The Dalai Lama's Cat Quotes

“Most people think that their only option is to change their circumstances. But these are not the true causes of their unhappiness. It has more to do with the way they think about their circumstances.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“You know, Professor, this stray kitten and you have one very important thing in common.'

'I can't imagine,' responded the professor coolly.

'Your life is the most important thing in the world to you,' said His Holiness. 'Same for this kitten.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“We all share these wishes. But also the way we look for happiness and try to avoid discomfort is the same. Who among us does not enjoy a delicious meal? Who does not wish to sleep in a safe, comfortable bed? Author, monk—or stray kitten—we are all equal in that.” Across the coffee table, the history professor shifted in his seat. “Most of all,” the Dalai Lama said, leaning over and stroking me with his index finger, “all of us just want to be loved.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“The main shift, you see, is from placing self at the center of our thoughts to putting others there. It is-what do you say?-a paradox that the more we can focus our thoughts on the well-being of others, the happier we become. The first one to benefit is oneself. I call this being wisely selfish.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“Fear,” said Lobsang. “An instinct that prevents many people from taking actions that they know, deep down inside, would liberate them. Like a bird in a cage whose door has been opened, we are free to go out in search of fulfillment, but fear makes us look for all kinds of reasons not to.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“The thought manifests as the word; the word manifests as the deed; the deed develops into habit; and habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care, and let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings … As the shadow follows the body, as we think, so we become.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“There's no thrilling anticipation of the day's first cup of coffee...nor the eye-closing delight of that first swallow of sauvignon blanc in the evening. We cats have no access to everyday mood-enhancing substances. Apart from humble catnip, there is no pharmaceutical refuge if we're suffering from boredom, depression, existential crisis, or even an everyday headache.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“The purpose of Buddhism is not to convert people. It is to give them tools so they can create greater happiness. So they can be happier Catholics, happier atheists, happier Buddhists.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“It is the wonderful paradox,” he continued, “that the best way to achieve happiness for oneself is to give happiness to others.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“Surely you're not saying that the life of a human and the life of an animal are of the same value?' he ventured.

'As humans we have much greater potential, of course,' His Holiness replied. 'But the way we all want very much to stay alive, the way we cling to our particular experience of consciousness-in this way human and animal are equal.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“In Buddhism we would say that you are lazy... Despising yourself, thinking you are no good, saying 'I can't do this.' This is the mind of weakness. You must work to overcome it .”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“our light goes out, but is blown again into flame by an encounter with another human being. Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“As much as possible, it is useful to think of all other beings as being just like me. Every living being strives for happiness. Every being wants to avoid all forms of suffering. They are not just objects or things to be used for our benefit. You know, Mahatma Gandhi once said: 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“I didn't know you had a cat!' she exclaimed.

I am always surprised how many people make this observation-though not all are as bold as the American in giving voice to their astonishment. Why should His Holiness not have a cat-if indeed, 'having a cat' is a correct understanding of the relationship?”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“We cats are the most habitual of creatures. Preferred sun loungers, meal times, hidey holes, and scratching posts are among the considerations in which we take daily satisfaction. And it is exactly because many humans embrace routine that we even consider allowing them to share our homes, let alone retain them as members of our staff.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“Even though cats spend most of the day dozing comfortably, we like our humans to keep busy. Not in a noisy or intrusive way—just active enough to entertain us during those periods when we choose to remain awake. Why else do you think most cats have a favorite theater seat—a preferred spot on a windowsill, porch, gatepost, or cupboard top? Don't you realize, dear reader, that you are our entertainment?”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“There's nothing like a good, long sleep to allow unpleasantness to recede into the past.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“The purpose of Buddhism is not to convert people. It is to give them tools so they can create greater happiness. So they can be happier Catholics, happier atheists, happier Buddhists. There are many practices . . .”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“It is most useful,” Geshe Wangpo told Sam, “to share one’s knowledge with others. Otherwise, what is the point in having it?”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“Despising yourself, thinking you are no good, saying ‘I can’t do this.’ This is the mind of weakness. You must work to overcome it.” “It’s not through choice,” Sam protested faintly. “Then you must choose to overcome. What happens if you keep giving in to a weak mind? You feed weakness. The result is an even weaker mind in the future. Instead, you must cultivate confidence!”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“how to deal with problems in life. They are never asked for, but how we deal with them defines our future happiness or unhappiness.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“Mahatma Gandhi once said: ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ Interesting, isn’t it?”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“existential overload”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“One way to achieve happiness is to give happiness to others.”
― David Michie, The Dali Lama's Cat

“even the most powerful first impressions could mask a very different truth.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“The law of cause and effect,” Tenzin continued, “says that, step by step, we can create the causes to experience reality in a way that results in greater contentment and abundance, and we can avoid the causes of unhappiness and lack of resources. Buddha himself summed it up best when he said: ‘The thought manifests as the word; the word manifests as the deed; the deed develops into habit; and habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care, and let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings … As the shadow follows the body, as we think, so we become.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“The Indian Buddhist guru Shantideva had some wise words on this very subject,” Lobsang said. He began to quote: “‘When crows encounter a dying snake, / They will act as though they were eagles. / Likewise, if my self-confidence is weak, / I shall be injured by the slightest downfall.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“also reflected on His Holiness’s advice about how to deal with problems in life. They are never asked for, but how we deal with them defines our future happiness or unhappiness.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat

“Yes, karma propels us into all kinds of unexpected situations,” His Holiness said. “This is another reason we should behave with love and compassion toward all living beings. We never know in what circumstances we will meet up with them again. Sometimes even in this same lifetime.”
― David Michie, The Dalai Lama's Cat