“I have known three Zen masters in my life and all of them were cats.”
These words of wisdom were uttered by Eckhart Tolle, author of the ongoing bestseller The Power of Now. In March 2006, Hampton Roads Publishing Company releases The Power of Meow, a playful tribute to that popular book.
Written by renowned human potential leader Dr. Bernard Gunther, Ph.D., The Power of Meow reinforces The Power of Now’s message of staying in the moment as being the key to happiness. It relates a series of delightfully practical awareness reminders that evolved from the life story of the author’s enlightened cat Rumi.
As a long-time student and counselor of spiritual awareness, Dr. Gunther tells us that
animals in general and cats specifically are great teachers of consciousness. Historically, cats have been enjoyed, revered, and even worshiped for their natural intuitive behavior, exemplifying self-awareness, continuous relatedness, and effortless, harmonious ease. According to Dr. Gunther, overly conditioned humans can learn a great deal from them!
Dr. Gunther’s playful, exuberant prose-poems, full of unexpected wordplay, perfectly translate Rumi’s “teachings” into language we can all understand:
“you don’t / have to prove / or improve yourself / all you have to do / is approve / of yourself.”
And the book’s 30 two-color photos of Dr. Gunther’s inscrutably photogenic cat will seduce feline fanciers of all ages. You’ll read this beautiful little book straight through, laughing and marveling at Dr. Gunther’s simple insights, and then you’ll want to share its unique wisdom with your friends. The Power of Meow is the perfect crossover book, appealing to animal lovers, spiritual seekers, and gift givers alike.
Dr. Gunther was an early pioneer at the world-renowned Esalen Institute, where he originated the famous Esalen Massage, and is the author of many popular mind-body-spirit books, including Sense Relaxation, What to Do Till the Messiah Comes, Energy Ecstasy, and Dying for Enlightenment. Always an innovator, Dr. Gunther has conducted hundreds of workshops in collaboration with leaders such as Alan Watts, Jack Cornfield, Joseph Campbell, and Ram Das.
The Power of Meow reminds us to lighten up—and practices what it preaches! Let Dr. Gunther and Rumi show you just how much fun enlightenment can be.
March 2006 • Body Mind Spirit • ISBN 1-57174-477-0 • Trade Paper w/30 2-color photos • $9.95