The Dalai Lama's Cat

Product Information

A tiny spy observing the constant flow of private meetings between His Holiness and everyone from Hollywood celebrities to philanthropists to self-help authors, the Dalai Lama’s cat provides us with insights on how to find happiness and meaning in a busy, materialistic world. 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.

At counterpoint is the Dalai Lama, who rescues Snow Lion, and whose compassionate presence transforms the lives of all the characters. I stood in line for several hours with hundreds of others under a blue September sky eerily reminiscent of the original 9/11 in a city that had been attacked that day a year earlier. For someone who almost never reads self-help books and knows very little about Buddhism, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. The book also emphasizes that personal happiness comes from a want and a desire to make others happy.The book holds a scattering of buddhist principles which are very easy to relate to your own life, without feeling like you're being preached to, as they are very subtly blended into the story. I was really enjoying this book and did not take too much notice of the many references to meat, as this is written from a cat's point of view. Take for example, the pursuit of mindfulness: maybe the most important thing I learned from this book is to be mindful of every activity you do throughout the day.

And it is exactly because many humans embrace routine that we even consider allowing them to share our homes, let alone retain them as members of our staff. Drawing us into her world with her adorable but all-too-flawed personality, the Dalai Lama’s cat discovers how instead of trying to change the world, changing the way we experience the world is the key to true contentment. It is simply the story of this cat, her daily worries and problems, and she shares what she learns with the reader: to be more compassionate, to don't think always only about ourselves, that we don't have to live a life influenced by our fears, that things aren't always as we imagine, that there is no need to be afraid of changes in life because they can lead to something better, etc.

When I heard that the Dalai Lama once had a cat, being a pet lover myself, I immediately though of what an amazing life the cat must have. By accompanying HHC on her journey, you will learn new ways to relate to your own mind: slowing down, finding peace, and abiding in the boundless radiance and benevolence that is your own true nature. Nisu mi svi dijelovi odgovarali, kao na primjer da mačka mora osjećati sram jer je ulovila miša, no s druge strane jedan krasan dio o meditaciji u razgovoru Dalaj Lame s kršćankom ili dio o vegetarijanstvu. I LOVE your books, the people you have created and the circle of life discovered by HHC – from being a dog, to meeting up with the two young boys who found her to Sid!

You won't learn this from this book, but surprise, surprise - His Holiness Dalai Lama loves cats too! Snow Lion is “Everycat” who aspires to being a “bodhicatva”, with all the foibles of his human companions- pride, insecurities, jealousy, over-eating and challenges to being a good meditator. The one thing I should probably address that you’re wondering, is: will I like this as much as you claim if it is a story heavily seated in Buddhism? Registered address: Unit 31, Vulcan House Business Centre, Vulcan Road, Leicester, LE5 3EF, United kingdom. HHC is still arrogant and is far too preoccupied with food to give out any major doses of affection, but she was an entertaining voice.Rescued from the streets of New Delhi by the Dalai Lama, an abandoned and injured kitten became the household pet with many names ranging from HHC (His Holiness’s Cat) to Rinpoche (precious) to Snow Lion and Mouser depending on who is addressing her and their mood. My second encounter with the Dalai Lama was a few years later when he was speaking in a DC sports arena. His books include The Art of Purring, The Dalai Lama's Cat, Buddhism for Busy People, Hurry Up and Meditate and Enlightenment to Go. I am very keen to read more written by Michie because he is clearly a very talented author (and from Perth!

Actually, speaking of karma, when I was reading this some chaotic things were happening in my life and it was very opportune that I was able to read and learn about ways to stay mindful, loving and patient while dealing with them. I would love to give a copy to my close Italian friend, and I wonder if your books have been translated into Italian?Added to these are insights into the theory of Karma (my mother explained it as - what goes around, comes around). Like most of the dog lover's books out today, this one is geared to the cat lovers of the world and is filled with a plethora of valuable thoughts to ponder such as: "all lives, even ones that appear insignificant, are of value and have meaning" or "it is not so much the circumstances of our lives that make us happy or unhappy but how we perceive them so that if viewed properly even the most unfortunate circumstances can become amazing opportunities for personal growth". When the cat is not discussing Buddhism but is instead behaving -- as a cat-- lovers of cats will recognize their favorite animal. In Tibetan Buddhism a Bohdisattva is a person who defers his or her own individual enlightenment to work towards the enlightenment of all sentient beings.