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The Art of Purring

(The Dalai Lama's Cat #2)

David Michie (Goodreads Author)

4.41 · Rating details · 2,615 ratings · 284 reviews

What makes you purr? Of all the questions in the world, this is the most important. It is also the great leveler. Because no matter whether you are a playful kitten or a sedentary senior, a scrawny alley Tom or a sleek-coated uptown girl, whatever your circumstances, you just want to be happy. Not the kind of happy that comes and goes like a can of flaked tuna but an endur ...more

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Paperback, 209 pages

Published November 28th 2013 by Hay House, Inc. (first published January 1st 2013)

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Jan 30, 2014 Robin rated it really liked it

David Michie has found a whimsical, clever way to educate the reader about happiness from a Tibetan Buddhist perspective. Although I didn't initially choose the book with a goal to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism, I learned a lot. And despite learning a lot, it was an easy, enjoyable read. I enjoyed the human and animal characters and became eager to see where their narratives led.

It is written in the first person perspective of (as the title says) the Dalai Lama's cat, and I grew very fond of ...more

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Aug 16, 2017 Kevin rated it really liked it

Shelves: buddhist, ebook

I love this this series, book 2 is even better then the first. I love that the cat narrates the book and if you're not a cat lover lots of dogs appear. There is a shocking revelation (view spoiler)
Highly recommended for anyone who loves animals, wants a break from violence and despair! ...more

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Mar 06, 2018 M rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

There are books that make you feel happy as you turn their pages, one anecdote at a time.And then there are books that lighten up your soul.And then there is this book and this entire series for that matter. Took over 2 weeks for this book just so that I don’t end up finishing it too soon. Guess this book will be gifted by me to many over next few years :)

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Jun 12, 2019 Nat rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019

3.5 stars

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Feb 27, 2014 Karen O'Brien-Hall rated it it was amazing

Sometimes when you read a book which touches you, gives you a laugh and just plain makes you feel good, reading a sequel can be a bit daunting.
I approached The Dalai Lama’s Cat and the Art of Purring with a certain degree of trepidation because, Starts at Sixty members will remember, I so thoroughly enjoyed HHC’s previous literary triumph. I needn’t have worried, HHC is no one hit wonder
Since reading HHC’s first book, The Dalai Lama’s Cat, I’ve recommended it many times and a number of people h Sometimes when you read a book which touches you, gives you a laugh and just plain makes you feel good, reading a sequel can be a bit daunting.
I approached The Dalai Lama’s Cat and the Art of Purring with a certain degree of trepidation because, Starts at Sixty members will remember, I so thoroughly enjoyed HHC’s previous literary triumph. I needn’t have worried, HHC is no one hit wonder
Since reading HHC’s first book, The Dalai Lama’s Cat, I’ve recommended it many times and a number of people have come back to say how much they enjoyed their insight into a new world. Particularly heartening was the seriously ill lady who told me reading this book had made her feel calm, so much so she even decided to invite a Himalayan cat into her life!
It is not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy the second, they stand alone, but to read them in order is to rediscover old friends not just meet new ones.
HHC is of course His Holiness’s Cat, the beautiful lady also known as Rinpoche, The Most Beautiful Creature that Ever Lived and Snow Lion who shares her home with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I am a cat person and have shared my life with many beautiful enlightened ones making me predisposed to love HHC. For our dog loving friends however, there is much for you to enjoy because cats, dogs and people are sentient beings and there are a number of dogs who also inhabit HHC world. In fact HHC herself dreams of a time when … oops, can’t say anymore!
In this second insight to the life of Rinpoche (meaning Precious) she is faced with losing His Holiness to the world for 7 long weeks. Before he leaves, the Dalai Lama asks her to think about happiness and what makes her purr. We travel this road with her whilst she observes not only her own feelings and reactions, but also the lives and emotions of those close to her world. It actually took more time to read than the number of pages would indicate because I found myself examining my reactions to what I was reading.
With all due respect to HHC, her transcriber and the Dalai Lama, if someone offered me a book on Tibetan Buddhism to read, I admit I would probably politely decline or find many excuses for leaving it on the bookshelf. I’d tell them I’m not into “all that”; yet I am definitely into “all that” as espoused in a novel. There is no hint of evangelizing (is that word appropriate in relation to Buddhism?) in The Dalai Lama’s Cat and the Art of Purring yet the messages are clearly conveyed.
I related to so many of the teachings such as “Exchanging thoughts of self for thoughts of others – this is the most effective way to be happy” and the balance provided by “Be wisely selfish little Snow Lion. Gain happiness for yourself by giving it to others.” In an article about Volunteering I was trying to convey why people volunteer and the good they accomplish – these words above would have been perfect. See what I mean? The quotes are not meant as a sermon yet they are relevant to life, so that I learn about myself despite myself!
Thank you to Hay House via Netgalley for my copy of this enjoyable, humourous thoroughly entertaining read. When will HHC be ready to publish her next book?
...more

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Dec 11, 2013 Sharon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: spirituality, cats

I read and thoroughly enjoyed David Michie's first novel, "The Dalai Lama's Cat," so I was delighted at the opportunity to read the next outing featuring HHC (His Holiness' Cat) and her perspective on life at McLeod Ganj.

