Page 19 - NAMAH-Oct-2018

Namah Pre-natal consciousness and care

we understand that the deepest way to care the role of the elements that touch the soil
is one which is comprehensive and holistic and seed alike and the participation of the
in nature. intelligence vested in the seed that draws
its sustenance from this nurturing source.
Be it the voice of AAyurveda which has Drawing an analogy with this natural process
documented the Garbhini Paricharya that of growth in light and nurturance, we may
delineates the entire science and scope of state that the ‘spirit consciousness’ that resides
pregnancy care with special emphasis on the art as a source of motherly love must transform
of pre-natal care, or the voice of neuroscience, itself into the deepest source of nurturance
tradition, psychology, philosophy and the that weaves an endearing bond of attachment
like, what is advocated is the importance of with the baby in the womb — care that is
investing in pre-natal care in a comprehensive transmitted through many a channel — verbal,
manner, considering the foetus as a whole non-verbal, acts in mindfulness, silence, prayer
entity, embracing the wisdom of seeing the and vibrations of love, gratitude, peace and
tree in a seed, facilitating the mother to harmony from body, mind and emotions.
journey through each phase in awareness
and taking into consideration her emotional, Cycles of development
mental and physical wellness. Our scriptures
are replete with anecdotes that speak of the Motherhood, as we know, is a unique phase
impact of enriched environments on the of existence as it paves the way for the mother
intelligence of the child at the pre-natal to develop endearing qualities that are meant
stage. Sri Aurobindo and the Mother offer to nurture the consciousness of the child,
us a summit view of pre-natal education but how is she going to wear this mantle of
and the role of the mother in nurturing the motherhood? How does she prepare herself
consciousness of the child. To quote Sri for this magnificent, yet challenging task of
Aurobindo: making herself a fit vessel within which the
consciousness of the baby grows and develops?
“A woman has the greatest opportunity to
provide the best outcome for a baby and its The article dovetails the rationale of the theory
potentialities. Not only by having a conscious called the ‘Cycles of Development’ formulated
and definite will to form the child according by Pam Levin (3) with the concept that the
to the highest ideals she can conceive, but first mother has to prepare herself inwardly by
and foremost having the aspiration to work becoming a conscious participant and enrich
on herself (2).” herself with affirmations and the necessary
know-how of developmental tasks at each stage
Citing the agricultural model once again, and permissions she can admit in order to equip
we can state that it is only when the soil herself to transition through pregnancy with a
is prepared and nurtured that it facilitates joyous connect to intention.
the nurturance of the life in the seed also
embedded within the soil, witnessing roots The theory of development identifies the different
evolve into branches and flowers burst into stages one goes through in the journey of life or
fruits. What must draw our attention is in any given situation, because of its scope of

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