"I was a 'holistic mom' (and proud of it) 17 years ago," writes reader Sierra. "Midwife, late/no immunizations, homemade baby food, and, of course, breastfeeding. As a more mature parent now, I know that all moms want the best for their kids and strive to provide it as well as they can. Those who step out of the mainstream with dietary, medical, or schooling choices aren't necessarily more conscious or skillful than other parents." She goes on to say that the Holistic Mom video I showed you last week implied that nut'n'berry mamas who buck the conventional system are in some way superior. "Funny, too," Sierra writes, "that a video that would've been intensely interesting to me 17 years ago seemed a bit dull now. Having children is a big part of one's life experience, but still only PART of one's life experience. I like being on this side of child rearing."
Amen, Sister! There's more to life! And while the holistic movement contains a lot of acceptance and love, there's still too much posturing going on out there, an "I'm more holistically macho than you are" attitude that should be put out into the open as a discussion topic more. I've heard of women who've inadvertantly placed their children's health in jeopardy for fear of using conventional medicine. And as a first-time mom, I cluelessly allowed my infant son to lose weight because I was so gung-ho-La Leche and distrustful of baby formula. Read my next item for expanded thinking along these lines. May holistic moms chart the course, but also develop ways to observe themselves so they might never tip into zealotry. Thanks, Sierra for sending us wisdom from your mountain top!
A Holistic Mom Writes From the Other Side of Child Rearing
Friday October 27, 2006
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About Chattering Mind
The last update to the Chattering Mind blog was in July 2007.
Chattering Mind is a blog on motherhood, aging, health and healing, yoga, whole foods, spiritual music, meditation, as well as the struggle to manage time and clutter.
Read more about writer Amy Cunningham.
"I'm more holistically macho than you" !! WHAT a HOOT! Often I have encountered, and most likely WAS, one of those, "My guru knows more than your guru," types. Thanks for throwing me the perfect line for the next time I meet up with one. Goddess Geri ;-)
The problem with egoism is that when applied to a form of expression it strengthens the egoism involved. By saying that there is too much egoism involved in a holistic life style, and by not partaking because of this reason is immature, deciding to do something, not because of what comes from doing it, or what it is, but because of how people see it from outside or within the form, that is eqoism at it's worst. Egoism is not the expression of an activity, but an activity is an expression of egoism. There are those who partake in just about every view and every activity who think they are better than those who don't, even by saying "I am better than I was" comparing yourself to yourself is egoism, and there is no comparison to people anyway, deffinately not the activities people do, and for sure not the views we take. Break free of this egoism or else your going to get sucked into it. There is no peace when there is no balance, and there is no balance when there is a comparison to be made. Speak of a better world, do what you will, don't speak of what you will, share information but don't make decisions because someone else who makes decisions thinks they are better for doing so, and the opposite, don't not make a decision because someone who does thinks they are better for doing so... Do things for your own reasons, and hopefully for ultimate good and not just your own expression.