Prologue

Also by David Michie

Fiction

The Dalai Lama’s Cat Series

The Dalai Lama’s Cat

The Dalai Lama’s Cat and The Art of Purring

The Dalai Lama’s Cat and The Power of Meow

The Dalai Lama’s Cat and The Four Paws of Spiritual Success

The Dalai Lama’s Cat: Awaken the Kitten Within

Matt Lester Spiritual Thrillers

The Magician of Lhasa

The Secret Mantra

Other Fiction

The Queen’s Corgi

The Astral Traveler’s Handbook & Other Tales

Nonfiction

Buddhism for Busy People: Finding Happiness in an Uncertain World

Hurry Up and Meditate:
Your Starter Kit for Inner Peace and Better Health

Enlightenment to Go:
Shantideva and the Power of Compassion to Transform Your Life

Mindfulness is Better than Chocolate

Buddhism for Pet Lovers:
Supporting our Closest Companions through Life and Death

First published in 2022

Copyright © Mosaic Reputation Management (Pty) Ltd 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, or otherwise be copied for public or private use (other than for “fair use” as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews) without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents appearing in this work are the sole expression, opinion and product of the author’s imagination only, are entirely fictitious and do not represent and are not based on any real life views of any character or event in any way whatsoever; any resemblance is strictly coincidental. Any and all references and depictions appearing in this work to real life persons, living or deceased, are based solely and entirely on the author’s imagination and are in no way a representation of, or bear any resemblance to, the actual views, events or opinions of such persons.

Conch Books, an imprint of Mosaic Reputation Management (Pty) Ltd

Cover design: Sue Campbell Book Design

Author photo: Janmarie Michie

ISBN 978-0-6488665-8-9 (Hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-6488665-6-5 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-0-6488665-7-2 (e-book)

Homage

With heartfelt gratitude to my precious gurus:
Les Sheehy, extraordinary source of inspiration and wisdom;
Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, peerless master and embodiment of the Dharma;
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, precious Vajra Acharya and yogi.

Guru is Buddha, Guru is Dharma, Guru is Sangha,
Guru is the source of all happiness.
To all gurus I prostrate, make offerings and go for refuge.

May this book carry waves of inspiration from my own gurus
To the hearts and minds of countless living beings.

May all beings have happiness and the true causes of happiness.
May all beings be free from suffering and
the true causes of suffering;
May all beings never be parted from the happiness that is without suffering, the great joy of nirvana liberation;
May all beings abide in peace and equanimity, their minds free from attachment and aversion, and free from indifference.