Customer Reviews

Parent as Mystic, Mystic as Parent

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some books challenge classification. Is this book meant for parents? Most definitely! But it's also for all those seeking to live as mystics in the everyday reality of our lives. And whether one is a parent or not, this wise, delightful, reflective and unpredictable little book offers a perspective which may forever alter the way one thinks of parenting and being a mystic.

While I am not a parent, I AM a doting aunt, bountiful fairy godmother, proud great aunt, and occasionally, a weekend substitiute for my parent friends when they travel. So I too found myself laughing at some of David Spangler's hilarious tales of the adventures of parenting and moved by his vision of the mystical nature of parenting. What he is saying is that one may touch into the heart of God or the Oneness or the Mystery in the very midst of our ordinary moments. And how better to do that than to walk through the days of a parent who chooses to find the sacred amidst diapering, carpooling, comforting and all the daily crises and celebrations that define parenting?

I particularly love it when I am challenged to look at a common reality as in the chapter "Aliens". The author suggests we view children as though they were aliens we were in a "first contact" situation. Would that change our attitudes to ones of respect, listening and co-operation? It reminded me of the sense of privilege I feel when I am invited into a child's world if only for a short while.

And I think my favorite chapter is the one called "Laps". "A lap is a parent's best friend, a tool of transformation that would make any magician green with envy." Laps are places of calm, centering, safety and love - and always potentially available. How would it be to imagine ourselves holding each other, ourselves, the world - even God - on our "laps"? As the author says, "to discover God, make a lap!"

The language throughout is simple, poetic and warm with vivid images and lots of gentle humor. There is an overwhelming sense of compassion for and identification with the struggles of exhausted parents as well as a sheer delight in the unfolding miracles which children are.

So my recommendation: read this book - whether you are a parent or a friend of a parent, or a metaphorical parent to your work, your community, the world. Give this book to your friends who are parents, and your friends who are struggling to be mystics. Keep one on your bedside table. And - make a lap!

I bought this book at a conference to give to my daughter who is a new parent, and ended up reading it myself. I'm glad I did! It is an excellent book which leads you into surprising depths in a very warm and witty way. I wish I had had the benefit of Spangler's insights and philosophy when my children were all at home, but I found the teachings in this book are every bit as applicable and useful to me now as a person pursuing a spiritual path as they would have been when I was more actively parenting. This book is a wonderful discovery, and I intend to keep my copy for myself and get another for my daughter and now for my son as well, who is single!

This book is a sweet reminder that being a parent and having a spiritual practice are not mutually exclusive paths. David's warmth and wit are pure inspiration, reminding us of the supremely important work of shaping the future--otherwise known as parenting.

The author presents the information in this book from a personal standpoint, as the majority of his anecdotes are his own experiences as a Father. He shares his perspective on Mysticism as it relates to parenting, by presenting a concept, and then sharing a personal story or two to support his opinion. I enjoyed reading how he approached his role as a father, as well as how he related to each of his children in unique ways. I found the book to be heartwarming and inspiring, but not quite compelling enough to reach for it for a second read. Therefore, I am giving it 4 stars. If you would like a bird's eye view into the life of someone who lives an authentic Mystical lifestyle, read this book.

Janet Stephenson, author
"Young Bodies, Old Souls"
(coming soon to Amazon)
www (dot) young-bodies-old-souls (dot) com