In this account, written in 1949, a laywoman named Nakayama Momoyo shares with us
her life before and during Zen practice. We are given a picture of a woman who manages
impressively as virtually a single mother in prewar and wartime Japan,
but who finally cannot cope with her grief over her son's death.
Her initial encounter with Zen is instructive in its outsider's perspective
and skepticism. Her experiences in retreat, with her roller coaster of emotions, are typical.
Finally, however difficult it is to understand her awakening experience,
it is at least clear that her broken spirit has been healed.



Click the Lotus to Continue