I Was a Dog Lover Who Was Scared of Cats. Then Rani Happened — and I Wrote a Book About It.

Hi Basking Ridge neighbors!

I have a confession to make. I am a lifelong dog lover who was genuinely afraid of cats. So the last thing anyone — including me — expected was that I would one day write a book inspired by one.

But then came Rani (pronounced Rah- nee).

Rani is a sleek, smoky black cat who came into my life through my daughter. She didn't ask for my attention. She didn't try to impress me. She just went about her business with complete, unhurried grace — napping in sunbeams, staring serenely out windows, and refusing to apologize for taking up space.

And somewhere along the way, I realized she was teaching me things.

Things like how to be fully present. How to let go of what doesn't matter. How to just be — without performing, without rushing, without worrying about what comes next.

I've spent over twenty years practicing and teaching yoga and meditation rooted in the Vedic and Art of Living tradition. I thought I knew a thing or two about presence and stillness. Rani, apparently, had notes.

The result is my debut coffee table book: My Black Cat Is My Guru: Twelve Lessons in Presence, Peace & the Art of Just Being — now available on Amazon.

Each of the twelve chapters draws a gentle, sometimes laugh-out-loud-relatable life lesson from a moment any cat owner will instantly recognize. The imperious slow blink. The 3 a.m. zoomies. The refusal to move off your laptop no matter how urgent your deadline. Paired with reflections on ancient Eastern wisdom, the book is warm, witty, and a journal. I hope you find it also quietly transformative.

It is also, I think, a perfect Easter gift. For the cat lover in your life. For the friend who needs permission to breathe. For anyone who has ever looked at their cat napping peacefully and thought: I want whatever they have.

I never expected a cat to change my life. But here we are.

🛒 Get it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/07Ckfzib

Rani is available for admiration on Instagram at @smokyblackcat_rani — where she accepts compliments but makes no promises about responding.

— Geeta P, Basking Ridge