As author Deb Wood says, "Cats are perhaps the ultimate Taoists, and they teach us many of the philosophy's lessons....Cats are the world's most accomplished medita-tors. It is through the stillness of meditation that the exchange of qi is at its most effective....As I learned the lessons of Taoism, I realized that my animal companions were practicing the lessons of this gentle, nonviolent philosophy more than most humans were." Veteran trainer Deb Wood shares some of her insights about cats and life in a very stimulating interview.

Eva:
Hi, Deb, thanks for being with us today.

Where did you learn about the qi and Tao of cats?

Deb:
My lessons about qi (universal life energy) and Taoism (a philosophy that   believes there is a universal energy that flows through all living things that encompasses, permeates and governs the universe) actually started when I faced a serious illness. When I donated a kidney to one of my brothers, I unfortunately became very ill after the surgery. Somehow, donating the kidney triggered Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia, a very painful illness in which I experienced a lot of muscle pain.

Much worse, I experienced terrible memory problems, and eventually had to leave my job as the head of Oregon's largest agency that provides housing and chemical dependency services to homeless people. In my search for a return to health, I tried a lot of alternative medical forms, since western medicine didn't really have anything to offer me but pain pills, which I wouldn't take. I went regularly to an acupuncturist and to a Naturopath, among other alternative medical providers. My Naturopath suggested I try qigong (pronounced chee-gong), a form of meditative exercise. The wonderful news is that my health returned completely. (My western doctor, who encouraged me to try alternative medicine, says that he's never had another patient who was as sick as I was ever become completely well again -- even he thinks that the alternative medicine was instrumental to my recovery.)

Interestingly, all these alternative forms of healing that I tried were  based, either directly or indirectly, on Taoist principles. I joined an   organization called Wu Dao Jing She, which studies Taoism and encourages the   practice of qigong. My teachers are Dr. Charles Wu, a professor at Reed College in Portland and Professor Chen Hui Xian, who teaches qigong at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. Both of these scholars are very well respected in China and here in Oregon.

So how does all this relate to cats?
During my three years of illness, I  spent most of my time at home. It was my cats and dogs who were my friends and confidants when I wasn't well enough to spend the day in the noisy, demanding world of humans. As I learned the lessons of Taoism, I realized that my animal companions were practicing the lessons of this gentle, nonviolent philosophy more than most humans were.

Eva:
What can cats teach us?

Deb:
Cats are perhaps the ultimate Taoists,
and they teach us many of the philosophy's lessons. Here are a few of the lessons that my cat, Mews, reminds me of every day:

• Balance:
  Taoists believe in balance. What could be more balanced than a cat? They are physically balanced, but also mentally balanced. They know when to sleep and when to be awake, when to be social and when to spend time alone. Humans would do well to learn this sense of balance.
• Patience:
  The cat is the most patient of creatures. She plans for hours, even days, how to catch a mouse or tease the dog. She waits, she sleeps, she dreams, and then she pounces.
• Quiet Voices:
  Cats speak in quiet voices, but they always manage to get themselves heard. Cats show us how much we can accomplish without yelling, shouting and screaming.
• The Art of Doing Nothing:
  Cats never seem to be in a hurry. They sleep about eighteen hours a day. Yet nothing is left undone. They hunt so effectively that an outdoor cat can decimate the local bird population. If a female cat has kittens, she is a doting mother who teaches her offspring many lessons. Anyone who has cats and dogs in the house knows that the cats rule. Yet this is all done with no apparent effort from the cat. How much better to be like a cat than to scurry around, inefficiently trying to be two places at once, yet never finishing anything we set out to do!

Eva:
Do you do yoga, like you said a cat does in your book?

Deb:
I don't do yoga, but everyday I do a form of meditative exercise called qigong (pronounced chee-gong). Qigong practitioners do a routine of slow movements that bring the energy of the Universe into our bodies, which promotes health, spirituality and emotional well-being. All forms of meditative exercise, including yoga, tai chi and qigong have many similarities. Cats, of course, are masters of all forms of meditative exercise!

Eva:
Are you a dog person or a cat person? :o)

Deb:
That's like asking if I like sunshine or moonlight, grass or trees, oceans or rivers, night or day. I love cats and I love dogs. Each is a wonderful creature with so much to share with us. I wouldn't be happy without both cats and dogs in my home. Interestingly, my dogs and my cats have always been great friends with each other. I guess that means that my cat is a "dog person" and my dogs are "cat people."

Book Excerpt from:
The Tao of Meow:
Understanding and Training Your Cat the Taoist Way
by Deborah Wood

The Internal Arts

Cats are the world's most accomplished medita-tors. It is through the stillness of meditation that the exchange of qi is at its most effective. Although the body is still, there is great motion going on inside, as qi flows through the internal organs. This is the Taoist state of motion within the stillness. Daily hours of meditation can account for our cat's seeming mysteriousness. When people meditate regularly, they experience a rich inner life and are tuned in to the sense of mystery of the universe. Cats, who seem as internally at-tuned as they are externally attuned, undoubt-edly receive the same benefits from meditation hat humans do.

