Yesterday, January 22, 2005, Marpa the Cat moved on. Marpa's image has decorated many Miksang posters and this web site for some years and I felt like creating a little Miksang tribute to him.

Sometimes during courses, people often ask me what effect Miksang has had on my day to day life in general—other than seeing and shooting photographs. I have always answered that Miksang practice has allowed me to be more open to the world around me in general and to people specifically. The sense of getting beyond our pre-conceptions about who we are seeing and as a result, noticing their unique qualities and appreciating them as they are is the key.

An example of how this works for me (although not a person this time) concerns my relationship with Marpa the Cat, who has lived with Julie DuBose and family since 1997. Essentially, I never liked cats! I never had one as a pet and always found them highly annoying and neurotic and simply ignored them as much as possible.

This was for many years, the basis of my relationship with Marpa. Whenever I would see him— I wouldn't see him. He would just sit there and stare at me and eventually come over to be petted and, being irritated, I would just push him away.

This all changed one sunny Saturday morning. I went to pick up Julie to go out but she wasn't ready, so I hung around in the kitchen for a while. I looked around a corner, and there was Marpa lying on the hardwood floor bathing himself in the morning light, casting wonderful deep black shadows on the floor.

There was a gap! Due to the strength of Miksang perceptions, I felt it was the first time I ever really looked at him. I began to see the luxurious depth of his fur, his black and white appearance, the sharpness of his features and his direct gaze. I got down on the floor and began to take some images of him. At some point Marpa got up and came over and curled up in my lap. For the first time, I didn't push him away, but rather began to feel his qualities. A bond occurred!

After that Marpa and I got along very well. He was very affectionate whenever he would see me and I spent many pleasant times with him lying on my chest while he slept—purring away. There were many moments of perception with Marpa after this, some of which you can see here. Strangely enough, beginning to connect to him was a real opening for me, showing me how it is possible in any moment to shift from ignoring and rejecting to seeing and appreciating. You never know how change can occur—so I thank Marpa for the opportunity! Happy Trails.

Michael

Go to the Marpa Gallery