Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys
The Dalai Lama’s cat is back with a third installment in David Michie’s popular series. Michie first introduced the fictional feline, HHC (His Holiness’ Cat), dubbed “Little Snow Lion” by the Dalai Lama himself, in his 2012 novel The Dalai Lama’s Cat. HHC was rescued by the Dalai Lama when he saw the small kitten being thrown in the gutter. In the first book, the reader gets an insider’s look at the day to day life of the Dalai Lama’s world as seen by his cat. In the second book, The Dalai Lama’s Cat and the Art of Purring, the Dalai Lama gives his feline companion the task of discovering the true case of happiness.
In The Dalai Lama’s Cat and The Power of Meow, HHC continues her quest for enlightenment by learning to meditate. And while most of us, including HHC, think that meditation is something that comes naturally to cats, she learns that it’s not as easy as it seems. But HHC persists on her quest to become more mindful, a concept that’s better known to her as “the power of meow,” and learns that meditation is the path to discover one’s true nature.
As in the previous books, HHC is joined by the other inhabitants of Dharmasala. We also meet some intriguing new characters, including a Silicon Valley executive whose company’s name rhymes with “litter” and a famous TV talk show host. I particularly enjoyed the passage when HHC gets to meet the Pope’s beloved dog via a Skype session and learns that the dog has the shockingly similar title of HHD: His Holiness’ Dog.
Narrated with the same warmth, wit and wisdom as the other two books, this book once again captured my heart and my mind. For readers unfamiliar with the concepts of Buddhism, these books are a wonderful introduction in an easily accessible way. Readers already familiar with Buddhist teachings will be delighted to find the tenets presented from a cat’s point of view.
This installment provides great motivation to start a meditation practice, or to deepen an already existing practice. If you’ve ever doubted that you can meditate, this book will convince you to give it a go (and Michie even provides simple instructions in the back of the book.) It gave me incentive to deepen my own practice.
Sweet, poignant, and humorous, this book offers profound lessons, but they are conveyed in a light-hearted and subtle manner. It reads like a novel, but leaves the reader transformed at a deeper level.
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About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
LOVING THIS BOOK , its was looong wait having had to order this book through the local book store in Pmburg, South Africa , but it was worth the wait ! Thank you David !!
oh yes and having read the Dalai Lama’s Cat and the Art of purring I JUST HAD TO GET THE POWER OF MEOW !
Ingrid! I just poated a book review of The Art of Purring on my blog, since I did not KNOW there are a third book out! I may not be able to wait for The Power of Meow to be available at the local library, and purchase it instead!
The Power of Coincidence? 🙂