Mommysattva: Contemplations for Mothers Who Meditate (or Wish They Could)

In 2020 and beyond, mothers were made to discover the depth--and preciousness and messiness and pain--of their capacity to love. In the Buddhist view, one who undertakes this journey is called a bodhisattva: those willing to have their hearts broken over and over by the poignancy and impossibility of loving so much while also wondering, "Where am I in all this? Surely my heart matters, too." In this new book, writer, meditation teacher, nutrition therapist, and mom Jenna Hollenstein shares her own experiences of motherhood, viewed through the lens of powerful Buddhist teachings. It is not a guide to motherhood. Rather it's an exploration of how everything we do as mothers is an opportunity to embrace the power, love, chaos, and possibility of this life. The book covers many of the felt experiences of those who mother - from the oft-painful metamorphosis of becoming a mother, to the practice of motherhood as a path to awakening, to mothers' innately activist role in bringing about positive change. Excerpt: "This book is an ode to the path of enlightenment that is motherhood. Individuals who dedicate their lives to being of benefit to others are known as bodhisattvas. They vow to work with their own minds to develop wisdom and compassion but delay their own enlightenment out of the knowledge of our interconnectedness with all living beings. Whether or not she intends to, and regardless of whether or not she's Buddhist, a woman who becomes a mother takes the vow to be of benefit to others. She becomes a mommysattva: a warrior of compassion, wisdom, and lovingkindness." Highlights: Connecting with presence and compassion even in the midst of our (and our kids') most difficult moments. Supporting our children to become exactly who they are. Developing a sense of reverence for the mother's body, this incredible instrument that makes everything we do possible.