Momma Zen: A Conversation with Karen Maezen Miller
Karen and the lovely Georgia
Karen Maezen Miller is a author, a blogger and a Zen Buddhist priest, but don’t let any of that fool you. Underneath all the trappings of titles is a woman of heart and wit who also happens to have done her soul work. Every page of Momma Zen will convince you, I promise. I asked Karen to talk to me about being a writer, a Buddhist and a mother.
I loved reading Momma Zen so much–it made me wish for a sequel. What books are nearest and dearest to your heart? What are you reading right now?
That makes two of us! I’m wishing for a sequel too. Life is always delivering us a sequel; I just have to wait and see what comes out of it. Right now I’m finally reading Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent which is every woman’s prequel. I consume books. I inhale them, and then I exhale them. Books are life, but when they are on the shelf they are not alive. I love them so much I do not hold or cherish them. I readily pass them on so they can be born anew. This, by the way, is a pet peeve of my sentimentally minded husband, who does not share my exhilaration in the parting. So his books stay here and my books take flight.
When you were writing Momma Zen, did you have a certain ideal book in mind to inspire you? For example, did you ever think, “If I could just write a book like ___________, (insert title) I’d be thrilled?”
No. Having avoided motherhood for so long, having sidestepped the issue entirely, I was poorly read on the topic. I consider that a good thing, since I likely would have been silenced by the talent and profundity of my predecessors. I was ignorantly blissful, which is a Zen thing. I was, however, mortified by each new motherhood title that hit the shelves as I was inching my way along with writing a proposal, getting an agent and publisher, and finishing the manuscript. I was certain that each new book that came out was the same as my book, written first and better by someone else. But they never were. It helped me to trust that my book could only be written by me, and yours by you. It’s not a race or a contest. If you’re being authentically true to yourself, no one can beat you to the punch.
How did you decide to become a Buddhist? Did you ever consider returning to the spiritual roots of your childhood?
This will sound trite, but all truth is a bit unoriginal. I didn’t decide. At that point in my life, age 35, when everything else stopped working for me (romance, status, killer shoes and money), Buddhism was standing right in front of me. On my own bookshelf in my own house I found a book that someone had left behind, the Tao te Ching. When I read it, I felt instantly at home. My direction then was unmistakable and unavoidable. It’s like when you’re thirsty, you don’t stop and deliberate whether to take the glass of water. The spiritual roots of my childhood were not my roots, but my mother’s. She was an woman of deep faith. I became a woman of deep faith. From different perspectives, we ended up having everything in common, without conflict, worry or doubt. I would say we were each other’s number one fans.
What’s your greatest challenge in motherhood right now? Your greatest joy?
My greatest challenge is what it has always been: me. My limitations, my breaking points, my anger, my ideas, my ambitions, my judgments, my fears, my stinginess, my stubbornness. My greatest joy is always my daughter Georgia just as she is. Such pure life! Such whimsy! Such honesty! As she approaches age 9 I see how eternal is our vigil; how tricky the steps. My job now is to watch her turn and not run after, to watch her jump and not buffer the fall; to see her question her place, her heart, and even her body. My job is still to be close by, just to be close by. To feel everything and prevent nothing; to let her life unfold.
What music is inspiring you these days?
The amazing songs of my friend Sally Dworsky who has just released a new CD called Boxes. Now here’s what’s so inspiring. Sally has two children who were in preschool with my daughter. She had a significant career in music before becoming a mother. We used to get away for coffee while our kids were cavorting. We’d sit there, shell-shocked, and wonder if we’d ever have a life again. She wondered if the music would ever return to her, if she’d ever write another song. Well, she did. They are astounding. My heart leaps with them.
(Jen inserts here: This blog is a big fan of Sally–I linked to her video Kitchen somewhere in the beginning pages. She’s truly wonderful!)
I think most people think of Zen Buddhists as being perpetually peaceful and calm. So. Are you perpetually peaceful and calm?
Oh shut up.
Or can you be totally type A and be a Buddhist priest?
Thankfully, there are no prerequisites.
Not that I know any type A types who are interested in Buddhism or anything. 
Buddhism is the miracle cure for terminal Type As. You’re still a Type A. You still get everything done, you just don’t worry about getting it done. Seriously, Buddhism is not about attaining some perfect, other place of peace and calm. Buddhism is about realizing that the place you’re already at is peaceful and calm if you would just stop screaming and throwing dishes.
