Introduction
One morning, as Cassie was watching the birds from the balcony, her fixed and peaceful gaze reminded me of the teachings of the Upanishads: the soul, like her, is a silent witness, traveling through the cycles of time. It is by watching her that I began to understand samsara not as a theory, but as an eternal dance, where each life is a note in an endless melody.
In this article, I wish to share how Cassie, my feline companion, embodies the Hindu teachings on reincarnation and karma, and how these principles can illuminate our daily lives.
Reincarnation and Karma
What is Reincarnation?
Samsara is like a wheel that turns endlessly, each life being an opportunity to learn, grow, and liberate oneself. Cassie, with her legendary nine lives according to popular belief, is a living symbol of this: every day, she is reborn into the simple joy of being, without attachment to yesterdays or tomorrows.
As the Bhagavad Gita (2.22) says: "Just as a person discards old clothes and puts on new ones, so the soul discards its worn-out body and takes on a new one." Cassie, by changing her posture or play, reminds me of this impermanence and continuity.
The Role of Karma
Karma is the universal law of cause and effect. Our actions, good or bad, in this life determine our condition in the next life. It is a law of divine justice that ensures every action has a consequence.
When Cassie plays with a dead leaf, making it fly and fall again and again, I see samsara in action: the leaf, like the soul, dances between the earth and the sky, until it finds rest.
Cassie and the Lessons of Karma
Patience and Compassion
Cassie, with her infinite patience and ability to live in the present moment, often reminds me of the importance of compassion and non-violence (ahimsa). One day, as I was meditating on karma, Cassie caught a fly but let it go without harming it. This small gesture reminded me of the Buddhist and Hindu teaching of ahimsa, or non-violence.
That day, Cassie caught a fly. Instead of devouring it, she observed it for a moment, as if weighing the weight of this tiny life between her paws. Then, with a delicate gesture, she released it. This moment resonated with me as a teaching: compassion is not a theory, but a concrete choice, an action that changes the world, even on a small scale.
Since then, I have integrated a short daily meditation on ahimsa: before sleeping, I mentally review my actions of the day, seeking to identify those that have sown peace or suffering. Cassie, curled up next to me, seems to approve with a purr. Her paws that rise and fall with the rhythm of my breathing, her fur that quivers under the morning sun's rays... These moments are my living sutras, far more eloquent than any text.
Dharma and Duty
Dharma, or duty, is another key concept in Hinduism. Every being has a dharma, a role or duty to fulfill in this life. Cassie, as a companion, has a dharma to provide love and companionship. By observing Cassie, I have understood that fulfilling one's dharma with love and devotion is a path to purifying the soul.
Cassie's dharma is not just to be a cat, but to be my spiritual companion. She teaches me patience when I am agitated, gentleness when I am hard on myself, and pure joy when I dwell too much on details. Her dharma is to help me see the light, and mine is to listen to her. Her black and red fur, interwoven like the threads of destiny, reminds me that every soul carries within it shadows and lights, past karmas and future possibilities.
The Bhagavad Gita (3.8) reminds us: "Perform your duty, without attachment to the results." Cassie, on the other hand, hunts without attaching to the catch, sleeps without worrying about tomorrow. She lives her dharma with a simplicity that challenges me every day.
By living her dharma with such grace, Cassie has naturally led me to another essential practice: meditation, the art of listening to the silence between gestures.
Every new lunar month, we light a small lamp by the window. Cassie, sitting next to it, seems to listen to the silence that settles in. This ritual, inspired by Hindu tradition, is our way of celebrating the light within and around us.
Living Reincarnation in Daily Life
Meditation and Mindfulness
Meditation is an essential practice for understanding and purifying our karma. Every day, Cassie and I meditate together. By observing her breathing and tranquility, I have learned to be more present and to appreciate each moment. This has helped me understand that life is a series of present moments, and that each moment is an opportunity to do good and purify our karma.
Every morning, we start the day with five minutes of synchronized breathing: I inhale when she lifts her paw, I exhale when she puts it down. This ritual anchors me in the present and reminds me that liberation (moksha) begins with the mindfulness of the moment.
Gratitude and Reflection
Every evening, I take a moment to reflect on my day and express gratitude for the positive moments. Cassie, with her soothing presence, helps me see the beauty in the little things. This reminds me that gratitude is a spiritual practice that can help us accumulate positive karma.
In the evening, I note three moments of gratitude inspired by Cassie: a look, a purr, a sunny pause. These little nothings are seeds of positive karma, steps towards liberation.
Conclusion
The doctrine of reincarnation in Hinduism teaches us that life is a continuous journey of growth and learning. By living with compassion, fulfilling our dharma with love, and practicing gratitude, we can purify our karma and move towards the ultimate liberation, moksha.
It took me time to accept the idea of karma. Sometimes I wondered: what if my actions were never 'good enough'? But Cassie, with her way of purring even after a fall, has taught me that karma is not a punishment, but an invitation to grow.
And you, what are the beings or moments that remind you that life is a cycle of learning? Perhaps an animal, a tree, or simply the breath that comes and goes...
May our lives, like Cassie's, be light steps on the path to moksha. Shanti Om.
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