Momfulness Mothering with Mindfulness Compassion & Grace

Denise Roy combines the hard-won wisdom of a parent with the insights of meditation to create a spiritual practice that goes to the heart of everyday life: mothering with mindfulness.  Roy coined the term “ momfulness” as a way of describing how motherhood, when practiced with mindfulness and compassion and a willingness to let it awaken our hearts and transform our lives, is a spiritual path.  Roy’ s new book offers a way for readers to recognize that time with one’ s children and family is not a distraction from sacred practice, but the very essence of it.  She outlines  identifies six deep lessons that parenting, along with many of the world's spiritual disciplines, teaches us:   developing true presence, practicing embodiment, paying attention, cultivating deep compassion, recognizing the sacred in all things, and the value of community.  These themes serve as entry points for an enriching discovery of ways women can reduce stress and promote peace and balance within and without by cultivating a mindful, compassionate, mothering presence with themselves, with their children, with the world.  Through anecdotes, reflections, and specific practices, this book invites mothers to wake up and embrace their lives, discovering that they are always standing on holy ground.

"Roy combines her experience as a marriage and family therapist, a spiritual director, and a mother of five in this delightful book of meditations, a sequel to My Monastery Is a Minivan. Roy defines momfulness as 'the spiritual practice of cultivating a mindful, compassionate, mothering presence,' and outlines six spiritual lessons: developing true presence, practicing embodiment, paying attention, cultivating deep compassion, recognizing the sacred in all things and understanding the value of community. Each meditation begins with a quote, from the likes of Anne Lamott and Annie Dillard to Thich Nhat Hanh and Teresa of Avila; each includes a reflective piece — an essay, observation, or story — and each ends with a suggested practice. Roy's anecdotes are fresh and her storytelling colorful and imaginative. Some of her talent is lost, however, in the banal activities at the end of each meditation. For example, her entertaining tale of cooking lobsters with large rubber bands on their claws fizzles when readers get to the related activity suggestion of sharing family memories. She writes best when she draws from her vast reservoir of stories and refrains from preaching. Roy's varied experiences as a psychotherapist, a spiritual director, a foster mother and a biological mother ground her spirituality in an engaging book for moms of all faiths." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Drawn from anecdotes, reflections, and specific practices, the author, combining parental wisdom with spirituality, stresses the importance of mothering with mindfulness and teaches mothers how to find joy in everyday life. Original.

Denise Roy combines the hard-won wisdom of a parent with the insights of meditation to create a spiritual practice that goes to the heart of everyday life: mothering with mindfulness. Through anecdotes, reflections, and specific practices, this book invites mothers to wake up and embrace their lives, discovering that they are always standing on holy ground.

The Down-to-Earth Spiritual Handbook for Busy Moms

"Momfulness is a blessing and a prayer—the way to wholeness is in these pages."

—Christiane Northrup, M.D., author, Mother-Daughter Wisdom, The Wisdom of Menopause, and Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom

"Denise Roy celebrates the abundant rewards of mothering with mindfulness. A must-read for all parents!"

—Patt Saso, author, Parenting Your Teens with T.L.C.

"All moms could use the soothing words Denise Roy so generously shares in Momfulness. Grab a cup of tea, put up your feet, and dive right in!"

—Mimi Doe, author, Busy but Balanced and founder of www.SpiritualParenting.com

"Momfulness is a wonderful guide for conscious mothering in an all-too-busy world. I love this book!"

—Michele Borba, Ed.D., author, 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know and Parents Do Make a Difference

"Momfulness helps us discover that what we do as mothers really does matter—from the way we hold our children to the way we change the world. I love the stories and practices in this beautiful book!"

—Amy Tiemann, Ph.D., author, Mojo Mom: Nurturing Your Self While Raising a Family, and creator of www.MojoMom.com

Denise Roy is the author of the award-winning My Monastery Is a Minivan and is in private practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist. Visit her Web site at www.DeniseRoy.com.

Introduction.

Momfulness.

Developing a Practice.

Presence.

Breathing Meditation.

I See Me in Your Eyes.

Rolling Hippo Meditation.

How a Mom Prays.

The Alone Hat.

Porch Swing.

Attention.

Plan B.

Autopilot.

The River.

Mouth Yoga.

The Ideal vs. the Real.

Clearing Clutter.

Compassion.

Late-for-School Practice.

Pier Pressure.

Walking the Night Hallways.

When Someone Deeply Listens to You.

No Good Very Bad Day.

Mobilize the Mothering Instinct.

Embodiment.

Hugging Meditation.

Body Blessings.

Seven Nights in a Row.

Generations of Bodies.

Saved by Wonder.

Close to Things.

The Sacred in All Things.

Where Does the Wind Come From?

Lobster Tale.

Framing the Day.

Nurturing Family Spirit.

Grace.

Family Circle.

Community.

Sacred Circles.

Our Many Mothers.

The Holy Family Commutes.

Are All the Children In?

The Mother Is Standing.

What Do Trees Have to Do with Peace?

A Final Word.

Suggested Readings.

Acknowledgments.

The Author.