Amazon Reviews
A Gem of Jewel Mirror Awareness, January 19, 2009
| By | J. H. Minde (Boca Raton, Florida and Brooklyn, New York) –  |
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Kat Tansey was a high-powered, driven corporate executive when she was felled by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. With shocking rapidity she fell out of the loop and into a profound depression.
Happily for Ms. Tansey, she was gifted with a very special friend, the feline Zen Master, Poohbear, an impressive Maine Coon Cat with a bent toward the wisdom of the great Oriental Masters. Most of CHOOSING TO BE is a dialogue between the slowly recuperating Kat and her cat. Lest anyone think this is fiction, I will attest that it is entirely possible to have a dialogue with your own in-home Roshi even when no words are actually spoken. Simply observing your cat may open the door to finding answers to some of life’s most perplexing questions.
Tansey’s book is a splendid, short reminiscence of how she found her way to Zen and to shikantaza, and her struggles to get right the simple act of sitting in meditation. This is a particularly good book for a beginner, as it recounts, with unvarnished honesty, the difficulties a new Zen student will face on the cushion. Like Scott Turow’s ONE-L, which struggling law students use as a guidebook through the emotional thickets of their notorious first year, CHOOSING TO BE will be a guidebook for the novice meditator or anyone considering adopting meditation practice in their lives.
Charming and enlightening, December 16, 2008
One doesn’t have to be Buddhist or even ‘zen’ to love this book. Heck I think any cat lover (as I am) would love this book. If you have a cat lover in your life consider the book as a gift. I own the hardback edition. The Cat’s Meow, September 27, 2008
Kat Tansey has written an absolutely delightful book. The story of how her two cats helped her battle back from severe physical and emotional problems is both captivating and heartwarming. And, the writing is superb. In a day and age where so much writing is only worthy of fast reads, the author’s powerful writing had me savoring each and every sentence. As well written as the book is, the underlying message is even better yet. Those of us who are driven to always be “doing,” should heed the author’s message to learn to “just be.” Certainly not the first author with such a message. But, truly one of the most enjoyable books making that very important point. Challenging lessons for 21st-centurians, December 7, 2008
Successful businesswoman Kat Tansey is attempting to recover from chronic fatigue syndrome and depression by practicing Buddhist meditation. But as she grows frustrated with the progress of her sittings, she shares her disappointment with her Maine Coon cat companion, Poohbear Degoonacoon. Pooh can speak English, of course, and he’s also adept at dispensing philosophical advice. He regularly points Kat in directions that allow her to discover more about herself and to accept the special healing that techniques of Eastern introspection can offer. He also encourages her to be more attentive to her human teachers. At the same time, another Maine Coon is added to the family: a kitten named Catzenbear. Witnessing his antics and his innocence provides further instruction. Obviously, readers are expected to suspend their disbelief to accept the teachings here, since most of the information is presented by a cat. Pet owners should have no problem doing so. Science fiction aficionados who accept proclamations by Mr. Spock or Yoda should be open to this style of writing as well. Otherwise: nay-sayers could very well pooh-pooh (!) the entire premise of the book. But the author’s use of a fictional device to explore the refinements of the meditation process does not diminish its ultimate truth. Individuals who are looking for a unique self-improvement book, even if they have no inclinations toward Buddhist meditation, can find illustrations of helpful life lessons here. Most difficult of all is the transformation of choosing to BE instead of choosing to DO. That’s an exercise we busy 21st-centurians should all take a stab at.  There are many ways to cope with depression, here is an unusual one, December 4, 2008
