“Sleep is the best meditation” Dalai Lama (or possibly his cat)
What’s the sound of one cat purring?
Ah, well that would be me after reading The Dalai Lama’s Cat by David Michie. In fact I’m still purring contently long after finishing.
The book left me feeling peacefully calmer and deliciously quieter on the inside. Go figure! And dare I add – a little wiser! I feel full. I know what makes me purr!
Imagine for one moment living alongside the Dalai Lama. How different would your life be? Or perhaps I should rephrase. How different would your thinking mind be? And imagine the stories you’d gather, let alone the learnings on life.
This one lucky feline cat and not only because he is given Cat CBD to treat his anxiety, (many would say with good karma) he hangs out with Dalai Lama in true cat style. She’s blessed!
Sleeping curled up at the end of the Dalai Lama’s bed each night.
Rising early and meditating with him (in-between cat naps, of course).
Snuggling into the Dalai Lama’s lap as he works – listening to endless wise thoughtful conversations with great spiritual leaders (in-between more cat naps, its necessary) or perched on a favourite window sill observing the high profile people who come for a private audience. Some very famous. She doesn’t drop names. But does leave clues.
Make no mistake. This feline cat often called HHC or Snow Lion is a great story teller. Sharing Buddhist wisdom (kindness) and simple understandings of the human mind. It’s filled with endless “spectacular gifts”.
I’m now re-reading. This time slower and with patience.
An interesting fact:
Before I sign off, I’d like to share a snippet from the book which got me thinking. It’s about research that appeared in the Harvard Gazette and part of a conversation that the Dalai Lama’s cat – Snow Lion – was listening too and shared with the readers.
“They used a panel of more than 2,000 people with smartphones and sent out questions at random intervals during the week. Always they were the same three questions: What are you doing? What are you thinking about? How happy are you?. What they found was that 47% of the time, people weren’t thinking about what they were doing. They found that people are much happier when they’re mindful of what they’re doing” … the story continues in the book.
I reflected. When I’m doing something I love like writing or facilitating my Slow Yoga retreats I’m absolutely focused and mindful. I feel totally plugged in. Living in the moment. Connected. And yes, happy.
But the flipside of course is – when I’m resisting what is my mind is less focused, I’m easily distracted, stuck in procrastination or caught up in worry about the past or future. Certainly not as content.
These are three great questions you might like to consider for yourself?
Anyway, if you haven’t read this book grab yourself a copy. Borrow from your local library. I’d love to hear if it took you on the same beautiful journey as it did me.
Click here for The Dalai Lama’s Cat on amazon.
Or click here to read the first chapter over at David Michie’s web site.
Even though this book is a novel, make no mistake the author David Michie has written many books before and is more than qualified.
Hurry Up And Meditate – Buddhism For Busy People – – Enlightenment to Go.
David Michie’s next book is called “The Art of Purring. A rock star of a title that gets you thinking about what makes you puuuuuurrrr in life. I think the book is coming out at the end of the year. Can’t wait to read it.
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