Zen and the art of mothering
I'm no Buddhist. If anything, I'm the anti-Buddha. I'm impulsive, eat meat, drink readily and crave material objects. I find it practically impossible to clear my mind of thoughts, or to do only one thing at once.
Yet here I am reading Buddhism for Mothers. Several women I greatly respect said that they had found it very useful and not at all New-Agey (not that there is anything wrong with that); so here I am breathing slowly and deeply and trying not to freak out at the Play-Doh rubbed in to the carpet.
Really, it's Buddhism for dummies. The author, Sarah Napthali, introduces us to the Four Noble Truths, starting with the well-known, "all life is suffering". Anyone who has given birth can attest to that one!
Rather than following one-school of the religion, Napthali has picked and chosen lessons which particularly relate to mothering, so it's not really a primer for wannabe devotees. I'm not quite sure why she has excluded fathers from the picture, it is kind of assumed that the reader is a stay-at-home mother.
According to the back cover, by reading this book I learn how to be a calmer, more tolerant and joyful mother. I shall keep reading and let you know the outcome.
Yet here I am reading Buddhism for Mothers. Several women I greatly respect said that they had found it very useful and not at all New-Agey (not that there is anything wrong with that); so here I am breathing slowly and deeply and trying not to freak out at the Play-Doh rubbed in to the carpet.
Really, it's Buddhism for dummies. The author, Sarah Napthali, introduces us to the Four Noble Truths, starting with the well-known, "all life is suffering". Anyone who has given birth can attest to that one!
Rather than following one-school of the religion, Napthali has picked and chosen lessons which particularly relate to mothering, so it's not really a primer for wannabe devotees. I'm not quite sure why she has excluded fathers from the picture, it is kind of assumed that the reader is a stay-at-home mother.
According to the back cover, by reading this book I learn how to be a calmer, more tolerant and joyful mother. I shall keep reading and let you know the outcome.
posted by Louche at 6:26 PM
1 Comments:
I'll be interested to hear your opinion!
I think it's directed at mothers rather than fathers because men just don't seem to sweat the small stuff like we do. Like mess, for example - drives us bonkers but goes mostly unnoticed by them. Or food in the hair? Well at least they're having fun.....
Post a Comment
<< Home