Reading Reflections: The Cat Who Taught Zen by James Norbury

Reflecting on the philosophy of zen in a positive, practical way we can apply in our daily life.

The Cat Who Taught Zen, by @jamesnorburyofficial

In my previous workplaces, I remember time and again hearing former colleagues cynically advising each other to adopt an indifferent attitude toward ineffective leaders, toward unheeded feedback and towards reluctance to change. Those were moments they declared they were gonna be ‘zen’, as if it were a form of defence mechanism to shut down, to protect themselves from frustration and pain.

I disliked the negative associations of it to the numbness and avoidance my colleagues linked to ‘zen,’ much as I understood and empathised with their pain.

In this book, James Norbury introduces the philosophy of zen in a practical, positive manner that readers can incorporate into our daily lives. The narrative, conveyed through a cat’s spiritual journey to enlightenment, is light-hearted yet warm.

Beyond the content, the technique used for image painting is noteworthy and deserving of appreciation.

On the personal front, I have benefited heaps from learning to zen - in the true spirit. It helps me anchor a sea of emotional turbulence triggered by the outside world - on a firm, gentle seabed.

I should recommend this book to my former colleagues. For now, I’d like to encourage my audience to read this profound wisdom expressed comically, which makes it much easier to appreciate.