There are many ways to beat depression; it is reasonable to believe that each technique successfully used by someone will not work as well for others. It is also a documented fact that elderly people given an opportunity to interact with a pet tend to have better mental performance. Therefore, while the author’s technique of having a two-way communication with her cat helping her overcome depression may seem odd, it probably isn’t. At least as long as it is not taken to the extreme of seriousness. Whatever the source of the words attributed to her eldest and wisest cat Poohbear, you cannot deny the wisdom of the message. It is the reality of the human experience that all of us experience the loss of the death of loved ones, “catastrophes” such as flat tires, dead batteries and losing our jobs. Buddhism is not a religion in the western sense of a supreme being capable of intervening in our lives if we find the right channel on the radio of prayer; it is a way of life. One of the key principles is this common experience of loss and personal “catastrophes.” As she points out, Tansey also has some unresolved issues with her father that is rooted in the past. Furthermore, now that her mother is suffering from Alzheimer’s, those problems are resurfacing in how she views her father’s treatment of her mother. No specifics are given, but the triad of her chronic illness, her mother’s Alzheimer’s and her relationship with her father and it is easy to see how depression could result. Having a serious two-way conversation with your cat may not be the cure for your bout with depression. Nevertheless, it might just work as well as it did for Tansey and of course a cuddly cat will never fail to make your life interesting. I know of what I speak, having had over ten pet cats in my life. Adopting some of the basic principles of Buddhism, which accepts the problems of life, also did a great deal to help Tansey cope. Choosing to Be Offers More Lessons Than Anticipated, March 12, 2009
When I first purchased Kat Tansey’s Choosing To Be, I thought the book might be a helpful resource for some of my coaching clients who often feel stressed out and overwhelmed. As a life coach and wellness coach, I believe meditation can go a long way toward helping people de-stress and become more aware of their patterns of thinking. But “selling” the notion of meditation to people in our fast-paced culture can be a challenge. So I hoped this book, narrated by Poohbear, the wise Feline Zen Master, might inspire them to give meditation a try. Ironically, it turned out that I needed to read the book as much as I thought my clients did! While I’ve been practicing meditation for many years, lately it’s felt like I’ve been going through the motions rather than connecting in a deep way. The book was the perfect antidote for what I was feeling, helping me awaken me out of my sleepy state and inspiring ME to re-commit myself to the practice of meditation. Choosing to Be is an easy read, sprinkled with bits of humor and sadness, that made me laugh and smile, groan and cry. It is one of those rare books, rich in wisdom, that I’ve found myself returning to again and again to deepen my learning and my spiritual practice. I highly recommend the book to anyone who is curious about meditation, or who wants to intensify their practice. And if you happen to be a cat lover, even better! Cats & Zen – a delightful combination!, March 9, 2009
During a rough spell in her life, author Kat Tansey picks up a copy of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Her cat, Poohbear, a Zen Master himself, offers to show her the way to her Buddha nature if she is willing to learn from him. But first she needs a kitten to observe, which leads to Catzenbear joining the family. As the author works on her practice, Poohbear shares his wisdom with her. An expert at sitting, he offers his thoughts on why Tansey struggles at times. When she clings, he suggests she let go. And when she starts to feel successful, he reminds her that she still has a long way to go. Always gentle and loving, he pushes her to go farther along than she believes possible. Choosing to Be was classified as fiction because of the author’s conversations with Poohbear. But this was simply the style she used to get her ideas across in a friendly and easily accessible manner. If you’ve ever thought you’d like to get in touch with your own Buddha nature, this enjoyable and enlightening book will start you on your journey. And if you can, find a cat who’s willing to join you.
There are many wonderful lessons to take from this little book. For me one of the most important ones is finally “getting” that meditation takes time and perseverance to master. We must train our minds to surrender and this can be quite difficult. Like my yoga teacher says: “this is a 10 year project.” This long term perspective is what I needed to not give up so easily as I have in the past. I love the personal relationship Kat has with her cats. It is very touching and made me feel I am not totally crazy
I don’t normally write reviews, but this author receives special kudos for a book that is not only terribly insightful but is also a book that has tremendous healing potential for those among us who are depressed, healing from a chronic illness, or just trying to get along day to day in a stressful world. The photograph of the young coon cat watching (with great fascination) the water swirl down the bathtub will stay with me always. I am also a great cat lover and appreciate the author’s divine connection to the essence of being, as demonstrated to us by these wonderful animals.
