Reflections on the “Cooperation with Animals” Course: A Participant’s Journey
Amid global crisis and an increasingly urgent call for change, a group of people gathered in Tamera to explore a radical question: What happens when we truly listen to animals—not as owners, researchers, or users, but as equal partners?
With this year’s course Cooperation with Animals, April 27 to May 8 – Tamera opened up a living field of experience in the original landscape of the Alentejo, one that reveals new perspectives. Some parts of the course were also open to neighbors and friends from the region—I accepted the invitation with great interest.
by Julia Schütrumpf, 15/5/2025
Communication with Wild Boars
The course was led by Heike Kessler and Barbara Kovats, two pioneers of animal communication, an integral part of Tamera’s Healing Biotope. When they speak about wild boars, their eyes light up and their enthusiasm for the wild animals—who have found refuge from hunting on Tamera’s 134-hectare property since 2011—becomes obvious.
In the beginning, the wild boars caused considerable irritation—they dug up vegetable gardens and disrupted daily life in the community. But instead of being driven away, they became the starting point of a new field of research within Terra Deva, the area for spiritual ecology in Tamera. Inspired by Eike Braunroth’s approach, people began to communicate peacefully with the wild boars—through meditation, agreements, areas designated to them, and the conscious sharing of resources. Today, the boars are considered co-creators of the landscape and provide valuable ecological insights through their behavior. Their wild presence reminds us of our own untamed, sensual corporeality.
The All-Unity of All Beings
During a lecture by Monika Alleweldt, a graduate agricultural engineer, author, and long-time collaborator on the Plan of the Healing Biotopes, the core idea of the course became even clearer to me: the experience of all beings as one unity, as the foundation of a spiritual ecology, may not be the only possible stance against the predatory capitalism of our time—but it is certainly a plausible one, and one that deeply impresses me.
If we stop viewing animals as “the others,” we begin to understand ourselves as part of a larger organism. Monika speaks with clarity and deep commitment about a different reality, in which we recognize ourselves as part of a greater consciousness and coexist in peace with our fellow beings. A worldview in which we meet all beings at eye level transforms not only our personal attitude but also our political actions.
Remembering Eike Braunroth
In addition to guest teachers such as internationally renowned animal communicator Anna Breytenbach and spiritual teacher Brad Laughlin, a contribution by Eike Braunroth had also been planned—the great animal lover, psychologist, and researcher who throughout his life advocated for peaceful coexistence between humans and so-called “pests” such as snails, whom he referred to as his cooperation partners. Shortly before the course began, his earthly voice fell silent.
In loving memory, we honor a long-time friend of Tamera, cherished for his courage, empathy, and visionary perspective on the connection between human and non-human life.
The Language of Songbirds, Chickens, Rats, and Bees
During a morning bird walk, Rei Segali showed us how to enter into a sensitive connection with songbirds. Other highlights included Tamera’s chicken project, a successful cooperation with rats, and a touching glimpse into the mindful relationship with bees—beings who “enliven the erotic body of the Earth with love” and communicate in a subtle language of scent, sound, vibration, and touch.
Encounters with Dogs
During the first sunny days of May, dogs from the dog sanctuary accompanied us on our walks. The path leads past cork oaks and eucalyptus trees, across blooming meadows and hills. Most of the dogs have had traumatic experiences—and slowly begin to heal here before being rehomed.
One participant recounts an encounter in the enclosure:
Jacko just walked up to me, leaned against me for a long time—completely calm and trusting. We both took a deep breath and gradually began to relax.
Trustful encounters with animals have a healing effect—something that has also been scientifically proven: Positive contact between living beings releases oxytocin—the bonding hormone. It reduces stress, fosters trust, calms the nervous system, and supports healing processes—for both humans and animals alike.
The Great Community of Life
What touched me the most—once again—was the beauty of Terra Deva, a sacred natural space and, alongside the stone circle, a power place of Tamera. It is a piece of unspoiled land, a forested area with clearings, artistically designed installations and sculptures, lovingly arranged. A spring quietly trickles among the tall trees: Here, time seems to stand still, and we experience Earth not as a resource, but as a living organism of which we are a part—and with which we can enter into a conscious relationship.
Nature is alive and talking to us. This is not a metaphor. —Terence McKenna
In the workshop led by Martin Winiecki, head of the Institute for Global Peacework in Tamera, we questioned anthropocentric belief systems. How does our consciousness change when we stop viewing the world only through human eyes and instead begin to see ourselves as part of a larger, living network?
In the spirit of the Lakota principle of “Mitákuye Oyás’in”: We are all related.
A Culture Beyond Fear
Together, we asked: What could a culture without fear look like? What happens when we begin to question our role as dominant species?
Barbara shared with us that cows—unlike in the conventional dairy industry—do not necessarily have to give birth to calves in order to produce milk. In Hare Krishna communities, cows produce milk simply through loving care. When a living being is seen and appreciated for what it is, the desire to connect, to give, and to be part of something larger often arises naturally.
The course Cooperation with Animals offered me a deep insight: Cooperation is a universal principle of life, and communication forms the basis for peaceful coexistence. One participant summed it up perfectly:
It’s amazing how much we can learn when we really listen and treat all living beings with respect.
These insights are also part of the online course Cooperation with All Beings. This popular and multifaceted online course opens our eyes to the vast web of life and invites us to help shape a new, peaceful culture.
Julia Schütrumpf (*1975) is the mother of two children and studied German Studies, English Studies, and Psychology at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Today, she is dedicated to interdisciplinary topics at the intersection of science and healing: neuroscience, trauma research, as well as attachment and resilience research. Her special interest lies in the healing effects of oxytocin, animal-assisted therapy, and peace work in both personal and societal contexts.