Paulo Coelho
Having written a book about madness (Veronika decides to die) , I was forced to wonder how many things we do are imposed on us by necessity, or by the absurd. Why wear a tie? Why do clocks run “clockwise”? If we live in a decimal system, why does the day have 24 hours of 60 minutes?
The fact is, many of the rules we obey nowadays have no real foundation. Nevertheless, if we wish to act differently, we are considered “crazy” or “immature”.
Meanwhile, society continues to create some systems which, in the fullness of time, lose their reason for existence, but continue to impose their rules. An interesting Japanese story illustrates what I mean by this:
A great Zen Buddhist master, who was in charge of the Mayu Kagi monastery, had a cat which was his true passion in life. So, during meditation classes, he kept the cat by his side – in order to make the most of his company.
One morning, the master – who was already quite old – passed away. His best disciple took his place.
– What shall we do with the cat? – asked the other monks.
As a tribute to the memory of their old instructor, the new master decided to allow the cat to continue attending the Zen Buddhist classes.
Some disciples from the neighboring monasteries, traveling through those parts, discovered that, in one of the region’s most renowned temples, a cat took part in the meditation sessions. The story began to spread.
Many years passed. The cat died, but as the students at the monastery were so used to its presence, they soon found another cat. Meanwhile, the other temples began introducing cats in their meditation sessions: they believed the cat was truly responsible for the fame and excellence of Mayu Kagi’s teaching.
A generation passed, and technical treatises began to appear about the importance of the cat in Zen meditation. A university professor developed a thesis – which was accepted by the academic community – that felines have the ability to increase human concentration, and eliminate negative energy.
And so, for a whole century, the cat was considered an essential part of Zen Buddhist studies in that region.
Until a master appeared who was allergic to animal hair, and decided to remove the cat from his daily exercises with the students.
There was a fierce negative reaction – but the master insisted. Since he was an excellent instructor, the students continued to make the same progress, in spite of the absence of the cat.
Little by little, the monasteries – always in search of new ideas, and already tired of having to feed so many cats – began eliminating the animals from the classes. In twenty years new revolutionary theories began to appear – with very convincing titles such as “The Importance of Meditating Without a Cat”, or “Balancing the Zen Universe by Will Power Alone, Without the Help of Animals”.
Another century passed, and the cat withdrew completely from the meditation rituals in that region. But two hundred years were necessary for everything to return to normal – because during all this time, no one asked why the cat was there.
in my book “Like a flowing river”
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I had an experience early this morning which prompted a Google search for information about cats and how they relate to meditation.
About four years ago, I had a spontaneous Kundalini awakening that, with a little help from my friends, including my cat, I have been able to pretty much stabilize. Buddhist teachings, particularly those relating to Tantra, have also played a major role in helping me to stay sane. Anyone who has read the available literature on Kundalini or what the Tibetan Buddhists call “wind disease”, knows that Kundalini symptoms are often mistaken for madness and, unless one develops a proper strategy for working with Mother K., one could easily go insane.
Early this morning, I was awakened by what I immediately recognized as Kundalini activity, primarily in the Chakras above the Heart Center. My beloved golden tabby, Paddington, who was at the time snoozing in the laundry basket in our bedroom closet, immediately picked up on my “vibes” and was so excited to participate that he upset the basket, dumping our laundry all over the floor. He couldn’t wait to do what he customarily does when the Prana is flowing,– curl up at my feet or, on special occasions like this one,lay pressed against my calves.
According to an ancient tradition, disembodied entities or “evil spirits” enter the body through the feet and this is the area that Paddington is most interested in protecting. He is like the Sphinx, guarding access to the true “holy of holies, the Great Pyramid.
There is no question in my mind that Paddington is protecting me from negative spiritual beings who crave Prana or “life-force”. I believe that the ancient Egyptians created cats primarily for this purpose.
Perhaps I’m making all this up and am already mad. I do know I love my furry friend and protector.
Drinking my morning coffee and thinking of the Law of Jante… The day when the column was published in the blog (22 Jan 2010) I decided to try out another technique of the dance: to move one step forward and two steps back (like a crab who hides from his enemies). And if “NOTHING” equals “ZERO” my dance should lead me to “The meditation with cats”.
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1] A – meditation with cats; B – meditation without cats.
I couldn’t find the exact words, but Jesus once [angrily] said: “Don’t ask about B while you know nothing of A!”
2] ALICE in Wonderland & Cheshire Cat. The girl wondered about the smile without a cat… Funny girl, no?
