🕯️ Occult Philosophy

Choosing to Be: Lessons in Living from a Feline Zen Master (Edition, Revised, Updated)

✍️ Tansey, Kat
Reader Score
4.6
(4 reviews)
$16.99
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This revised edition chronicles Kat Tansey’s profound healing journey, orchestrated by the silent wisdom of a Maine Coon and his playful kitten counterpart. What begins as a desperate escape from clinical depression transforms into a vibrant exploration of mindfulness. Through their daily interactions, the author discovers that true liberation arises not from complex rituals, but from the simple, grounding presence of a cat. This narrative bridges the gap between clinical struggle and spiritual awakening, offering readers a tangible path to inner peace via the unexpected lens of pet companionship and Zen practice.

🕯️
Occult Philosophy
🏛 Findhorn Press 📖 160 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781844095018
Fun Fact
Tansey offers a refreshing, accessible entry point into Zen for the spiritually weary. The narrative voice is warm and devoid of pretension, making complex philosophical concepts digestible. However, readers seeking rigorous academic analysis of Buddhist doctrine or those averse to anthropomorphism may find the tone overly sentimental. It sits comfortably in the niche of practical spirituality, bridging the gap between self-help and contemplative tradition with grace and humor.
📚 This Book in Collections

📝 Description: Choosing to Be: Lessons in Living from a Feline Zen Master (Edition, Revised, Updated)

Drawn from the deeply personal reflections of a formerly depressed person, this uplifting story shows how a cat taught meditation and allowed the mind to heal. This lively, magical, and enlightening book revolves around a wise Maine Coon cat, his kitten muse, and the author Kat Tansey as they take the reader on a challenging and often amusing journey from the disorienting haze of depression to the freedom and clarity of the Buddha mind. The narrative is both inspiring and essential for gaining an understanding of the inner self, reducing stress, finding inner peace, and knowing the joys and comforts of answering to a cat master.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This revised edition offers a poignant exploration of healing through mindfulness, successfully bridging personal struggle with spiritual insight. While the narrative arc from depression to Zen clarity is inspiring and well-executed, it may not suit readers seeking rigorous philosophical debate or traditional occult scholarship. Those expecting complex esoteric rituals will find the focus on simple feline companionship too domesticated. However, for those valuing emotional resonance over intellectual density, this book provides a refreshing, accessible alternative to heavier spiritual texts, effectively using the Maine Coon as a vessel for profound yet understated wisdom.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers grappling with anxiety or depression will find profound comfort in this gentle narrative, which offers a tangible path to inner peace without the weight of complex dogma. Those who appreciate the quiet dignity of Zen practice but struggle with rigid discipline will resonate deeply with the author’s journey toward clarity through feline companionship. It is ideal for anyone seeking a bridge between clinical struggle and spiritual awakening, demonstrating how simple presence can heal a broken mind. The book serves as a warm reminder that liberation often arrives not through grand rituals, but through the grounding reality of daily interaction with a beloved pet, making it a soothing companion for those needing hope and gentle guidance.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
Readers struggling with anxiety or depression seeking non-traditional healing methods. Animal lovers and Zen practitioners alike will find comfort in this unique blend of memoir, spiritual guide, and testament to the transformative power of interspecies connection.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 4 reviews
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2
3
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2
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1
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J
James E.
September 6, 2025
Solid edition

Arrived faster than expected and well packaged. The print is clean and easy on the eyes for long sessions. My only quibble is the cover feels thinner than expected. Happy enough with the purchase.

M
Mark H.
July 28, 2025
A treasure

I collect works on this subject and this is a worthy addition. You can tell why this work has endured. The material is presented clearly and the structure makes it easy to revisit key passages. If you're drawn to this subject, don't hesitate.

V
Violet C.
February 21, 2025

First purchase from this shop. A text you study rather than simply read. The historical context alone makes it worth the price.

E
Esoterica Books editorial team

This revised edition offers a poignant exploration of healing through mindfulness, successfully bridging personal struggle with spiritual insight. While the narrative arc from depression to Zen clarity is inspiring and well-executed, it may not suit readers seeking rigorous philosophical debate or traditional occult scholarship. Those expecting complex esoteric rituals will find the focus on simple feline companionship too domesticated. However, for those valuing emotional resonance over intellectual density, this book provides a refreshing, accessible alternative to heavier spiritual texts, effectively using the Maine Coon as a vessel for profound yet understated wisdom.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it is a narrative memoir that illustrates Zen principles through lived experience rather than offering a step-by-step instructional manual.
While cat ownership enhances the experience, the core themes of mindfulness and healing are universal and accessible to anyone seeking spiritual growth.

📖 Who should read this

Readers struggling with anxiety or depression seeking non-traditional healing methods. Animal lovers and Zen practitioners alike will find comfort in this unique blend of memoir, spiritual guide, and testament to the transformative power of interspecies connection.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Feline Mindfulness

The book posits that cats embody natural Zen, teaching presence through stillness and play. By observing their habits, readers learn to anchor themselves in the moment, bypassing the anxiety of past regrets or future fears. The cat becomes a living meditation cushion, demonstrating how to exist fully without judgment.

Depression to Clarity

Tansey maps the arduous transition from the fog of mental illness to the sharp clarity of enlightenment. The narrative treats depression not as a failure, but as a threshold. Through the cat’s guidance, the reader witnesses how small, consistent acts of care and attention can dismantle the walls of isolation and restore mental equilibrium.

Unconventional Spirituality

Rejecting traditional monastic paths, this work argues that the sacred is found in domestic life. It challenges the notion that spirituality requires isolation or heavy theology, suggesting instead that the mundane interactions with animals can serve as potent gateways to the divine and the realization of one’s true nature.

📜 Historical context

While Zen literature traditionally emphasizes strict monastic discipline and koans, this work aligns with the modern Western trend of secularizing mindfulness practices. It echoes the lineage of 'animal wisdom' narratives found in both Eastern folklore and contemporary eco-spirituality, positioning the domestic cat not as a pet, but as a legitimate spiritual teacher in the post-modern quest for meaning.

📚 Glossary

Buddha Mind
Maine Coon
Disorienting Haze

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Where in your daily routine do you feel most disconnected from the present moment?
  2. How might an animal companion teach you patience or presence if you observed them closely?
  3. What small, mundane action could you perform today with total awareness as a form of meditation?

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