Mindful Parenting is a contemplative practice through which we become more mindful of our children and, in doing so, experience a more joyful life.
The Mindful Parent is an organization
devoted to sharing with parents and other child caregivers ways in
which to enhance the many joys of parenting. By mindfully attending
to our children, both when we are physically present with them and
when we are physically separated from them, we can enhance our sense
of connection to them and, in turn, our connection to the cosmos.
This makes us a better parent, a happier person, and a more vital
human being.
To facilitate a more mindful approach to parenting,
The Mindful Parent publishes on its website, and in its bi-weekly
newsletter,
mindful parenting
verses and commentaries. The Mindful
Parent website also serves as a community forum that encourages and
supports a mindful parenting dialogue and the sharing of mindful parenting
experiences.
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community, we encourage you to
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experience through verse, commentary, and imagery to share with others.
We believe that through our collective experience, we can help
each other develop a deeper and more meaningful mindful
parenting practice.
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Today's Sip: Your
Child And Your Heart
Happiness and joy can be influenced
by whether we are open to what takes place around us or instead
evaluate and judge it. When we are open and non-judging,
we absorb otherwise difficult and trying moments as a part of
"what is." When we evaluate and judge, we react again what
is taking place. We expend energy to try to control events
and our hearts hunker down for the fight.
Our child, whether by
birth or other blessed event, is a part of us and we are a part
of them. Their every action, expression, and thought resonates deep
within us. When we accept our child as a part of "what is" we
grow spiritually and our hearts open wide to embrace a deeper reality.
Today,
absorb your child's actions, and expressions into your heart.
When
your child speaks, whether loving or hurtful words, visualize the
words flowing into your heart. When you observe your child engaged
in activity, allow the essence of that activity to float above it
and into your heart. Breathe slowly, deeply, and smile. Open your heart to absorb it all. The act of absorbing involves
no thinking.
What floats into your heart is the pure nature and
vitality of your child. It is not the particular substance of
what transpired. As for the substance, which is a separate matter,
you may feel the need to respond to hurtful words or deeds,
or to words and deeds of lovingkindness. Do so mindfully.
But
what we absorb into our heart is the essence of our child's nature.
Try not to react against this nature. By embracing it and drawing
it into your heart, you expand your capacity for compassion and deep
connection.
