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Sit in the Sun: And Other Lessons in the Spiritual Wisdom of Cats
As a spiritual pilgrim for more than half a century, Jon Sweeney has practiced with teachers of many religious traditions. He's gone looking for wisdom, beauty, and truth wherever it can be found. But recently he's found himself learning closer to home--from the teacher-cats he lives with.
What he discovered is that our greatest spiritual teachers are at our feet. Literally. They are the cats we love and treasure. Nearly 60 million cats live in US households today. These feline teachers have much to offer us about living in the present, loving unconditionally, approaching life with a sense of playfulness, and trusting others, all the while being independent spirits.
Jon Sweeney, beloved scholar and author of The Pope's Cat and numerous books about Saint Francis, offers a beautifully illustrated, playful, gentle, informed meditation on the many spiritual truths and practices our feline companions provide if we but pause and pay attention.
What he discovered is that our greatest spiritual teachers are at our feet. Literally. They are the cats we love and treasure. Nearly 60 million cats live in US households today. These feline teachers have much to offer us about living in the present, loving unconditionally, approaching life with a sense of playfulness, and trusting others, all the while being independent spirits.
Jon Sweeney, beloved scholar and author of The Pope's Cat and numerous books about Saint Francis, offers a beautifully illustrated, playful, gentle, informed meditation on the many spiritual truths and practices our feline companions provide if we but pause and pay attention.
216 pages, Hardcover
Published April 11, 2023
12 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 19, 2023
Jon M. Sweeney’s Tour de Feline
After Jon M. Sweeney’s more than 40 books on faith and spirituality, his readers around the world have noticed a curious twist: Five of his most recent books are about cats—and, now, it’s a total of six with the April 2023 release of what amounts to his Tour de Feline, a book called Sit in the Sun, And Other Lessons in the Spiritual Wisdom of Cats.
The book is dedicated to the nine cats who have shaped his life, to date. In the course of 17 chapters, we meet these furry gurus along with more than 50 other human saints and sages.
As a well-known journalist, author and teacher about his Catholic faith, Sweeney takes seriously the concept of “vocation,” a term that comes from the Latin “to call” or “to summon.” (Among Goodreads friends, you may want to look at my earlier review of the new biography about Father Ed Dowling, who helped to shape the AA movement and who also believed strongly in identifying one’s vocation.) You will learn more about Jon’s adventures within his own calling in this new book that leads to this surprising twist: After dozens of more sober books about saints, theology and other spiritual themes—Jon finally felt his life-long feline companions “summoning” him.
Jon first answered this call with a fanciful children’s book about a Roman street cat named Margaret who finds a home at the Vatican (which I earlier reviewed on Goodreads)—and he kept that popular series rolling through five volumes until he concluded that series in 2021 with a prequel to the series, Before Margaret Met the Pope, a Conclave Story. Then, inspired by the warm response those books were drawing—and suddenly finding himself closed in with his cats by the pandemic—he launched into his Magnum Felis Catus aimed at bringing adults along for the ride in his cat’s eye spiritual adventures.
In Sit in the Sun, Sweeney wants readers to fully embrace what may seem more like a Buddhist approach to breaking down barriers in meditation by not taking oneself too seriously. By Chapter 4 in the book, he urges readers to embrace a cat-like freedom to sometimes look foolish.
He calls this Chapter 4 advice: “A Cat Practice.” That page begins: “Be foolish, just a little bit. You can do it. Practice foolishness. Maybe for you that means walking backwards down your sidewalk, around your block. The practice is not meant to be an exercise in feeling insecure or unsafe, but, rather, a way of discovering a new vision. … Or try this—a practice that has helped me over the years. Mess up your hair and then leave it that way for at least an hour. … How do you feel when something about you is a little unkempt, playful, wild?” (Again, you’ll see a connection with the Father Ed biography.)
