Mindful Cat

Long ago there lived a young monk who adopted a kitten.

He was so fond of the kitten he took it wherever he went.

One day he brought the kitten to sitting mediation.

The kitten frolicked around the temple visiting the other monks who were practicing mindfulness.

At the end of the day he was told if he wanted to continue bringing the kitten to sitting meditation, he would have to tie it to the table so it would not disturb the other monks.

And so the young monk did.

For the remainder of the cat’s life, it attended sitting meditation tied to the table.

When the cat died, the young monk who was no longer young, adopted another kitten.

As before he brought the kitten to sitting meditation, and tied it to the table.

This went on and on until the young monk who was no longer young, died.

After his death another monk adopted a kitten.

He brought it to sitting mediation, and tied it to the table.

Many generations have passed.

Much has been said about the virtues of having a cat present for sitting mediation.

adapted from a collection of stories told about the monk and a cat

Until next time…Shine on 🙂

Barbara