Awakening, Karma, Virtue, Cats and the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama and his cat

I recently listened to the Dalai Lama (through his translator) say something on a karma related subject. He said that even a simple act of virtue like feeding an animal (even ants) when it is done with an altruistic attitude (intention of helpfulness and compassion) with the idea of benefiting those sentient beings that this is what is meant by the term “bodhicitta”.  The word translates from Sanskrit this way:  bodhi means enlightened or awakened and citta means mind or consciousness.  So we could say that bodhicitta means awakened mind and it is the compassionate act of a bodhisattva practitioner.  To take it further, A person who has a spontaneous realization or motivation of bodhicitta is called a bodhisattva.

I would not go so far as to refer to myself as a bodhisattva but the Dalai Lama says even a simple act of conduct or action done in virtue with the intention of helpfulness and compassion are transformed into conditions of full enlightenment.  I think of conditions being transformed in such a way that awakening, at least in moments, is favorable.  So even simple acts of loving intention, he said, are like an elixir that transforms base metals into gold.

Only a true Buddhist would consider feeding ants.  That has never occurred to me to do, but maybe will since the great teacher Dalai Lama mentioned it.  However, I do feed stray cats.  There is one little Buddha-Cat who honestly cracks my heart open every time he comes with the others to eat.  He had a lot of fear right after he was born–really significantly frightened more than his brother or sisters.  Now, he is warming up to me and the other neighbor here who feeds him.  Here’s the thing.  The others dive into the food platter — a clear plastic party platter works well for them, each having their own compartment.  However, while he may be positioned to eat, he doesn’t start until he looks up into your eyes and reaches his head up so as to rub noses with you.

Each time I feed this cat, my heart opens more and he makes it easy for me to create the mindstate of a Bodhisattva.  I accept any conditions that would lead me to full awakening.  This sweet cat is helping me; may he remain protected and happy.

PS it is said that His Holiness rescued his cat from the slums of Dharmsala.  

 

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Animal Power Totem Leopard, Shamanism and Stray Cat

I came across it yesterday.  A documentary from BBC on Leopards and that was mostly because I was looking up information to keep this animal totem nourished within me.  I realized I’d seen that documentary before–years ago.

The attraction to Leopards has always been there but faint or it’s been present in faded awareness. This animal has returned to me–the spirit of the Leopard as it relates to strength, wisdom, intuition and most of all shamanism has been reawakened.

I’m noticing leopards everywhere now–in purchases I’ve made over the past months that have leopard patterns; scarves, glasses, clothing, etc.  But not until Leopard came to me in a dream and in meditative visions did I connect all the dots.  Pardon the pun, but it’s true!  The Leopard part of my psyche is being re-triggered and this power animal is returning to me.

Leopard spots which look like roses, called rosettes.

I really have to smile at how in such an absent minded way, I always select the leopard patterned wrist wrap for my workouts at the gym.   (I use a soft cloth to put on my wrist to catch perspiration when working out at the gym.)  How long has this spirit animal been trying to call for my attention?

How could I have not realized all the leopard patterned items I have representing my connection to this power animal totem?  It’s actually kind of embarrassing to admit.

I’ve heard it said to watch for the behavior of other animals around you as another way your power animal communicates.  It may sound silly but as was walking to my apartment the other night after dark, a gold colored cat came rushing though the parking lot as if it did not even see me.  He trotted by me as if I were a ghost calling out some strange sound over and over eventually disappearing into the night.

Yesterday, he was at my door and scattered off when I opened it.  I did not know he was there at the side of my door when I opened it.  He took off but came to rest at the front of my car, looking up at me as I walked closer taking his photo as I went.  He looked up at me and as we made friends.  Was he connecting to my Leopard energy having called out to me in his ghost walk the night before?  Who can say so for sure.

I’ve seen stray cats out and about here but not one of this color until yesterday.  Here are the photo’s.  At first he kept a distance and then felt very comfortable.

I shared my leopard energy with him as well as some food and drink, hoping it will help him on his path.  Stray cats have to be strong and wise and wary in a world that misunderstands them.  And they (like me) have a good deal in common with Leopard energy.

PS — this stray cat has a large type of rosette (see image below, close up) on his side.   I call him SHAMAN.

 

 

Summer Solstice 2014

Looking for the first star on the summer solstice from my new room — we moved yesterday!

Waiting for the sunset! or twilight or something!!  I moved this weekend!  Just remembered it was the Summer Solstice.  I’ve been so busy, actually forgot.

I am sitting in front of  two very large windows in front of my desk here in my room.

My large Buddha statue that was on my balcony is now sitting on my desk right in front of me looking serene, reminding me of the nature of mind and the nature of reality. I have nearly everything set up and put away… what a monumental task moving is. My son-in-law was awesome (he drove the u-haul) and my whole family helped. Everyone said, “You’ll never get all this stuff in that room! They shook their heads and smiled at me but I pre-measured and was confident.

 I managed a bed, love-seat, dresser, desk, filing cabinet and large TV in here… oh and a book case with all my astrology books, tarot books and some others. (Had to put so many books in storage!! along with so much else!)

Anyway… I got all of my indoor plants set up in my room and I put the outdoor plants on the front and back porches, along with the bird feeder on a shepherds hook and out front a blooming petunia graces the door along with my two hydrangeas and between the bushes, my large concrete angel statue! 

I have a huge walk-in closet and which was able to accommodate everything. My sister and niece are thrilled with the huge kitchen downstairs and brand new stove and refrigerator! We’ve been busy, busy, busy non-stop today like yesterday getting everything out of boxes and taking empty one’s to the dumpster. 

It almost feels like I’ve gone off to college and have my own dorm room!  Or maybe “Golden Girls’ (after the TV show)… my niece, my sister and me.  

I can’t wait to start doing readings in this new location. 

It was soooooo nice to get to sleep last night without people talking underneath my bed! LOL!  and I will not miss the downstairs neighbor in the old place who played his guitar and sang like a coyote… bless his heart. 

My sister, niece and I are getting on well, being happy to have everything set up here and having the old apartments empty, cleaned and ready to turn the key over to the rental office tomorrow! 

We are both full of bruises and some cuts and our backs and feet are sore from carrying boxes and furniture and beds and everything up and down stairs! 

I am waiting for the first STAR to come out (have a nice view of the sky now) but if it doesn’t hurry up, I may have to miss the event for this evening in lieu of a hot bath.

Tomorrow the phone gets hooked up here and the internet is still not working bur my daughter let me use her…

“Verizon 4G portable wi-fi”

…thing-ie which is really awesome actually. She uses it for travel on business trips.

I’m still looking out the window for a star. Not yet…

The sunset was a bit disappointing…. I guess my windows and the setting sun are a bit out of alignment for this time of year or maybe the sky was prettier earlier and I missed it.

My sister’s cat is a charmer… such a sweet and quiet cat, she hardly meow’s at all but is no trouble and very cute. I call her Natasha which is what she told me her name was but my sister and niece call her by another name. It’s nice being around her.

Well, anyway, I’m not waiting anymore for the first star to come out.

I’m heading for the tub and then to read my book a while!   I’m so very much enjoying “The Cave in the Snow”–about the Tibetan Buddhist nun who meditated in a cave in the Himalayas for 13 years!

As hot as it’s been this weekend, its just fine to read about snow. 

Speaking of meditating… right after a hot bath I’m going to really quiet down and meditate.

Hope you had a nice weekend. 

I’m happy to have the change and am having many laughs with my sister. 

PS ~ Happy Summer Solstice!! Hope you had a nice weekend!