Title: Guerreiro da Luz Online – Setembro 2001 - # 1
Author: Paulo Coelho
Last saved by: Ertz Porfirio
Company: Pessoa Moss Assessoria e Consulotira Ltda.

Warrior of the Light Online –  # 12a 

In this issue:
1 – The importance of the cat in meditation
2 – Reflections of the Warrior of the Light

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAT IN MEDITATION

Having recently written a book about madness, I was forced to wonder how many things we do are imposed on us by necessity, or by the absurd. Why wear a tie? Why do clocks run “clockwise”? If we live in a decimal system, why does the day have 24 hours of 60 minutes?
The fact is, many of the rules we obey nowadays have no real foundation. Nevertheless, if we wish to act differently, we are considered “crazy” or “immature”.
Meanwhile, society continues to create some systems which, in the fullness of time, lose their reason for existence, but continue to impose their rules. An interesting Japanese story illustrates what I mean by this:

A great Zen Buddhist master, who was in charge of the Mayu Kagi monastery, had a cat which was his true passion in life. So, during meditation classes, he kept the cat by his side – in order to make the most of his company.
One morning, the master – who was already quite old – passed away. His most adept disciple took his place.
- What shall we do with the cat? – asked the other monks.
As a tribute to the memory of their old instructor, the new master decided to allow the cat to continue attending the Zen-Buddhist classes. 
Some disciples from the neighboring monasteries, traveling through those parts, discovered that, in one of the region’s most renowned temples, a cat took part in the meditation sessions. The story began to spread.

Many years passed. The cat died, but the students at the monastery were so used to its presence, they soon found another cat. Meanwhile, the other temples began introducing cats in their meditation sessions: they believed the cat was truly responsible for the fame and excellence of Mayu Kagi’s teaching, and in doing so forgot that the old master was a fine instructor.
A generation passed, and technical treatises began to appear about the importance of the cat in Zen meditation. A university professor developed a thesis – which was accepted by the academic community – that felines have the ability to increase human concentration, and eliminate negative energy.
And so, for a whole century, the cat was considered an essential part of Zen-Buddhist studies in that region.

Until a master appeared who was allergic to animal hair, and decided to remove the cat from his daily exercises with the students.
There was a fierce negative reaction – but the master insisted. Since he was an excellent instructor, the students continued to make the same scholarly progress, in spite of the absence of the cat.
Little by little, the monasteries – always in search of new ideas, and already tired of having to feed so many cats – began eliminating the animals from the classes. In twenty years time, new revolutionary theories began to appear – with very convincing titles such as “The Importance of Meditating Without a Cat”, or “Balancing the Zen Universe by Will Power Alone, Without the Help of Animals”. 
Another century passed, and the cat withdrew completely from the meditation rituals in that region. But two hundred years were necessary for everything to return to normal – because during all this time, no one asked why the cat was there.

REFLECTIONS OF THE WARRIOR OF THE LIGHT
 
Of uselessness

The warrior of the light knows that no one is a fool, and that life teaches everyone – even if that requires time. 
So he treats his neighbor according to the qualities he sees, and seeks to show the whole world each one’s capabilities. 
Several companions say: “some people are useless”. 
The warrior is not thrown by this. And continues to stimulate others, for this is a way to stimulate himself.

In search of affection

A warrior of the light needs love. Affection and tenderness are part of his nature – as much as eating, drinking, and the taste for Good Combat.
When a warrior is unhappy as he watches the setting sun, something is wrong.
At this time, the warrior interrupts the combat and goes to seek company, in order to watch the sunset together.
If he has difficulty finding company, he asks himself: “was I afraid to approach someone? Did I receive affection, and did not notice?”
A warrior of the light uses loneliness, but is not used by it. 

Facing despair

A warrior of the light often despairs. 
He thinks that the feelings he had hoped to awaken are nowhere to be found. Many afternoons and nights he is forced to adopt a position of the defeated, and no new event can bring back his enthusiasm.
His friends comment: “perhaps your fight has come to an end.”
The warrior feels pain and confusion upon hearing these comments, for he knows that he has not come as far as he wished. But he is determined, and does not abandon that which he set out to do.
Then, when he least expects it, a new door opens.

Copyright @ 2001 by Paulo Coelho. 
The Warrior of the Light Online is a monthly publication at the site www.paulocoelho.com.br. It may be freely distributed over the Internet and included on pages where the content is free, provided the source is credited as follows: “Warrior of the Light, a www.paulocoelho.com.br publication.”
The author reserves the right to alter these conditions at any time.