And, if you are curious to know more about what “a Buddhist approach to breaking down barriers” means, in preparing for this review about Sweeney’s new book, I pulled down off my shelf two of Buddhist writer Geri Larkin’s best sellers: Close to the Ground and The Chocolate Cake Sutra. To appreciate another dimension of Jon’s new book, readers could embark on a parallel reading with either of those books by Geri—or others by contemporary Buddhist writers. The journeys lead to many of the same conclusions.
There also is a clear consensus among Geri’s and Jon’s writing and the new spiritual memoir I recently reviewed by Barbara Mahany, The Book of Nature. Barbara follows the centuries-old tradition of the “commonplace” or we might say the spiritual practice of “commonplacing.” For Barbara, that amounts to literally copying and assembling memorable citations until they begin to form a community of insights she can share in a book like her new The Book of Nature. For Jon Sweeney, that “commonplacing” dwells more in his library and his expansive memory from decades of research, writing and teaching.
Standing in this book's "great cloud of witnesses," we might say, are the Sufi poet Hafez, science fiction writer Ursula Le Guin, novelist Iris Murdoch, Benedictine teacher Christine Valters Paintner, the Buddhist monk Thích Nhất Hạnh, sculptor Candice Lin, the beloved Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Native American sage Nicholas Black Elk, whose life Jon explored in a 2020 biography—and many more.
For those of you who know Catholic tradition and Vatican news, you will recognize that Jon does have a “Francis problem” with his books. Although St. Francis is world famous for finding spiritual insight among wild animals, he did not want his friars to domesticate animal companions. And the saint’s current namesake at the Vatican does not have animal companions. Moreover, Pope Francis has publicly warned Catholics against showering excessive care on animals at the expense of care for the millions of needy humans around our planet. For his part, Sweeney freely acknowledges that the pope in his children’s series is a fictional papal figure—and that he is not urging his readers to dote on cats to the detriment of human relationships. Moreover, St. Francis is the single most-frequently cited sage in Jon’s new book. What wisdom does he distill from the saint? Get a copy of his book to enjoy those references.
After spending several delightful weeks with Jon’s six cat books, my wife and I now have earmarked the first volume in his Pope’s cat series as a gift for a family we know will enjoy these fanciful explorations of the Vatican—and this lovely new hardback for adults as a gift for several folks we know who will enjoy kick starting their practice of meditation with some feline hijinks.
After Jon M. Sweeney’s more than 40 books on faith and spirituality, his readers around the world have noticed a curious twist: Five of his most recent books are about cats—and, now, it’s a total of six with the April 2023 release of what amounts to his Tour de Feline, a book called Sit in the Sun, And Other Lessons in the Spiritual Wisdom of Cats.
The book is dedicated to the nine cats who have shaped his life, to date. In the course of 17 chapters, we meet these furry gurus along with more than 50 other human saints and sages.
As a well-known journalist, author and teacher about his Catholic faith, Sweeney takes seriously the concept of “vocation,” a term that comes from the Latin “to call” or “to summon.” (Among Goodreads friends, you may want to look at my earlier review of the new biography about Father Ed Dowling, who helped to shape the AA movement and who also believed strongly in identifying one’s vocation.) You will learn more about Jon’s adventures within his own calling in this new book that leads to this surprising twist: After dozens of more sober books about saints, theology and other spiritual themes—Jon finally felt his life-long feline companions “summoning” him.
Jon first answered this call with a fanciful children’s book about a Roman street cat named Margaret who finds a home at the Vatican (which I earlier reviewed on Goodreads)—and he kept that popular series rolling through five volumes until he concluded that series in 2021 with a prequel to the series, Before Margaret Met the Pope, a Conclave Story. Then, inspired by the warm response those books were drawing—and suddenly finding himself closed in with his cats by the pandemic—he launched into his Magnum Felis Catus aimed at bringing adults along for the ride in his cat’s eye spiritual adventures.
In Sit in the Sun, Sweeney wants readers to fully embrace what may seem more like a Buddhist approach to breaking down barriers in meditation by not taking oneself too seriously. By Chapter 4 in the book, he urges readers to embrace a cat-like freedom to sometimes look foolish.
