A Mother’s Love
Learning from our Mother’s
I enjoyed a beautiful Mother’s Day themed yoga practice at our local Lululemon store this morning. During the opening meditation the instructor read an insightful passage from one of her teacher’s Doug Whitaker called a Mother’s Love.
It really touched me both from the perspective as a daughter and now a mother to two beautiful boys.
A few of my favourite snippets:
- According to Hindu and yogic philosophy your first teacher and guru is your mother—the creation of your life is that guru.
- The love of a mother is unconditional. She knows that by virtue of our existence we will cause harm to her—yet she continues to nourish and support us with all her heart.
- Honoring and respecting the power of the Mother, seeing Her as a living being—as a goddess—is to move away from separation and closer toward union with the source of our creation.
As I read on a retirement home quote board on a trip recently : “We never know the love of a parent until we become parents ourselves.” I’m sorry to my mum for the times we have clashed, especially during the teenage years!
Now knowing the unconditional love and nurturing that has emerged from me being a mother I really appreciate even more what my parents did for me.
Learning from our Children
As well as learning from our mothers I think we can learn so much from our children.
My meditation teacher and friend shared one of her favourite readings in the world from ‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran when I had baby Huw. A few of my favourite phrases:
- You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
- You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
- You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
When Ethan turned two recently I reflected on the privilege of being a mother and what I have learnt which includes greater presence, patience, empathy, curiousity and the ability to laugh more.
This Australian and US Mother’s Day, I’d love to hear from others….what have you learnt from your mother and / or your children?
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mums out there! X
Dani Matthews 