The Conscious Parent - A book review by Gloria Overcash
May 09, 2012
Posted By: Shaunescy
The Conscious Parent by Shefali Tsabary, PhD.
ISBN 13: 9781897238455
ISBN 10: 1897238452
Publisher: Namaste Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Size (in): 9 x 6 x 0
Weight: 0.75 lb
Length: 300
Published: October 2010
A book review, by Gloria Overcash
Boasting a preface written by the Dalai Lama himself and endorsed by Eckhart Tolle, “The Conscious Parent” is a must-read for those who know or even wonder that parenthood is a spiritual path.
Dr. Tsabary gets right to the heart of the matter in suggesting that children serve as ushers of major spiritual and emotional development in their parents. Rather than traditional linear discipline methods than can lead to parent versus child, Tsabary recommends an circular approach of being truly present that results in parent with child, offering an alternative to power struggles and instead walking towards enlightenment.
Eloquently written, page after page, Tsabary walks the reader through the spiritual reason we birth our children, releasing our children from needing our approval, understanding ego and it’s role, recognizing our triggers and becoming non-reactive, the insanity of parenthood, parenting from wholeness instead of our wounds, slowing down, highlighting ordinary moments, honoring who our children are and appropriate ways of setting the bar for them, connecting to our children with an engaged presence, cultivating consciousness in ourselves and our children, and handling our children’s mistakes. The final chapter deals with helping our children develop authenticity and containment through teaching rather than punishment.
Filled with stories of families and children of all ages that Tsabary has worked with over the years, the reader gets a sense that they are not alone in their parenting struggles. Perhaps one of the most important chapters in the book identifies the various dysfunctional family patterns we as parents may have grown up in and how they may affect the way we parent our own children.
A perfect blend of Eastern spirituality and Western psychology, Tsabary’s book is bound to encourage and inspire parents with a fresh look at parenting as a spiritual practice. More than just another parenting philosophy, Tsabary’s book invites meditation and reflection on both our personal parenting practices and our culture’s approach to parenting as a whole.
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About Gloria:
The desire for holistic living and an attachment parenting lifestyle beyond infancy coupled with the challenges of raising two energetic boys prompted Gloria to start a Gentle Parenting Discussion Group/Book Club at Birth Place, where she also teaches Prenatal Yoga, Mommy & Me Yoga, and Dancing For Birth (TM). Far from being the perfect mom, she strives to do the best she can while learning along the way. Her personal practice of Kundalini Yoga keeps her sane while she navigates the unfamiliar territory of parenting in a way that differs greatly from her own childhood.
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Springtime is the season of growth and in that spirit the publisher has graciously sent us two copies to share with our readers. I'll send a copy to each of the first two people to leave a comment below. ~bunnyfufu
