More quality time with your favourite cat?
Can you imagine a more sublime prospect, dear reader?
Like most cats, I am a keen observer of human behaviour. Whether on the window-sill of His Holiness’s apartment at Namgyal Monastery, the magazine rack of The Himalayan Book Café, or sprawled atop the filing cabinet in the Executive Assistants’ office, I may sometimes give the impression of being sound asleep, but I am acutely aware of the most subtle shifts of mood and manner. Must you have your eyes open to perceive such things? Can prana even be seen?
My point exactly.
There’s one activity, in particular, I have noticed, which induces the same conflicting emotions among my human companions. On the one hand, a sense of wearied resignation about the tedium ahead. On the other, a spark of hope, a glint of anticipation that perhaps today something extraordinary may manifest.
Whether it is Franc in his Mozart-filled office at The Himalaya Book Café, Heidi sitting beneath bowers of brilliantly pink rhododendrons in The Old Sanatorium gardens, or Tenzin at his desk, the faint whiff of carbolic wafting from his perfectly manicured hands, I observe the same change of demeanour. A subtle determination appearing on the lips. A slight tightening of the jaw. In the eyes, an expression of hard scrutiny – along with that ambivalent, wishful flicker.
At such a moment, I know that a person is about to open their emails. Just as they know that they will almost certainly find bills to be paid, invitations to be declined, wearisome correspondence to be attended to.
But sometimes, just very occasionally, if they are lucky they will also discover an item that is the cause of excitement.
“Paulo Coelho has agreed to a signing!” Sam, in the bookstore, may punch the air in triumph.
“An invitation from 10 Downing Street!” Tenzin may announce gleefully.
“A carton of Virgin Flaked Tuna!” Serena may glance at me in bright-eyed exaltation, having scoured all retailers, online and off, for my favourite but out-of-stock comestible.
Even in the midst of the most dreary batch of emails, is occasionally to be found a sparkling jewel. One that makes your heart sing.
Which brings us to you, dear reader. How often, on trawling through the day’s emails, do you feel you are the recipient of a dazzling karmic bonanza? And please, be honest. Self-deception serves nobody well.
How frequently, as your eyes run down the list of incoming items, do you have thoughts along the lines: “Oh happy day!” “Huzzah!” “OMG!” Or however such a sentiment is expressed in your part of the world?
No. I didn’t think so.
Which is why you may like to calm yourself before reading further. Sit nice and upright in your chair, take a very deep breath, really fill those lungs, close your eyes and exhale slowly. Repeat times three.
Now, where we? Oh, I remember. Intriguing developments.
So used are you to encountering me between the covers of a book that you may have come to assume that this is the only place I exist. But what, dear reader, if I was to make the occasional foray into your email in-box? Even a regular appearance there? Is such an excitement one you can even comprehend or are you already feeling a little giddy even at the mere prospect of it? Don’t worry – it is entirely understandable if you do.
The point is that my Transcriber, David Michie, has moved to Substack. And as part of this auspicious development, you can hear from me more often. Outside the covers of a book. You, too, can experience a rush of rapturous transcendence from opening your In box to discover an email from a much-loved friend. One who, like most cats, is delightfully low maintenance, making few demands in return for the copious joy that she so lavishly bestows.
If this sounds like an entirely enchanting prospect, dear reader – and why would it not? - I have just one word for you: Subscribe!
Not only will you get to hear more from me, David Michie will also be sharing a lot more material every month. I’ll leave it to him to explain. Every time he starts talking about podcasts and charitable donations, I find myself becoming unaccountably drowsy.
In the meantime, let me remind you what you and I have in common. Yes, of course, we are both sentient beings who only wish for happiness and to avoid suffering. And my life is as precious to me as I have no doubt yours is to you.