So many times I think people long for more spiritual depth or substance in their lives, but there’s no tragedy or hard circumstance to make digging deeper feel imperative. What do you say to people who feel a little listless & longing in the spirituality department?
Don’t worry. The pain, sadness, sickness, hurt, grief, disappointment, anxiety, alienation, fear and doubt will arrive on schedule. No one is ever shortchanged on pain. So too do we have the equal opportunity for love, faith, kindness, light and wisdom, since they come from within. Everything comes to you in life right where you are, as you are. I only hope you’re awake to see it. One day you might recognize your ordinary life as the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
When do you feel most happy?
Now. What other time could there possibly be?
I have four copies of Karen’s book to giveaway today and one copy of Sally Dworsky’s new CD for a lucky someone who is already a Momma Zen reader. Leave a comment below telling me one thing you love about your life right now (or a comment for Karen–whatever you want really!) and I’ll have the lovely Madeleine select the winners day after tomorrow. AND to add to the bloggety-giveaway-goodness, Karen is sharing the love (along with an interview with yours truly) all this week on the Cheerio Road.)
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:14 am
this is great!
i love mama zen…
and the photo rocks.
thank you for
letting me peek into
her world a little more…
love
mccabe x
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:15 am
Yay! I”m the first commenter. Lucky me. I just happened upon this site tonight…can’t even remember how, and wanted to read about Karen’s book, which I’ve been eyeing for weeks.
One thing I love about my life right now is that I managed to find a house to rent near the water, and my running route carried me today past melting ice and under long Weeping willows which are getting ever-so-slightly green.
Madeleine, pick me! pick me!
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:18 am
One thing I love about now is that when I bring myself back from wherever I’ve been deep inside myself, thinking about THE LIST, thinking about WHAT’S NEXT, that I am continually tickled by how beautiful and miraculous are my surroundings, from the painting on my wall that I traded a massage for to the warmth of the hot water bottle keeping my feet cozy. Thanks to your post for reminding me to come outside.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:26 am
i’m a huge momma zen fan…love the book…love the blog.
at this moment i’m loving that my pink tulips are closing up for the night, which means the temperature in my house is dropping and it’s time to cuddle up for the night
thank you both for this interview and the gorgeous photo of karen and her beautiful daughter!!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:27 am
right now i love
the small things
that create a little
light
and breathing
room when
the big things are
looming a little to
large for their own
good
little things
like maggie the puppy
bounding haplessly
like popcorn
at least once a day
like jasmine rice
in a white bowl
like the amazing
elliot
and his
ever clever
card tricks
like ken
snoring
right here next to me
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:57 am
I’m in the middle of “Momma Zen” right now. Some day I’ll share the story of how I had a gigantic emotional breakdown about whether or not to have a child while sitting in the parking lot of the bookstore where I’d special ordered the book. I was there to pick it up. I was not being very Zen.
Oh, and I love this: “…my book could only be written by me, and yours by you. It’s not a race or a contest. If you’re being authentically true to yourself, no one can beat you to the punch.” One of my intentions for 2008 is to remember and embrace exactly that.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:59 am
I loved this interview - thank you.
I have Momma Zen, but would love Sally’s CD!
One thing I love about my life right now is the optimism that making art is bringing me. I hadn’t experienced art this way before, and it is creating a whole new groove in my life. It can turn my mood 180 degrees sometimes, and I’m very grateful. I can’t not mention how much pleasure my children also bring to me.
Thank you for writing, Jen.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:32 am
I love feeding an insomniac Pearl a bowl of oatmeal at 1:00 in the morning and, for a moment, maybe for two moments, finding myself present in the experience, actually enjoying her and our time and the quiet night kitchen, before going back to my made-up world of what a bummer it was to be awake. Everything being right on time - this I received from Karen’s writing, such a gift. Thanks for the interview. I loved it.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
I’m in the middle of Momma Zen, which was a gift from a friend. Since beginning it, I’ve ordered and sent it to another friend. Karen’s wise words are so soothing to me. I look at my girls and think, My ability to learn to let go is their only hope.
Karen’s Writing Workshop on her blog has also been good for me, so I would suggest a “Writer Zen” as a next book I would love to read and to give.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:59 am
Love the interview, thanks!
Just something curious, I speak portuguese (I’m from Brazil) and Karen’s last name Maezen is the sum of the words mother in portuguese(mae) and zen… Definitely a zen mommma!
