Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and Your Children [Paperback]

Sarah Napthali (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

Addressing the often-overlooked spiritual needs of mothers, this book discusses Buddhist teachings as applied to the everyday challenges and stresses of raising children. Offered are ways for mothers to reconnect with their inner selves and become calmer and happier—with the recognition that a happier mother will be a better parent. This realistic look at motherhood acknowledges the sorrows as well as the joys of mothering and offers real and achievable coping strategies for mothers to renew their lives on a deep level.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Buddhist practitioner Napthali has written an eminently practical book that gives frazzled mothers usable advice and empathy. At a time in their lives when women must balance the pulls of instinct, hormonally charged emotion and familial and social expectations, it is both possible and highly beneficial to practice Buddhism. While Buddhism has a long history of monastic practice and application, its modern expansion into the West has emphasized its relevance to householders. Parenting books are a logical application, though still relatively few in number (e.g. Jacqueline Kramer's Buddha Mom: The Path of Mindful Mothering). In a highly selective culling of teachings, Napthali wisely focuses on maternal mind states and how Buddhism can give a mother insight and literal breathing space before she responds to any parenting situation. The essential Buddhist teaching that all things are impermanent is highly relevant when responding to, for example, a toddler throwing a tantrum in public. The book is perhaps less deep than those written by longtime teachers, as so many Buddhist books are. But precisely because she is not a teacher and is in the midst of mothering, Napthali offers the approachable and authentic perspective of a rank-and-file practitioner who lives the techniques and situations she writes about. This book will be most useful for mothers of young children, providing them spiritual resources at a life stage when women need all the help they can get.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The author guides busy women in the art of transforming their lives in the midst of chaos." -- Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1741140102
• ISBN-13: 978-1741140101
• Product Dimensions: 0.7 x 5.2 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #563,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sarah Napthali is a practicing Buddhist with more than 10 years of experience applying Buddhist principles to her everyday life. She is the mother of two small children and has contributed to the Australian magazines Women's Weekly, Elle, Mother and Baby, and Australian Parents.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, Life Changing. September 7, 2006

By Kristin M. Scott

Format:Paperback

IF YOU'RE A MOM, BUY THIS BOOK! I am sceptical of anyone trying to preach an idea to me, and I do not claim to be Buddhist. I just LOVE this book. I checked it out from a local library, but am now purchasing it so I can always have it around. It not only approaches ways to be a calmer mom, but a calmer being in your daily encounter with the world. It has changed how I approach issues, big or small; it's also inspired me to demonstrate the same zen-buddhist coping tools for my children; and it has helped me to stay in the present moment. This book taught me that Buddhism is a spirituality more than a religion. It's all about being responsible for your own feelings and your own perception of the world. My 6-year old is already practicing the Buddhist principle of impermanence - I overheard him telling my 2-year old that his feeling scared about starting preschool would pass, and soon he'd be having fun and forget that he was ever scared. WOW!

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to savour September 15, 2006

By Suzanne Spector

Format:Paperback

One of many great things about this book is that it seems to have been designed to be read in little snippets. I find that I am reading 5-10 pages, then cogitating on them for a few days, and then continuing to read.

The author is very honest and refreshing. She tells of her near blissful joy at seeing her young childrens' smiling faces when she picks them up at childcare at the end of the day. Then tells how, at times, her mindset is replaced a few hours later by thoughts of the "I just can't take this mind-numbing drudgery and redundancy of entertaining preschool children for another minute!" variety. If we are honest, we've all harbored those thoughts at one time or another.

On every page, you get the sense that the author is a very real person who can relate to both the best and the stressed in us all.

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Sarah Napthali... November 13, 2006

By Krista

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

...for writing this book. There is so much wisdom condensed into its pages. I've highlighted and Post-It tagged so much of this book because there is so much of it I want to remember, so much of it by which I want to live. I've been able to apply some of the techniques in my day-to-day life with my 23 month old daughter and it has been very helpful. I highly recommend this book to any mother or father, or really anyone who wants to better deal with negative emotions, moodiness and stress and be more kind.