When The Cat Interrupts Meditation, You Learn To Go With The Flow

In recent weeks, I’ve been leading a short morning meditation session Monday-Friday. It is part of my response to the COVID-19 crisis, as a way to help myself and others in this time of stress. Quite often, my cat (Balthazar) decides he needs to be part of the action of these daily meditations as well.

However, his contributions are not always helpful. Or, at least they are not to me. Those who are participating find Balthazar’s “assistance” to be pretty amusing. Yet, I have found my cat and his interruptions are teaching me how to remain in the moment and just go with the flow when I’m able.

Cat: Life Can Be Distracting

One lesson I’ve learned over the years is that disruptions happen in life. No matter how we plan or prepare, there will be times when we have to focus our attention on what we are doing despite what’s going on around us. Not always an easy task.

For instance, when trying to lead a guided meditation and the cat decides it is a perfect time to play with something under your desk or claw at the chair upon which you are sitting because he wants your attention. Sometimes things happen, and we have to make a choice. We can get upset and stop the activity we are doing, or we can persevere to the end (so long as it is beneficial to ourselves and others to do so).

There will be times when we must redirect our attention (especially if the cat is in imminent danger of harming oneself or pulling a plant off the shelf), stop and re-evaluate our actions or perspective. Other times, we may need to adapt our plan or activity based on what is going on in life, within our sphere of influence, or the environment. There will be occasions when change is vital. But that doesn’t mean we ignore the times when going with the flow is our best (or only) option.

Cat: Go With The Flow

Right now, we are faced with a lot of distractions, difficulties, and a life-threatening situation because of COVID-19. What I am attempting to convey (through the shenanigans of my cat) is this is a time to “go with the flow”, whether it is in following stay-at-home orders, learning what it means to be “socially distant” in public, navigating fluctuating emotions on a day-to-day basis, or finding the humor when a cat is being an adorable nuisance.

We must hold our focus, for the good of ourselves and others, in spite of disruptions from those still not taking the COVID-19 situation seriously. Now is our time to go with the flow. Ignore the distractions and focus on staying safe, maintaining our health, mourning those who’ve been lost, and making it through to the end. Because we will make it to the end of this thing together. And then worry about what needs to change.

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