Chapter by chapter Poohbear doles out slivers of knowledge for those with a desire to learn and to find inner peace. Choosing To Be truly is an entertaining read written with love and a nice dose of humor along the way. I found that I liked it best when I read one chapter at a time with a break in between, sometimes of a week or more. The conversation was just as fresh when I came back as it was when I left. The young kitten, Catzenbear, is the perfect character who acts and lives out the lessons as only a young kitten can. Do yourself (and your cats) a favor, pick up Choosing To Be by Kat Tansey today and read it for a long time. Then read it again.
For personal development, Choosing To Be offers much wisdom on learning the importance of why we should stop just “doing” and shift over to “being” mode. It’s about learning how to make time for yourself, how to slow down and nurture calmness and self-acceptance in yourself, learning to observe what your mind is up to, how to watch your thoughts and how to let go of them without A great read that can benefit many.
“Choosing to Be” is definitely a book that one could sit and read in an afternoon, but with wonderful books like this, it is sometimes nice just to savor it and take time to really read every word. Tansey’s wonderful and engaging narrative is held together by meaningful quotes by various people and lovely black and white photographs of the cats. I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book for those with anxiety, who love meditation or are cat lovers in general. And even if you don’t appreciate cats or what they can bring into your life, I think that Tansey’s journey can help you, too.
“Choosing to Be” revolves around a wise Maine Coon cat named Poohbear Degoonacoon, his kitten muse Catzenbear, and author Kat Tansey. These three characters take the reader on a journey from the depths of depression to the freedom of Buddha mind. Kat Tansey is a writer and life coach for women at midlife (and beyond) who want to transform and re-energize their lives. She has been a meditation practitioner for fifteen years and has enjoyed a unique relationship with cats since she was a little girl. It is no coincidence that her name is Kat! In 1993, Kat was struck down by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). “Choosing to Be” begins with a note about how she descended from her executive office on the top floor of a sleek high-rise tower into the underworld of depression. In the opening chapter she describes how she considered ending her life rather than fighting her exhaustion and debilitating depression. When Kat began writing Choosing to Be fifteen years ago, chronic fatigue, sensitivity to environmental pollutants, and other symptoms, were thought to be “all in your head.” Anyone who has ever gotten a headache from sitting in a room with the smell of a new carpet, will relate to Kat’s challenges to function in the day-to-day world. When she first began writing her story, it’s safe to say that the world was not ready for a book about a successful business woman who became deeply depressed and asked her Buddha master cat to help her learn how to meditate and find the will to live. Now the world recognizes the reality of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Drugs for depression are advertised like candy. Buddhist meditation and all things Buddha are mainstream. Books about mystical dogs, magical cats, animal communication, talking to God and other spiritual guides, are enormously popular. In this climate, a book about a talking Buddha Master cat seems perfectly natural and makes a friendly spiritual guide. In “choosing to be” Kat made the wise choice to remove herself from the business world she had known for twenty years. Her inner journey to regain her physical, emotional and spiritual health marked the beginning of a very different life, one in which she had to learn to be a human being rather than a human doing. Thanks to her Buddha Master cat and her other guides and supporters, Kat emerged from this phase in her life with renewed energy. For practical reasons, she returned to the corporate world for several years, until she ultimately realized that her path was leading her elsewhere. Eventually Kat returned to her real love, writing the book that has become “Choosing to Be.” This book reminds us to be fully present and experience the freedom of enjoying life just as it is. Kat introduces the reader to Buddhist meditation and presents it in a way that anyone can relate to. – Suza Francina, author of “The New Yoga for People Over 50,” and other books, all written in the relaxing presence of flexible felines.
I have been adopted by many cats in my lifetime (yes, they do adopt you) and always believed in their wisdom and spirituality. Poohbear, the cat, actually talks and takes the author, Kat Tansey, through her journey from the abyss of chronic fatigue and depression, to her ultimate triumph of rejoining the world. The beauty of Choosing to Be is that you can give it to anyone, even people who are not into Buddhism and meditation. The stories are wrappers for deeper truths that everyone can relate to. I loved Choosing to Be and I can’t wait to buy the audio book read by Poohbear himself!
