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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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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The Morning Sip: See Yourself Through
Your Child's Eyes
When
we open to the present moment, we see things more clearly. One
of the more difficult things to see without distortion is ourselves. Through
our child's eyes, we can glimpse ourselves with greater clarity.
Today,
when you are with your child, or thinking about your child, whether
in person, or speaking over the phone, or communicating via instant
messenger or e-mail, close your eyes and imagine the world through
your child's eyes. Try to "see" from where your child is situated.
At
first, just imagine what your child might be seeing.
Don't attempt to judge or evaluate what you see. Just observe
it. Breathe deeply and slowly a few times. Allow
things to slow down. Then, regardless of what your child
may actually be looking at, with your eyes still closed, imagine
your child looking at you. Again, no judging. Just observe.
With my child's eyes
I see myself
Who am I?
In the first few moments of
this exercise, you may gain insight or make an observation upon
which you would like to further reflect. If you are able, take
the time to silently meditate on the sensation. If you like,
return to your child's eyes. If you are with your child, you
may want to ask your child a question about yourself. If time
does not permit, store away the observation and return to it later.
When
we see ourselves more clearly, we acquire the capacity to become
more deeply connected to the present moment. When we do
so through our child’s eyes, we become more deeply connected to our
child.