He calls this Chapter 4 advice: “A Cat Practice.” That page begins: “Be foolish, just a little bit. You can do it. Practice foolishness. Maybe for you that means walking backwards down your sidewalk, around your block. The practice is not meant to be an exercise in feeling insecure or unsafe, but, rather, a way of discovering a new vision. … Or try this—a practice that has helped me over the years. Mess up your hair and then leave it that way for at least an hour. … How do you feel when something about you is a little unkempt, playful, wild?” (Again, you’ll see a connection with the Father Ed biography.)
And, if you are curious to know more about what “a Buddhist approach to breaking down barriers” means, in preparing for this review about Sweeney’s new book, I pulled down off my shelf two of Buddhist writer Geri Larkin’s best sellers: Close to the Ground and The Chocolate Cake Sutra. To appreciate another dimension of Jon’s new book, readers could embark on a parallel reading with either of those books by Geri—or others by contemporary Buddhist writers. The journeys lead to many of the same conclusions.
There also is a clear consensus among Geri’s and Jon’s writing and the new spiritual memoir I recently reviewed by Barbara Mahany, The Book of Nature. Barbara follows the centuries-old tradition of the “commonplace” or we might say the spiritual practice of “commonplacing.” For Barbara, that amounts to literally copying and assembling memorable citations until they begin to form a community of insights she can share in a book like her new The Book of Nature. For Jon Sweeney, that “commonplacing” dwells more in his library and his expansive memory from decades of research, writing and teaching.
Standing in this book's "great cloud of witnesses," we might say, are the Sufi poet Hafez, science fiction writer Ursula Le Guin, novelist Iris Murdoch, Benedictine teacher Christine Valters Paintner, the Buddhist monk Thích Nhất Hạnh, sculptor Candice Lin, the beloved Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Native American sage Nicholas Black Elk, whose life Jon explored in a 2020 biography—and many more.
For those of you who know Catholic tradition and Vatican news, you will recognize that Jon does have a “Francis problem” with his books. Although St. Francis is world famous for finding spiritual insight among wild animals, he did not want his friars to domesticate animal companions. And the saint’s current namesake at the Vatican does not have animal companions. Moreover, Pope Francis has publicly warned Catholics against showering excessive care on animals at the expense of care for the millions of needy humans around our planet. For his part, Sweeney freely acknowledges that the pope in his children’s series is a fictional papal figure—and that he is not urging his readers to dote on cats to the detriment of human relationships. Moreover, St. Francis is the single most-frequently cited sage in Jon’s new book. What wisdom does he distill from the saint? Get a copy of his book to enjoy those references.
After spending several delightful weeks with Jon’s six cat books, my wife and I now have earmarked the first volume in his Pope’s cat series as a gift for a family we know will enjoy these fanciful explorations of the Vatican—and this lovely new hardback for adults as a gift for several folks we know who will enjoy kick starting their practice of meditation with some feline hijinks.
June 25, 2024
Truthfully, I was drawn to this book because of the cat on the cover, but I had a hard time staying engaged in this book. While the lessons from cats were tied to spiritual practices in a unique and thoughtful manner, it really wasn’t grasping my attention. Fun book to have read but I don’t think I would recommend it to others.
January 19, 2024
Our cats, the masters of the universe!!!
They do know what it is to live.
A kind and comforting read.
December 20, 2022
I chose this book because I just lost my 16-year-old cat, and I saw this ARC available on Edelweiss, so I decided to read it, hoping to get cute and sentimental lessons from cats that I could feel warm and a bit teary-eyed by reading.
But this book was just okay. The story consists of 17 lessons that the author has learned from living with his two cats Martin and Rosa. Each chapter is a new lesson, but some were basically the same lesson told over again. Honestly, there were probably only 3 lessons total that the book expanded over 17 chapters.
I also know that the words "spiritual wisdom" are in the title of the book, but it was a bit too spiritual and religious for me. Plus, some of the anecdotes in the book are too personal and unique to the author's life that I could not relate to them, which bored me.
