The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Power of Meow Paperback – June 16, 2015

This is my 3rd book written by this author. It is written from the perspective of the Dalai Lama’s cat but it also reflects the Dalai Lama’s teachings. Although considered to be fictional the stories accurately portray the geography, history and philosophy of Buddhism in the region. It is a most delightful read (especially if you’re a cat person.)

I started reading this "installment" of HHC at 3:00 am one night when I couldn't sleep. I was already a fan of David Michie's writing, but within minutes of the opening sequence of this third book, I was laughing out of control. Mr. Michie puts you IN the scene, like a flea on HHC's head! The action comes alive!But that wasn't all that happened: as a practicing Tibetan Buddhist, the subtle teachings Mr. Michie slides in had a transformative effect. First in my dreams, then in waking life. I have been practicing Lojong, "Mind Training," for three years and am familiar with the magical effect the teachings have on my psyche, "waking me up" in the midst of self-centered actions: "The Power of Meow," raised my awareness to a whole new level, inspiring my commitment to being of service to others.

This is the third in a series of novels featuring the Dalai Lama’s cat, Rinpoche, who is, according to her, “gorgeous beyond words, with my mesmerizing blue eyes, charcoal face, and sumptuous cream coat.” She lives with the Dalai Lama on the grounds of the Namgyal Monastery. She is pampered by all who know her as well as those she meets during her daily rounds of the small neighborhood surround the Monastery, and which includes the Downward Dog School of Yoga and the Himalayan Book Cafe.In this outing, HHC (His Highness’ Cat) decides she must learn to mediate and be more mindful. Like most beginners, she finds her mind to be more like fleas jumping around than the serene meditators she is more familiar with. When the Dalai Lama’s private chef, Mrs. Trinci has a heart attack, HHC’s world begins to change. She sits in on sessions where the Dala Lama begins helping Mrs. Trinci to meditate. What happens when HHC succeeds in clearing her mind astonishes her.In this entry in this delightful and insightful series, Rinpoche’s thoughts are more human-like than in previous books, but cat lovers won’t be surprised that she’s an intelligent creature. Some may find it off putting, but most won’t.While reading of HHC’s latest adventures, the reader is given insight into the benefits of meditation and mindfulness without feeling preached at. Rather the information is given as part of HHC’s story. Even if the reader chooses to ignore the underlying information, this will still be a delightful story, and well worth the read.

What a wonderful way to learn about meditation and basic Buddhist practices by telling a story from a cats point of view.

This book is so delightful that I have already shared it with several cat-lover friends (and delightful is not a word I often use.) Charming is another one that describes it well. The author has captured the personality of a cat -- or at least what we perceive to be the personality of a cat -- perfectly. We learn about the characters, the adventures ,and most importantly, the Dalai Lama's life lessons from the perspective of a rescue cat who thinks she is royalty -- after having been adopted by the Dalai Lama and pampered by his staff and the local villagers. It takes us behind the scenes with the Dalai Lama, exposes us to his important and famous guests and teaches us how to seek and find happiness through simple every day lessons The tales that are woven through all three of the series leaves you wanting a fourth. These are characters that I enjoyed getting to know and would fully expect to find were I ever to make a pilgrimage to India. This cat and these lessons will stick around long after you're done reading. They are easy to read and highly recommended for improving your mood.

In this book, the concept of how our perceived physical health is only an illusion is presented. This had been hinted at previously but the death of one of the characters and the illness of another leads the Dali Lama to suggest meditation as a adjunct way of healing and indeed changing one’s outlook on life. HHC starts to meditate and after initial difficulties, she sees progress. The idea of previous lives and karma is also discussed, not reincarnation because this is not a Buddhist belief.There is great discussion on how thoughts can limit one’s potential. Comparing that idea to the infinite potential of living in the Now was very well done. The idea of non-humans having thinking potential was also intriguing.Lastly, the idea of overall health being associated with how one thinks is brought up when discussing the prolonged life of many of the monks. As a retired Family Physician, I came to realize how poorly Western Allopathic Medicine handles most disease but particularly, chronic disease. This category of disease accounts for 80% of what presents to a FP office and is not simply defined as mental illness. Rather, many so called physical diseases are in large part due to negative thoughts, particularly anger and guilt. It has been shown that the DNA of random blood samples can be “opened up - less tightly bound in its helix when experienced meditators simply hold the test tube of the blood and think positive thoughts. The indicates to me that materialistic western medicine must change or be left behind. “Near death experiences” which in some cases are followed but spontaneous remission of potentially fatal disease, are another example of mind/ consciousness over matter.Thank you to David Michie for this series of Dali Lama’s cat ( otherwise known as HHC ) books.Dr. James Michael Bell