More specifically, though, is our more profound understanding, the one that is the reason you have read all the above with that indulgent twinkle. The wisdom we share - and which in the presence of someone like the Dalai Lama becomes obvious – is that whether our day has been filled with email tedium or glorious news, whether things are going rather well for us in general, or are decidedly rocky, in a deeper way it really doesn’t matter. It’s not what His Holiness would see if he were to look into your eyes. What he would see, instead, is your primordial nature, the one that lies beneath all surface appearance. The you whose mind is as wide as the sky and whose loving kindness has a potential without boundaries. The real you, in other words, not the current figment of your imagination.
The wisdom you and I share, is that if we simply relax and abide within, beneath the surface, all is well.
I will be emailing my first story to everyone tomorrow, dear reader. Don’t miss out!
About Substack
In giving, we receive
We can’t change the world, but we can change the way we experience it. This gentle but powerful insight abides at the heart of the Buddha’s teachings.
It’s a wisdom that has always resonated with me, especially the paradoxical notion that the surest way to find happiness is to give it to others.
During the past twenty years I have tried to share such inspiration - with an inevitable irreverence - through The Dalai Lama’s Cat series of books, The Magician of Lhasa series, and a number of non-fiction books. These are now available in over 30 languages.
It has also been a profound joy to take others with me on Mindful Safaris to my home country of Zimbabwe, Africa. (Video courtesy of Dr. Shelley Plumb from PlumbTalk Productions in Florida, USA).
Especially heart-warming has been the growing number of fellow travellers who have reached out to me through social media pages and the newsletter I have been writing for over ten years.
I have recently turned sixty - the age of wisdom according to Rumi. While waiting on that promising development, I have decided to move to Substack. This way, if you choose, you can support my work financially and keep His Holiness’s Cat in the manner to which she has become accustomed.
I will be sharing more articles on meditation, Buddhism, nature and animal sentience. Because Substack has a built-in podcast feature, I can also share audio releases like guided meditations, book readings and podcasts. And of course, His Holiness’s Cat will be making regular contributions, with her inimitable elan.
With your support I can also offer more money to the causes that, for a long time, have been close to my heart - most particularly dharma and relief projects in Tibet and the Himalaya region (Gaden Relief), the support of Buddhist nuns (Tenzin Palmo Initiatives) and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery and Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary). I personally know the founders of all these organisations and my wife and I have been donors of their extraordinary work, in some cases for many years. With you, we can do more!
Why subscribe?
A regular flow of inspiration!
Your financial support means that I can write more articles and stories and share more guided meditations and videos. As a paid subscriber you get a “backstage pass” to my world - the music I love listening to, the authors who inspire me, new ideas and content before I share this with anyone.
Giving dharma
Some people may choose to recieve only my free newsletter. If you decide to become a paid subscriber you will recieve additonal content. You will also be helping me create work intended to inspire personal growth - no matter who receives it. Is there any gift greater?
Part of our community
I hope you’ll be a part of a wider community by commenting on articles and discussions as they come up, interacting with others, and exploring the new avenues of inquiry I open up in my writings. Who knows, one day we may even find ourselves sitting round the campfire together in Africa on one of our Mindful Safaris.
Helping the most vulnerable
You will be supporting dharma and humanitarian projects in Tibet, Mongolia and the Himalaya regions and orphaned and endangered animals in Africa. In every one of these cases, our dollars go a very long way. I’ll be keeping you in the loop with the difference our combined charitable donations make.
Subscription amount
$7 a month is the amount suggested, but you may offer more if you wish. If, on the other hand, you would dearly love subscribe, but just don’t have the money, write to us at safari@davidmichie.com. This exercise isn’t about my financial enrichment, but creating a virtuous circle.
“You know, Professor, this stray kitten and you have one very important thing in common.”
“I can’t imagine,” responded the professor coolly.
“Your life is the most important thing in the world to you,” said His Holiness. “Same for this kitten.”
from The Dalai Lama’s Cat
I'm trying, David, new to this Substack...
I'm set up here and look forward to reading DLC's book. But you spelled your name wrong (!) in your post letting people know where to find you. Not a big deal but . . . 8-)