This time, His Holiness is going away for an extended period of time and asks the cat to consider why she purrs. This begins HHC's examination of happiness. She learns several lessons through the course of the book just by observing what happens in her circle of human and canine ...more

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Jan 16, 2015 Alison rated it it was amazing

Shelves: animals, fiction, spirituality, buddhism, dalai-lama

This is the 2nd book in what is to be a trilogy, about the observations of the Dalai Lama's cat as she listens to the different characters in the book, from the Dalai Lama to his staff to her friends at her favorite cafe and Yoga studio, the Dalai Lama sets for his lovable feline companion the task of investigating The Art of Purring, or in other words (Happiness). These books are a simple read, packed with a lot of great wisdom, which makes them very enjoyable to read. We can connect to the cha ...more

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Mar 29, 2014 Darlene rated it it was amazing

A wonderful sequel to a marvelous book, this does not disappoint. If anything, this reader was left wishing for more. Not a fan of books from the animal's perspective, author David Michie pulls it off with aplomb. Highly recommended. This book and its prequel will easily transport you to another country, way of life and a basic understanding of Buddhism. ...more

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Jul 22, 2017 Kayla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: completed-series, netgalley-and-edelweiss, reviews-completed, cats

*NOTE: This is a review of the entire trilogy.*

I love reading books about cats. If I could read nothing but books about cats, I probably would, and be happy while doing it. I love learning everything I can about them. I also love learning about religions that I haven't studied yet. When I heard about The Dalai Lama's Cat trilogy, it sounded like the perfect book trilogy for me. I'm so glad that I picked it up. I loved the trilogy so much that I ended up reading all three books in a twenty-four h *NOTE: This is a review of the entire trilogy.*

I love reading books about cats. If I could read nothing but books about cats, I probably would, and be happy while doing it. I love learning everything I can about them. I also love learning about religions that I haven't studied yet. When I heard about The Dalai Lama's Cat trilogy, it sounded like the perfect book trilogy for me. I'm so glad that I picked it up. I loved the trilogy so much that I ended up reading all three books in a twenty-four hour time span.

When I started the first book in the trilogy, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I thought I would get a few cute stories about HHC (His Holiness' Cat) that would make me chuckle. However, this trilogy was so much more than that. Yes, there were great about HHC that made me laugh so hard, especially the one about drinking the reporter's water. There were also times where the book made me sad, like when a certain main character dies out of nowhere, and I find myself sobbing. The book made me feel so many different emotions that a book hadn't made me feel in such a long time.

The Dalai Lama's Cat trilogy also taught me several different things. I didn't know much about Buddhism before reading this book. Now, it's definitely a religion I want to research more. I love the idea of finding inner peace by thinking of others, instead of thinking of yourself all the time. I've tried to practice that ever since I finished the book, and it actually does work. It makes me feel a lot calmer. The trilogy also made me want to do some research on The Dalai Lama. I was curious if he actually had a cat, so I googled it, and went from there. I found out that he has wrote a few books, and placed a hold on them from the library right away.

I loved everything about The Dalai Lama's Cat trilogy. Going into the book, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I got. I loved the stories about HHC, and loved learning more about Buddhism. This trilogy has inspired me to live in a way that is kinder to others, and brings inner peace. I can't wait to read more books about Buddhism, and The Dalai Lama. I recommend this trilogy to anyone looking for a captivating tale with great lessons attached on how to live in a peaceful environment. ...more

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Nov 26, 2013 Lisa Marie Gabriel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cats, spiritual

It is difficult to write a review of what happens in this delightful book without adding spoilers and that is something I am not going to do! Suffice it to say that I had to get a copy as soon as it became available in the UK! I was a little concerned how a sequel would stand up because very often the original inspiration is so much better. In this case I was not disappointed. In a way, I found this a more thoughtful book than the first but I dearly love them both. The Snow Lion is very close to ...more

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Jan 23, 2019 Dianne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019

This book is somewhat deeper than the first and we don't see much of the Dalai Lama. As a matter of fact, this book proves to me that I would never be able to become a Buddist, I just don't have the patience for it! Some of the passages are wordy and to me, seem to have nothing to do with the book. Then again this book is a mish-mash of peoples lives and deaths (yes one of our beloved characters died in this book). Also, the Dalai Lama is on a trip for most of the book.