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
karen is an inspiration to me. i just look at her book on my bookshelf next to my bed and feel better.
and you are an inspiration, too, jen lemen! it’s a shame we aren’t neighbors…
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
I, too, have been itching to read Karen’s book…so I feel that your interview and the giveaway is rather serendipitous…or I hope it is anyway!
What I love about my life right now, is that even though I/we have been struggling along without Daddy for the past six months (he is in the USAF and deployed), with another two to go, I am still able to find pockets of joy to celebrate- which isn’t particularly part of my nature. I’m proud of myself for pushing through my own struggles and learning from them, even though it’s been tough.
Great interview, Jen & Karen!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:13 am
“When do you feel most happy? Now. What other time could there possibly be?”
I’m definitely going to keep that one with me!
Thanks for this, Jen. Totally awesome.
P.S. Pick me!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:16 am
I really enjoyed reading this interview. For about the last year I’ve been in the pit of ppd (slowly coming out of it, only now). I bought so many, ‘how to cope with motherhood’ books, but none of them helped. So many moms and books talking about trying to escape all of it. But that’s not my reality. My kids are here to stay. This is my life. I want to LOVE it. Really LOVE it. I don’t want to wake up every morning thinking about how my children limit me and suck all of the me out of me. For too long this has been my perspective. I know there’s another, more peaceful perspective out there. Karen’s book sounds like the sort of book that will inspire me on this journey. I will have to pick one up asap.
Note: I LOVE Sally D. too. I didn’t know she had something new out. EXCITING!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Thanks for this interview, Jen. I am a frequent lurker on your site and I always appreciate your perspective. Right now, the thing I am most thankful for are the small moments when my mind slows down enough to realize how beautiful and blessed my life is.
They are too few, but I am trying to see them more often.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I just love discovering new blogs and authors — isn’t the internet wonderful??? I’m starting a book club and need to suggest the first book to the group. I think this would be a great first book for us.
I love that in the midst of a “spiritual” interview, she told you to “shut up” — what wonderful irreverence!
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
As a Zen teacher (and Type A person) from a different Zen tradition than Karen’s, I absolutely love what she says about there being no prerequisites. She’s entirely right about that, and I find myself saying that to newer practitioners while still struggling with it myself. (Hmmm…)
How wonderful to have found this blog! Thank you sharing it.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
What a wonderful surprise to flip from Cheerio Road to Jen Lemen and find the mutual interviews of two people whose blogs I check daily! I love the humor, down-to-earthness, and perpetual recall to Center at Cheerio Road. I love the hopefullness, generosity of spirit, and beautiful art at Jen Lemen — a perfect daily pairing. Thanks to both of you! (And you both have beautiful children.)
(And I’d love to have either the book or the CD — haven’t read/heard either.)
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I love the interviews. Both are incredible. What a great idea. What I love right now is that I am on the cusp of a huge life change. I am quitting my job to become a stay at home Mom. I am so excited I feel like a kid about to be let loose for summer. There is something so wonderful about anticipation.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:14 pm
this interview was so eatable. i loved it!
what i love about my life right now?
the sound of my son growling like a dinosaur and the peace of my baby girl softly sleeping through her morning nap. pure bliss.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I am so greedy for love that I have to pop in from time to time just to bathe in these beautiful comments. Thank you, all. I can tell you with a smile that when I showed Georgia the picture and posting this morning before school she was not impressed. She is so Zen it’s killing me!
A special thanks to Lucia for her comment to me about the meaning of “mae.” It is a miraculous gift to receive this information. You see, Karen is the name my mother gave me. Miller is the name my husband gave me, which succeeded the name my father gave me. But Maezen is the name my Buddhist teacher gave me. It is my “dharma” or Buddhist name. It is a variation on the name of my first teacher, Maezumi. In Japanese it doesn’t mean a thing, but I carry it as a namesake and intention: to fulfill my teacher’s vow. How perfect and marvelous to learn that it means “wife and mother” in Portuguese. There truly are no accidents!
I’m even happier now.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Lovely, just lovely.
Love about my life right now? My 18 (almost 19y/o) daughter just boarded a flight for a trip she instigated/paid for and planned by herself. I am at home knowing I did some things right with her. I now have the luxury of time to breathe, read inspiring blogs and plot a gigantic garden. I relish my second chance at planting “heirloom seeds of joy” in her brother and sister ages 5 and 3. I am grateful for my life, as it is, and as it has been.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Karen’s book is a true treat and her blog is also one of my favorites. How lovely to come here adn see her smiling face along side that of the beautiful Georgia
What I love about my life right now is community–a finely woven tapesty that is made up all the amazing and different people in my little world.
