oak Posted 14 hours ago In my case it's a dog. Here goes, 1. Long daily walks in nature are mandatory. 2. Stretch at least 7 times a day. 3. Yawn at least once every hour. 4. Fast regularly. 5. Eat only when you are hungry. 6. Roll a little on your back every morning. 7. No resentments. 8. No need to think so much of tomorrow. Live in trust. 9...in progress 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taomeow Posted 11 hours ago Great lessons. I've learned from cats all my life, and consider my grandmother's cat, who was 5 years older than me, my first taoist teacher. Alas, I didn't absorb all of her lessons, only some. Here's what they were: 1. A balance of freedom and loyalty is the foundation of all meaningful relationships. If either component is missing, the relationship is shallow and strained and ultimately means nothing to you. 2. Morning beauty routine should be brief but consistent. 3. Don't beg, don't steal, don't go without -- let your eyes tell them what you need. 4. Tomcats come when you call. 5. Kittens are to be taken care of with utmost dedication. 6. Enemies are forever. If you hate someone's guts, they did something to deserve it. Neither seek nor avoid a confrontation -- if they cross your path, fight, if they don't, forget they exist. 7. Love is forever. If you love someone, they don't have to do anything to "deserve" it and can't do anything to lose it. (If they could you would know better than to love them to begin with.) 8. If it's careless enough to be within reach of your pounce, it's food. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oak Posted 11 hours ago 11 minutes ago, Taomeow said: Great lessons. I've learned from cats all my life, and consider my grandmother's cat, who was 5 years older than me, my first taoist teacher. Indeed. Too late in life I've understood Chief Seattle's words about life without animals resulting in a big "spiritual solitude". You do gain alot of wisdom from animals. It comes at a price it's true but you get the goods if you're attentive... It came to my mind now this moment that I had with an eagle. I was walking in the fields completely lost in neurotic thoughts, too afraid of what tomorrow would bring and suddenly I look up and see this eagle in its calm, slow flight, owning everything, the immensity of the sky as well as the whole land. Unforgettable moments which wake you up from the human troubles. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taomeow Posted 10 hours ago (edited) 57 minutes ago, oak said: Indeed. Too late in life I've understood Chief Seattle's words about life without animals resulting in a big "spiritual solitude". You do gain alot of wisdom from animals. It comes at a price it's true but you get the goods if you're attentive... It came to my mind now this moment that I had with an eagle. I was walking in the fields completely lost in neurotic thoughts, too afraid of what tomorrow would bring and suddenly I look up and see this eagle in its calm, slow flight, owning everything, the immensity of the sky as well as the whole land. Unforgettable moments which wake you up from the human troubles. Very true. Interactions with animals, for people who are not too far gone into that "spiritual solitude," albeit different from interactions with fellow humans, have always, till very recently in history, been part of the human experience, of what it's like to be human. Many find vestiges of that in pets, although it's still different from, e.g., what you experienced with that eagle. (My grandmother's cat was not exactly a pet although she did have some advantages and disadvantages of that status in her life, but she was also a free cat among other free cats, roaming a countryside-like environment, hunting, exploring, living a complex and rich adult cat life. Super healthy, never saw a vet in her life... She was well over 20 when car traffic, nonexistent throughout her life, increased in that area, and one of those monsters got her. She just wasn't used to minding cars, a late addition to her habitat.) Edited 10 hours ago by Taomeow 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apech Posted 10 hours ago From my cats I learned that the older you get the more bonkers you can be. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oak Posted 9 hours ago 1 hour ago, Taomeow said: (My grandmother's cat was not exactly a pet although she did have some advantages and disadvantages of that status in her life, but she was also a free cat among other free cats, roaming a countryside-like environment, hunting, exploring, living a complex and rich adult cat life. Super healthy, never saw a vet in her life... She was well over 20 when car traffic, nonexistent throughout her life, increased in that area, and one of those monsters got her. She just wasn't used to minding cars, a late addition to her habitat.) And you will love her forever... It is something new to me as I quite often accused people of loving their pets more than humans but now I do understand. Just remembered one of my favourite songs which I'm going to listen to now 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taomeow Posted 8 hours ago Cool cat song. A relative of mine is a veterinarian surgeon in Canada. He doesn't just see animals in his office but if necessary he travels to help them wherever the mishap had found them. He also had a local TV show at one point titled "My Pet Ate What?.." (Some owners, especially dog owners, get mind-boggling surprises removed from their pets, like five pairs of underwear and the like. Number one cat hazard is hair ties...) I remember this guy as a kid growing up in a perfectionist, sparkling-clean-obsessed family, whose only pet was a turtle. (Because no fur and no demands beyond a cabbage leaf.) I didn't understand how a human can have an emotional connection with a turtle, but he did -- to the extent it shaped his career choice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oak Posted 7 hours ago 43 minutes ago, Taomeow said: I didn't understand how a human can have an emotional connection with a turtle, but he did -- to the extent it shaped his career choice! I can relate to that as I still remember the turtles at home as a child and how the harmonious mandala-like shape of the shell fascinated me then and now still. And of course the longevity thing, quite fascinating 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted 4 hours ago 1. Honey is the best thing there is . 2. Keep the noise down in the day time, I am sleeping . 3. Don't bang the door ! I am trying to sleep right above it . 3. Don't eat more than a a few tid-bits of fruit during the day time .... you will wet the bed and it will run down the window . 4. Yes you can see the baby ... as long as I get some honey to distract me . 5. I smell like puppies and gum leaves . ( any guesses ? ) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oak Posted 4 hours ago 9 minutes ago, Nungali said: ( any guesses ? ) Tomorrow mate Time for bed on my planet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cobie Posted 3 hours ago (edited) 44 minutes ago, Nungali said: …. any guesses ? pygmy possum? Edited 3 hours ago by Cobie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
