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
mindfulness
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 Myth of Enough
I've had enough Of this made up concept, this ever-changing barometer Of what it takes - what you are, what I am and what we are each not quite, not at all, just below or too much. Isn't it time we called an armistice? How much, will it do, is it best and - My … Continue reading The Myth of Enough
What I don’t want to admit I learned from Daniel the Tiger
Ok, Daniel the Tiger, I get it. This show was really written for parents. Sure, the cute animation is for the kids, the age-appropriate dialogue, the borderline annoying songs - but more than once the content has been explicitly aimed at …well, me. And I know it's on purpose. I am on to you, PBS. There are … Continue reading What I don’t want to admit I learned from Daniel the Tiger
Mantras for Real Parents
Today I am reposting an article from Shawn Fink of abundantmama.com. I have come across this a couple of times in the last two years and it is simply one of those posts that is worth coming back to again and again. Just...scroll... it's so worth the read. Oh and by the way - these … Continue reading Mantras for Real Parents
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!
Show Up for Yourself.
Kids eventually graduate from infancy and toddlerhood but the demands of parenthood (and life) don’t go away. They simply change with time. We indubitably place our children’s needs to be fed, bathe, be changed and comforted in the middle of the night at the cost of our own hunger, hygiene or sleep. We derive great … Continue reading Show Up for Yourself.
Radical non-action.
Today my practice is courage. Every day that I come to sit is a courageous act. The fear may come in form of excuses and of distractions, giving the illusion of urgency. My partner reminded me that there is almost always at least a 5-10 second space we can take before reacting to a situation. … Continue reading Radical non-action.
Power in the pause.
Never before in my life has every spare moment mattered so much. As parents and care-givers of small children we can't really dictate the majority of how the day unfolds. We start with intention. Second, we let go of expectation. What is the point of that? it is tempting to ask. Without intention, we are … Continue reading Power in the pause.
uncharted ground 