Parenting: Full Impulse Self Development

Its true that for a lot of people the thought of becoming a parent is the antithesis of walking a spiritual path. It is a full time job, and requires a dedication of most of our time. How are we supposed to tap into our "Zen" a midst all of the consistent duties which are inherent with raising children? 

Well the truth is that being a parent is the "Full Impulse Self Development" path. In other words, the conditions of being a parent is the most direct means of learning the most about yourself, and therefore provide a wonderful opportunity to do the healing required to Evolve. Here are some of the things that will come to the surface;

• Past conditioning from your parents will shine through your own parenting. This is  perfect opportunity to heal and forgive your parents for any subconscious "grievances".
  
• Emotional Habits that have been designed over years of 'comfort'. How you responded with anger, fear, and frustration will not foster the concerted growth of you and your offspring.
  
• Your Old World Perspectives, or the way you saw the world when you only had to worry about yourself, will fall away. This will include relationships with others that were in harmony with that old world perspective, and goals that you thought at one time were important, will become irrelevant.
  
• Lower Mind impulses such as greed, selfishness, laziness, and vengeance will seem to intensify during some part of this process, as the Ego battles to remain the primary focus.

In addition to all of this, being a parent provides a fertile opportunity to develop all of the qualities which lead to greater spiritual understanding and demonstration. Patience, compassion, peaceful engagement, and quality demonstration are Essential when it comes to raising a child and developing spiritually. 

It is not necessary to 'separate' parenting from spiritual practice. In fact, if you think that's something you have to do then I would advise you re-evaluate your spiritual path. For our lives reflect back to us what we hold as Truth. 

Aum