Praise for Momma Zen
Unexpected Gifts
“Stylish and remarkably honest . . . the book that has meant the most to me during these difficult toddler years.”
Novelist Dan Barden, “Writer as Parent”
Poets & Writers, May/June 2007
“Ahh. Karen’s writing fills me up. She knows the grit of parenting and tells the truth, all of it, which makes her very real.”
Kris Laroche, Natural Parenting Coach
Reviews
Literary Mama: “With every page, I felt the tense parts of me relax, the choking grip of inadequacy and fear lose its hold . . . ”
Mothering magazine: “unflinchingly confronts ambiguity, fear and rage with self-acceptance and forgiveness.”
The Whole Mom: “lovely . . . perfect . . . complete.”
The Parenting Weblog: “an authentic act of love from a mother to another”
Shambhala Sun: “Here at last is what we mothers have been waiting for: momma-hood held in equal respect to monkhood.”
Publishers Weekly: “realized with warmth, engagement and winning honesty.”
Northwest Baby and Child: “lessons every human should learn . . . a brilliant tapestry of life.”
Interviews
“Mom, priest, author,” Houston Chronicle
Holistic Moms Radio, March 6, 2007
Interview with Karen Miller, Blogging Baby
“Momma Zen author shares insights,” Dallas Morning News
Q&A with Karen Miller, Bella Online: The Voice of Women
Mojo Mom Podcast, Oct. 5, 2006
Word of Mom
Katherine Gyles of “Mommy’s Groove” says “I’m taking Karen’s words to heart. I need to do less.”
Maria Carey of Zen Sarcasm says “it fills you with empathy for yourself and the mother you must become one day at a time.”
Andrea McDowell of “Beanie Baby” likens it to Writing Down the Bones. “It’s lovely. I’m not aware of any other book quite like it.”
Amy Tiemann of “Mojo Mom” says “Wonderful. Highly recommended for women in all stages of motherhood.”
Katherine Ellison of “The Mommy Brain” calls it “exceptionally good, well-written and insightful . . . a wonderful antidote.”
Wendy Cook of “Mother Rising” says “enough pearls of wisdom to string a necklace.”
Siobhan Connally of “Ittybits & Pieces” calls it “a gentle reminder that life is all about the practice, not the perfect.”
Teachers
Finally, a book that discusses the joys and trials of mothering in the light of years of Buddhist practice. For years, people have wanted such a book and wondered how to combine serious Buddhist practice with motherhood. Many will find this book delightful and will enjoy familiar aspects of practice applied in new and insightful ways.
Rita M. Gross
Author of Buddhism after Patriarchy: a Feminist History, Analysis, and Reconstruction of Buddhism
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 of each moment of life — regardless of the conditions. Miller’s book is an important contribution for parents and grandparents, and for those who would like to have a window into the world of mothering, parenting and Zen.
Nicolee Jikyo McMahon Roshi
Three Treasures Zen Community, San Diego
A long time ago an old master asked, “At midnight, how do you speak? Getting up at dawn, how do you speak? In the hallway, how do you speak? In the wash room, how do you speak?” He is calling out for someone to give expression to the enlightened life. In her delightful book, Maezen speaks up loudly and clearly! With tears and laughter, she takes us by the hand and shows us how to walk straight on the crooked path of life. Oh yes, I know her book is about motherhood, but if this is all you see in this book, you cheat yourself and you cheat the old master who asked the questions. This is a book about life! This is a road map that you can trust in your personal journey, but you must be willing to do the work. The question was asked; the answer was given. Maezumi Roshi must be very pleased.
William Nyogen Yeo Roshi
Hazy Moon Zen Center, Los Angeles
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
With a loving heart, Miller takes us along that perfect way of a thousand curves that is endlessly traveled by everyone who is a mother or has a mother. It is her life, it is our life — here and now, in all its glories and glitches — and through the diapers and soggy cereal, the late-night feedings and skinned knees, the hours of meditation and laundry, the everyday joys and sorrows of being alive and giving life, she reveals it as the path of liberation, simple, true and illuminated by the timeless teachings and wisdom of Zen.
Amy Hollowell Sensei
Teacher, Paris Zen Group
Poet and mother