COUNTDOWN TO MIDDLE WAY
or
Thirty Weeks & Zero Days to Go
by Ivonne Delaflor(c)
Dear Reader:
I am currently journeying what the Doctors have labeled as “my first Trimester” of a sacred pregnancy; dates have been given to me based on linear time , which my mind chooses to believe in as a useful guidance for the time management obsession I am currently indulging in.
I have been told that I am in a Countdown of 30 weeks 0 days towards the day I get to meet eye to eye the being that is already growing inside of me! I have been told that the estimated due date is February 11, 2011. Reports on the baby size: they tell me the baby is exactly like a PRUNE! My mind stops for a moment; what you mean? I am birthing a fruit? I remember being pregnant and having already two wonderful children, which seem to like fruits yet not look like one. Immediately I research and find out the magical properties of this label being placed on a being growing inside of me:
“Prunes promote good digestive health. Prunes are renowned as a mild, folkloric laxative, and ancient Egyptian and Greek physicians once prescribed prunes to patients with gastrointestinal problems. Because prunes are loaded with fiber and natural laxatives, they help in correcting and encouraging regular bowel movements. But a 2007 edition of Nutrition Research published that prune juice, although lacking in fiber, contains stool-softening sorbitol, and is thus as effective a laxative as the fruit itself. Sorbitol also remains in the intestines, and acts as a mild antibacterial and cleansing agent, to promote good digestion. Prunes are a satiating fruit with a moderate glycemic index. The soluble fiber in prunes helps normalize blood sugars and increases insulin sensitivity, which plays a major role in treating type 2 diabetes. The studies also determined that prune bars and juices provided a great, prolonged source of energy, comparable to sport or power bars. Prunes make great filling snacks, and can help curb weight gain”. Paola Fannutti
Then I am told that this delicious fruit, inside of my body is as big as 3.81 cm. WOW! I am amazed at the capacity to measure miracles with numbers!
Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas. ~Albert Einstein
Within the 3D my body is changing in ways that I can only imagine an alchemist accomplishing. People report upon sighting of my new body interesting reactions: like “OH WOW” ” OH MY!” ” HOW IS IT POSSIBLE?” “HOW BIG!” “HOW ROUND” “HOW RARE!”
I sometimes indulge in responding, sometimes I just seem to nod in what seems agreement, yet the truth is that I find myself in an ecstatic impartial response, truly enjoying what the changes are…as what is, seems to be the best place to be right now…labeling the experience as big, small, etc..seems to remove proper credit from the magnificence am currently experiencing, so I have decided that my intention for the Pregnancy and beyond is the absolute focus on what the Buddhists call the Middle Way. This decision came after asking myself a question:
I wonder: if the BUDDHA WAS pregnant, what would his approach be?
The answer came smoothly and easy through an inner voice that whispered: I would just follow the way of the middle.
This intention comes handy as information floods to me right now: I am told that my abdomen at this stage will probably protrude a bit now… A BIT?????? wait a minute! Really? Truly, perception shifts as each individual holds reality in a unique and different way! As I am about to say: A BIT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? A higher voice in me reminds me of my intent: THE MIDDLE WAY IVONNE, FOCUS ON THE MIDDLE WAY. REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR INTENTION DURING YOUR PREGNANCY AND BEYOND.
And then I remember one of my favorite quotes:
Intention is Vested With Power-Unknown
I seem to listen to the voice, which seems to have TONS OF MORAL AUTHORITY! and again, I am told that a hormone call progesterone will rise high levels of its effects in me…which then I am told that is really great for the baby! Yeah!!!! but not that good for the MOM! Awwwww. Again: the VOICE: “MIDDLE WAY IVONNE” “MIDDLE WAY”
Then I am told the baby, which for some strange reason in the medical realm is called a FETUS… (for me as a mother, this label is beyond comprehension, I do not like the sound of this word…as for me I am already carrying a child, a sacred being.. a tiny little guru) at his current state of growth his/her body is strengthening, her torso lengthening…( sounds like a yoga pose to me!) he stretches, she does somersaults, and forward rolls. Wow! the first information that makes sense to me! The womb sounds like a FUN PLACE TO BE..what an ecstatic time this sacred being is having already…I AM COMMITTED to support in the fullness of my abilities the fun and bliss to continue. And while the play- ground is inside of me, I remain with one pointed focus on my intent; which “THE VOICE” CONSISTENTLY REPEATS: THE MIDDLE WAY, THE MIDDLE WAY…
Which of course, as all intentions, goals, and determined desire for manifestation will bring forth the necessary environment for PRACTICE, which will be tested in different areas; for example the one of CRAVINGS. As the cravings fluctuate from extremely healthy balanced diet; fruits sprinkled with cayenne pepper and lemon, to a particular circular bread with a hole in the center called DOUGHNUT also known as “K.K”, I experience the realm of polarities! It is in these moments where the VOICE tries to remind me of my commitment even LOUDER, yet the “cravings” seem to have a stronger sound system that makes the VOICE sound like a whisper, while the cravings take the form of a beautiful Opera Singer, offering her tune within the forest of enlightenment, producing states of bliss and fullness within the emptiness of what is.
And what, monks, is the Middle Way realized by the Thus-Come-One, which gives vision and understanding, which leads to calm, penetration, enlightenment, to Nirvana?
It is just this Noble Eightfold Path, namely: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration . – Buddha
To be continued…
Ivonne Delaflor
Co-Founder of Sacred Baby Steps, www.sacredbabysteps.com
Founder & Creator of the Transcendental Rebirthing System, www.transcendentalrebirthing.com.
Your Sacredbaby’s Blog is beautiful and fun. I enjoyed reading it. Congratulations on your new family member.”
Patrick kelly
What —– ? ? ?
” Consistent Voice of Middle Way “——- its sound more like an obsession.
What happened your Mushin or so-called selflessness and detachment.
Middle way is to keep away from both extreme obsession or delusion.
PS: TOO much excitement, too much anxiety is both bad for the balance
of hormone as emotion which is in fact chemically induced physiological
condition, affects the norm of the body.
Stay in between and calm is what the Middle Way meant, if it applyed
to the pregnant mother. Yet, to do the task, such as a cooking considering
the best nutritious food, best to both baby and the mother’s health is
what required the mindfulness. Though never misunderstand this word
“mindfulness” to “Thinking the baby all day, all time” it is just an
obsession. (In fact this word is a mistranslation)
Mindfulness is, to eliminate any thought (include about the baby) and
to deal only with the task on front of you (in Mushin)—– hence, not your
thought but the Wisdom of the Dharma takes care of the baby.
This is the meaning of the Buddha’s teaching.
Thank you for your comments