From Publishers WeeklyA former student of the late California-based Zen master Taizan Maezumi Roshi, Miller spent years working on this book, which distills years of Zen practice in the crucible of her experiences parenting her daughter. From the beginning, Miller is very frank about feeling overwhelmed, jealous of her husband's love for their newborn, and her periods of depression. The path from these feelings to the realization that "your life is not yours at all" but "an unbroken line of love" to others in one's family and in one's life-and to maintaining that awareness through all of the changes of parenting-comprises the rest of the book. Short chapters on having "No Expectation" (which begins with Miller's difficulty conceiving for the first time at 42 and ends with her preeclampsia), on "Being Unprepared" (labor is induced early, and Georgia Grace is born healthy), on the power of lullbies as a kind of meditation, on learning from small failures (and from the difficulties of breast feeding), on sleep and sleeplessness, and on the paradoxical freedom of parenting's "No Exit" center unfold into something more than aphorism. Wresting oneself free from the need for control is, as Miller describes it, a constant struggle (or, in Zen parlance, a practice). This book realizes it with warmth, engagement and winning honesty. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Here at last is what we mothers have been waiting for: momma-hood held in equal respect to monk-hood.Shambhala Sun Wrestling oneself free from the need for control is a constant struggle. This book realizes it with warmth, engagement, and winning honesty.Publishers Weekly "Eloquently frames the everyday experiences of parenting as opportunities for spiritual growth."Mothering "Miller has written a powerful synthesis of the insights she has attained, both through the experience of motherhood and as a Zen Buddhist priest."Literary Mama Millers book offers guidance, insight, and wisdom. She shows us how to embrace not only the ups and downs of our own mothering, but also helps us open our heart to those who have mothered us. I recommend her book to anyone who wants to really learn something about spiritual practice in everyday life.Diane Eshin Rizzetto, author of Waking Up to What You Do: A Zen Practice for Meeting Every Situation with Intelligence and Compassion Miller's practice has seeped deeply into her life and the result is an extraordinary book of practical wisdom. She avoids the preaching and moralizing so common in parenting books, and instead offers the reader a way of peace and freedom in the midst of fatigue and doubt. A truly valuable book.William Martin, author of The Parent's Tao Te Ching Momma Zen, filled with honest tales of the bedlam of motherhood, beckons us to an oasis of silence and acceptance. Miller deftly leads us to the realization that, rather than searching outwardly, this oasis can be located in the center of the life we are living right now.Vivian Glyck, author of The Tao of Poop "Honest, revealing, funny, and poignantly accurate, Momma Zen unfolds the powerful path of raising a child, as well as the opportunities for deeper spiritual understanding. An important contribution."Nicolee Jikyo McMahon Roshi, Three Treasures Zen Community, San DiegoAbout the AuthorKaren Maezen Miller is a mother, wife, writer, and a Zen teacher (dharma holder) in the lineage of the legendary Zen master Taizan Maezumi Roshi. A journalist by training, the author had a twenty-year career as the owner of a marketing and public relations agency. Today she freelances as a business communications consultant, speechwriter, speech trainer, web copywriter, and ghostwriter. what are examples of forms Momma Zen: Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A motherhood book for the whole journeyBy BlueRidgeMamaI will admit - the first time I read this book, I cried multiple times - at last, someone who understood! All of it! My oldest child is about to turn six and I have returned to this book many times, always finding a new insight or nugget to carry me though my evolving phases of motherhood - as a new mom to preemie (a 34 weeker - it was very profound to begin this book and read the author's own experience as a mom to a 34 week preemie - I had no idea that was part of her experience and for me, having everyone around me outside of nicu saying "oh, it's not like she was that early" and frankly dismissing my struggles, well, my love for this book was sealed - someone else who had walked that road!), as a mom to a toddler and infant whle struggling with post partum depression, considering preschool/childcare/etc... No doubt I will be consulting this for years to come. I have given it as gifts and frequently recommend this one - not a baby book, not a book about becoming a mother, but a book that speaks to the total metamorphosis that is motherhood.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. this is a wonderful book - during those brief baby naps this book ...By AleciaAll those little doubts you have, all those 'why me's', all those 'it is supposed to be this hard'- for those who think they are alone in it, this is a wonderful book - during those brief baby naps this book has boosted my spirits multiple times. We are a fan of the SF Zen Center podcasts and Karen Miller has a wonderful way of combining one's spirituality with motherhood.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful book.By PositiveDogTrainerI really enjoyed this book and for me, it offered more than I was expecting. Not just a book on being "zen" when it comes to child raising, but also in your every day life. Each chapter has a little lesson to impart and a Buddhism-inspired practice to bring into your daily life. Throughout the book, the author's mentioning of her mother dying of cancer and being a big impact on her life and how she managed through her zen practices, brought everything together at the end.Loved this book so much, will keep it for reference (it has a handy topic listing in the back so you can easily refer to the corresponding lessons you need based on what you are feeling in the moment) and was sad when I finished. I just purchased the author's other book, Hand Wash Cold and am excited to read that as well.