Contemplative Motherhood Podcast
29 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 20 ratingsA Sacred Space for talking about Contemplative Practices, Spirituality + Messy Motherhood. We seek the Divine Presence amidst the Beautiful Chaos of Motherhood and share our failures, our triumphs, and our missteps. Your hosts on this journey are Erin Thomas and Chelsea Whipple. To get in touch with Erin and Chelsea email them at [email protected] Check out our main website: contemplativemotherhood.org
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Episodes
Learning from the Ammas: Recognizing Margins
May 23, 2022 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBIn this episode, Chelsea gives life updates and notices how this season is opening up new ways for creativity. Erin and Chelsea are taking a mid-season break before releasing the last 9 or so episodes. The reason for this is actually what the Ammas teach about staying present to the...well present. Both Erin and Chelsea realized that to be honest with themselves and their life situations that the best thing to do is to be honest with their spirit. Listen and learn how Chelsea is noticing how...
Christian Desert Ammas: Contemplative Midwives Part 2
May 16, 2022 05:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBThis is part 2 of 2 episodes profiling the Christian Desert Ammas. These women lived in the 3rd-6th century and helped shape Christianity. Often ignored and undervalued, they had a tremendous impact on the culture and people around them. They were sought after for their advice and connection with the Divine. They worked alongside the Abbas of the desert and many influenced the early Church fathers. This is a labor of love for Chelsea, who has spent the past 3 years studying these amazing a...
Christian Desert Ammas: Contemplative Midwives Part 1
May 09, 2022 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBThis is part 1 of 2 episodes profiling the Christian Desert Ammas. These women lived in the 3rd-6th century and helped shape Christianity. Often ignored and undervalued, they had a tremendous impact on the culture and people around them. They were sought after for their advice and connection with the Divine. They worked alongside the Abbas of the desert and many influenced the early Church fathers. This is a labor of love for Chelsea, who has spent the past 3 years studying these amazing a...
Amma Rabi’a: The Contemplative Beloved. Part 2
May 02, 2022 05:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MBErin and Chelsea discuss Rabi’a al-Adawiyya and her connection to Sufism in Islam. As a 9th century amma from Persia, her writings and poem bring life into so many disciples and modern-day contemplatives. Her trailblazing path by describing the Divine as the Beloved leaves us wanting more and more of her teachings. Journey with us as we dive deep into her life, her inspiration, and find ways to drink the living waters of the Beloved found in all of us. We discuss her in two episodes so our l...
Amma Rabi’a: The Contemplative Beloved. Part 1
April 25, 2022 05:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBErin and Chelsea discuss Rabi’a al-Adawiyya and her connection to Sufism in Islam. As a 9th century amma from Persia, her writings and poem bring life into so many disciples and modern-day contemplatives. Her trailblazing path by describing the Divine as the Beloved leaves us wanting more and more of her teachings. Journey with us as we dive deep into her life, her inspiration, and find ways to drink the living waters of the Beloved found in all of us. We discuss her in two episodes so our l...
Amma Ayya Khema: The Practical Contemplative Part 2
April 18, 2022 05:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBErin and Chelsea explore Ayya Khema, a modern-day Buddhist nun. From a Western world, great tragedy in her life led her on a spiritual journey that took decades to finally formulate. Her practical view of spirituality is a lesson for all of us that hope to grasp a contemplative journey for ourselves. Amma Ayya has so much to explore that her story is broken up in two episodes. The second episode will explore the practical wisdom she departs to all of us mothers and caretakers as we journey t...
Amma Ayya Khema: The Practical Contemplative Part 1
April 11, 2022 05:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBErin and Chelsea explore Ayya Khema, a modern-day Buddhist nun. From a Western world, great tragedy in her life led her on a spiritual journey that took decades to finally formulate. Her practical view of spirituality is a lesson for all of us that hope to grasp a contemplative journey for ourselves. Amma Ayya has so much to explore that her story is broken up in two episodes. The first episode will explore her early life and how those tragedies began her journey of seeking. Erin and Chelsea...
Amma Miriam: The Contemplative Liberator
April 04, 2022 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBWe profile our very first Amma of the season, Miriam from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim tradition. Miriam, who is known as the sister of Moses, is much more than an afterthought. As one of the first Jewish female prophets, her youthfulness sprung out of her as she drew the lines for her people. Listen to her boldness, her willingness to fight for the oppressed, and her connection to the Divine. We will all leave inspired to take up the mantle that Miriam creatively leaves for us. She chal...
