Some commentary and a poem.
(Image description: A photo of a side profile of a cat’s face. The cat is resting is resting in a light-colored hammock near a rope-covered scratching post.) Credit: Photo by Jack Seeds on Unsplash
The title of this post might seem kind of funny, as you might not immediately think of domesticated animals as having anything to do with monasticism. I think each pet and its personality can offer small lessons to contemplate.
While there might be other examples in literature, I’m reminded of the 6th century Irish poem Pangur Bán. The anonymous poet-monk finds commonalities in their separate tasks, him at his desk and the cat near a mousehole. This poem offers an example of insights found in seemingly ordinary situations from unlikely sources.
As of late, one of my cats, Mystic, has been having health issues. She’s elderly and has been with me for a very long time. As of writing this post, she’s still with me. However, thinking back on her life, I can see the lessons she’s taught me and the value they have in my monastic practice. I have summarized her lessons for me in the following poem.
Hermit Cat
Chirp of a bird,
tiny fierceness,
this is how we met.
Your Halloween-coat
and your quietness
are your namesakes.
Curmudgeon at heart,
my fuzzy hermit
finding joy in solitude.
Even chasing your tail
reveals the happiness
of your own company.
At other times, you seek
the love and care
to fill your needs.
Not too much,
nor too little,
everything in moderation.
Sweet kitty, you
are wisdom, a deep well
of simple truths.
If you have any beloved animals in your life, consider what lessons they can teach you and cherish the knowledge you learn!
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