This book does reinforce t ...more

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Jul 21, 2020 Orsi Pusok rated it it was amazing

Wisdom delivered in a surprisingly cute, cozy and heartwarming way.
The book explores the art of happiness (hence the art of 'purring' from a cat's perspective) and surrounding notions related to one's wellbeing: mindfulness, equanimity, self vs others, being present, meditation.. ...more

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Aug 15, 2016 A. Gulden rated it liked it

Ludo was right: happiness was not to be found in the past. Not in trying to relive memories, however beguiling. It could only be experienced in this moment, here and now.

It was as if an elastic band that had been stretched to the limit suddenly let go.

Buddhists believe that acts of generosity benefit those who have died, when dedicated by people who have a close karmic connection to the deceased.

“When you take the happiness formula overall, you can see that while there are certain things that ca Ludo was right: happiness was not to be found in the past. Not in trying to relive memories, however beguiling. It could only be experienced in this moment, here and now.

It was as if an elastic band that had been stretched to the limit suddenly let go.

Buddhists believe that acts of generosity benefit those who have died, when dedicated by people who have a close karmic connection to the deceased.

“When you take the happiness formula overall, you can see that while there are certain things that can’t be changed, there are others that can. The key focus should be on things you can change that will have a positive impact on your feeling of well-being.”

When his dark brown eyes met Serena’s, his face lit up with such warmth that the air in the room seemed to dance with joy.

“I suppose most of us think of body and mind as just this,” Serena said, gesturing toward her physical form. Yogi Tarchin nodded. “Yes. It is a tragic misunderstanding to have such self-limiting beliefs, to think that you are nothing but a bag of bones, rather than boundless consciousness; to believe that death is an ending, not a transition. Worst of all is not to realize how every action of body, speech, and mind affects your future experience of reality, even beyond this time and this life. Beliefs like these make people waste the opportunities of our very precious human life. Our minds are so much greater than this!”

“First: impermanence. Never forget: this, too, will pass. The only thing you know for sure is that however things are now, they will change. If you feel bad now, no problem. Later you will feel better. You know this is true. It has always been true, correct? And it is still true now.” They were nodding.
“Second: what is the point of worrying? If you can do something about it, fix it. If not, what is the point of worrying about it? Let go! Every minute you spend worrying, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. Don’t allow your thoughts to be like thieves, stealing your own contentment.
“Third: don’t judge. When you say ‘This is a bad thing that’s happening,’ how often are you wrong? Losing a job may be exactly what you need to start a more fulfilling career. The end of a relationship may open more possibilities than you even know exist. When it happens you think bad. Later you may think the best thing that ever happened. So don’t judge, no matter how bad it seems at the time. You may be completely wrong.” Serena, Sam, and I stared at Geshe Wangpo, transfixed. In that moment he seemed like the Buddha himself, appearing directly in our midst to tell us exactly what we most needed to hear.
“Fourth: no swamp, no lotus. The most transcendent of flowers grows out of the filth of the swamp. Suffering is like the swamp. If it makes us more humble, more able to sympathize with others and more open to them, then we become capable of transformation and of becoming truly beautiful, like the lotus.

Enduring happiness was only possible with equanimity. As long as our happiness depended on circumstances, it would be as fleeting and unreliable as the events themselves.

“There is a special wisdom about happiness,” His Holiness told me. “Some texts call it the Holy Secret. Like much wisdom, it is simple to explain but not easy to live. The Holy Secret is this: If you wish to end your suffering, seek to end the suffering of others. If you wish for happiness, seek the happiness of others. Exchanging thoughts of self for thoughts of others—this is the most effective way to be happy.”

“Thinking too much about oneself is a cause of much suffering,” the Dalai Lama said. “Anxiety, depression, resentment, fear—these become much worse with too much attention to the self. The mantra Me, me, me is not so good.” ...more

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May 28, 2015 Julie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I started the series with this the 2nd book, but it makes no difference to understanding or enjoyment.
This is a delightfully written book, with a simple writing style that belies the fundamental wisdom of its message. I've been reading this while moving home and it's message about not letting little issues upset you particularly helped me at this time. This is probably an enduring lesson for me as well in day to day life and I love the way the lessons were presented and then recapped towards the ...more

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Dec 19, 2013 Carol rated it really liked it

Shelves: cats

So happy to be able to spend some more time with Rinpoche aka Snow Lion aka HHC plus several other names. I hope there will be even more books in this series! I enjoyed catching up with many of the characters from the first book, The Dalai Lama's Cat, and meeting some new ones. Reading these books is almost a guilty pleasure--I enjoy them so much it doesn't really feel "spiritual," even though the content is there for the taking. ...more

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Oct 26, 2015 Maria Carmo rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Everyone

I loved this book even more than it predecessor. The story is as fluid and the characters as charming as in the previous book, but there is a certain depth of teaching, under the guise of the easiness with which the Author get's the Cat to tell the story. I loved it and certainly recommend it as a good read!

