Paradise in Plain Sight

April 14, 2014
House-hunting in suburban Los Angeles, Miller (Hand Wash Cold) was stunned to discover a 100-year-old Japanese backyard garden. “I was right where I belonged,” she recalls. The Zen priest and former student of the late Maezumi Roshi now draws on her 16 years tending this unruly bit of “paradise” to show how everyday experience can lead to timeless truths. “I realized that everything I want or need… is taught to me right here,” she writes, “no farther away than the ground beneath my feet.” To illustrate the Zen path—“the Way”—she skillfully weaves vivid details of nature with personal history and such gritty tasks as curbing running bamboo and raking endless sycamore leaves. Given the built-in difficulty of explaining Zen, it is perhaps not surprising that Miller’s conclusions can teeter on the border between profound and clichéd (“you already possess what you are looking for,” “love is letting go”) and her advice, while solidly grounded in Buddhist teachings, can sound obvious (be kind, forgive, don’t deceive yourself). However, Miller’s graceful writing, hard-learned wisdom, and heartfelt commitment to help her readers find their own bit of paradise here and now make this an inspiring guide.

May 15, 2014

Zen Buddhist priest Miller (Hand Wash Cold; Momma Zen) once again explains Buddhist principles by writing about her everyday life as a wife and mother in California. Focusing on her garden allows her to use the nature themes so common in Buddhist writing. In Part 1, readers find it easy to relate to the author's story of finding her way out of fear, selfishness, and doubt to buy a home with a 100-year-old Japanese garden (a remnant of an estate). She takes stock of her rocks, bamboo, and ponds to describe concepts of faith, emptiness, and "right view" in Part 2. The final section includes stories of bountiful fruits, flowers, and leaves, relating thoughts on forgiveness, compassion, and letting go. Throughout, Miller pays homage to her Zen teacher, Taizan Maezumi Roshi, who coincidentally worked in Miller's garden when he arrived in America after World War II. Miller's readers with a particular interest in gardening may want to follow up with Zachiah Murray's Mindfulness in the Garden for its gathas, or verses. VERDICT Recommended as a nonintimidating introduction to Buddhism.--Bonnie Poquette, Milwaukee

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