Buddhism For Pet Lovers

The bonds we share with our pets go beyond words and are often deeper than many of our human relationships. What is the nature of these close connections? And what if our influence on pets, both in life and especially through sickness and death, is far more powerful than we ever conceived? David Michie draws on ancient Buddhist wisdom, supported by contemporary science, to provide fascinating insights into animal consciousness. He proposes that the pets with whom we share our lives are not there by accident. Whether your animal companion has fur, feathers or fins, he offers a treasury of practical tools to enhance your relationship with them in everyday life, as well as during times of challenge. Written with humour and compassion, and including extraordinary true stories from around the world, Buddhism for Pet Lovers reveals how our animal companions may indeed be among our most precious partners. For in helping them, our own lives are incomparably enriched too. 'If you have ever deeply loved an animal, this is, without doubt, the book for you.' Gail Pope, BrightHaven 'Our pets offer us one of our greatest opportunities to add compassion to the world. This book helps direct us to a path toward the blossoming of that opportunity.' Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words, and What Animals Think and Feel

Bestselling meditation author David Michie explores the deep bond we have with our pets. With insights from Buddhism and modern science, and including true stories from around the world, he shows how we can provide practical support to our pets both in daily life and when they are dying.

In this simple and accessible but beautifully written book, David Michie opens the door to the core teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, and shows us how he himself first began incorporating Buddhist practices into his daily life. What does it take to be happy? We've all asked ourselves this question at some point, but few of us have found the path to lasting fulfillment. David Michie thought he had achieved his life's goals--the high-level job, the expensive city apartment, the luxury car, the great vacations--but a small voice was telling him he wasn't really happy. A chance remark from a naturopath sent him to his local Buddhist center. There he began the most important journey of his life. In Buddhism for Busy People Michie explains how he came to understand the difference between the temporary pleasures of ordinary life and the profound sense of well-being and heartfelt serenity that comes from connecting with our inner nature.

"If you ever doubted that your feline companion has her own inner life, just watch what happens when she falls asleep, and loses conscious control of her physical being . . . a twitching of limbs, a quivering of the jaw, sometimes perhaps a snuffling noise or a meow. . . . Cats may indeed be capable of great mindfulness. But we are thinking beings, too. In my own case, unfortunately, a being who thinks rather too much." In the latest installment of the Dalai Lama’s Cat series, His Holiness’s Cat ("HHC") is on a mission: to think less, to experience more, to live in the moment. She soon learns the proper phrase for this, being mindful, or, a concept better known to her as the power of meow. What ensues is a journey to discover her own true nature, to gain a deeper understanding of her mind, and to experience life’s greatest joy, the here and now. Throughout, she shares encounters with familiar inhabitants of Dharamsala, as well as a whole new cast of characters: a senior exec from one of Silicon Valley’s most famous social media companies (hint: the name rhymes with "litter"), the Pope’s beloved dog (who shares a shockingly similar title: HHD, His Holiness’s Dog), and a public health inspector who threatens to have our poor narrator banned from the Himalaya Book Café. In this follow-up to the Dalai Lama’s Cat and the Art of Purring, readers escape to the enchanting and exotic world of the Dalai Lama’s monastery in the Himalayas, and take a peek inside the mind of a delightfully imperfect creature on the path to enlightenment. 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.

Traces a dog through various incarnations, including a tough stray, a working dog, and a family pet, as he learns what he must in each life.

Find enlightenment at the end of a leash with this delightful look at the Buddha nature of our canine companions. An afternoon nap in a patch of sunlight, a meandering walk in the woods, a full-body shake to greet another soul. No other creature displays the joy of living in the moment quite like a dog or exhibits the unquestioning devotion, honesty, and sheer selfl essness that is the essence of the Buddha nature. Zen Dog celebrates this great truth, bringing koans and canines together for the fi rst time. Inspiring quotations from the Buddha, Lao Tzu, and other Zen masters are paired with charming black-and-white photographs of dogs that illuminate the message. A dog wagging its tail in the breeze, for example, provides a surprisingly apt answer to the age-old question, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" And the image of a family pet awaiting a tasty table scrap offers a whole new perspective on the saying, "If you know the power of a generous heart, you will not let a single meal pass without giving to others." The perfect gift for dog lovers and spiritual seekers, Zen Dog might even prove who the true "masters" in pet-owner relationships really are.

A treasury of Buddhist wisdom from the great teachers . . . plus cute doggie photos. Join some cuddly dogs for encouragement from Buddhist teachers like Thích Nhất Hanh and the Buddha himself in Zen Dogs. Don’t let the adorable canines fool you—they have plenty of mindfulness wisdom to share in the form of quotes and verses. Meditate along with these verses daily. Learn from the dutiful dog to be true in body and mind. And let your inner Zen Dog guide you to enlightenment.

Explains the author's meditation technique designed to relieve stress and enhance well-being, improve focus and cultivate compassion, all while deepening the connection between pack leaders and their pooches.