, exercise, climate, home environment, other animals and family members all have an effect on health. These conditions create good health and happiness as well as ill health and suffering. Those of us with animals under our care will be able to influence many of these conditions and thereby profoundly influence their lives. There will be other conditions that we can have only a limited effect on.
I see the challenge of working with animals as one in which I do my best (both in the treatment I provide and in the education of other animal carers) to bring about conditions for optimum health and happiness. The welfare of my animal patients is my utmost concern.
I do understand that there are conditions in this life that we can affect only to a very limited degree. Sometimes a disease will run its course and there may appear to be little that we can do. At those times an understanding of what it truly means to act compassionately can be deeply helpful. There is much we can do to support our animal friends through difficult and painful times, and this includes both terminal illness and approaching death.