Meditating with Cassie: Living Hinduism Through Animal Presence

Introduction: Shanti Om

Take a moment to breathe, just as your animal does naturally. Let these words guide you toward the presence that is already within you—and within them.

Did you know that Cassie, like your animal, is already a meditation master? She doesn’t seek enlightenment—she embodies it with every breath, every glance. What if Hinduism were not just a theory, but an invitation to see the divine in the paws, purrs, and simple presence of your animal?

Hinduism invites us to recognize the sacred in every being. Cassie, through her presence, shows us the way:

• Self-Knowledge (Jnana Yoga),

• Universal Love (Bhakti Yoga),

• Selfless Action (Karma Yoga),

• Deep Meditation (Dhyana).

These practices draw from sacred texts and the instinctive wisdom of your animal. It’s up to you to experience them with your companion or any being that inspires you.

1. Jnana Yoga: Self-Knowledge Through Observation

Sacred Texts:

• "Neti, Neti" ("Not this, not this") – Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

• "Know thyself" – Mahabharata

With Cassie: When she watches a bird or grooms herself, she doesn’t think, "I am a cat." She simply is, without labels. What if, like your animal, you stopped defining yourself by your thoughts or roles? Who would remain?

Deep Practice with Your Animal:

• Sit beside them and close your eyes.

• Observe your thoughts as your animal watches clouds drift across the sky: they come, they go, but the sky (your consciousness) remains unchanged.

• Ask yourself: "Who am I when I am no longer my thoughts, emotions, or story?"

• Without an animal? Gaze at a flame, listen to the wind, or watch a river. Let labels like "I am stressed" or "I am late" drift away like leaves on the water.

2. Bhakti Yoga: Unconditional Love in Action

Sacred Texts:

• "Where there is devotion, there is the divine." – Bhagavad Gita (9.30)

• "Love every being as yourself." – Mahabharata

With Cassie: Her love doesn’t depend on what you do. It simply is. Feel the warmth of her fur, the softness of her breath. These sensations are gateways to the divine, for unconditional love flows through the senses.

Deep Practice with Your Animal:

• Place one hand on your heart and the other on their fur.

• Breathe in sync with them.

• Whisper "Om Namah Shivaya" to honor the peace within you, or simply say "Thank you" to acknowledge the grace of this shared moment.

• The Bhagavad Gita (12.6-7) says: "Whoever sees Me in all things and all things in Me will never be lost." Cassie doesn’t "see"—she embodies this vision.

3. Karma Yoga: Skillful and Selfless Action

Sacred Texts:

• "Act without attachment to the fruits of your action." – Bhagavad Gita (2.47)

• "Do your duty with your heart, but without desire for reward." – Bhagavad Gita (3.8)

With Cassie: When she drinks or grooms herself, she does so with full attention, then moves on. With your animal—whether preparing their meal, playing with them, or cleaning their space—every action becomes a meditation if you bring full awareness to it, just as Cassie does: with total presence.

• The Bhagavad Gita (2.50) adds: "Yoga is skill in action." Cassie is an accomplished yogi.

Practice with Your Animal:

1. Before acting, silently say: "I do this with gratitude."

2. During the action, be fully present.

3. Afterward, let go.

4. Dhyana: Meditation Through Silence and Unity

Sacred Texts:

• "When thoughts settle, the soul reveals itself." – Yoga Sutras (1.2)

• "Meditate on the One without a second." – Mandukya Upanishad

With Cassie: Lying beside you, paws in the air, she embodies peace. Lie beside your animal and imagine each inhale connecting you to the vastness of the sky, and each exhale dissolving the clouds of your thoughts. Cassie is already that sky: boundless and free.

Practice with Your Animal:

• Breathe naturally.

• If chanting doesn’t suit you, simply listen to their breath. Sync with them, like two waves of the same ocean.

5. Advaita Vedanta: Unity with Your Animal and the World

Sacred Texts:

• "Tat Tvam Asi" ("You are That") – Chandogya Upanishad

• "All is Brahman." – Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

With Cassie: Hold her in your arms. Feel her heart beat against yours. With your animal, before offering them food, place a hand on your heart and silently say: "I recognize you in me." This gesture transforms the ordinary into the sacred.

• When you feel their heart beat against yours, ask yourself: "If we are one, how can I treat every being with this same tenderness?" This question plants a seed of compassion.

• The Isa Upanishad says: "All is inhabited by the divine." Look at your animal—they already know this. Do you?

6. Going Further: Rituals, Journaling, and Celebrations

• Morning Ritual: Upon waking, before touching your phone, observe your animal (or a tree, the sky). Say: "I see you, I recognize you."

• Spiritual Journal: Write down a moment when you felt unity (e.g., "When my animal curled up against me, I felt we were one.").

• Evening Practice: Before sleep, thank your animal for reminding you of presence today. A simple "Thank you" is enough.

• Celebrations:

  • Holi: Use natural petals or colors with them.

  • Diwali: Light a lamp mindfully with your animal beside you.

7. Your Animal and Hindu Deities

• Shiva: Detachment and transformation (like Cassie when she observes without reacting).

• Lakshmi: Abundance and gentleness (like her soothing presence).

• Krishna: Joy and play (like when she chases a string). Creative Practice:

• Draw or write about a quality of your animal that reminds you of a deity. Place it near their bed as an offering.

• If you wish, place a small image or symbol of Shiva, Lakshmi, or Krishna near their space. Observe how your animal responds to this sacred energy.

Conclusion: The Path of Your Animal

"Freedom is not a destination, but a way of seeing, loving, and acting."

Cassie, like your animal, doesn’t ask you to change. They invite you to see differently. So today, choose a practice: observe, love, act, or be still. Let their silent wisdom guide you.

Shanti Om The Dance of Shiva and Buddha

Note: These practices are free. Hinduism is an experience, and your animal is your most faithful guide.