Building the Bridge: Introducing the Ammas
March 28, 2022 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBChelsea & Erin welcome back all the listeners and give a more in-depth view of what Season 2 has in store for us. After a "long pause" Erin and Chelsea share what they noticed about themselves after recording Season 1. They break down where they are in their spiritual journey and how all those wonderings from Season 1 landed them perfectly to launch Season 2. This season will talk about Ammas and what these women can teach us, modern-day listeners. Inspired by Maya Angelou who said, “There ...
Trailer for Season 2
March 14, 2022 05:00 - 2 minutes - 1.53 MBWe are back! Listen for a preview of our second season of the Contemplative Motherhood Podcast. Episode 1 drops on March 28, 2022.
BONUS: The Contemplative Child: Cultivating Gratitude with Our Children
November 17, 2021 04:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBIn this episode, Erin discusses the spiritual practice of gratitude and what that may look like as a practice in companionship with our children. Unpack the concepts of a competing culture and how we can be present and intentional by guiding our children in the spiritual practice of gratitude.
BONUS: The Contemplative Child-"Evaluating our Family Margins and The Space for Silence and Sacred Listening with Children"
November 01, 2021 04:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBJoin Erin Thomas in another episode of bonus content from "The Contemplative Child." On this week's episode, Erin will discuss the importance of margin for our children. What is margin and how do we achieve this in our family lives? Erin will also unpack the hurried lifestyle components that feel contrary to Contemplative Life, how that impacts our children and why this lays a foundation for practical spiritual disciplines. Erin will also provide simple steps for integrating the practice ...
BONUS: The Contemplative Child-"Evaluating our Family Margins and The Space for Silence and Sacred Listening with Children"
November 01, 2021 04:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBJoin Erin Thomas in another episode of bonus content from "The Contemplative Child." On this week's episode, Erin will discuss the importance of margin for our children. What is margin and how do we achieve this in our family lives? Erin will also unpack the hurried lifestyle components that feel contrary to Contemplative Life, how that impacts our children and why this lays a foundation for practical spiritual disciplines. Erin will also provide simple steps for integrating the practice ...
The Contemplative Child: Transforming Our Children's Routines into Times of Sacred Connection
October 04, 2021 03:00 - 21 minutes - 15.1 MBJoin Erin in the second episode of bonus content, "The Contemplative Child." Take time to sort through the value of habits and routines in a child's life through the life span. Sit with Erin as she discusses how this alone can transform moments of our daily lives into Sacred space for connection with the Divine and with each other. Erin will unpack her academic study of child development, how habits create pathways for growth, and discuss the culmination of how little moments create a lar...
The Contemplative Child Episode One- "The Push and Pull of Parental Emotional Capacity
September 27, 2021 03:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MBIn a bonus episode with a child centered lens, Erin takes us down the road of building the framework of a Contemplative Child. Erin discusses spiritual formation in children and the interwoven aspects of a child's development. She also touches on the importance of recognizing unrealistic expectations and laying heavy shame based responsibilities on ourselves as parents when it comes to our children's spiritual development. Tune in to hear how the framework of being a "listening companion" ...
Sharing our Noticings: Wrapping Up Season 1
August 08, 2021 17:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBIn the last episode of Season 1, Erin and Chelsea discuss what they have individually noticed about Season 1 and the topics presented. They dive deeper into the effect their kids have on their spiritual lives, why saying No was such a difficult episode for both of them, and saying goodbye to mom guilt. Erin, who recently went on a retreat, talks about her experience and what she discovered about the contemplative lifestyle that made her change her outlook. Nothing is left on the table in thi...
Is Motherhood A Spiritual Practice: Part 2
August 01, 2021 17:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBIn part 2 of our conversation, we unpack specifically motherhood being a spiritual practice both the negative aspects and the positive aspects. Motherhood is not all that we are but it is a big part of how we relate to the world. Instead of thinking spiritual practices add more to our to-do list, we reframe the question of how can we look at being a mother through the lens of the Divine? Join us as we dive deeper into the conversation and find ways to be who we are, chaotic and beautiful.
Is Motherhood A Spiritual Practice: Part 1
July 25, 2021 17:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBThis episode is part 1 of a 2-part conversation that will be shared in the exploration of the topic “Is Motherhood a spiritual practice?” Throughout season one, you have heard us unpack some of the basic tenants of spiritual practices in our own lives. These are not exhaustive and to be honest, they barely scratch the surface of the Contemplative Motherhood lifestyle. But for the following two episodes , we hope to weave together tokens from this season that will aid us all in putting toget...
