With less than an hour before lunch service, I am sitting on my customary spot on magazine rack, nostrils flaring as I try to identify the delightful aromas wafting from the kitchen, where the Dragpa brothers are working their. Some we receive from the authors, some we receive from the publisher, and some we receive through a third party service like Net Galley. And alright, since you insist, I wouldn’t say no to a dish of diced chicken liver with some thick whipped cream to follow …. Each encounter offers a fresh insight into finding happiness and meaning in the midst of a life of busy-ness and challenge.

The unexpected joy of writing The Dalai Lama’s Cat series The unexpected joy of writing The Dalai Lama’s Cat series

Unfortunately the community I live in does not have any Buddhist centres where I can learn in person. We have reached that fun part of the publishing process where we get to choose a cover of the new book!The nature of their various jobs had the same net effect: having to deal with enormous volumes of non-fiction as part of their working life meant that when it came to the weekend, or going on holiday, the last thing they wanted to do was read yet more non-fiction. For a feline with a coat as sumptuously absorbent as mine, and being somewhat wonky of gait, venturing out in wild weather is an exercise fraught with danger. Little Snow Lion notices that sometimes the people at a local cafe (that is honored so serve her delicious tidbits) don’t take the time to appreciate the moment and practice an important Buddhist principle –“mindfulness means paying attention to present moments deliberately and non-judgmentally.

Does the Dalai Lama really have a cat? – David Michie Does the Dalai Lama really have a cat? – David Michie

I am about to start at the beginning and read them more slowly so I can incorporate the teachings of little Rinpoche more fully into my life. When I finally made it inside the cathedral, I was far far in the back – but yet, I felt what so many people report after they’ve been in His Holiness’ presence: an incredible feeling of peace, a sense of love and compassion radiating off of him, and his immense joy in every single moment. Through the cat’s eyes, and narrated in her voice, the reader gets a close up view of the Dalai Lama’s inner sanctum and household. This is relevant because perhaps the one word that sets Tibetan Buddhism apart from all other traditions is ‘bodhichitta. The adorable kitten goes on to become the blue-eyed (literally) girl of the Dalai Lama’s household at Dharamshala.Having already a profound and fulfilling connection with my own feline friend, I have observed a further deepening in our shared moments while reading this book. But as our little Bodhicatva is taken into the household of the Dalai Lama (“she must have a very close karmic connection to him”) and starts to learn, so do I by reading. The cat’s instinct takes over HHC and she swipes a mouse down and proudly brings to the Dalai Lama’s office.

The Dalai Lama’s Cat — A Book Review - Medium The Dalai Lama’s Cat — A Book Review - Medium

David Michie is the author of Buddhism for Busy People, Hurry Up and Meditate and Enlightenment to Go.A very entertaining dip into Buddhist thinking through the eyes of a cat, not just any cat, but the Dalai Lama’s cat. Through Mousie-Tung’s eyes, the reader gets to see this kind, compassionate and brilliant man go about his every day business. On Mindfulness, HHC observes mealtimes at the monastery to be occasions that were enjoyed by the monks even though the meals were simple soups and rice dishes. If you were to find yourself padding past an alcove concealed by a curtain, would your every instinct be to tug back the fabric—or, indeed, push under it—to see what lay behind?