But, it was sweet and easy to read, just not really what I needed right now.
But this book was just okay. The story consists of 17 lessons that the author has learned from living with his two cats Martin and Rosa. Each chapter is a new lesson, but some were basically the same lesson told over again. Honestly, there were probably only 3 lessons total that the book expanded over 17 chapters.
I also know that the words "spiritual wisdom" are in the title of the book, but it was a bit too spiritual and religious for me. Plus, some of the anecdotes in the book are too personal and unique to the author's life that I could not relate to them, which bored me.
But, it was sweet and easy to read, just not really what I needed right now.
April 10, 2024
This book has been by my side for quite some time and in the midst of challenges and transitions. I was finally able to spend consistent time with it during the past month or so. I grew up with Siamese cats who are their own unique breed 😉 I thought that I knew a lot about cats but then our sweet Maine Coon rescue Stella came into our lives two years ago. Between Stella and Jon, I came to realize that there was much that I didn’t know about cats and that there was much that I could learn from them. “Sit in the Sun” is a delightful companion to be savored and Jon’s invitation to consider a “Cat Practice” at the end of each chapter is delightful.
Stella says, “thank you, Jon for helping Daddy to understand me better.” I thank you as well, Jon along with Martin and Rosa, for this gift.
Stella says, “thank you, Jon for helping Daddy to understand me better.” I thank you as well, Jon along with Martin and Rosa, for this gift.
April 22, 2024
I'm usually not one to read self-help books. Most of all, I'm not one to read anything that is spiritual and religious. But even with that being said, I found this book to be comforting.
I only got this book for my love of cats and having adopted a senior cat with my long - term partner. Meanwhile, when I started to read, I realized that my reason for giving this book a try was far more than just my love for cats. I wanted to find a book to help reevaluate myself and to calm my anxieties.
I don't regret reading this book one bit. In fact, I'm proud and happy with myself that I got out of my comfort zone of reading and found a new favorite.
Now I have to buy myself my own physical copy because the copy I got is from the library.
I only got this book for my love of cats and having adopted a senior cat with my long - term partner. Meanwhile, when I started to read, I realized that my reason for giving this book a try was far more than just my love for cats. I wanted to find a book to help reevaluate myself and to calm my anxieties.
I don't regret reading this book one bit. In fact, I'm proud and happy with myself that I got out of my comfort zone of reading and found a new favorite.
Now I have to buy myself my own physical copy because the copy I got is from the library.
January 8, 2026
Sit in the Sun: And Other Lessons in the Spiritual Wisdom of Cats is a delightful and insightful meditation on life, love, and mindfulness through the eyes of our feline companions. Jon M. Sweeney combines decades of spiritual practice with personal experience, revealing how cats can teach us about presence, trust, play, and unconditional love.
The book is charming, beautifully illustrated, and infused with humor and gentle wisdom. Each story encourages readers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the simple yet profound lessons that cats offer. Ideal for lovers of animals, spirituality, and contemplative nonfiction, this book reminds us that sometimes the most extraordinary teachers live right under our noses.
The book is charming, beautifully illustrated, and infused with humor and gentle wisdom. Each story encourages readers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the simple yet profound lessons that cats offer. Ideal for lovers of animals, spirituality, and contemplative nonfiction, this book reminds us that sometimes the most extraordinary teachers live right under our noses.
July 21, 2023
Such a lovely book. I find it’s nice to read one chapter a day just to have a smile and recenter spiritually. Would be five stars if a few more concepts were expounded upon further rather than being introduced and then moving on before truly getting into it. Easy read, great coffee table book. i love cats :3
May 15, 2023
Beautiful meditation on the exemplary behavior of cats with backups from medieval mystical saints, eastern philosophy, and a host of other sources. I knew that Grace, my cat companion, had much to teach me. I need to be even more observant.
June 22, 2023
A philosophical way of looking at life with cats.
dnf
July 20, 2023DNF.
July 3, 2024
Should have read more about the author; heavy with Christianity.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews