Buddhism for mothers : a calm approach to caring for yourself and your children

by Sarah Napthali   (Get the Book)
What do motherhood and the concept of self-reliance have in common with Buddhist philosophy? In a familiar, conversational style, Napthali, a mother and a Buddhist writer, thoughtfully explores this question, teaming Buddhist teachings (e.g., to be truthful, compassionate, and tolerant) with the ordinary experiences of mothers. She aims to convey the message that developing inner resources will help women nurture themselves so that they may parent wisely and well. With simple instructions for meditative practice and a one-minute breath meditation, the author guides busy women in the art of transforming their lives in the midst of chaos. She asks good spiritual questions, too-the real strength of the book-e.g., How am I interpreting a given situation? Am I upset due to unsolved family issues? One criticism is a lack of illustrations. Ultimately, what readers learn is that treating our children as though they are respected parts of ourselves hastens compassion toward others in our inner circle, rewarding us with less isolation and loneliness in our daily lives. For all public libraries in a category bridging self-help and comparative religion. --Library Journal