No need to pick me Mad because I have both but couldn’t help but comment on such a beautiful post
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Mama Zen response
Reading a post like this followed by your question, jen, first thing in the morning, before you begin your workday, can change your orientation 180 degrees. So to begin with, I’m grateful you wrote this so I could look at today’s challenges as opportunities to increase my ordinary courage (to steal a wonderful phrase) and develop fortitude of the soul and spirit to accept disappointments — the first one occuring just minutes ago.
These is such a snowball effect with this question but I will limit myself to this one thing.
Written very quickly in the moment after reading your post so I can learn to how to live truly and deeply in every moment:
One thing I love about my life right now is my new morning habit of reading one soulful (think jen lemen or jen lemen-type) blog post and then thinking about it throughout the day. This helps me discover a bit more about myself (surprise!) orient my day outward to others (sometimes hard when you’re a work-oriented introvert), and learn how to practice “ordinary courage” (thank you, Brene Brown) so I’ll be ready on those days when I need extra endurance, compassion, patience and forgiveness.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Oh, how I loved reading that interview. I felt like I was leaning into the conversation and soaking it all in. Here’s what I love: I love how my newly-turned-eleven-year-old daughter shows me every day what it is to live in the now, to embrace life with its soul-soaring joys and its crushing tragedies. I love Karen’s description of the mama’s job “just to be close by.” Thank you so much for doing this interview!
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
So sorry for the long rambling commment above. I unintentionally submitted the unedited version — basically my morning pages.
What I really meant to simply say was just the bottom line:
One thing I love about my life is I am finally taking time for reflection.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
[…] in my own personal quest to learn everything i can about motherhood, i keep getting book suggestions. this one has been recommended to me by several friends. today it was also featured as an interview with the author in one of the blogs i’ve been reading. […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I love that even though my life and this first year of motherhood is going nothing like I had hoped or planned (my daughter has all sorts of health issues), I am still finding joy in every moment with my daughter. I am secure in the knowledge that I am meant to be my daughter’s mom, and that she is going to teach me things I am meant to learn. I truly love my life right now.
I so look forward to reading Momma Zen, whether I win it here or buy it at the bookstore
!
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I stumbled upon the Tao te Ching years ago. Unfortunately, I’m still stumbling.
One thing I love about my life is when I’m putting my daughter to bed. We snuggle under the covers together and read, and gossip, and share secrets, and giggle and love.
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Great interview: I’m fascinated with buddhism…
What makes me happy, right now? Taking walks in the early spring - seeing buds on the trees, empty nests ready to filled - just before my kids roll off the schoolbus.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I love this woman. And you.
My life: funny I was just thinking today: “I love this about myself now!”
I truly enjoy moment by moment the time I spend playing with my kids. Three kids in I finally have settled into the …. NOW of being with them. I find myself sitting on the floor hugging my youngest as he learns to take his first steps, day after day for hours at a time, something I would never (have never) have had the patience for in the past. I regret to say I’ve been the kind of mother who was constantly trying to deflect my kids so that I could do other things. Finally I’m moving away from that, and I find that I savor the little moments like the snuggling at naptime, and the role of human jungle gym.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
your blog has such a peaceful feel about it - I read it whenever I need a fix….
what I love about my life, I am finally at a place where I can enjoy the experience of having my car towed and riding in two tow trucks in one night. It was so much fun! And the other fun thing that came out of it, the owner of the store gave me a great deal to fix my car and did it on Saturday when they were not open, just so I could have my car for work on Monday morning…I am loving every minute.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Ah….a breath of fresh air. I don’t want to be registered to win because I already have the book (which is amazing) and the CD (which is too). I just want to say one thing that I “love about my life right now” is that I know you two individually and of course you found each other. Because soul sisters come together. I love it. Cheers!
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I am a new reader and look forward to reading this blog at the end of each day. I am a new mother as well and am greatful for my little buddhist baby. Each moment is precipis.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm
What’s not to love about my life…I am “rich” in all things:
a loving husband,
a supportive family,
two joyful dogs,
two silly cats,
a few loyal friends,
a cozy house,
a lovely, sleeping garden,
birds at the feeders,
food on the table,
joy in my heart.
I am blessed.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Thanks, Jen! Think of you often…
I love that I have a life that encourages me to be who I am.
