Motherhood as a spiritual experience is at the heart of Anne Cushman’s beautifully written memoir. She tells a poignant story of the rawness and beauty of life. Her daughter’s tragic still-birth, the joyful birth of her son, the “home retreat” of early motherhood, the challenges of parenthood, the falling of her marriage, the diagnosis and gifts of her son’s developmental differences and finding peace and joy.
Not only is Anne a writer, and teacher. She also draws strength and guidance from her journey through life. Coming from a family of 7 children, growing up in several different countries, attending boarding school, surviving the loss of her first child through still birth, and raising her son with Aspergers Syndrome. She also endured a divorce during her child’s early years.
Anne is full of insight and perspective on life’s ever evolving path. The experience never unfolding as we expected, and the power of reflecting back on your life with new eyes! So many feelings of life, love and loss. Her book was written from before her sons birth through his first year of college. Talk about coming through full circle 🌕
I share a recent experience during restorative yoga, and a surge of feelings cumulating in a huge release! Ever have an intense moment of clarity or support from something bigger than yourself?
About my guest
Anne Cushman is a leading national pioneer in the integration of mindfulness, embodied meditation, and creative expression. A member of the Teachers’ Council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, she founded the first multi-year Buddhist meditation training for yoga teachers. Her books include the memoir The Mama Sutra, the novel Enlightenment for Idiots, the mindful yoga book Moving Into Meditation, and the India pilgrimage guide From Here to Nirvana; and her essays on spiritual practice in daily life have appeared in the New York Times, Yoga Journal, O: The Oprah Magazine, Lion’s Roar, Tricycle, and many other publications. She directs the mentoring component of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, which enrolls over 1500 students from 47 countries. She leads regular meditation retreats with a focus on creativity, embodiment, and daily life practice.
Resources and links
Other episodes you may enjoy:
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The Mindful Mother’s Way: From Burnout to Self-Care
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The Mindful Mother’s Way: From Burnout to Self-Care
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Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids
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Becoming Your True Authentic Self
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In Search of The True Self
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With gratitude,
Anna
