Conscious Conception: Elemental Journey Through the Labyrinth of Sexuality [Paperback]

Jeannine Parvati Baker (Author), Frederick Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2009

In an age when modern reproductive technology is moving at a rapid and alarming rate, Conscious Conception is an alternative exploration into understanding personal fertility, as well as a comprehensive guide to discovering newfound meaning in our sexuality. Combining knowledge of myth and culture, authors Jeannine Parvati Baker and Frederick Baker offer a step-by-step manual of fertility awareness, depth psychology, and psychic birth control and interweave the five elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether—as tools for discovery in the face of reproductive challenges. Including numerous contributions from experts in the field, the book investigates a broad range of topics, from the causes of infertility to the spiritualization of sexuality. Conscious Conception urges us to see all of the possibilities in life’s plan of continuation and to seek a clearer communion with our own reproductive experience. Over 20,000 copies sold.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book returns our attention to basics... Children become not as an accident of passion or a product of family planning but as an aspect of the same nature in which we are already immersed, another dimension of our own sexuality and love."
—Richard Grossinger, author of Embryogenesis

"Conscious Conception is the issue of the decades to come. As our children are, so will our future be."
—Roger Lorenz, Columbiana Journal

About the Author

Jeannine Parvati Baker was a midwife, teacher, mother of six children, and author of Hygieia: A Woman’s Herbal. Frederick Baker, MA, is a teacher and writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 411 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (June 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938190830
• ISBN-13: 978-0938190837
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 1 x 12.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elements for co-creating bliss, January 25, 2003

By 

Gabrielle Sedita Kauffmann (Earlysville, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conscious Conception: Elemental Journey Through the Labyrinth of Sexuality (Paperback)

Both a practical handbook and a treasure mine of thorough research, meditations, and musings on conception and the primal period of life, Conscious Conception answers every question a reader could have about this essential part of family life.

Central to the book are the Bakers' dialogue and questions about every aspect of welcoming a "pre-baby" into a family, with corresponding articles by many different contributors. The book is arranged in thematic sections symbolized by the elements - earth, water, fire, air, and ether - each section opening with a metaphoric fragment of Greek mythology. What follow are incredibly rich pieces covering everything from optimal pre-conception nutrition, to men and women's physical and celestial rhythms, beautiful rituals for enhancing creativity, fertility and conception, healing ceremonies for abortion, dreamwork, etc.

While borrowing examples and guidelines from a panorama of references and cultural backgrounds, such as the Vedic scriptures, naturopathy, Chinese medicine, feminist literature, ancient healing arts, Jungian psychology, tarot, astrology, anthroposophy and other esoteric arts, it never stays stuck in one optic. Instead, it suggests how we can use all of these tools to forge our own path. By embracing a broad vision, it transcends the usual do's and don'ts of accepted traditions, and joyfully shows how uniting to co-create new life can be a truly spiritual and full path towards enlightenment. It celebrates love, life, and family in all their beauty and freedom.

What makes the book so special is that despite the intense debates and meticulous articles, it never takes itself seriously, and always reaches out to include the reader, while remaining light and fun in the process. It is a book you'll find yourself underlining and dog-earing throughout, reading and re-reading, at once lending out to all your friends and wishing you had it back.

Conscious Conception offers the eye-opening and optimistic message that conception is not a random act. It is a sacred celebration to be carefully planned, as it holds the potential not only for a more fulfilling family life and caring society, but an opportunity to grow, to heal ourselves, indeed, to "heal the earth by healing birth."

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conscious Conception: Elemental Journey Through the labyrint, May 10, 2000

By 

Robin Lim (U.S. and Asia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conscious Conception: Elemental Journey Through the Labyrinth of Sexuality (Paperback)

Conscious Conception Elemental Journey through the Labyrinth ofSexuality By: Jeannine Parvati Baker and Frederick Baker

In 1987while pregnant with my forth child, I read Conscious Conception. This book confirmed for me the sanctity I felt growing richly in my belly. As my body became a mobile-home for my son, my heart stormed about so many questions. This book fed my mind, and soothed my heart.

Later when I lived in Bali, Indonesia, as a midwife... I used Conscious Conception as tool when working with couples who were trying to achieve pregnancy. The words and concepts of communication with pre-babies, I would translate. The many pictures and images needed no translation.

Now in the year 2000, I endeavored to re-read Conscious Conception. this time as a mother, as a midwife and as a grandmother. Inside these pages I have unearthed even more treasures, than in my first two readings of the book.

As a master teacher of the Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning, I highly recommend Conscious Conception. I am grateful to find in Jeannine and Frederick's writing kindred souls, willing to acknowledge the potent "response-ability" of sexuality.

Be you man or woman, ask yourself; "Do I consider my fertility a blessing or a curse?" And then ask; "What cultural and societal influences have determined how I feel about having babies?" As you delve into this dialog with yourself and those you love... Conscious Conception will serve as an enlightened textbook. You'll find it is divided into chapters by the elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Within each element the word-meals are served up in delectable portions, which will at once leave one hungering for the next course, while fully satisfying.

Those interested in Natural Family Planning will wish to visit the Family of the Americas web site, for practical instruction and guidance.

We all arrived on Earth as the result of two people making love. Perhaps that is why sex is unquestionably the red hot tile in the mosaic of life. I urge folks on this Earthly journey to pack Conscious Conception. May your medicine bag to be full of what you really need.

Robin Lim Certified Professional Midwife END

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am a home schooled teen, February 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Conscious Conception: Elemental Journey Through the Labyrinth of Sexuality (Paperback)

I liked the book very much because I am a home schooled teen with great parents who conceived me consciously. The book showed me that there is more to conception than people seem to think.
I like the format of the book a lot -- it has a wide range of info about a wide variety of topics besides just conception. It has yoga meditation, mythology, the elements, and spirituality. When you read this book it gives you a sense of having so many options when it comes to birth and conception, we really have an infinite amount of posibilties. This book is huge so if you have the time buy this book and read it. It is good for reference, too. Teens and adults alike will enjoy this wonderful book.