Customer Reviews

The Tao of Motherhood (Family & Childcare)

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I carried this book in my store "Vortex", in the East Village of NYC in the late 80's. It had a big impact on me as I explored spiritual aspects of birth and parenting. Many books have come in and out of my life since then, but I always remembered the gentle words of quiet wisdom Vimala had to share. I recently had the good fortune of meeting Vimala in person, and immediately remembered this beautiful book. I have 2 copies now: one from my old store that I loan out, and a new copy that my mother gave me a few months before I met Vimala. I loan the first copy out to mothers who are caught up in the frenetic pace of today's busy, stressed - out world. It is a quiet place to retreat to. Thank you Vimala! -Luana

This book was given to me after the birth of my 3rd child over seven years ago. Amazing how much I had to learn about being a parent, and what a patient teacher Vimala can be. Without guilt she enables you to make changes in the type of parenting you've learned and supports you in teaching yourself to parent if you feel unprepared. Written for easy access, as a soon to be mother of five, I always have a moment(that's all it really takes) to reread a passage and regroup my parenting skills.

This beautifully written book has been a comfort to me during the trying times of parenting a young child. Her words are gentle and touch the inner core of who I am trying to be as a good parent. I have found strength when I was at my lowest and yet she reminds me that we are in this world but not of this world. With her guidance I have been able to put aside the demands and comparisons society places on me as a parent and to focus on what truly matters. I have given this book to my friends and I plan on passing it on to others that are looking for a spiritual connection to their children.

Quick read if you do it in one sitting. Or leisurely read if you read one lesson per sitting. Eighty-one lessons are included for contemplation and meditation. The Tao includes words of wisdom about honesty, atonement, being firm and relaxation. Beautiful illustrations accompany most lessons. Everyone will find resonance within these pages. Perfect as a Mother's Day gift.

Originally published 20 years ago, The Tao of Motherhood's wisdom rings as true today for all moms as it did back then.

Author Vimala McClure meditated daily before becoming a mother and didn't want to give that up, but she soon found the chaos of motherhood didn't always allow for that. She longed to find the stillness and quiet that meditation brought but newborns and children didn't often allow (can I get an AMEN!?)

She sought out the ancient Chinese wisdom (no, NOT that `ancient Chinese secret! - remember that commercial from way back when?) ... she looked to Tao Te Ching and found that this wisdom, while originally intended for warriors and political leaders, spoke directly to the spiritual bond between mother and child.

She was then inspired to write The Tao of Motherhood. It's a beautifully written book that is perfect for new mothers, and ALL mothers who can use a bit of wisdom (and can't we all?).

Some sampling of wisdom from The Tao of Motherhood:

"Do not reward performance. Rather, respond to Spirit expressing the Way. You are a mirror with which your child sees - and corrects - himself."

"The child who feels your respect during silences is nourished more than the child who is constantly fussed and chattered over."

"Strive for clarity in your own life. What motivates your feelings? We often live out the past over and over in our relationships. We sometimes fail to see the real child, for we have superimposed our own pain upon children."

I love that the book's simple message and quick paragraphs are especially easy reading for busy moms. You can take a quick break and read a couple of pages, take a deep breath and get back to the matter at hand. Motherhood. And Life.

I received this wonderful book at my baby shower. My son is 3 and a half now and I credit the passages in the book with totally helping me be a much better parent than I ever could have been without it. I highly recommend anyone who might need some uninvasive advice and direction in the parenting department to get this book. It has been on my bedside table for years and whenever I need to I pick it up, read a page and feel much better.

I read passages from this book to my Mom and Baby yoga students. The readings are very inspiring and encourage new mothers to trust their inner wisdom, and gain confidence. The book gives a new perspective to the joys and challenges of mothering.

This may be a fine book for parenting/motherhood, but it is not Lao Tzu's tao te ching. His classic text has broad applications to many areas of life, but the stretch to motherhood is too great.