Choosing to Be: 04/08/09

Choosing to Be: Lessons in Living from a Feline Zen Master by Kat Tansey is autobiographical fiction in the vein of Philip Roth if he had decided to become a Buddhist.

The book twelve lessons in three big categories: ordinary mind, hindrances and Buddha mind. Each lesson has a series of dialogues between Kat and her cat Poohbear. He teaches Buddha's lessons through observations on the younger cat, Catzenbear's antics.

The reason behind Tansey's path towards enlightenment was to help combat depression and chronic fatigue. The cats provide moments of insight and humor in what could easily have been a very monotonous memoir.

In terms of learning about meditation and Buddhism, Choosing to Be has many practical exercises with a light approach. It maybe especially approachable for cat owners. The book reminds me favorably of 1741140102?Buddhism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali and 0689714335?The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth.

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