3] Black coffee, white milk… and MY ‘correspondece’ with the Cat… http://i027.radikal.ru/0911/9f/102174df8043.jpg
Today I love to express my deep sense of g r a t i t u d e toward God using honey as coffee. Tried it – tastes different, but good.
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Considering it as a ‘dark sign’ to be the Crab for too long, I’ve to change my dancing technique again. Praesepe* will NEVER be the manger of my sword.
Love, Ilva
*Praesepe [Latin for "manger"] – a dark, feminine area in the breast of the Crab/Cancer Constellation. Like all nebulous clusters its influence is associated with weakness, blindness and sickness.
A – meditation with cats; B – meditation without cats.
Шестилетний Иисус своему ученику Закхею в апокрифическом Евангелии от Никодима: “Как ты, который незнает, что такое альфа, можешь учить других, что такое бета. Лицемер! Сначала, если знаешь, научи, что такое альфа, и тогда мы поверим тебе о бете.”
B –
For more times in this blog I mentioned about God’s appearance in my dreams, not only in my ‘imagination’. But no one has ever asked: How did He look like? What did He say? And if He talked to me, what was the sound of His voice?
A countertenor. He has the COUNTERTENOR voice!
– LIAR?
Call me so if you like. But it’s not an e v i l “to sound female”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HZ-ZWxRwJA&feature=related
There was an old Priest in India who had a pet cat. He always kept his cat covered by a bamboo basket before he started performing any ceremonial ritual. When he died, his son took over the job and whenever some one approached him for conducting some religious rituals to be, he gave them a big list of required things. A cat and a bamboo basket was always at the top of the list. The son too kept the cat under the basket before he started the ceremonies. Once when his mother saw the what was happening, the truth came out. The old man actually kept his pet cat under the basket to prevent it from eating the the food stuff for ritual offerings and spoil the ceremony. The son who used to observe his father blindly thought it too was also part of the ritual!
I enjoyed the whole book and really thank you for self-inspiration!
Alla Sobirova
…touched a smile and a tear can both stop the time…
I meant to write this under the previous post but I moved it :-)
as I see it the monk and the cat we’re moved by one another,
the disciples sat still…
A while ago I saw a short film, which I thought to be a bit
too long. But anyway, now I understand, this monk probably
has a cat… :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y37cWnjdhdM
Lots of love,
Vicky
QUESTION some tradition by all means, as indeed one must, but problem arises when answers don’t come, when no one seems to be knowing why we are doing what we are doing, traditions !!
firstly there will definately be some one who will know, either find out and don’t rest till u find out, or take a call, is this tradition adding anything to the ‘ceremony’ called life, anything at all even if tiny, secondary, is it too much trouble continuing teh tradition – this ‘guidelines’ applies when teh tradtion does not harm anyone man or beast ! if it is harmful, take u’r call. live live u’r way, but mind you not arrogantly, look at teh whole human race as 1 unit – can u see its arrogance, are our financial institutions ( and all said and done, they are where the heart o human race is , our industry designed to love earth from which we come dust to dust or to sorry about this exact word rape her, listen to that MJ song Earth Song once again ! humbleness is the test !! for living life on your own terms, road to self realisation !
good sharing ! although not in ‘line’ with topic !!!
it’s our job as humans to protect and care for animals, not that we should not eat them when hunger calls, but we should not kill them to fulfill our greed, even when harming animals, one can remember that scene in movie Avtaar where the injured animal is put to death quickly to releive it of pain, with tears in eyes and prayers on lips
Wonderful story! I love cats and meditation. They go so well together. They should introduce them back into the meditation rituals – the master that firs allowed the cat to join him must have felt the cats positive energy. In other words, it was a good thing to have it there. Cats always make me feel good. I like watching them play.
My husband and I have been meditating for many years and I know whenever I meditate my cat comes close to me, sometimes stays and other times just checks me to see what is going on. Curious…..I have also just seen your one-on-one interview where you talk about following your dream…I think sometimes it also has to do with timing just like in The Alchemist where the boy spent a long time in the shop…all the while his dream bubbles inside him. That is one of my favourite books. Thank you for bringing it to life.
I remember me ,months ago i read this story already,very strange,it looks like a mantra for me.
I wish a sunny smile for everybody
Zele
There is just a few words to add maybe, as we know a pupil must pay respect and obey the master. Thats a condition to be part of that community, so I think thats why is harder there to comment or make changes. In the story too was a new master making the changes, not the humble pupil(in that case monk). We have a word in our popular culture” The fish starts rotten fron his head”, maybe means that leaders are the first responsible for the events…
Love
Alexandra
try to do reiki on them, or let them with you when you do a massage or reiki on somebody who accepts this.
it is very interesting :o)
one of mine lies down under the table as if she just wants to collect all the energy that falls off.