Maria Carmo,

Lisbon, 26 October 2015. ...more

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Dec 11, 2016 Preethi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: shorties-anthologies-stories, non-fiction, footloose-free-wild-happy, classics-forever, philosophy-spiritual, own-a-copy, forever-favourites, brain-fodder, for-the-joy-of-reading, love-the-author

Obviously, I absolutely love this book. I love how the otherwise complicated-to-follow Buddhist tenets are explained in such simple words in this book. I love the anecdotal method of the flow in this book. And I totally totally love the parts where HHC is talking about HHH The Dalai Lama, such love, admiration and warmth it makes me feel.

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Jul 20, 2017 Rreima rated it really liked it

A well written book. Good blend of adaptive philosophies that are relevant to all. The final pages though are a bit dramatic . The narrative style is interesting and should keep you wanting for more.

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Feb 28, 2014 Iva Pokorny rated it it was amazing

It made me purr. And reminded me, among many other things, that it is OK to stretch out and just take it easy in my favorite spot. A great read! You will be smiling all the way thru it.

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Jun 22, 2014 Claire rated it it was amazing

I loved it! I cannot wait to read this and the first book again. They make you think and make you smile, I love HHC's story and I love the lessons we learn along with her on her journeys each day ...more

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Jan 29, 2015 Michael O'hara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: meditation

Cat Buddhism

A cat whose adventures explain Buddhist principles and an enjoyable and easy read. It follows on from the first book with an easy grace.

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Aug 25, 2015 Sukanto rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

As lovely as the first book in this series!

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Jan 20, 2016 Jemma (Aussie BookWorm) rated it really liked it

How deeply I have learned to love has come so much from the furry friend's I have had in my life, the Dalai Lama's Cat included. Full review: http://aussiebookworm.weebly.com/mich... ...more

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Apr 16, 2017 Angela rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction-read

This book was a good as the first. I started #3 the minute I put #2 down!

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Apr 17, 2017 Nat K rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-books

A lovely, gentle read.

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Mar 18, 2020 Georgiana rated it liked it

"There is a big difference between accepting an idea and changing behaviour"

" The formula is H equals S plus C plus V. Happiness equals what is called biological set points or S, plus the conditions of your life-C, plus V- your voluntary activities. According to this theory, each individual has a set point or average level of happiness. When you take the happiness formula overall, you can see that while there are certains things that can't be changed, there are others thay can. The key focus sho ...more

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Mar 10, 2020 Connie rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 28, 2020 Aali Pant rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Meditative

Often self help books are monotonous. But this book has got the sharpness, edge and wit along with meditative energy. The moment the scene starts to get complex and difficult to comprehend, the speaker who here is the Dalai Lama's cat does the heavy lifting and leaves one with a smile. I am glad that I came across this book. A small yet significant glance into the art of living of Buddhist monks. ...more

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Feb 25, 2020 Anna Letitia Cook rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Excellent... Not only is this beautiful on several levels - the story of HHC's life as well as so many deep and warm life meanings and depths - but also it improves your mood and provides clarity on your own problems, almost by osmosis, as you go along. A real feel-good factor as well as a delight to read...
...more

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Nov 01, 2020 Elisabeth rated it it was amazing

A very interesting way of teaching simple Buddhist truths - through the eyes of the Dalai Lama's cat. Did not realise it was part of a series, so will definitely continue with the other books. HHS witnesses many events that teach her a lot towards the question she was asked - why do cats purr. ...more

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About David Michie

David Michie

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David Michie is the internationally best-selling author of The Magician of Lhasa, The Dalai Lama's Cat series, and several non-fiction titles on meditation and Buddhism. His books are published in 28 languages.

In 2015 he established Mindful Safaris to Africa.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/David-Michie/e...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmichiea...
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dnmi ...more

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Quotes from The Art of Purring

“For those beings with a broader perspective of Planet Earth, boredom is sometimes accompanied by a darker companion—guilt. We know that compared to many others, our lives are actually quite comfortable. We don’t live in a war zone or in abject poverty; we don’t have to dwell in the shadows on account of our gender or religious opinions. We’re free to eat, dress, live, and walk however we like, thank you very much. But even so, we’re bored beyond measure.” — 2 likes

“aim at success,’” he read. “‘The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue … as the unintended side effect of one’s dedication to a course greater than oneself.” — 1 likes

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