This document discusses the importance of spiritual practice, especially for busy mothers. It notes that finding solitude and quiet time is key for personal growth and spirituality. As a single mother, the author has had to be creative in her spiritual practice, such as attending online events, reading books, and attending church services. The document advocates for making time for reflection through meditation, prayer, and focusing on being present rather than constantly doing activities. It argues this "being" time is important for reconnecting with oneself's soul and finding inner strength.

1. spiritual
Practice By Cynthia Djengue
As a single mother of a toddler, I find it very difficult to stay messages we need to hear, that no one else can tell us. Being
spiritually focused as I try to juggle a full time job, mother- alone, or creating solitude, is so key to a spiritual life. It is a
hood and personal time. Often, there is not solitude, a key common theme, especially in the Western cultures, to stay
ingredient for personal growth and spiritual practice. I have busy and fill our days with as many activities as possible. Par-
had to get creative in my pursuit of getting closer to God. ents will often take their children to as many places as they
Please keep in mind that when I refer to God it can mean can in one day, to do as many social and academic activities
whatever higher power or process you practice to “take your- in a week without knowing if this will really provide lasting
self out of yourself.” As mothers, we are quite used to giving benefit to the child.
to others rather than ourselves. There are many reasons why
it is important to recognize that our time on Earth is neces- Shakti Gawain in her book, Creating True Prosperity, discusses
sary and was chosen. Carl Jung calls this time of realization, this in Doing versus Being. She writes that “Doing is primar-
“the afternoon of our life,” a time in middle age when an ily the realm of the personality, while being takes us into
individual integrates the conscious and unconscious parts of the realm of the soul.” It would be interesting to see what
self. It can be a beautiful period. would happen in a neighborhood if persons turned off their
laptops, televisions, put down their clippers and hoses and
One spiritual practice towards “becoming unconscious” is to started speaking to one another and seeing the sunset in their
be quiet, meditate or pray. In almost every religion or belief backyards. Perhaps they would have a “moment” or several
system, it is apparent that prayer or meditation can bring us of them.
28 Copyright ©2011 holistic moms network

2. Recently I saw Michael Beckwith, an amazing speaker and others. In the bible Deuteronomy 16:17 it says, “Every man
spiritual leader, who has been in the film, “The Secret” and shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD
discusses the Law of Attraction. He has written several books your God which He has given you.”
and has received awards and continues to inspire many all Again, as a single mother, I have had to be very creative. I
over the world. On his website he sums up what I have out- have had to attend events online, read a lot of books about
lined above, “...This means that we are not on the earth to be religion and spirituality, and have attended “church” services.
mere problem solvers, to live life having just enough to get I attend church in person most of the time as I feel the com-
by, mistaking this for non-materialism or spiritual living. Nor munity is helpful and that giving of my time and attention to
does it mean that we drown ourselves in consumerism so my spiritual self is important.
that we may remain anti-bored until we die. If our television
screen is larger than our vision for our life, we must awaken Cynthia Djengue is a mother over 40 with a
ourselves from the sleep of illusion.” toddler girl. As a single parent, she juggles a
Our reasons, as mothers, as wives and as friends for giving, full time job in healthcare with a B.A. and M.S.
organizing, scheduling, and juggling can often times take in Social Work, is appointed to two Board of
away from the quietness of being human, which is absolutely Director positions, and attends several events at
necessary to finding strength in spirit. Spiritual practice can her church in Lakewood, CO. She has lived in the
occur in dreams, in prayers, in being a neighbor and giving. Denver Metro area off and on for seven years and is originally from
Perhaps a huge spiritual lesson for me was to learn to give the Midwest. She became a member of the Denver Metro Area
to myself more, and out of my strength I can then give to Chapter of HMN three years ago.
Copyright ©2011 holistic moms network 29