Yeah, I agree :o).
anyway, in old egypt there were a goddess, Bast, half human and half cat. there were Bast temples where the cats where honored ….
I think Bast was the goddess for child bearing, feast, and also revenge?
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I think you are only half right.I think there must be somethings that we must classify ‘normal’ otherwise we all be in confusion and civilization will be at stake.Be careful for what you wishing for………………
Thank you for your story Paulo. I have 7 of your books, so I knew the story. I myself question why men invented time. Why should we be 10 years old, 18 years old, 30 years old, 60 years old, etc.? Why can’t we just be? Our presence here on earth has nothing to do with time and how “old” we are. How we feel has nothing to do with how “old” we are! So why label ourselves with age!
Because then, society can impose on us how to be and act at a certain age. And dare to be and act differently than the men invented statistics, then………..!!!!
As long as we don’t harm other people, I absolutely agree with Christopher morley who said, “There is only one success: to be able to spend our lives in our own way.”
“….he (the Zen Buddist Monk) kept the cat by his side in order to make the best of his company.”
I like this Buddist Monk and I think he was very wise. He knew what was best for him and took action. As Jessica said earlier, we all have our own different ways of meditation. There is no right or wrong way, but the essential is that we ‘know’ and follow our ‘own’ way.
Research has shown that cats and other animals have a beneficial effect on our health and wellbeing. They are now being used in therapy in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices for the terminally ill.
The following link shows animal therapy being carried out. There are also other links to other animals including Baxter, the most famous therapy dog in the world!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdxsiwFuMjs
keep walking
Great story. And the key of course is not getting the answer to the question “why?”. It’s merely the things that flow from asking the question that allow for progress(spiritual or otherwise).
De la moda, lo que te acomoda.
Muchas veces aprendemos de los demas, pero los resultados de la leccion no son siempre iguales para todos los alumnos.
Tampoco todos necesitamos las mismas clases.
This post has been on for more then a day and i still don’t get it. i don’t get the story, i don’t get the comments, maybe i’m mad :)
i like cats
and i like madness
Of course somebody asked ‘whats the cat doing here’ and it just wasn’t the right time or moment, – these buddhist monks aren’t studid or undeveloped after all, they are just like us.
cats can be great mediums, they are not nescessarily THE medium, but they are bloody useful nontheless. Everybbody knows that, even people in psychiatric care are recommended to keep animals because they keep them grounded. And lonely elderly, and sick people- and people like me, who are stubborn enough not to listen to such advice.
i read a story by Pema Chodron about a monk who was mediataing, and an ape disturbed him, he shooed the ape away: ‘don’t you dare disturb my conversation with god!’ but he had to learn humility! Any ape is god.
Things change all the time
what has passed seems less good or better then now,
the future appears better or worse than the now,
but maybe it is only different.
So with a cat you can learn to be a better being,
by asking questions you can learn to be a better being,
without asking questions you can learn to be a better being, without a cat you can learn to be a better being;
it just doesn’t matter, in fact it’s all quite funny actually isn’t it, there is no lesson here!
Dear Montega,
I agree :o) from this point of view …
but unfortunately, it is not meant :o)
here another story with the same meaning:
whenever mother made a good beef roast, she took the piece of meat, and cut off both ends before putting it in the pot.
So, when her daughter left her and got her own family, she continued with this tradition. when she made a roast, she cut both ends off before starting to cook it.
when her daughter – the grand daughter and grown up – wanted to have the great beef recipe from her mother to cook it for her new husband, she asked: “and why do I have to cut off the both ends?”
Her mother did not know; it was tradition. So she asked her mother. who just said:
“well, my pot was always too small. the roast never fit in. thus I cut off those two end.”
‘it just doesn’t matter’
…if there is a cat or not
…if you do it this way or that way
The result counts.
But society might have a different oppinion about it.
But is not part of what you wrote a part of the lesson? As you said ‘without a cat you can learn to be a better being.’
The way I understood the story, correctly or not, is that someone is doing something great and people can see and appreciate it. So they want to learn from the Maestro. And they start to immitate. Apart from doing what he did, they were trying to do it the way he did, you know to make their places for development copies of his, with all the elements there. And the cat seemed very significant to them. So they put the cat in. After some time they confused the real thing – the Maestro’s true gift or talent – with his personal tastes. He liked the cat, fine, it does not mean we have to develop liking for cats along our progress as well! We may choose cows, dolphins, fish or snakes. Or nothing at all. And still learn. Just as you wrote it: ‘without a cat you can learn to be a better being.’
