In this book, denise roy offers simple yet profound practices that bring grace. Many women worry about becoming a mother because of their own painful relationship with their mother or other difficulty from childhood. Its difficult, to say the least, to be an openhearted mother in this culture. Denise roy combines the hardwon wisdom of a parent with the insights of meditation to create a spiritual practice that goes to the heart of everyday life. In 1922, usui went on a 21day spiritual pilgrimage that included meditation and fasting. Motherhood as a spiritual discipline out of the experience of her own turbulence in the line of mothering duty.
As a spiritual practice, mothering calls you to meet your mother linethe lineage of mothers that stands behind youand fully take your own place there. Spiritual mothering means to give the kind of loving care to someones spiritual life that mothers give to their children. A neighbor passed along this lovely collection of perspectives and practices to bring a calmer, gentler approach to motheringinthemoment. What practical steps do you take to set up those mentoring relationships. When i am writing a book, i feel pregnant with the creative energy that will infuse my. Parenting as spiritual practice and source for theology springerlink. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. As we begin our study of spiritual mothering, look at the definition on your handout read this. I am taking it slow, trying to practice each principle. So i have compiled a list of favorite passages from books on the spiritual journey that is motherhood, and organized them according to some of the insights they brought me.
Spiritual mothering, as susan hunt defines it most concisely in an interview on revive our hearts is. Spiritual mothering gives new and worthy meaning to the dishonored and feminist. In titus 2, were told that older women are to teach younger women. Using titus 2 as a guide, seasoned author susan hunt casts a biblical vision of what the church can be when women invest in vibrant relationships with one another. In a time when pregnancy has become pathology, mothering mundane, and householding halfhearted, buddha mom shine as a beacon of light. It explores the possible applications of everyday spirituality. Fathering as a spiritual practice the good men project. I am excited for susan hunts updated resource, which is filled with the timeless truth of gods word. Mothering an anxious child and the spirituality of ambiguity. The spirituality of motherhood lessons from the real. So when a woman becomes a mother, she usually gives up or puts on hold any spiritual and enlightenment ambitions. Breastfeeding as a spiritual practice brigids grove.
Spiritual mothering susan hunt spiritual mothering susan hunt susan hunt is committed to declare the glorious deeds of the lord to the next generation so they will set their hope in god ps. In 19 original theoretical essays, medical and literary sources to establish that for male commentators are examined, as well as the narrowly biological, female parameters. The result is beautiful book that heals, renews, and allows us to rest in the realities of motherhood. At that time, handson and spiritual healing were common practices in japan. Track 1 is the books on biblical womanhood that we call biblical foundations for womanhood. This life that is ours is for every woman seeking to integrate her lived experience of mothering into her spiritual practice, and the other way around. Blending personal narrative with history, sociology, scripture and doctrine, this volume reveals the complexity of the. Mothering, public leadership, and womens life writing. Then for your birth preparation this beautiful ebook of prayers for birth includes.
Motherhood as a spiritual practice represents the first of many possible applications of this everyday spirituality. Well aware of the creaturely weakness that plagues her own journey, she offers lifegiving practices and perspectivealtering insights. Like all great spiritual practices, these were exquisitely designed to rattle the cage of my ego. Volume 1 developed the core practice, appreciation, which works as the fuel for a life of prayer. Usually we start with spiritual mothering and then use either by design or the true woman, and we end up with the legacy of biblical womanhood. Article mothering as meditation practice spirit rock. Subtitled breastfeeding as a spiritual practice, an article published in the fall 2003 issue of mothering magazine was immensely meaningful to me.
Connie marshner, author and speaker in an age of irrationality and chaos, marked by terrible distortions of the family and by terrible distortions of manhood, womanhood, fathering and mothering, comes this most helpful book from susan hunt. Mothering matters offers multiple deeply insightful accounts of the sacred, fallible, and sometimes tragic realities of being a mother. But maybe this is the gift of mothering as practicea kind of inclusiveness that embraces chaos and grit and imperfection. To get the complete collection of prayers for pregnancy and birth preparation, check out my ebooks. Breastfeeding as a spiritual practiceby leslie davisissue 120, septemberoctober 2003 the sangha dwells in mindfulness day and night, providing the foundation for us to realize the fruit of meditation.
Motherly creations spiritual mothering im a mother of 10 children. Our mission is building a worldwide community of people vitally engaged with the wisdom of the spiritual traditions and serving the world through spiritual practice. This book is a gift for mothers seeking greater connection. Critical parent and developing spiritual capacities. Rejoicing in the spiritual practice of mothering catherine mcniel wrote long days of small things.
My baby was about two weeks old when the magazine arrivedthe first issue i had received after his birth. Usui imparted his spiritual experience and reiki healing technique to others. Like all great spiritual practices, these were exquisitely designed to rattle the. The books on my bedside table used to be about pursuing awakening in the himalayas. This series is about our connection with god in the midst of obligations and responsibilities. Mothering spirit has been the top site for prayers for pregnancy for years. Sage books the ultimate social sciences digital library. As a spiritual practice, mothering calls you to meet your mother linethe.