It is clear that the book was written based upon the personal experience of the author. That she chose to use her cats as characters in telling her story does not detract, but rather enhances its effect, in my opinion. Admittedly, most people know that I love cats; however, the storyline itself is what I related to and learned from most. The cat tales, dialogue, and pictures were fun additions! And cat lovers will enjoy it just for the joy of reading about these two Maine Coons! Let me first point out that, while the author is presenting information regarding Buddhism, she in no way is suggesting that readers must follow these principles to benefit from her story. What I found interesting was that I personally can attest to much she writes about. Her diagnosis was Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Depression…my own diagnosis was Job Burnout/Depression. Both of us faced exhaustion on the job; both of us found it necessary to give up our former professional careers. While I never reached the point where I considered suicide, I did sit, many days, thinking that it would be all right if I just died… Given the high numbers of individuals in the United States now taking medications for clinical depression, as the author says in her free tape…now must be the time for this book to be published! Believe me, there is much to learn from her book, with or without the meditation activity being a part of your process. She does use the philosophical teachings she learned from her trainers; what readers will see is that there are few new words and the words used are important words to be considered “in living.” I found my Catzenbear about a month ago. She was one of two litters that had arrived at my niece’s home when I was there for Thanksgiving. I picked up a little kitten about eight weeks old; she was shivering and I pulled her close to me, holding her in one arm, while I covered her with my hand. She immediately began to purr…and she never stopped, even while she was in the car with me, coming home. I could tell she was different (I have 15 outside cats and 3 inside cats) and even commented on it to my niece. I called her Cali, but you can read about her in this book, with the unique Catzenbear name! “The Mind is much like a flea, hopping to and fro from one thought to the next, rarely pausing to reflect and learn from its wanderings.” (quoted by author on p. 1) Kat Tansey knew exactly what this meant–her mind was constantly moving from one subject to another. Some things caused her pain, others anger, others fear–but they always resulted in exhaustion. Kat’s choice was to start to study and practice meditation. Meditation is not easy; you can tell that by the frustration that Kat went through! But in each case, she explains the problem she was having and then how the problem was solved. The very first thing that will hit home for many people was that Kat “was brought up to feel a lull in the conversation embarrassing and silence unproductive.” As with the flea, Americans are extremely busy people and they jump from activity to activity…finding it also embarrassing not to. In her confusion, she was now told–”Good, confusion is an excellent place to begin…” Consider the words: clinging, anger, sleepiness, restlessness, and doubt. Recognize them? I’m sure you do because we all share them to one extent or another. Five Hindrances is how they are discussed in this book. The exploration of each or all of these may be helpful to readers. For myself, I knew them all well! Here’s a small example of how the author brings in her cats: Poohbear had developed an extreme liking for tuna. So Kat gave him nothing but tuna (feeding Pooh’s craving). It resulted in Pooh becoming allergic and his hair started to fall out. Moving from this illustration, Kat then proceeds to discuss how she was treating herself in the same manner! Fortunately, for me, this book came as an affirmation for many of the things I had done to get through a similar experience. If you are there, then you will enjoy the book and may use it as closure to some extent. If you are not there, then this book may be your first step. I highly recommend this book to those who will know they need to begin living again…. As soon as I finished reading the book, I ordered a copy to be sent to my best friend! And no, Virginia, this is NOT fiction…
Readers of “Choosing to Be” will feel the heartache of Kat’s struggles and experience the hope and motivation of her journey, as she tells her story of returning from the darker side of life in a way that takes them right along with her. I commend her courage, strength and insight during her journey and her wisdom to interpret the lessons of her Feline Zen Master. This is a life altering, mind enriching story that everyone who has ever felt even a glimpse of despair should read.
At the very least, I’ll never look at my pets the same way again!
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