Animals response to meditation

Discussion of meditation in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.
Post Reply
BrittanyTheBuddhist
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:11 pm

Animals response to meditation

Post by BrittanyTheBuddhist »

This will probably be one of the strangest things you've read on here,
But I own two cats and whenever I use the word "ohm" they run in panic. I've owned another cat as well as dogs who don't mind when I meditate, and these two cats are completely content when I'm repeating mantras, but as soon as I mutter ohm, they panic. The reason I am on here now is because once again I was meditating with them sleeping by my side, and even though I say ohm in a very quiet, peaceful, pleasant tone, they immediately woke and one bolted into the bathroom and the other behind the curtains.
I'd lock them out, but they're attached at my hip and will cry at the door and attempt to upon it until the succeed.
Has anyone ever heard of something so crazy, or why they might be doing this?
User avatar
futerko
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2012 5:58 am

Re: Animals response to meditation

Post by futerko »

Funny, thanks for sharing. Maybe as they are so attached to you, they have a fear of cultivating non-attachment? :tongue:
User avatar
Ayu
Global Moderator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:25 am
Location: Europe

Re: Animals response to meditation

Post by Ayu »

In my experience all cats are like this. They all react in some individual way on the vibrations of meditation.
Some like some dislike certain practices.

Maybe it would be interesting to find out if there is any point where they stop running wild when you chant "Om". :smile: Like in a sientific test series.

Once as i was on a meditative walk, doing the Vajrasattva-Mantra, i met a cat. It was on the hunt for a mouse... I just felt pitty for the mouse and stopped my walk, looking at the cat, chanting in my mind, thinking nothing special further.
The cat looked at me, stopped hunting, laid down and started to purr. This seemed to me quite fascinating and i kept standing there, chanting, waiting "When will this cat stop purring?"
We remained like this for many minutes - until i thought, i have to move along. When i started to leave the cat jumped off and ran away. :jumping:
User avatar
lobster
Posts: 1001
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:06 pm
Contact:

Re: Animals response to meditation

Post by lobster »

I use the word "ohm" they run in panic.
ah yes, known some human cats behave like that . . . :shrug:
maybe you need to learn to om-purr felid style?
Start them off on mmmm (humming) and add a bit of increasing 'O'

O m m m m m m oggy petme hum m m m m m :heart:
User avatar
Johnny Dangerous
Global Moderator
Posts: 17071
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:58 pm
Location: Olympia WA
Contact:

Re: Animals response to meditation

Post by Johnny Dangerous »

My cat is actually the opposite, she is really fascinated by sitting and by Manis, she hangs out on the altar and sniffs at the Buddhas, she seems comfortable around it...I hope it does something for her.
Meditate upon Bodhicitta when afflicted by disease

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when sad

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when suffering occurs

Meditate upon Bodhicitta when you are scared

-Khunu Lama
User avatar
randomseb
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:12 am

Re: Animals response to meditation

Post by randomseb »

The specific sound vibrations you make when you say ohm perhaps are just unpleasant to your specific cat's ears?
Disclaimer: If I have posted about something, then I obviously have no idea what I am talking about!
User avatar
Ayu
Global Moderator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:25 am
Location: Europe

Re: Animals response to meditation

Post by Ayu »

My cat (it was a male like an old distinguished gentleman) always began to panic when he heard Punkmusic.
And he enjoyed extremely the oldfashioned music from people like Johannes Heesters.
For example like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwMAQ9ocKaE
When he heard this he immediately started to purr.
Post Reply

Return to “Meditation”