But equally well you can introduce a Persian, provided your students or you yourself or people who help you to teach are not allergic to his/her otherwise lovely long silky hair! Then you have to make an important decision of whom you consider necessary there: your students, you yourself, people who help or the cat.
And, yes, I believe it’s universal :-)
Does it make any sense to you?
the story is not about cats, its a parable or such like. Its telling us that we don not necessarily have to do what others do , we can question the world aorund us and do things differently.
may be,
it is also associated with
human is always thinking to be special
and able to see and know thee “reality” …
what instead, human would always think:
“I don’t know”…
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
We tend to be dicated to and imprisoned by the prevailing social norms. Few tend to question or challenge.
Like Paulo Coelho, I never wear I tie. The only occasions I can recall was a formal dinner at the House ofLords and tea with the Queen, and one of those occasions it was a bow tie.
When questioning something we are told it has always been done that way, as though that somehow justifies bad practice.
http://keithpp.wordpress.com/2010/01/21/the-importance-of-the-cat-in-meditation/
Paulo,
great story. It reminds me of the anecdote about the lady cooking at Christmas time. Her guest asks why she trims the edges off the ham in the oven and she says, “I dunno, that’s how mom always did it.” Conveniently the lady’s mother is standing there and when asked about the rationale for that practice she says, “I dunno, that’s how mom always did it.” Fortunately the grandmother is there in her rocker and when interrogated about this tradition of trimming the ends off the ham she says very matter-of-factly, “we had a small oven.”
Sean
Very good! Just goes to show the absurdity of all this !!!
i love the ham story..i learned that i should the reason behind things maybe so that i will know the logic?:)
I really love these types of stories. Working in the business world here in the US…it simply amazes me every time we do something and no one can explain why. People so easily take to doing things the way they always saw them being done. No one questions, no one ponders, and ultimatly no one changes. Proposing change makes people look at you like you are crazy.
We often forget that the greatest progress has been made by people willing to go against the grain. People who saw the world in a different way. The one things I have learned about being successfull in life is not only to be willing to be different, but also be willing to challenge those around you to be different as well.
Every few hundred years comes a person who questions the ‘norms’, suffers greatly for what they believe in, is humiliated & sometimes tortured. After a long ‘journey’ they eventually achieve a status, success & are respected. When they start to bring to our attention questions which we all had as children (& were told to stop asking) then it gives us courage once again to wake up and stop accepting what education systems & society has ingrained in us. For us in this lifetime it is Paulo who has woken something up in millions of people and encouraged them to question ‘norms’ for which reasons are long lost.
This is a very popular analogy.Its not really baout animals and meditation at all.
It is a useful example when trying to escape from addictive but painful thought patterns. As humans, over time we develop ways of thinking for one reason or another. Sometimes these ‘thought patterns’ are actually negative and painful to us. But ecause we have lved with them for so long we feel there is no other way. It is ground into our subconcious.
For example thinking when poeple laugh they must be laughing at us.( this is just an example I have pulled form my head, its not relavent). We can change our thought patterns but it takes courage and commitment to take reasponsability over our lives.
A roaming cat has descended on our temporary residence and turns up promptly on a daily basis to sit on his rug, accept small scraps graciously and sit up on the chair to be stroked rejoicingly by my mama and me.
We are thinking of cat-napping him for when we move into our permanent residence… jeje
but then perhaps the real joy is to just enjoy that he has turned up.. make no expectations for the future and no demands on the cat to becomes owned by us.
He’s certainly good for calming our stressful minds anyhow!
“The best animal friends,” Janossy told me once, “aren’t the ones you choose, but the ones that choose you. The ones that just move in on you.”
Trader (p.85; Charles de Lint)
you know that cats choose their owners?
I once was visited my a cat I assumed that had an owner. to check out, I put a collar on him and taped a cheat of paper on it with “PLEASE READ”.
it turned out that the people who also took care called me and let me know that they thought it was a stray and also just took care …
May you continue in your quest – sanity is a man-made construct.
