The Art of Savor: Cassie, Buddhism, and Mindful Eating

A Meal as Sacred Practice

Today, returning from the store with Cassie’s chicken sausage, I noticed something profound: she eats each bite as if it were precious, with a slowness and presence that mirrors the mindfulness of a Buddhist monk. Though her diet includes meat—unlike the vegetarian ideals often linked to Buddhism—Cassie embodies a universal wisdom: respect for nature and gratitude for what is given. Buddhist sacred texts, such as the Vinaya Pitaka, emphasize eating with moderation and awareness, recognizing food as a gift from the Earth and the labor of others. Buddha taught that food should be consumed with gratitude, without waste or greed. Cassie, unknowingly, honors this philosophy. She savors, she learns, she respects her meal—and with her gaze, she reminds me that every moment is precious.

“Eat as if each bite were your last,” she seems to say. “One day, you may not have this chance again.”

The Dance of Energies: Shiva, Chants, and Cassie’s Presence

Meditating Through Movement Yesterday, as I meditated to the sounds of Shiva’s chants and Buddhist hymns, Cassie approached, curious. She climbed onto the bed, nestled beside me, and I felt her energy blend with mine. Colors—orange, green—swirled before my eyes, as if Shiva’s power and the peace of Buddhist mantras merged into a single vibration. I let the music guide my body, and my arms began to dance, worshipping Shiva in spontaneous motion.

Is This Respectful? Hindu texts, especially the Shiva Puranas, describe Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, embodying the cosmic rhythm of creation, destruction, and rebirth. Dancing for Shiva is an act of devotion, a celebration of the divine within and around us. Some Hindu traditions, particularly Tantric and Shaivite practices, even encourage dance as a form of meditation (Nritta), a way to honor the sacred. Cassie, by her presence, affirmed this practice: she sensed the power of the vibrations, the holiness of the moment.

“Dance becomes prayer when it arises from the heart,” whispers ancient wisdom.

Cassie, Keeper of Souls: Between Meditation and Care

A Delicate Balance Cassie meditates less with me these days. She seems drawn to my father, as if she senses his fragility. Cats, attuned to energy, instinctively recognize illness and offer comfort without words. Just yesterday, she curled up beside him, providing warmth that no mantra or ritual could replace.

A Spiritual Legacy She shared quiet moments with him, just as she once did with Phoebie, our departed cat. Perhaps she feels that some meditative energies no longer suit her, or that her mission now is to protect, love, and be present. After all, spirituality isn’t confined to meditation cushions or sacred chants. It also lives in the attention we give to those in need.

Dried Apricots and the Promise of Return

“Don’t worry, Cassie,” I whispered as I took out dried apricots for our future sessions. “We’ll always find ways to meditate together.”

For spirituality, like love, reinvents itself every day. With her, I’m learning that devotion can take a thousand forms: a savored bite, an improvised dance, or simply a look that says, “I am here.”

What about you? How do you experience these moments of presence and gratitude? Do you, like Cassie, find the sacred in the simplest gestures?