Learn how to meditate with your dog

July 13, 3:52 PMSanta Barbara Pet ExaminerKaren Lee Stevens

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How to Meditate With Your Dog
book cover.

James Jacobson’s beloved Maltese, Maui, passed away recently at the age of 16. The story of a little white dog’s death wouldn’t normally make headlines, except for this: James and Maui meditated together for years and they shared their knowledge with countless people and pets.

“It sounds funny, I know, but Maui started meditating with me when she was just a puppy, and she became my meditation guru,” Jacobson writes on his Web site. “Maui was an inspiration to me over the course of her life—and remains so today. She taught me the meaning of true unconditional love and I will forever be grateful to her.”

Maui inspired Jacobson, who (surprise, surprise) lives on the Hawaiian island of Maui, to start an online community where dog lovers can celebrate their dogs—past, present and future—and she was also the force behind Jacobson’s book, How to Meditate with Your Dog: An Introduction to Meditation for Dog Lovers.

Within the book’s pages, Jacobson and Maui take the mystery out of meditation by showing how anyone, whether two- or four-legged, can become more loving and all-around zen-ishly calm.

The premise is simple: Jacobson introduces a simple, non-dogmatic meditation method that he’s been teaching students for more than a decade. The method—which instructs you to get quiet and focus on your spiritual connection with your dog—is so doggone simple, in fact, that it works with any dog, regardless of age, size or breed (presumably, the same goes for the humans!).

To help you get started on your path to inner peace, Jacobson shares a poem he penned in honor of his dog, Maui. After reading “Pack Wisdom,” you may discover that you have a new “leash” on life…

“Pack Wisdom”
By James Jacobson (and Maui the Maltese)

• Embrace the moment, no matter what.
• You’re only as small or big as you believe you are.
• Accept kisses.
• If it smells good, roll in it.
• Don’t postpone happiness by begging for another treat.
• When life gives you dry dog food, add water to make gravy.
• Run with a joyful heart.
• Share what you have.
• Love and look out for your pack.
• Go fetch your biggest dream.
• Nuzzle the ones you love.
• Panting deeply is good for your health.
• When you mess up, say you’re sorry and shake it off.
• Love and let yourself be loved.
• Be content where you are.
• Play every day.
• Remember that every time you touch somebody, you change their world.