The Subtle Art of a Cat: A Zen Story Reading & Commentary With Randi Green

[See also "Part 1" on https://integratingpresence.com https://youtube.com/@integratingpresence "Progressing Contact Beyond The Human Realm: Sutta Study With Randi Green — At Gaia Head (AN 8.64)" https://youtu.be/ruzgkLe6Xyg (which is actually a stand-alone and not really related)]

Join Randi and I Saturday August 30th 2025 for "Multidimensional Contemplation with Meditation Exercise" in two sections from 5-7 pm and 8-10 pm Danish time. Only 10 spots!

Ai basically describes our talk thus:

In this episode of the Innerskilled podcast Randi Green https://youtube.com/@thehalfuturehumanities of https://toveje.com and I explore a Zen text known as The Subtle Art of a Cat https://terebess.hu/zen/neko.pdf attributed to Isai Chozan (1659-1741) . The story, passed down through a samurai lineage, examines the art of combat through the metaphor of a master cat confronting an invincible rat. The narrative serves as a vehicle to discuss deeper philosophical and spiritual themes, particularly the nature of power, ego, and true mastery.

The discussion highlights several key points:

- Technique vs. True Mastery: The younger cats represent skill and physical prowess, but they lack the depth of understanding that comes from inner clarity and surrendering the ego.

The Role of Ego: The text critiques the reliance on personal power and intention in combat, suggesting that true victory comes from acting without ego—becoming one with the flow of nature.

- Compassion & Non-Harm: The hosts debate the intersection of samurai ethics and Buddhist compassion, questioning whether true mastery involves non-harm and aligning actions with a broader cosmic harmony.

- The Way (Dao) & Being: There’s a focus on moving beyond dualistic thinking (self vs. other) to embrace the Daoist notion of unity with the natural order—acting without intent and merging with the “great energy” that flows through all things.

The podcast touches on how ancient teachings like these challenge modern perspectives on power and success, advocating for an approach to life that balances strength with humility and integrates wisdom with action.

"Video" version: https://youtu.be/ObtgRMupiLg

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