As Aristotle said 300 years BC “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Our habits make us who we are and there isn’t anything more hard than breaking a habit, especially one that is common in our social cycle. Why in western cultures people eat with forks, while Ethiopians use their hands and in eastern cultures they use chop sticks? Don’t we all take pleasure in eating? However, we would find it unacceptable and offending if someone in Europe would use their hands to eat… Accepting and following conventional social habits make us acceptable by our social group, is making a statement that we are like others, it is like wearing the same t-shirt or waving the same flag. Breaking the cycle of habits means that we state that we are different and by doing so we are on our own… so why bear difference and lonelyness for breaking a habit without having something in return? If it wasn’t for allergy would the monk get the cat out of the room and insist on this? Why spend energy to change something that is unnecessary or wrong for one? Would a different way of thinking and acting make you special or a revolutionary without cause? Is breaking useless social habits a freedom of choise? Does this help personal improvement and excellence? Would you please like to share your experience and thoughts on this?
Thank you, I think you make some very good points. In fact it doesn’t make much difference if we follow some of these habits and it’s not necessary to break them for ‘personal improvement or excellence.’
I would just like to comment on my own situation, if I may. I have been living in Egypt for many years but am originally from the UK. I find some of the social norms here stifling. Of course, I need to accept the culture in which I am living but sometimes I get irritated when I see double-standards being applied. To give just a small example: Women here are not ‘allowed’ to wear short sleeves, short skirts or bikinis in public. Whereas in the main Tourist Attractions such as those on the North Coast or on the Red Sea, women are allowed to wear anything or ‘nothing’ !!! I’m sure this is because the country is counting on it’s tourists to bring in the Foreign Currencies! Living in the city I must conform, but if I take a 1 hour plane journey, I can wear anything I like! This really annoys me and forces me to question the whole system!
Beautifully said story, as always, dear Paulo Coelho! ;-]
I like cats… I like their ..arrogant personality and their playful mood! And they know what they want!! Maybe this is the reason that they are connected with Witches! ‘They were … drowned or burnt with their …cats!!!’There is a saying that cats have seven … souls!
Tradition and prejudices are formed through ..routine and recurring events. We all do things because we …were taught or have seen others doing them. The repetition and the …Circle! Either something happens or somebody ‘awakes’ and sees that convention does not lead anywhere or that it is ..ridiculous and then, suddenly, a new perspective opens. The Way of the PIONEERS, the Rebellious or the Revolutionists. The breaking of the ..chains of routine and boring …Sunday afternoon!! ;-]
LOVE,
Thelma xxx
Yeah… what is important and what isn’t? and how important is it? It should be up to us to decide not up to anyone else. Forget about the glory and all that… what is left is what we want for ourselves which our society doesn’t really let us choose. things are just imposed on us. cant wait for 2012 if u ask me, that will be the end of my misery,, lol.
Why wait till 2012 to end your misery? You can be happy right now, right where you are, because happiness is a choice, your choice. You’ll at least have two happy years to look forward to! :)). It’s not what happens outside of us that determines our life, but what we do with what happens. Smile, that will make you feel happy right way, try it!
I’ve been reading a book called “The Virus of the Mind”! It’s about memes, how they’re planted and take on values, or should I say societies take on the value that they espouse. Smoking used to be acceptable, in the 50′s it was in vogue to smoke and drink martini’s, now smoking is considered stupid. My question and reason for reading this book is trying to find out how you plant memes that make it acceptable to consider sustainable development? How do you change the course of history by using history, where do you find your cat?
Maybe we could learn something from animals. Enjoy, as this has been one of my favorite e-mails ever.
A Dog’s Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said,”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”
The Six-year-old continued,”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
children have all the answers ..if we ask them.
this is just wonderful. thank you for posting!
Hi Paulo, I love your Zen story of the cat, no matter how many times I read it I enjoy it and always leaves me a lesson that we tend to forget.
It also reminds me of a kabbalistic story; only because it involves a cat. :)
The Rambam was telling his students that you cannot change nature and they disagreed. So they made a bet that in 6 months they could train a cat to be a waiter, walk on two legs, etc.
6 months passed and they bring in the cat. It was amazing, the cat walked on two legs, could carry a tray with food on it, a napkin on his right paw, he came and went without spilling anything; the cat even had manners. The Rambam watched while the students where happy to have won the bet; he then reached into his pocket and released a mouse in the room. Immediately the cat threw away the tray, went back to being in four legs and started chasing the mouse like there was no tomorrow.
Thank you Paulo for sharing so much with us every day!!
Right. I agree that we should always question what is considered as normal in this world. There may never be an absolute right or wrong either.
children have all the answers ..if we ask them.
That’s “amore!”
:)
I read a similar story in Anthony de Mello’s “The Song of the Bird” (recommended reading!)
It calls to mind our legalistic tendencies especially in the name of religion. Two thousand years have passed since Jesus died. Wonder when can we go back to His original teaching that love is what matters and not make the same mistakes as the Pharisees of His time?
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