The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Power of Meow

This book was both Educational and fun at the same time . Loved how a meditation and guidelines were provided at the end.

Each of the 6 books in this wonderful, wise, and witty series, including this one, was fantastic and very well worth it. I enjoyed them all and wish for a 7th.

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.

Enjoyable, pleasant book. The book's narrator is a cat ,aka HHC. HHC stands for His Holiness's Cat, the rescued cat now owned by His Holiness Dalai Llama, and he memoirs of life living with the Dali Llmaa . The narrative part of the book's stories lead to lessons HHC learned from the Dialai himself and other rinpoches about topics such as mindulness, equiminity, love, and meditation. If you are a Buddhist that has a cat you have to read this now. If you have no cat but are interested in Buddhism, it is a very worthwhile read.

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

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.

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.

I read the first two books in the Dalai Lama's Cat series and was thrilled to find out that a third one had come out. Each book I end up completely immersed in it and start to get sad when I see 80% completed on my Kindle. I don't want it to end! David Michie is a fantastic writer, very engaging with a fantastic sense of imagery. I love that it's from the perspective of a cat who is working on her spirituality. As a human being working on my own spirituality, many of the lessons the cat learns really resonate with me. I am working on incorporating meditation into my daily routine and this book fit perfectly with where I am at currently. I am also concurrently reading Buddhism for Busy People by David Michie and would highly recommend it if you are interested in Buddhism, especially as it relates to people living in today's busy western world. Whether you are spiritual or not, interested in Buddhism or not, the Dalai Lama's Cat series are wonderful reads and filled with valuable life lessons.

Delightful books. An entertaining and useful tool for beginners in Buddhism or just those who want a few suggestions to make life easier.

Bought all the books. Can be read many times & continue to be charmed & reminded of ways to be in this chaotic world of today.

Third in the series, the continuing story charms and subtly opens the mind to understanding and calmness. As someone who worked as a hypnotherapist and dealt with many problems, I find this is very gently theraputic if you need it to be, and just a lovely, sweet story; an easy read, if that's all you want. David Michie is truly gifted in capturing Cattitude and anyone who loves cats will smile at the words which so often reflect the feline to purrfection. When I emailed him to say how much I enjoyed his books, he replied with humble pleasure that his books were appreciated. I've now bought several of these books for friends (costs me a fortune!) and have 2 full sets to loan. Without fail, every person I've gifted a book loves them and passes them on. I bought The Delai Lama's Cat from a table sale in a Premier Inn for Gt Ormond St Hospital. Someone 'donated' it, and it clearly hadn't been read.....I actually feel so sorry that they missed something that would have touched them in a meaningful way. I recommend the series of books to anyone. Even people who don't read won't find these a chore and purrfect for holidays, hospital stays, or just pure pleasure.

It was a pleasure to go back to Daramshala to the Namgyal Monastery and to read about the adventures of HHC and her revelations about Tibetan Buddhism and the life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I remember her fleas every time I try to meditate and thoughts bother me! I was eager to go back to the Himalaya Book Cafe to see what had happened to Serena, and Sid ans Mrs. Trinci and her fabulous cooking.. The atmosphere David Michie is able to create is absolutely magic. I especially appreciate having been able to learn about meditation and mindfulness. This books are treasures that we can enjoy and at the same time learn and grow spiritually

Everyone has flaws, even the protagonist of this book and my favourite character, HHC (His Holiness’ Cat). It is wonderful how the author David Michie shows us what our greatest drawback is; we forget to live in the present. Our worries about the past and future stop us from being ‘mindful’. This book is about HHC’s journey to mindfulness. Meditation is a powerful technique to self discovery and enjoyment of life. ‘Meditation’ has been the buzz word for decades and yet we struggle to practice it. HHC too has trouble in meditating. Thoughts pour into her mind or she just falls asleep. I could totally relate to HHC’s troubles. It is good to know that these embarrassing instances are common challenges and there are ways to overcome them. Well written and humorous, this book takes you through a spiritual journey in a simple and effortless way.