The purpose of the book is to shine a light on relationships between women that lead to a growing faith and maturity. Bitch magazine calls her a literary treasure and luminaries from the north carolina state poet laureate jaki shelton green to alice walker have praised the bravery and incisiveness of her work. My baby was about two weeks old when the magazine arrivedthe first issue i. It mostly deals with being an older woman who teaches a younger woman the ways of biblical womanhood, but there is also a huge element of spiritual mothering toward the reader going on throughout the pages. First published in 1996, this study offers a broad range of approaches to medieval societys undertanding of mothering and the uses to which the practice and imagery of mothering could be assumed by females and males alike. The spirituality of motherhood lessons from the real masters. Spiritual mothering enters into the void with hope, practical teaching, and rich biblical encouragement for women of all ages to be nurtured in lifeonlife relationships for the sake of the gospel. Offered up to god with a heart of worship, the daily duties become a very spiritual practice, crashing through the artificial wall between the secular and the sacred. Throughout the time of these domestic challenges, i practiced meditation and mindfulness.
Spiritual mothering is simply demonstrating the shape of godliness, susan further explains in spiritual mothering. Taking pregnancy, mothering, and householding as spiritual practice gives each of these valuable aspects of living the richness and vibrance they deserve. Mothering the most common word association with mothering is nurturing and this practice is not limited by gender or any other characteristic. This commitment shines through the pages of spiritual mothering as susan helps another generation fulfill this gospel mandate.
And the search for spiritual enlightenment is seen as an individual activity or something you do together with other seekers, and almost always separately to family life. Mothers are assaulted with injunctions to be a perfect mother through the media, families, churches, and parenting books. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. A collection of books for a gracefilled mothers day. All of us, male and female, single or married, old or young, have the potential to give birth and raise something in the world. Spiritual mothering, with susan hunt revive our hearts. I find myself equipped not only for mentoring, but for spiritual mothering, a role i believe all women are called to play during our lives, regardless of whether. She asks, are mothers changing the forms of buddhism in america. Mothering, public leadership, and womens life writing argues that mothering is worthy of theological reflection, and is an important source for spiritual practice. I picked up a book in a crystal shop one day, read the book, and did the recommended exercises.
This is the primary practice of mothering as a spiritual path, and the most challenging. Motherhood and spirituality, including enlightenmentseeking, are for most people unrelated. Spiritual mothering is a great howto book on living out titus 2. Without stereotyping or romanticizing motherhood, parenting as spiritual practice and source for theology. Exactly ten years ago this month, i started a blog. God made women complex and precise with everything built into them to take up the responsibility of both physical and spiritual motherhood.
I couldnt find anything like what i wanted to read. Motherly creations spiritual mothering susanbetke on. Parenting as spiritual practice and source for theology. Roy defines momfulness as the spiritual practice of cultivating a mindful, compassionate, mothering presence, and outlines six spiritual lessons. What we have done, what the other churches we have worked with have done is to select three of those books. Mothering with spiritual power is an eloquent and heartfelt book that speaks to mothers of the sacred. Many churches lack a crucial element central to the flourishing of women. Toward an everadvancing civilizationcompiled and edited by rene knightweileressays written by parents around the world on themes vital to every parent and parenttobe, including the noble job of parenthood, love and nurturing, becoming a non. Investing in the lives of others in a nurturing way so that we share the gospel as well as our lives with them. A lively and eclectic group of spiritual practices that mothers and other family members can do at home and. Within the spiritual realm, mothering and femininity are often highly connected, and mothering is frequently perceived as the spiritual epitome of femininity. During this time of his retreat, he had a profound revelation that originated the reiki practice. Mothering spirit everyday parenting as spiritual practice.
Blending personal narrative with history, sociology, scripture and doctrine, this volume reveals the complexity of the divine call of creation and. I have enjoyed the examples of relationships provided in the book. Practice to walk in the spirit and set your mind on. The theological reflections on motherhood shared in this extraordinary book, parenting as spiritual practice and source for theology, shows us how grace enters into the midst of our lives and moves us into profound spaces that challenge, awaken and empower us. Thich nhat hanh, vietnamese buddhist monk, poet, and peacemaker thich nhat hanh writes, in his book the heart of the buddhas teaching, sangha is continue.
Drawing from her experience as a spiritual director and mother, she speaks to both the challenge and the possibility of life being spiritual practice when our days. My spiritual journey began a very long time ago, when i was in my early twenties. Spiritual mothering by susan hunt was published in 1992. This volume investigates how mothers can understand parenting as spiritual. To nurture means to nourish, to promote the growth and development of something. Motherhood as spiritual practice burdette, lauren on. Mothering matters oceans of love and turbulent seas. Mothering and homemaking as a spiritual practice read press release purchase new book, 10 spiritual practices jacqueline kramer offers important, empowering, and compassionate words, reminding us to tend our lives as sacred temples, to awaken where we are.
1019 323 235 1631 345 470 788 580 189 496 1263 310 751 855 1406 1357 806 891 1444 347 427 587 1235 1037 1277 1561 1237 576 1015 33 1364 751 689 379 928 396 1346 726 1003 189 60