We are most honored to bring you an exclusive interview with HHC (“His Holiness’s Cat”), whose fascinating and insightful memoir, The Dalai Lama’s Cat (reviewed below), was published earlier this month. Thank you, HHC, for taking the time to answer our questions!
HHC (Used by permission)
1. Why did you decide to write the book?
The book was inspired by a very famous actress who I am far too discrete to name. She’s blonde, legally blonde, and when she came to visit His Holiness she made a remark about ‘What stories this cat could tell.’ That was really how the whole thing started.
2. If there is one thought or idea you hope readers take away, what would that be?
The importance of loving kindness. This isn’t just fluffy kitten stuff. It’s perfectly true and you can test it against your own experience. When you think of the times in your life when you’ve been most content, you invariably find that other beings have been your focus. When were you grumpiest? Who were you thinking about then? The Dalai Lama calls this paradox ‘being wisely selfish.’ The more we think of others’ happiness, the happier we become ourselves.
3. What was the most difficult part to write?
Revealing details of my romantic entanglement with a street cat. Dear reader, it was my hormones speaking. What can I say?
4. How has publishing the book changed your life?
I’ve suddenly discovered all these Facebook cat lovers I never dreamed humans would be so interested!
5. What’s next for you?
A long sleep.
Bonus question! What was it like to work with a human?
Like most humans my Transcriber doesn’t speak Cat very well. What part of “I’m bored now, show me the tuna” does he not get?
But in fairness, his heart is in the right place, and it’s nice to have this opportunity to share some of the great insights I’ve learned sitting on the lap of The Dalai Lama.
(You can order the book in print or digital form HERE).
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