What humans can learn from animals is a pertinent philosophical question. Eastern religions posit that being born as human is an incredibly rare and immensely fortunate event. No doubt I am misunderstanding the subtler theological points, but it seems to me this is inconsistent with touting the qualities currently labelled as “mindfulness”. These practices are hard work for humans but naturally embodied by animals.

And cats certainly seem to be the perfect species for embarking on speculation on this topic. There is genuine interaction between cats and humans, with cats fully retaining their wildness. As Gray points out, what humans most admire about them is that they seem to spend time with us out of interest and curiosity rather than to fulfil a biological imperative in the way dogs do. Also, they do not hesitate to demonstrate contempt for their human companions (“owners” is surely not the right word) when merited, and are all the more loved for it.

Then there is their fierce independence which we cannot help but admire. To quote what is, in my opinion, Kipling’s best line: “I am a cat who walks by himself, and all places are alike to me”.

Well, I think cats have exhibit something of the peace that eastern mysticism seeks. Or, indeed, that which might be suggested to be available from western religions (if not delivered).

The main problem I think is thinking (as per Montaigne).

My cat sleeps, eats or spends its time doing cat things (exploring, climbing, chasing …). I don’t detect any reflection, regret or other wasteful activities.

Western philosophy is all about thinking so don’t expect to find yourself in some state of peace or true living through such engagement. But this is not (entirely) the case for Eastern philosophies where religious practice is often experiential.

In a university discussion on life’s meaning (whilst exploring Camus and Nagel), I argued that it was a pointless discussion in that we were seeking to explain something intellectually that could not be captured in written or verbal. My suggestion was to do yoga or go rock climbing or hunt or fish or have sex but that if you go off and live don’t expect to be able to capture it intellectually. Unsurprisingly my hope that the tutor would lead us off into some life enriching experience did not eventuate and the debate continued ….

Western philosophy cannot accept the experiential position because it would kill part of its own purpose – intellectual pondering of life’s meaning.

No doubt if my cat could talk, philosophy would not be her concern.

Cats are far more intelligent than dogs. Don’t get fooled by the social aptitude of dogs. You don’t need society to be intelligent.

At the risk of waxing lyrical, ten glorious years spent loving, caring for and observing my two boys have:

-Shown me I am capable of unconditional love.
-Offered daily examples of how to Not Let Shit Get To Me by observing their Zenlike approach to just about everything, (empty food bowls excluded…one has a wee food issue).
-Proffered an outlet for a latent maternal instinct I just don’t possess when looking at human babies.(Children under threat is a different matter).
-Provided a daily reminder of the finite, precious commodity of time. I am their guardian for an alloted time only.
-Pushed me to identify and live up to a value system.Yes, I’ll stop the chores to cuddle my cats if they ask me to and no, sick on the floor or fur on the carpet doesn’t matter in the scheme of things if I have the means to clean them up.

Being mocked once by my mother for taking all day to clean my home due to regular cat cuddle breaks, led to the retort, ‘ That’s right because one day they won’t be here’.

For once, the old narcissist shut her mouth. Not that I gave a toss, then or now.

“In contrast, cats show signs of knowing when they are nearing death,”
That’s is not my experience. A number of my cats have come to say goodbye. Perhaps I misinterpret – A common human failing, though never a cat one.