Remove ImagesBliss of Bow-Wow
Meditation with man’s best friend
January 19, 2006
You ever notice how your dog sometimes just sits there, tongue hanging out of his slobbering jaws, eyes half-closed, seemingly gazing out at nothing at all and sometimes for hours? Well, give your canine companion some slack! He's just meditating.
In fact, James Jacobson, author of How to Meditate with Your Dog (along with co-author Kristine Chandler Madera), calls this zoned-out state the "Hound Lounge." And you can get in on it, too, if you want. You've always heard how meditation is good for you—reduces stress, depression, anxiety, plus increases focus and all that—so why not include your bow-wow buddy?
To get started, Jacobson encourages you to schedule a regular time with your dog, develop a ritual and let go of expectation. Have your dog sit next to you or on your lap, then put one or both hands on your dog, synchronizing your breathing. But don't get discouraged; meditation—whether you're canine or Homo sapiens—takes practice.
Plus, Jacobson says it's an excellent way to strengthen your bond.
"Becoming more dog," he writes, "can give us a whole new leash on life." MTW