Stationary Meditation

Meditation is a fundamental practice of Taoism. By sitting perfectly still we can feel the energy of the earth and the sky. We experience our one-ness with nature. Although it is not necessary to sit in the lotus position (legs crossed and hands held on our knees or in a prayer position), that posture helps the flow of qi through our bodies. It also helps to coalesce and store qi in our bodies. People who meditate universally report that they feel healthier, calmer, and more energetic on the days they meditate than on the days they do not. No human meditates as well as a cat. Look at your cat carefully the next time she is "resting." She usually meditates in the sunshine or near a fire, absorbing the energy and warmth. During her meditation, she assumes a special, lotuslike posture. Her haunches are nestled beneath her. Her front paws are pressed together beneath her chest. This posture, like the human lotus position, gathers and stores energy.

The Purr

In some traditions, meditators say a mantra. Although most people think of a mantra as the "oohmmm" made famous in the 1960s, a mantra can be any tonal sound that resonates for that person.

Cats have a mantra that makes any human mantra seem insignificant: the purr. A sound that sings with the sweet energy of the universe. Some cats have loud purrs, sharing their songs with the world. Others sing quietly to themselves. If you know your cat well, you will notice that the purr she makes as she meditates has a distinctly different sound from her purr when he is telling you that she'd appreciate some dinner. It is rhythmic, melodious, and primal. A purr is more than a mere song. A cat's purr pulses throughout her body, massaging her organs and muscles. It affects the rhythms of blood flow throughout her body, including the flow of blood to her brain.

I occasionally receive treatments from a chiropractor. At the end of the treatments, my chiropractor places a Qi Machine on my lower back. This machine, which was made in China, emits a pulsating, rhythmic throb that is designed to help qi flow through the patient's body. It is sensuous and healing to feel the warm throbbing on my back. However, my chiropractor s Qi Machine is a poor cousin to my cat's pulsating, throbbing, massaging, internal purr. Cats clearly benefit from their meditation.

There is no mistaking the look of contented joy in the closed eyes and soft face of a meditating cat- There can be little doubt that cats also share the longer-term effects of meditation that humans feel: more energy, clearer mind, and calmness.

Follow the example of your cat and meditate daily. Better yet, meditate with your cat. The next time your cat is meditating, lie or sit close beside her. Relax your head, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, back, waist, pelvis, and legs. Close your eyes and concentrate on the sound, the rhythm, and the vibration of your cat's purr. Allow your relaxed body to experience that feeling inside your being. Your cat will gladly share. The first time I shared my cat's purr was an awe-inspiring moment. It made me feel just a taste of the relaxation and utter contentment that my cat experiences many times every day.

Meet the Author
Deb Wood
author of "Help for Your Shy Dog"
hosted by Evamarie Spataro
see the interview, FREE excerpt, breed profile & coloring page
She spent two years researching scientific information about shyness, speaking with trainers and behaviorists, and talking with people who own shy dogs. She has created a practical "how to" guide to give owners of shy dogs the tools to help their dogs blossom. Get the tips on how to pick a dog and even deal with the "shy dog." Also see the breed profile for the author's dog, the Papillon with a fun coloring sheet too!!

• Tao of Meow Interview
• Shy Dog Interview
  • FREE book excerpt
    "Little things mean a Lot"
  • Breed profile for Papillon
  • Papillon Coloring page

Deb's Papillon Dogs
Goldie is my shy female
& Radar is my bold male.

The Tao of Meow:
Understanding and Training Your Cat the Taoist Way
by Deborah Wood

The epitome of yin-yang, the cat is perfectly balanced between tame and wild, sociability and solitude, action and rest. Called inscrutable and mysterious, perhaps even recalcitrant, felines have been deemed difficult to understand and train. Not anymore. Using the kind, gentle principles of Taoism, veteran trainer Deborah Wood introduces her revolutionary "no force, no punishment" method of creating a loving, harmonious relationship with your cat . . . a companionship filled with unparalleled rewards and unconditional love.

Help for Your Shy Dog:
Turning Your Terrified Dog into a Terrific Pet
by Deborah Wood, Amy Aitken, Lorenz Arner

This book is a must for anyone instructing dog training classes and a valuable source of sound advice for all other trainers who may now, or some day, have a shy dog. There are chapters on how to socialize a fearful dog, how to deal with submissive urnination, what to do about fear-biting, what to look for in a trainer, and other issues important to people who have shy dogs. The book also contains the stories of nine fearful dogs who transformed into wonderful family pets. Many of these dogs hold obedience titles, agility titles, and work as therapy dogs. These dogs prove that, with some help from the humans in their lives, shy dogs can exceed your highest expectations.

The Tao of Bow Wow:
Understanding and Training Your Dog the Taoist Way
by Deborah Wood

The Tao of Bow Wow is not just any dog training book. Part how-to, part primer in the ways of Tao, this unique guide to training and understanding your dog will revolutionize the way owners view their dogs. Not only does veteran dog trainer Deborah Wood explain how the principles of Tao can be used to train your dog in a clear, prescriptive fashion, but she also shows owners how to better communicate with and relate to their dogs using these same principles.