Various Authors - The Karma of Cats: Spiritual Wisdom from Our Feline Friends

Contents

Seane and Zooey

Introduction

Seane Corn

C ats are everything to me. I cannot imagine a life in which cats dont dominate my world. Anyone who has ever had a cat burrow into their neck, heart, and consciousness knows that this relationship is way bigger than just being a cats owner or caretaker or even their parent. None of these roles quite defines the unique bond we have with these mysterious and wonderful creatures.

Our cats come to us. They find us. They show up in our little human worlds to teach us essential life lessons. And if we allow these lessons to permeate our awareness, they will change who we are, and we will be better for it.

Ive often marveled at the cosmic dynamics between humans and felines, certain that cats are really our spirit guides or angels made manifest in these fluffy, furry, and complicated forms. Cats awaken us to our own human and spiritual potential, and this growth is accelerated through the compassion and care we lavish upon them.

In my experience, cats are at once incredibly loving, tender, and gentleand also completely dismissive, rude, and indifferent. Thats why we love them! We must learn to be present, responsive, aware, and unconditionally loving with these independent beings. Theres no training or forcing them to do anything they dont want to do. Theyre probably not going to come when you call or sit on demand, and theres a good chance theyll pee in your favorite shoeor maybe thats just me. But, my God, when a cat decides to show you love, it is a force field of sweetness like no other.

Cats are just the best. The worst. The best. If youre reading this and have relationships with cats in your own life, you probably understand exactly what I mean.

When I look at the trajectory of my life and the cats who have shown up for me, I have no doubt that theres been some sort of karmic bond behind our relationships. Cats have always come at just the right time, offering the perfect lessons to help me grow, learn, love, and even to let go.

In the yogic tradition, karma is the yoga of action, the law of cause and effect. By moving toward our karma with the intention to heal, we are able to transcend the ego and the limited beliefs it carries. Dealing with our karma, learning our essential lessons, is our path to fulfilling our purpose. And that purpose? To learn the power of spiritual love. To open our hearts to that love and then offer it back into the world in ways that are of benefit to all.

In order for us to do all this, though, we need guidance. We need teachers to reflect back the necessary wisdom that can lead to our growth. Sometimes their teachings are loving, and sometimes they are fierce. Always they will awaken our spirits and help our souls to mature.

Our teachers come in many forms, and I believe one of these forms is in the shape of a cat. Just when we need it most, the perfect kitty appearsat least perfect for usto be our teacher and help us heal. That is the karma of cats: to lead us into our purpose by teaching us how to love unconditionally.

I have no doubt that the cats in my life have been significant karmic teacherswhether they taught me to play and be in my body, to develop my capacity for intimacy and trust, or to learn about death and loss. Ever since I was a little girl, theres been a cat in my life who has brought me right to the heart of my souls next steps, opening me to greater capacities for love along the way. Thank God for them, for life couldve been that much more scary to navigate without their wild and wondrous presence.

My first cats were Morris and Mittens. They lived for eighteen years and were with me for my entire childhood. They had a huge impact on my early life lessons.

Morris Twinkie Meow-Meow Corn was a big, orange tabby malesuper alpha and the toughest dude on the block. After a couple of years in our life, Morris was hit by a car and lost an eye, but that didnt stop him from being the coolest cat ever. Despite being a one-eyed badass, Morris would exhibit the most unimaginable tenderness and babylike behavior. He used to lie on me and wean, kneading his paws back and forth on my neck, giving me little slurpy kisses, his purrs filled with drool and devotion. The way that Morris embodied these two extremestough and tendermade it okay for me to be in both my strength and vulnerability, too.

Our cats come to us. They find us. They show up in our little human worlds to teach us essential life lessons.

Mittens was a large, awkward, feisty girl who preferred to be alone, often indifferent and scornful to everyone other than me. Mittens wasnt an endearing cat. Shed be playing and loving one minute, then out of nowhere shed latch onto your arm and scratch you repeatedly with her back paws. And yet we had this special relationship. She opened me to love the unlovable and to see the sweetness that sometimes others cant see, especially within myself.

My first kitty as a young adult was Tweetie, who came into my life when I was about nineteen, a couple of years after I moved to New York City. She was the most vicious, grumpy, and unpleasant animal youve ever knownbut I thought she was spectacular. A feral New York street cat who would demand affection, then tolerate exactly two strokes before she would bite your hand and hiss, Tweetie always let you know that everything would be on her terms. She knew how to take care of herself. Tweetie showed me what resiliency and independence were, which would also prove to be the very qualities I needed in order to navigate New York on my own.

And then there were Billy and Butchadorable, childlike, and very needy brothers whod been weaned and taken away from their mother too soon. They taught me how to play, be spontaneous, and, most important, how to be a motherto them and to myself.

There was also the very sensual and beautiful Daisyone of my great loves. She was a nightmare. She adored men, was very flirty, and demanded attention. If she didnt get it to her satisfaction, she would literally climb on your chest while you were sleeping and pee on you. She taught me about self-confidence, about how to speak up and ask for my needs to be met. Most importantly, she taught me how to forgive.

And my sweet Grace. Such a timid, frightened little girl when I brought her into my home. I worked so hard to gain her trust. It took time, connection, commitment, and deep care. Through this process, I learned to be patient, give space, and find safety within myself. Grace grew to be the most affectionate and loving of my little angels. To this day, she is the only one of my babies who Ive ever had to put down.

Before Grace, most of my cats had died peacefully, usually in their sleep. I often joked that they knew to just drop dead because making the hard decision to euthanize them would shatter me. Id imagine them discussing between themselves how I would keep them alive way too long because I couldnt deal with the loss. I used to think that about myself, too. But it wasnt true. When it came time, I did the kindest and most loving thing possible by helping Grace to transition without any pain. Although it broke my heart to do it, I knew it was also the gift of being her personthe person she loved and trusted mostto aid her in this way. In the end, Grace also taught me about letting go, impermanence, and the tender fragility of love.

And then there was Zooey. My soul mate. My truest love. I used to say that I wished I could love another human being as much as I loved that cat. Zooey was my heart.