It’s a nice change.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:40 pm
thank you for the post - i linked over here from cheerio road, where i’ve been “lurking” for almost 6 months. i’m looking forward to checking out more of your blog and reading your interview on cheerio road. while i’ve lurked, i’ve been interested in reading momma zen. but i’ve been afraid to, frankly. parenting books and the like are something of a trap to me - i read to learn to do better but end up obsessing about what i should have done, am doing wrong, etc to infinity. but perhaps it will have quite the opposite effect for me. what i love about my life right now is where i am right now versus where i could be…after a terrifying experience with anxiety attacks i’m learning to live my life anew. slowly. gradually. i’m learning a whole new way of thinking, worrying, praying, living, trusting myself and my relationships with others. things i thought i had dealt with actually were just dusted under the carpet. they’ve been dragged out and i’m living with them just as they were - they were then, not now. it’s not been a perfect journey and it’s far from over…but it’s a journey that will only make the rest of my life better, richer and healthier. and for that i’m thankful and that’s why i’m loving my life right now. …. thanks for asking and for reading this…
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I just reserved this book at my library and am really looking forward to it coming in. Right now I am so grateful for my children and getting to experience a second childhood with them. With them everything is new. And everything is in the now. And it’s such a good reminder to see this. Sometimes I need the daily (or hourly) reminder that life is in the now. The enjoying of every moment we have. I also love that there is so much more to learn… experience… and it feeds me. Thanks for this interview and reminding me about this book! I have recently discovered your blog and I feel like I’ve found a new friend in this large blogland.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
I have been wanting to read Momma Zen since I read a post on Superhero Andrea’s blog about it!! Mind you, I think my sister needs to read it more than me though! Shhh don’t tell her I said that!
What do I love about my life right now?.. So many things.. That my toddler son is starting to talk - I can’t wait until I can really talk WITH him - I think he is going to have some interesting things to say. That I have found my muse recently and have been able to create at a frantic pace. That I have a weekend away with my mum and sister planned at the end of the month - so nice to have something fun and reinvigorating to look forward to.
Hmm, that’s enough! I loved the process of having to sit still for a moment and focus on what is good in my life.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I love it that greater spirituality can stop one from “screaming and throwing dishes.” I need that!
Love this interview!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I love that I’m getting better at being me. Finally. Love your interview with Karen. Her blog is one of my favorites and now I’ve found yours.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:29 am
I love the lessons I learn from my kids, everyday. They see the world so simply and yet with such nuance. I want them both to find their own unique places in the world. It’s a privilege to be on the journey with them.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:42 am
i love that two of my favorite inspirational bloggers have found each other….today was so much fun, first to read karen’s post and then yours! thanks for the joy:-) keep up the wonderful work…
March 4th, 2008 at 1:10 am
I love that, yesterday, I came home and saw that my husband spent his own Best Buy gift certificate from Christmas on the Once soundtrack I have been secretly wanting for so long and a vacuum cleaner that I keep saying we really need (although I know he is skeptical). I love his generosity and thoughtfulness and all the ways that he offers his love to me.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:13 am
A special G’day from Australia! I’m searching for happiness and calm in my busy life and guess what! I’m your typical type A personality. I feel reading Momma Zen would be a step in the right direction for me. I seriously love reading your journal Jen and look forword to reading many more. cheers xox
March 4th, 2008 at 3:26 am
The one thing I love about my life right now is the sheer excitement. I am committed to new adventures. I am so glad I came to Japan. I am learning to follow my heart, and when I get home, this will continue.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Another wonderful post, dear Jen! What a treasure Karen is!!!
Sometimes, with all this talk of motherhood, I must admit to feeling left out and envious. Having never been able to have children of my own, I feel like a stranger amidst these discussions.
However, thankfully, I can put that aside and rejoice in the glory, triumph, sadness, pain, miracles, etc. of all the mothers around me - especially with such poetic musings as exist in the blog world. I once read a quote in a magazine that said something to the effect of you don’t have to have children of your own in order to be a mother. Indeed, the nurturing that pours forth from my spirit still finds willing recipients and a much-needed place in this world.
The one thing I love about my life right now is that I am *truly* making progress towards my authentic self. It’s exciting to see the changes - although the work can be quite arduous - but amazing things are happening when I listen, listen, listen…live from the inside out…and follow my heart and intuition.
March 4th, 2008 at 10:19 am
i love the fact that somehow it seems lik ethe right messages–in the form of a blog or a book or a song–always find me just when i need them the most.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:09 am
i am in the middle of reading momma zen and loving every page! i am a new mother and i am finding this book so helpful to deal with all the emotions that new mommy hood is bringing up. thanks for this great interview and daily inspiration you bring to all women!
