Parenting through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance
This week, the Still Water community welcomes Celia Landman, author of “When the Whole World Tips: Parenting through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance”, published by Parallax Press.
Celia, a long-time practitioner in the Plum Village tradition, mindfulness educator, and mother, will present her insights on equanimity and mindful parenting.
Celia emphasizes the interconnectedness of well-being and ill-being, a concept rooted in the teachings of Thích Nhất Hạnh.
She asserts that true well-being can be found within ill-being by addressing and embracing our emotional states rather than fleeing from them.
Through her personal journey, Celia has learned to acknowledge her wobbliness, especially when facing public judgment, and to nurture her internal landscape to achieve balance and confidence.
Equanimity, one of Buddhism’s four highest abodes of the heart (Brahmavihara), plays a central role in Celia’s practice.
It complements friendliness, compassion, and joy by providing a broader perspective and a stable foundation for confronting life’s challenges.
Celia distinguishes equanimity from indifference, advocating for a compassionate and mindful approach to both pain and happiness.
In her practice, Celia employs self-care techniques such as breathing into discomfort and offering self-reassurance.
These practices foster a secure attachment to oneself, enabling a compassionate response to crises.
By creating a space for both pain and happiness, Celia cultivates a balanced and resilient internal state.
Mitchell Ratner, the community’s host, invites members to join the session on June 27th, where Celia will share her reflections and practices.
Attendees are encouraged to explore how they respond to loved ones’ pain, recognize moments when they abandon themselves, and identify the reassurance and presence they need for balance.
Through this presentation, Celia aims to inspire others to find balance and support themselves and their loved ones with mindful, compassionate presence.
