Controversial Path to Spiritual Enlightenment Revealed in New Book on Motherhood

Oct. 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Spirituality has been hijacked by men, in particular men who are the furthest removed from family life such as priests, gurus and monks; and women who have been 'allowed' - by such men - to participate seriously in spiritual practice, especially if they have wanted to join an institution, have had to give up family life, and in some cases even desert their children.

Part of the problem is that spirituality is seen as a pursuit separate from everyday life, especially from family life, and it has been elevated to a place considered superior to life at 'ground level'.

This book turns all that around, brings it all back down to earth, to reveal that those who traditionally have been relegated to the bottom of the rung of the ladder of higher consciousness, and excluded from spiritual organisations, namely mothers, are in fact on the most direct path to real enlightenment.

Enlightenment Through Motherhood may be the next step for feminism - a new kind of feminism that marries motherhood with spirituality, but a re-defined spirituality, and validates women who choose motherhood, elevating their status to a level deserved by this universally undervalued role, which, when you consider it, is strange for a role so fundamental to the very continuation of our species.

The author, internationally-renowned Voice Dialogue facilitator and teacher, writer on consciousness growth, relationships and parenting, and mother of three, explains these enlightening ideas in a series of anecdotes about her attempt at a last-minute holiday before the arrival of her third child. It is on that holiday, with husband and two young children in tow, where she discovers that the tasks mothers do on a daily basis as part of their role, and the skills they develop in doing them, are exactly the same as the practices and abilities promoted in many spiritual traditions for the attainment of higher states of consciousness.

This book will be of great interest to women who have felt torn between the desire for family life and that of following a spiritual calling. It will be of tremendous interest to mothers and pregnant women.

According to Dr Sidra Stone, notable psychotherapist and consciousness teacher, "Enlightenment Through Motherhood is absolutely brilliant! This book is just what the world needs now as our planet continues to move towards political and ecological disaster while the patriarchal systems that still dominate our thinking continue to devalue everything traditionally - and biologically - female.

"In a most perfect balance of yin and yang, of logic and feeling, of humor and gravity, Astra Niedra reclaims for all human beings – not just women – a precious element of that which is truly sacred in life. Her simple, spellbinding stories, her keen intellect, and her unfailing humor make this book a pleasure to read.

"Here is a new way of thinking of spirituality, of valuing our humanity while living a spirit-infused life, and a fascinating (and novel) path to enlightenment! It’s a consciousness changer and I loved it."

Enlightenment Through Motherhood available from retailers listed here http://www.voicedialogue.com/books-videos-audios/enlighte...

or directly from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Through-Motherhood-As...