Teachers...

come in all forms. Mine are mostly cats. The day before yesterday, it occurred to me that my cats may be boddhisattva, here to help me find the way. Their every action is an effortless flowing in mindfulness and loving-kindness. My cat-daughter Cleo is lying beside me now, so happy just to be near me. She is utterly convinced that I am a Good Person. She believes that every person who treats her with dignity and respect is a Good Person. Her utter conviction on the point is pretty remarkable, considering she also sees things that aren't there about half the time, and so spends her life confused about whether that scary shadow on the wall is out to get her or not. She, however, can set her paranoia aside to love. Consider this though, if one were to treat every thing, every animal, plant, mineral, insect, fungus, and whatever with dignity and respect could it be possible to be other than a Good Person?