Move Like a Cat

I stepped onto the deck for an afternoon practice to renew my lagging energy. During Around the Platter I saw something move slightly behind the bamboo. It was perched upon the top of a twelve-foot fence. At first, I could not see a head, just a plump tan and white shape. I kept on practicing T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) very slowly. It moved stealthily forward, softly, until I could see a large cat, pretending not to notice me as it concentrated on balancing itself one foot at a time.

My practice and the cat’s movement seemed to coincide. I was intent on moving slowly and softly, thinking of the soles of my feet while keeping my eyes focused on the cat. After a while, without a sound, it jumped to the other side of the fence, averting further contact. There was a lesson and a connection. Stay calm, move slowly, like a cat, focusing on the soles of the feet. I felt a moment of awareness and tranquility in the midst of unexpected activity.