March 4th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
thanks for taking down my prior comment. i wasn’t thinking clearly. here’s what I should have said:
This book sounds like something I could use, so I’ll check and see if it’s at my library. What I love about my life right now is that I’m learning to be aware of myself and how I am, and I’m thankful for friends to ask for support.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I have time to walk by the river with my dogs. That’s what I love. I know my daughter is well cared for and I have time.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I am so thankful for learning to see that my son (18 mo) is a perfect spiritual guide.
Thanks for the great interview, I’m a new-ish reader both here and at cheerio road, so what a treat. Thank you thank you.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Thanks to Karen for sending me to your blog through her interview with you. Your beautiful soul shines through your art and your words. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Trust. Love. Be Yourself. Wonderful daily lessons for me.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
just what I needed to read, right when I needed to read it. I love knowing we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be - even on-line. blessings.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I love the fact that I know my 8th grade students so well that I can correct papers in the evening, and without so much as looking at the name at the top of the paper, I know who’s work it is just by the words on the page. All at once, I can hear his/her voice, talking to me using those same words…just magic. Having these kids so much a part of my life and my everyday that I can hear their words and share that with them just to see a smile and make them feel so special and unique.
March 4th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
thanks, i needed this today, i am trying to start living in the now and not in the past or the tomorrow.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:17 am
The baby happened upon my copy of mommazen on the bookshelf today, picked it up, and looking at the circle on front, said, It’s the Cheeri-o book!!
March 5th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Let’s see. I already have the book and am currently in the process of reading it. But, I’d love the opportunity to win a copy for a friend (if I don’t win then no worries - I’m buying a copy and shipping it out). There is a tremendous amount of wisdom in that book.
And, one thing I love about my life right now? That’s tough. Just one thing? I love the way my four-year-old touches my face and says, “I love you mama!” I love the way my eight-year-old’s face lights up when I bring cupcakes to her classroom. I love my eleven-year-old’s sweet and genuine nature, his eagerness to please, his compassion. I love this big yellow dog snoring in the bed next to me and that big ‘ol man out there snoring on the couch. I love that soon I’ll boot the dog and drag the hubbie to bed, kicking and screaming all the way. I love that the cat will sneak in and spend the night purring next to my pillow. I love that I am here to witness it all. And that’s what I love the most - that these people, these creatures are my life and I am theirs. One big crazy happy family.
March 5th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I too love Karen and thank you for letting us in on her life a bit more. Momma Zen rocked my world before my 2nd daughter arrived and I couldn’t be more grateful to her. She is so wise and I honor her words and yours!
The interview on her site of you is amazing as well!!
rock on momma’s!!
xo
stef
March 5th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I am going to have to add this one to my bookshelf. It is incredible how a small person can turn your whole world upside down and transform it from a world of want to a world of wonder. I am really trying to find my way to living in wonder on a daily basis. Thank you for the interview Jen and the wonderful book Karen!
March 5th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I’m too late for the giveaway, but I had to thank you for the interview of Karen and Sally’s music. Inspiration.
Both my husband and I have been sick for 3 days, and my special boys, who have every right to be complaining and driving us insane, are feeding themselves and entertaining themselves.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
i slowed down this morning and listened to my 5 year old’s fears about going to the children’s museum with the babysitter. for once, i took the time to be calm, truly listen and honestly address her concerns without feeling even slightly irritated.
that is what i love about my life right now!
gratitude to momma zen.
March 6th, 2008 at 2:10 am
[…] The inimitable Jen Lemen recently interviewed “Momma Zen” author Karen Maezen Miller, and asked her the following question: “When do you feel most happy?” […]
March 6th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I hope you don’t mind, but I just had to quote Karen’s comment about screaming and throwing the dishes on my blog:
http://cheerytomatoproductions.blogspot.com/2008/03/
buddhism-is-not-about-attaining-some.html
March 6th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
[…] « Momma Zen: A Conversation with Karen Maezen Miller […]
March 6th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
love her.
love her blog.
love her book.
love you for interviewing her.
xoxo
March 7th, 2008 at 8:27 am
This is a great interview. I’ve been reading Karen’s blog, but it’s great to get to know her like this. I have also just found your blog - what a treasure. I will enjoy reading it too.
March 7th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
[…] The inimitable Jen Lemen recently interviewed “Momma Zen” author Karen Maezen Miller, and asked her the following question: “When do you feel most happy?” […]