The cat has a name. In keeping with the tradition set forth with his predecessors Zen and Kamma, I’ve given him the name Daka.
In Tantric Buddhism the Daka/Dakini are believed to be aids to practitioners, examples of the limitless compassion of the transcendental Buddha’s. When female, they are called Dakini, when male, Daka.
The work of the Daka is usually with a Dakini who is awakening to her path. He provides a base of unconditional love and devotion (to her truth, not her mind) which encourages the her flowering. He shows her, through her direct experience, that intimacy, love and bliss are not rare, scarce, unattainable or dependent on someone else. They are there within her, waiting to be claimed – her birthright.
(As an aside, the purpose of the Dakini is similar, but her calling is to awaken the male… to aid him in moving from wherever he is to wherever he can go with her support. She is operating consciously with Love, and all the leverage that affords, to pry apart defenses, smash ego and put Truth as close to him as possible, that he might wake to his purpose, and express himself fully in the world.)
The closest concept in western culture would be that of the Muse. I found it fitting, as the little scamp is already inspiring me to clean up more and be mindful of what I leave laying about! Heh.
Poor boy has some manner of wheeze/cough/choking occurring. Not sure why. Hairball? Cold? Something else? I have to take him in to the vet to have it checked out.