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.
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
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making this very compassionate contribution.
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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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The Daily Sip: Your
Child's Eyes and
Everyday Objects
The practice of mindful parenting
opens awareness so that in every moment we feel deeply our connection
to our child. While the practice utilizes everyday cues to open ourselves
to the present moment and the presence of our child in the moment,
the opening and expansion of awareness takes place at the level
of non-thinking. Joy is felt, not merely observed.
Today,
look into your child's eyes or into a picture of your child's eyes
and really notice the color. Are your child's eyes blue,
green, hazel or brown? Are they some other color?
As you
look deeply into your child's eyes, breathe full, slow
breaths. Relax your shoulders and relax your thoughts.
Meditate for as long as you can, focusing your awareness on your child's
beautiful eyes -- eyes that see the world; eyes that know
you well. Just before you are done, take a few seconds
and think about items in the everyday world that have a similar color.
Visualize them.
When you are out and about today, take note of
those objects around you that have a similar color as your child's
eyes. As you see them, turn your awareness to your child's eyes.
Sense what your child is doing and what imagery he or she perceives
through those precious and beautiful eyes.
