This book came to me as a gift to my
Amazon Kindle Paper White. If not, I would not even thought of buying it. Like few other books in my shelf, I was not intended to read this immediately. At first I was hesitant to pick this but when I did, the book turned out to be a surprise from the Page 1.
About the author - David Michie is the author of Buddhism for Busy People, Hurry Up and Meditate and Enlightenment to Go and The Dalai Lama’s Cat - Art of Purring.As the title implies, this is the story of The Dalai Lama’s Cat. and the cover page, cuteness overloaded. The author effortlessly transports us to the world of the narrator. I fell in love with the narrator from the first page and I was smiling all along.The cat is referred as His Holiness’s Cat (HHC) by the monks in the monastery but the Dalai Lama addresses her as a Little Snow Lion. And, she is the protagonist. The entire story is the perspective of this Himalayan Cat. She begins the story from her birth on a roadside and how she became the Dalai Lama’s pet. And the story revolves around her and the people and the day to day events she encounters.Having a cat as the storyteller, the book is very refreshing. The story is warm with simple narration and the writing is witty as well as profound. This cat even made me wonder what my pet birds think of me and my way of life. Well, that’s tough to say but then they are adored and spoiled, and sure enjoying their luxuries at home.The HHC, much loved by the Dalai Lama and his staff, is free to wander everywhere in and out of the monastery. She enjoys the luxury as well as the closeness to Dalai Lama and his monks that others could even think of. It was very exciting to read her antics. Every detail of this cat is cute and funny. Especially her first fur ball experience, her tinge of jealousy over a dog that was brought in to the monastery, her love interest with a downtown cat and there are lots more.Meantime, she also encounters people from different walks of life - Hollywood actress, monks, a self improvement author, a chef and many others who visits Dalai Lama. Where, she gets enlightened just by being closer to him.This book is all about the events in the cat’s life laced with Buddhist philosophy. Some of the incidents are interesting and thought provoking. Most of the Dalai Lama’s private interactions with the cat are quite endearing. But I will not say this book is unputdownable as I took break quite a few times. And whenever I resumed, it still gave me the same feel, and no less.Some passages instantly lit up my mood. Some stirred my thoughts with its deep topics. While, some helped me understand the complexities of life in simpler way. I have many favorite quotes from the book. I would like to highlight one here.'You know, Professor, this stray kitten and you have one very important thing in common.' 'I can't imagine,' responded the professor coolly. 'Your life is the most important thing in the world to you,' said His Holiness. 'Same for this kitten.'
'For all of us with consciousness, our life is very precious. Therefore, we need to protect all sentient beings very much. Also, we must recognize that we share the same two basic wishes : the wish to enjoy happiness and the wish to avoid suffering.' These are themes the Dalai Lama repeat often and in limitless ways. 'We all share these wishes. But also the way we look for happiness and try to avoid discomfort is the same. Who among us does not enjoy a delicious meal? Who does not wish to sleep in a safe, comfortable bed? Author, monk – or stray kitten – we are all equal in that.' 'Most of all,' the Dalai Lama said, leaning over and stroking me with his index finger, 'all of us just want to be loved.'But hey, this is not religious or self improvement book but it works that way as well. Other than spirituality and philosophy, this book brings lots of cheer through the Cat. If you are cat person, you will love it to the core.The Dalai Lama’s Cat is an easy, relaxing and an enjoyable read.
