Cats who teach me to fly…

Everywhere I go, it is all about Dharma. I often remind myself to be careful with my speech and actions. The 5 precepts, loving, kindness and generosity. To be generous not only with our money but with patience and forgiveness. Patience is tougher for me and yet the greatest generosity is patience.

To practise what the Buddha teaches is a big scope of work. I try all my best to keep and follow the Buddha’s teachings…

However, we are bound to face criticism. There are people telling me, so what if one has experienced the seven factors of awakening or the jhanas. By criticising someone in such a way is criticising the Buddha. Buddha was the one who taught us to meditate. Buddha himself got enlightened through this meditation. Somehow, it is not correct to criticise someone who make great effort on practicing what the Buddha taught.

I may be the lousiest lay practitioner and because I am a lay practitioner, whatever I have attained, to many it is a complete waste of time simply because in the Theravada tradition, there is no room for a lay practitioner. It is also a waste of time for others to think that reading pali canon is useless…

No matter what the criticism is, the path towards enlightenment is set straight for me.

Why differentiate between the Mahayana or Theravada? Or the different sects within the same tradition? On the surface they look peaceful and harmonious. The truth is, it has broken and separated many…

In this Dharma ending age, can everything be mended? Yes, if only everyone truly respect and practise the Buddha’s teachings.

All I want is merely to be a good student of the Buddha…

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I have reached 200 hours of meditation. 99% of restlessness has been eradicated. I no longer struggle to stay on track or to keep myself calm. Physically I am still but mentally, there is plenty of work to do.

I also understood the way to remove sloth and torpor. It is not by getting up to wash your face or to have a drink etc… It is not an act of removing ourselves from meditation in order to keep our mind fresh. It has to do with how we gently put sloth and torpor aside and focus on our breathing. But beware! There is a fine line between a sleepy mind and an awakened mind!

I am still working with sloth and torpor which is my last hindrance. Practising to sharpen my skill till it all go smooth. Just like the way restlessness was removed. And it has to do with gently letting go and focusing on the breathing with a fully clear mind at the same time. Time would shape it up!

Next target? 300 hours!

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Mickey wasn’t eating and neither was he active. I can’t see what was wrong with him until he refused to move and I found his leg completely swollen.

Not only his right hind leg was swollen, all his legs and head as well. Vet said it was due to a fight and I wonder who he fought with… The holes were so deep with thick abcess that look like cheese!

All bandage. Mel and I weren’t sure if we can handle his wound so we left him for a few days at the clinic. The wounds were still raw when we took him home. His bill came up to around 1.1k and we were glad that someone picked up his bill. She is a new feeder and just recently feeding them in my area. Appreciate her help so much!

So now Mickey has become an indoor cat. A good boy. Doesn’t look for trouble or fight and he looks all comfortable at home.

Sunkiss walks weirdly and finally couldn’t move much anymore. It is arthritis.

Sunkiss belongs to someone who doesn’t care for him. We sent him to the vet on Monday. He looks so much better and cannot be released anymore. His condition is quite severe. I just bought 3 bottles of bone supplements for him. The feeder paid for his bill. She really care for the cats. Such responsible feeder are so hard to come by.

Hope both are happy living in a place call home!

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The police called and wanted to take a statement from me because I was the last person that Chanel texted. I was expecting this.

I went back to how we got to know each other till Chanel left. Guilt was all over me again. I should have done this and that…and if only… Finally, I had to recall the messages we sent to each other. No, I didn’t delete our conversation. Part of me still wanted to hold on to her.

In the evening, we met her youngest son but something was missing… Chanel! Her son grew a little taller. Both of her sons didn’t seem to be affected much which I would say that it is not entirely bad.

After giving a statement to the police and seeing her son once again, I felt relieved. I felt that I should let go. It is time to delete our conversation. It’s time to say goodbye to Chanel. It’s time to put everything down and move on…

I am glad that the police came. He helped me actually.

Alright Chanel! It’s time to say goodbye. Till we meet again!

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That’s that!

Russell was a feral cat. Like any other cats, he had all the fear in his eyes. These cats are not evil or bad cats. They are just scared. Days after days, weeks after weeks and months after months, Russell finally trusted me. A sweet boy he was.

He was skinny when we brought him back. In order to win him, I gave him all he wanted to eat. That’s the little love I can give. But I am always greedy. Three years of caring for him or any cats is never enough for me.

A tough life he had when he was a stray. Always hungry… but not for long.

Another paw prints always living in my heart.

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