Monday, June 29, 2015

Book:Zen Cats:MEDITATIONS for the WISE MINDS of CAT LOVERS and a Give-Away

Zen and Cats.  The purrfect pairing. Zen is commonly defined as: "a total state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind. Zen is a way of being. It also is a state of mind. Zen involves dropping illusion and seeing things without distortion created by your own thoughts."

Humans strive for perfect Zen. Cats often appear as if their body and minds have already attained a perfect state of Zen. Cats exude calm, relaxation, peace. They can sleep in the most uncomfortable appearing positions and locations, and make them appear to be the epitome of comfort.

Cat are often a symbol for mysticism .   They have the "ability to seemingly read the minds of other animals and humans. Thus, being so in tune with nature and the universal intelligence which some would refer to as God that they realize things ahead of their happening."

Those qualities make Cats the purrfect animal to be featured with the thought-provoking quotes from Buddha.


Cover Photo Courtesy of Mango Media
I have always been a fan of books that feature daily affirmations and quotes.  There is something inspiring and calming about beginning my day by reading something positive and having that message provide me with what I need to face the coming day.

I also love reading verses that inspire and encourage me to think. I am one that can sit with a book, find something that resonates with me, and then gaze out of a window for long periods of time, lost in contemplation.

Zen Cats: MEDITATIONS for the WISE MINDS of CAT LOVERS is the perfect addition to my books of quotes, affirmations and the many Philosophy books (I majored in Rhetoric-Greek Rhetorical Theory, and minored in Philosophy in college),  that line my full-to-the brim bookshelves! It  features photos of cuddly cats and kittens and  a collection of sayings from the Buddha. The verses, taken from the Dhammapada, were written centuries ago, but today they offer insight for all of life’s basic struggles.

The book is broken down into sections and within each section you will find a number of thought provoking verses. The sections are:


  • Mind and Body
  • Happiness
  • Virtue
  • Truth
  • Eternity

Photo Courtesy of Mango Media
Beneath each verse is a synopsis or a definition if you will, as written by the editors of Mango Media, as to their interpretation of the verse featured on the page.

As shown above, the cat photos that accompany each verse are beautiful, adorable and often calming.  Zen and Cats the purrfect pairing.

Some of my favorite verses in Zen Cats are:

VERSE 49-Fools follow after vanity, men of evil wisdom. The wise man keeps earnestness as his best jewel.
Mango Media's Interpretation:An honest character is worth much more than any sum of money and will bring more happiness. Appearances can fool you.

VERSE 85-And he who lives a hundred years, ignorant and unrestrained, a life of one day is better if a man is wise and reflecting.
 Mango Media's Interpretation: A reflecting mind is open to growth and change throughout a life. To live every day without reflection is to live the same day over and over, without growth.

 Meditate along with the verses to gain a greater understanding of you, your life, and your purpose. Find the meaning of truth in these verses and how to find it in the world around you. Let your inner Zen Cat guide you to enlightenment.

"Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion."
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama



  • ISBN-13: 9781633530485
166 pages
AVAILABLE ON: AMAZON,   BARNES & NOBLE,  and KOBO

GIVE-AWAY!!!
 Mango Media has generously offered FIVE OF OUR READERS who reside in the U.S. (our apologies to our International readers) the chance to win a copy of Zen Cats: MEDITATIONS for the WISE MINDS of CAT LOVERS. An approximate $15 value. Entering is easy! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I was not compensated for this review/give-away. I was sent a copy of Zen Cats in exchange for my honest review.

43 comments:

  1. What a great idea for a book! Just looking at a cat who is either sitting quietly or napping is a rather zen experience by itself!

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  2. A lovely review, as always, Caren. I love this beautiful book and use it almost every day.

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    1. Ingrid, thank you so much!!! I love this book too and need to be re-visiting it frequently!!

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  3. It would be lovely to see cats relaxed and Zen. Sometimes it seems at least one feline here has something to yell at me about all day.

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  4. Oh, I would love this book! This is kind of what I tried to do with Pip's book - and am thinking of re-working it to include Ruby. So, would love to see how this one is put together. Sounds wonderful.

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  5. Is there only one entry? I entered my email address, but didn't find other ways to enter - like facebook, etc.?

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    1. How sweet are you? Yep, for this one there is only one entry. They didn't have any social media links that were applicable to use. Quite observant of you! Good luck!

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  6. AS usual, that was a great review. It does sound like a great book to have around. I do like things like that. You all have a great day.

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    1. Thanks so much Marg! It is a great book! Good luck and you have a great day too!

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  7. We have the Kindle version of that book and we love it ! Good luck to our US friends ! Purrs

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    1. thanks for the endorsement that it is, indeed a great book!

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  8. You do these so very well. I won a book recently and it's next on my read list. The Cats of the Cat Show Princess.

    Have a fabulous day honey. Tons of scritches to Cody. ♥♥♥

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    1. Why thank you!!! I am thinking of ending them all in 2016 ...yepper, I am thinking about it! Hoping you enjoy the books, I have a sneaky suspicion that you will!! Much love from Cody and I!

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  9. This book sound great! Cats are the ultimate zen creatures :)

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  10. I have my little book of Zen at my office desk, to read when I need to quiet my mind. The book is well-thumbed!

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  11. That is a terrific sounding book and we're all in love with the cover!

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  12. Our kitty friends would love this
    Lily & Edward

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  13. This looks like a nice book, and something I would look at just before bedtime. Love the cover photo.

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    1. Yep, great for bedtime or first thing in the morning for sure!

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  14. Terrific review Caren and this book sounds like a great read.

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    1. Thank you so much and it most definitely is! I love it because it is one that can be returned to again and again

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  15. Great review and it looks like a fun read!

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  16. Great review...too bad wes not in the US
    Special Kisses to a Special Man Cat Cody!
    Nellie Bellie
    .

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  17. It sound like a good book to ponder! Heehee :) Good luck to the entries :)

    the critters in the cottage xo

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  18. We don't live in the US but that book does sound intriguing!

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  19. So interesting! We think we'd like that book so our mom could read it to us. We love reading!

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  20. That looks like a great book.

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  21. Gosh that looks like a super book.........we love the cover photo - that cat is definitely in a Zen state and Mom says that about ME whenever I sit like that!!!! This would be a fun book to add to the "CAT SHELF" in our library for sure!

    Hugs, sammy

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  22. I love the photo and the idea. What a great prize that is!

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  23. I enjoy books of affirmations too. Buddhism has so much to offer us busy Westerners!

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  24. Ohh sounds interesting!!!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  25. We love the cover of that book and it sounds like just the type of book our Mommy would absolutely enjoy! She loves that kind of stuffs! Thank you for offering such a great giveaway!

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  26. We entered! This is right up Mommy's alley!

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  27. Wow, that book sounds and looks wonderful! Good luck to everyone!

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