Cats who teach me to fly…

About six years ago, while I was searching for a missing cat who was carelessly lost by her adopter, I met a skinny calico, whom her current feeder named her Nomu.

Nomu was skinny and didn’t look like she was fed. I was glad to have met a feeder who was feeding around the area at that time. I sought her help to feed Nomu and she agreed. Without her help, I would have to travel all the way to town to feed Nomu. I am also glad that the feeder, Michelle, and I have been in touch.

Recently, Michelle told me that Nomu lost weight and didn’t seem to look well. Immediately, I volunteered to take Nomu. According to the information that we received from Nomu’s previous owner, Nomu is at least 12 years of age. To me I guess it’s time for her to retire.

She looked scared on her first day when she was home. It’s her sixth day today, not only her appetite is getting better, she no longer hides the way she used to. I caught her on CCTV one day, she sat upright grooming herself comfortably. I guess she must have groomed herself many times without my presence. She is not at all difficult as she allows me to pet her. With her increase in appetite, and her peeing and pooping seemingly healthy, I don’t feel she has any health issues. She still needs to be in the cage until she feels at ease with the cats here.

I always like retreats held at Kong Meng San. The meditation halls provide enough space and are conducive for meditation. KMS is a Mahayana temple, good thing is they make the meditation halls look like a “free thinker’s” place. There are no statues in the halls.

I was glad to have this fortune again to attend yet another retreat with a good monk, Ajahn Vajiro. Even though I have no questions, attending retreats regularly help me understand the practice of a monastic. I still need to listen! A calm composure, soft spoken, a smiley face and a well explained Dhamma are qualities I would like to emulate. 

“Anger, a Buddhist must not have anger.” He said that. He tried to explain he too has anger. It is always good that monastics acknowledge their shortcomings just as we have them too. I remember a Sri Lanka monk said that an Arhat has anger, it’s their habit, therefore, it’s ok. Well, to me, an Arhat should not have anger because as Buddha had explained, there is a way to end all fetters and meditation is the way! Perhaps the monks have overestimated themselves. I am confident to say that there should be no fetters remaining in an Arhat!

On the first day, no matter how I had disliked walking meditation at that particular timing, I pushed my dislike away. This pushed and trained me to listen and follow instructions. Humbly and happily, with all participants, I made the right effort and remained mindfully walking. 

Inspired by the Buddha, I too, like to meditate immediately after meal. I don’t usually get sleepy during meditation after meal. Q & A was interesting. However, I prefer questions that have to do with understanding the Dhamma, the Buddha’s teachings. Other questions were equally important to the person who asked.

I was down with slight flu when I got home and didn’t attend the morning session on the next day. I sat in in the afternoon, listening attentively to his teachings. Two days is good! 

I hope there are more such retreats held at KMS. Thanks Ajahn Vajiro for his teachings, KMS for the venue and Buddha Dhamma Foundation for organising this retreats. 

May all be safe and happy!