Today I'd like welcome Mary Elizabeth Coen, author of "Love & the Goddess" to the Thursday interview. Before we get started, a quick intro!
Living in Ireland, Mary Elizabeth Coen is a former Home Economics teacher and lifestyle journalist. Though she always dreamed of being a writer, Mary Elizabeth took a rather circuitous route getting there. You could say she has had several incarnations in this lifetime from Home Economics teacher to Fashion Editor of a magazine, along with being mother to three wonderful children, Mark, Janet and Emily. Due to demand from clients she opened her own pr consultancy firm specializing in fashion; - the dream job for a fashionista, availing of great discounts on wonderful shoes and vintage clothing. Unfortunately the five inch stilettos had to go when Mary’s health deteriorated and she received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Work too, had to take a back seat as Mary sought to maintain optimum health and became interested in holistic medicine and personal development. In the process, she developed a passion for mythology, philosophy and the study of ancient spiritual traditions. As a spiritual seeker, she travelled to Mayan sites in Mexico, visited a famous healer’s ashram in Brazil and undertook a shamanic journey through Peru. Mary’s book Love & the Goddess is based on her travels.
OK - Here we go !.
No.1 Would you break the law to save a loved one? .. why?
Yes I would break the law to save a loved one because love is the most important thing in life. Laws are part of the norms and values that hold society together but they change from one era and one country to another so they are relative to time and place. A personal code of ethics based on love and respect for oneself and others is infinitely superior to any law. Einstein said "Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it."
No.2 What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
Being alive can be as basic as working/eating etc. in order to exist. Truly living is to be totally present in each moment no matter what feelings arise or what our circumstances are, knowing that all is transient. It is to experience our life, nature and people as precious and to love unconditionally from a place of non-judgement.
No.3 What motivates you to write?
The urge to express myself and my opinions through story telling motivates me to write. I often sit at my p.c. with a shawl wrapped around me so the auld Sean-Nós is alive and well in me.
No.4 Why do humans want children?
On a purely biological level, the desire to procreate is an atavistic urge built into our genes and our reptilian brain. On an emotional level, I believe we want to reconnect to a childish part of ourselves and women especially have a great urge to nurture and give love.
No.5 What was the biggest challenge in creating your book "Love & the Goddess" ?
The challenge was to write a book which is inspirational and at the same time an easy to read novel. Hence my book can be read on two levels: - merely for entertainment, or as many readers have pointed out as a motivational self-help guide to life. Some readers have told me they have read it twice, underlining the wisdom paragraphs on the second reading. This is very flattering to hear.
No.6 What is the most important thing you have learned in life so far?
Live fully in the present moment – The past is over and our future depends on our thoughts and actions in the present. Great creativity and healing come about when we are fully present and live in the NOW.
No.7 How did you come up with the title "Love & the Goddess" ?
It seems obvious but would you believe it took me at least 18 months to come up with it. I originally called it ‘Gurus, Myths & Mail" and then ‘Seeking the Goddess’. Neither seemed to resonate with friends I ran it by.
Finally it dawned on me while meditating – call it ‘Love & the Goddess’. It’s perfect since it is about both self love and the search for love.
No.8 How do you handle personal criticism?
Generally with as much detachment as possible! Most of what we say about others is a reflection of ourselves. How someone relates to me or my writing is as much about them as it is about me. Yet I am aware of constructive criticism and try to learn from it. The most personal criticism comes from within and it is necessary for all of us to oust the inner critic in order to live a peaceful and joyous life. That is a work in process.
No.9 Why should people read your book?
I let others be the judge of that and the feed back I’m getting (from happy readers via email, twitter, facebook etc) is phenomenal; -To date it has 40 five star reviews on amazon.com
And in the words of
Ferdia Mac Anna (author of cult book to movie Last of the high Kings)
"Love & the Goddess is :- Funny, informative heart-warming and wildly entertaining. This novel takes the reader on an exhilarating roller-coaster ride though modern romance, internet dating, Peruvian Gurus, wannabes, has-beens and lotharios and brings them home safe and almost sound. This book rocks!'
No.10 Why is there something rather than nothing?
Something exists as long as there is someone to observe it. This defines the nature of consciousness. Though remember what Einstein said "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." Yes, I am a huge fan of Einstein’s. You’d never guess would you?
Thanks Mary for taking the time to answer my questions & the best of luck with your new book!
Check out her new book "Love & the Goddess" on
Check out her new book "Love & the Goddess" on
When Cookery teacher Kate Canavan’s perfect life falls apart she moves to nearby Galway City. Her friend James urges her to love and nurture herself, but mischievous Ella persuades her to dust off her unused dating skills. So Kate explores the world of on- line dating using the name of a Greek Goddess. In the midst of a mad dating frenzy, Kate has a traumatic health scare which convinces her to drop everything and go in search of a guru. First stop a famous healer's ashram in Brazil followed by a shamanic journey through Peru, where a shaman tells her how to harness the energy of the Goddess and the Divine Feminine. Kate’s journey of self discovery continues apace after she returns home and events unfold in a surprising manner, as she learns to think for herself.
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