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 Morning Sip: Finding The Present
Moment In Your Child's Heart Beat
It is easy to lose touch
of the present moment. And "touch," it is. The practice
of mindful parenting calls on us to be in touch with the present --
to touch the present moment.
Often, in the midst of our busy
days and nights, we become so immersed in our thoughts, in our routine,
and in the time crunch we perceive, that it is very easy to lose touch
with the present. Even when our awareness opens to the present
moment, it can still feel like a struggle to let go of the intensity we
feel and to ground ourselves again in the here and now.
Today, if
you become aware of this happening, (a good cue is feeling frustrated,
angry, or exhausted, or developing a headache) focus your thoughts
on your child's beating heart. If that proves difficult, then
focus your thoughts on your child's hands.
Close your eyes
(if possible) and breathe deeply as you bring your awareness
to this part of your child. Sense the color and sound.
Sense the feel and texture. Sense the purpose and aliveness. Really
become one with that part of your child.
In doing so, whether
you are with or away from your child, you will deepen your connection
to your child. You will slow down. You will touch
both the present moment and your child, a beautiful manifestation
of the moment.
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.
In
the spirit of developing a mindful parenting community, we encourage
you to
submit a mindful parenting 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.
Click here to learn more about making a submssion. We thank
everyone who has contributed or is considering making this very compassionate
contribution.
Click
here to learn what recent events are taking place
and of changes to The Mindful Parent website. Please
contact
us with your questions about mindful parenting or to share a mindful
parenting experience. We are devoted to working with you to
enhance your ability to "be" with your children, and to experience
the bliss that awaits you.
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