Learning to Say No: Finding Our Heart Center
July 18, 2021 22:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBSaying No can be the hardest word to say as a mother. Maybe not to our kids but to the outside world. In this episode, Erin and Chelsea tackle how Saying No can become a contemplative practice, when we learn what to say no to and why it is important. Often, it is our ego saying yes instead of our heart center. The discussion will center around how operating out of our heart center and protecting our boundaries can lead to a more intimate life for ourselves and our children, allow us to get t...
New Year Refresh- “Learning to Say No: Finding Our Heart Center”
July 18, 2021 22:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBSaying No can be the hardest word to say as a mother. Maybe not to our kids but to the outside world. In this episode, Erin and Chelsea tackle how Saying No can become a contemplative practice, when we learn what to say no to and why it is important. Often, it is our ego saying yes instead of our heart center. The discussion will center around how operating out of our heart center and protecting our boundaries can lead to a more intimate life for ourselves and our children, allow us to get t...
Glimpses of Solitude: Initiating Time for You
July 11, 2021 12:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBIn this episode, Erin and Chelsea discuss the importance of alone time away from kids, activities, chores, and finding space with the Holy. It is not always easy but solitude creates openings where we get to know ourselves, reset our priorities, and discover the Sacredness of our daily life. Chelsea describes different ways solitude can be accomplished in the midst of the daily and how, for her, solitude gave way to a deeper appreciation and compassion for her kids. Erin and Chelsea also div...
Navigating Unexpected Moments: The Art of Gratitude
July 04, 2021 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBIn this episode, Erin and Chelsea explore navigating the unexpected (and sometimes unwelcome) moments of life. These moments can crack open unexpected spiritual practices that teach us the desires, needs, and benefits of intentional practices. Listen as Erin shares how deep grief led her to the practice of gratitude. This shift in perspective after overcoming the loss of a child led her to an unexpected moment of desire, the desire to pursue gratitude as a spiritual practice.
Creating Rituals: Transforming Our Rhythms and Routines
June 27, 2021 13:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MBIn this episode Erin and Chelsea tackle our everyday mundane routines and rhythms and transform them into a Sacred Connectedness. What does that mean? Finding that the everyday mundane can be an invitation to enter a Sacred space. When we stay present in these activities they can become rituals. Rituals that begin to open a Divine Presence surrounding us while we do laundry, dishes, drive kids around, pick up the same toys over and over, etc.
Connecting to Nature: Exploring Our Surroundings
June 20, 2021 12:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MBIn this episode Erin and Chelsea use their natural surroundings as a backdrop to connecting with all that the Divine has given us. Using personal examples of how their kids showed them the beauty of nature and how we can grasp this inner beauty while exploring the physical beauty of nature. They have plenty of oops moments of being a mom outdoors with kids who dare to venture more than they are comfortable with but through that vulnerability comes a realization of how connected kids are to t...
Moments of Stillness: Creating Space for Calmness
June 13, 2021 18:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBIn this episode, Erin and Chelsea break down what it means to find stillness and become aware of the Sacred Presence even when the day gets off to a horrid start. We believe that stillness and parenthood is not oxymoron but sometimes it takes a bit of seeking to craft what stillness looks like for a mother. Join us as we talk about stillness in our own lives, whether its a beautiful and simple gray chair or sitting down to eat a meal.
Becoming a Contemplative Mother: What is it all about?
June 06, 2021 17:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBIn this episode, Erin and Chelsea break down the often intimidating word: Contemplative. Oftentimes, contemplative gets used as contemporary but this can miss the importance of the spiritual teachers who left much knowledge for us and had much to teach us about a contemplative lifestyle. The episode also dives deeper into different faith traditions, languages for the Sacred One, and glimpses of what being a mother can mean for a contemplative.
Saying Yes to Mud puddles and Messes: An Introduction to Erin Thomas
May 30, 2021 17:00 - 33 minutes - 22.7 MBListen in as Erin gives a first-hand account of her journey towards contemplation and motherhood. Her insight, experience and vulnerability will leave you wanting more and living out this deeper knowing within us.
Welcome to My Beautiful Chaos: An Introduction to Chelsea Whipple
May 23, 2021 13:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBListen as Chelsea dives deeper into why she calls herself a contemplative, what does that mean, what led her to desire this lifestyle, and what she has learned about being a contemplative mother.
Trailer for Season 1
May 17, 2021 12:00 - 2 minutes - 975 KBListen for a preview of our first season of Contemplative Motherhood podcast. We discuss the inspiration for this podcast and what our first season is all about. Thanks for listening in! Tune in for Episode 1 on May 24, 2021.