Bindi and the Bodhi Tree - Softcover

Michaels, Ramakrishna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0997881011 ISBN 13: 9780997881011

Publisher: Moana Publications, 2017

Synopsis

A wonderfully illustrated guide to kids yoga and meditation, this delightful tale, by the most charming of felines, will open the hearts of children and adults alike. Bindi the cat escorts readers on a whirl-wind journey through her day at an ashram in Hawaii'i, showing them how she navigates the universe, using age-old spiritual practices. Everyone will marvel at how she handles the stress of her busy life, always emerging not only unscathed by life's dramas, but at a new level of spiritual attainment.

About this title

About the Author:

Ramakrishna Michaels is a student of Sri Shambhavananda Yogi and a resident of the Konalani Yoga Ashram on the Big Island of Hawai'i. He is a yogi, cat lover, musician, blog writer, and the author of a well-reviewed memoir, Growing Old With Grace. (For more information on Ramakrishna visit growingoldwithgrace.com).

Review:

A cat who lives in a Hawaiian ashram demonstrates yoga poses in this picture book.

Bindi is a stray calico cat that spends one of her nine lives at an ashram after being adopted by Ramakrishna, who lives there. Though deemed scrawny and ugly at first, the cat blossoms at her new home, and seven years later she's purred her way firmly into the heart of her new owner and become an integral part of the ashram community. Life at the ashram includes seva , or unselfish service to others, a duty Bindi fulfills by teaching a group of diverse students her own style of kitty yoga ("Sometimes we have classes with all Japanese students, so I've learned to speak Japanese! It's so wonderful to know a foreign language!"). Bindi also inspires her owner to overcome obstacles, such as figuring out how to get down from the branches of the ashram's bodhi tree when he becomes stuck. As Bindi narrates her story, she includes observations inspired by Buddhist principles, such as when people "meditate they find that god exists right inside of them " and "even though we all look different on the outside, we are all the same inside." At the end of the story, the cat
explains how to perform a basic mindfulness/meditation technique that focuses on deep breathing and mentally expressing gratitude for positive people and influences. In this engaging book, Michaels (Growing Old With Grace, 2015) builds a charming tale for children around Buddhist ideas and practices. Illustrator Porter's (The Puzalings and the Puzville Pollution , 2016) artwork enhances the story with lush Hawaiian flowers and cheerful ashram scenes, rendered in warm hues. The underlying philosophy expressed in this colorful book may be too much for parents who're merely looking for yoga instruction geared to children, but it never gets too heavy. Bindi may even inspire kids to get on the floor and try a few poses--especially Cat-Cow.

A quirky and bright introduction to meditation and Buddhism, and an appealing addition to the subgenre of books on children's yoga practice. - KIRKUS REVIEWS

Bindi and the Bodhi Tree tells of a cat who lives in a special home, a spiritual ashram in Ha'waii, and offers many thought-provoking insights to young picture book readers who have a good grasp of the written word and who are given a basic introduction to meditation, chanting, reincarnation, mantras, and more - all this through a cat's eyes.

Bindi's 'father' is a human who one day becomes stuck in a Bodhi tree, and learns a lesson from it. That's not the only lesson imparted here, as Bindi's life and those of her 'parents' are entwined with spiritual growth and reflections.

Adult assistance with the concepts presented in this book will be useful, as some concepts both require clarification and invite further discussion. 'Mantra' and 'bindi', for just two examples, are words that are not completely explained or explored in this book, but are perfect fodder for adult/child discussion, and there are also concepts here that invite further dialogue: "Ramakrishna didn't like me at first because he thought I was scrawny and ugly. That was over seven years ago and he was much more shallow back then than he is now." Parental assistance will be required to completely explore the idea of 'shallow' and how it applies to one-dimensional perceptions of life. Other ideas, such as those of 'selfless service' and the notion of Bindi's ability to grasp Japanese, also invite further discourse about ethereal, spiritual notions, ethical and moral perspectives about life, and cat habits in general.

The Hawai'ian themes and drawings are filled with color, flowers, and fun devices for attracting young reader attention - especially those who hold a prior affection for cats. These lovely drawings by Mae Porter provide simple yet fun embellishments to Bindi's story, which includes several examples of guided meditation and yoga that can be used by adults to introduce children to these ideas.

Bindi and the Bodhi Tree is not designed to be a "read it yourself" story: because its subject and nature, it's an interactive process best served alongside an adult's attention to explaining and exploring the Eastern philosophy basics and concepts within, and is highly recommended as a gentle, animal-centered introduction to the basics (and concepts) of Eastern philosophy. - MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
A cat named Bindi introduces concepts of Buddhism to youngsters in the picture book Bindi and the Bodhi Tree. 

Bindi has lived at an ashram in Hawai'i since being adopted by the book's author, Ramakrishna. Here, Bindi narrates a tour through the ashram, and in casual tones touches on many of the central tenets of Buddhism. Among other concepts, she mentions mantras, the Bodhi Tree where the Buddha found enlightenment, and the fact that her master judged her by her appearance seven years ago, when "he was much more shallow [...] than he is now." Michaels delivers humor as well, introducing Malasada, the ashram's dog, with the words, "Since she's a dog, I try to have compassion for her." 
This all leads to an enjoyable exploration of yoga, led by Bindi, in which readers are urged to attempt the eight poses demonstrated via Mae Porter's exquisitely colored artwork. The book ends with a simple meditation exercise and the word "aloha." 

Reading Bindi and the Bodhi Tree is an immensely satisfying experience, as it equally engages mental, physical, and spiritual aspects. However, as an introduction to the basics of Buddhism for children, it has one glaring omission: There's no glossary for the many potentially unfamiliar terms used. While some of these words are explained organically as part of the text, others, like "mantra," "Buddha," and even the word "bindi" (a decorative mark worn on the forehead by Indian women, which gives the main character her name) rely heavily on context clues; a quick reference for definitions would have been welcome. 

Despite this shortcoming, Bindi and the Bodhi Tree is a beautiful book whose animal guide offers a gentle, unintimidating entrée to some of the practices of Buddhism, without ever mentioning the religion by name. As such, devotees of Buddhism, young and old, will enjoy the book, and even readers with no previous knowledge of the subject will find themselves "enlightened." 

Also available as an ebook. - BLUE INK REVIEW

About this edition

• Publisher: Moana Publications
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0997881011
• ISBN 13: 9780997881011
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Porter Mae