Karen Maezen Miller is a Zen priest and author of Momma Zen: Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood, Hand Wash Cold and Paradise in Plain Sight. I have written before about her profound book, Momma Zen, and how it inspired me more than any other parenting text I have ever come across. And this interview by … Continue reading The education of a lifetime: Karen Maezen Miller on Motherhood, Meditation and Anger
Meditation
The only true thing.
A couple months ago I got this message from the Universe (yup, one of those). The message was that I needed to get start getting up earlier. Now, let me tell you what the big deal is about getting up early. I have this kid, you see. This sweet, wily, hilarious and over-the-top crazy little human who controls my … Continue reading The only true thing.
This very moment
When I come to sit, I always find what I need to find. I see what I need to see. So often we seek to rise above, to access a different plane of experience. I want to be filled with heavenly light and waves of unconditional love, of understanding and otherwordly-peace. Instead, I see my irritation … Continue reading This very moment
The power of befriending the mind (and occasionally, of chocolate.)
It was just one of those mornings when nothing could fix it. Whiny and tearful over every little thing, little Acorn Scout had been moping and pouting since he woke up. It became clear that no matter how much I tried to help, whatever process was taking place in his two and a half year … Continue reading The power of befriending the mind (and occasionally, of chocolate.)
1- 2- 3
Yoga has changed my life. More accurately, I feel like it gave me my life because it gave (and continues to give) me myself. Through the shifting sands of motherhood, it has remained a faithful anchor. Since attending my first yoga class in 2001, yoga offered me something my that both my body and spirit craved. … Continue reading 1- 2- 3
You Are Your Own Oracle.
On the side of Mt. Parnassus in Greece lie the ruins of the ancient Temple of Apollo at Delphi. From 1400 BC -381 AD the temple was visited by leaders and kings and people from far away seeking wisdom and divine guidance from the Oracle of Delphi. Animal sacrifices, divination and rituals were performed by priests who … Continue reading You Are Your Own Oracle.
Walking Meditation
My son woke extra early this morning. So we went out for a walk and watched the sun lighten the sky. "Wherever we walk, we can practice meditation. This means that we know that we are walking. We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. We are … Continue reading Walking Meditation
Mama needs space – or else!
It is getting harder and harder to practice in the morning with my now two-year old... because well, he's TWO and its pretty much hard to do anything you want to do for more than 5 consecutive minutes or risk potentially hazardous situation. I mean, could just open the back door and set him free in the … Continue reading Mama needs space – or else!
In sickness.
We are deep into week two of sickness. One bug followed by an even bigger, meaner bug and day five of the all-night brigade to alleviate breathing passages, soothe, and pray desperately for the much-needed mercy of sweet, deep healing sleep. This is only the second major bout with illness for my son but our first experience with the … Continue reading In sickness.
Stop. Look. Listen.
"There is no enlightenment outside of daily life." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh There are countless ways we try and escape from the present moment, our daily lives never serve us short on distractions, but we (I) do plenty a good job on my own coming up with ways to comfort or decompress or put off … Continue reading Stop. Look. Listen.
uncharted ground 