More Mindful Housekeeping

I wrote a story for the April issue on my struggle to love housecleaning, and wanted to give a shout-out here to Zen priest Karen Maezen Miller, without whom that story could not have happened. Seriously, interviewing her was like calling up Yoda. Before we hung up I told her I was so glad I'd just happened to find her book (Hand Wash Cold, out in a couple of weeks), and she said brightly, "That's dharma!" Anyway, I greatly enjoy her blog and thought I'd pass along this post on 8 ways to a well-laundered life.

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Comment by Terri Trespicio on March 23, 2010 at 6:14pm: Also, ever since moving into an apartment with hardwood floors, I've discovered that it doesn't take much--sweep up the floor, clear some horizontal surfaces, and I've found a sliver of peace.

Comment by Terri Trespicio on March 23, 2010 at 6:13pm: That lovely book made its way by my desk too! I remember thinking, Oh we definitely need to use her and I was soooo glad to see her in your lovely story. Thanks to Karen Miller (I hope you let her know we are DEF not done w/ her yet!!)

Comment by Amy Maclin on March 23, 2010 at 4:54pm: Cindy, thank you so much, that makes my week! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And Nikki, don't think there isn't sailor-swearing going on in my house. This morning I was cursing the rancid litterbox. I think enlightenment happens by degrees!

Comment by Cindy La Ferle on March 20, 2010 at 8:06am: Amy, I enjoyed this story so much that I was inspired to subscribe to Body & Soul. (I also plugged the story and the magazine on my own blog this morning, and pre-ordered the book.) Thanks for validating my feelings about housekeeping. I began looking at housework in a new way after reading Thomas Moore's "Care of the Soul." Your article re-inspired me. Thank you!

Comment by Nikki B on March 16, 2010 at 6:22pm: Every weekend I try and zen out while cleaning after reading this interesting article. I have YET to achieve that, because usually after vacuuming the entire apartment and cleaning the splattered sauce and whatnot off my kitchen floors, I am sweaty, cursing like a sailor and itching to be DONE! Must work on this whole zen cleaning thing...