Rabbi Mikhail Salita

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

— Marcel Proust

When I began my studies in animal chaplaincy, I realized that I was entering not only a new field but also a new way of seeing the world. From the very first class, my teacher and mentor, Sarah Bowen, invited us to keep a daily journal. “Write down your reflections and observations,” she said, “because this practice will help you see more deeply.” It was with this guidance that my journal began, and I am deeply grateful to her for planting this seed.

Proust’s words about discovery perfectly capture the essence of chaplaincy. True discovery is not about traveling to distant lands but about looking with new eyes at what is already near. A cat rubbing against your leg is not a routine gesture but a sign of trust. A dog waiting........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)