Mommysattva: Contemplations for Mothers Who Meditate

by Jenna Hollenstein

“Mommysattva is a wise, funny, and refreshingly real guide to what happens when the ideals of mindfulness practice meet the chaos of everyday motherhood.”—Anne Cushman, author of The Mama A Story of Love, Loss, and the Path of MotherhoodIn Mommysattva, writer, meditation teacher, nutrition therapist, and mom Jenna Hollenstein envisions motherhood as the most spontaneous, impossible, and hard-won path to wisdom and compassion.The book is not a guide to motherhood; it’s a collection of bite-sized essays examining motherhood as a spiritual journey that includes compassion and vast expansion of the heart. It explores many of the felt experiences of those who mother–from the intense metamorphosis of becoming a mother to the practice of motherhood as a teaching on what it means to be present to a mother’s innately activist role in bringing about positive change. And also irritation, resentment, endless snacks, and, sure, vomit. How to bring it all to the path without shame, virtue signaling, or setting up endless years of therapy for your kid? Hollenstein, in a deeply honest exploration of her own journey as a mother as well as her Buddhist practice, offers a view of motherhood that is deep, kind, and real.The essays shimmer with the message that every single thing we do as mothers is an opportunity to embrace the power, love, chaos, and possibility of this magnificent path.

Genres: Parenting

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2021

About the author

Jenna Hollenstein, MS, RDN, CDN, is an anti-diet dietitian-nutritionist, certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, speaker, meditation teacher, and author of five books, including Eat to Love and Intuitive Eating for Life. She blends Intuitive Eating with mindfulness to help people transform food and body shame into joyful eating and movement.

Jenna weaves together science and practicality to help people:

Understand how, when, and why they started mistrusting their bodies

Deprogram false and harmful messages of body shame

Reconnect with sensation, sensuality, and bodily intelligence

Feed themselves physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually

Think differently about dieting, exercise, alcohol, and addictions

Counteract disruptive and problematic thoughts and behaviors

Heal in order to live with joy and purpose

Tolerate and ultimately work with uncomfortable feelings

Discover delight, notice everyday magic, and feel fully alive

Jenna received a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Penn State University and a Master of Science degree in nutrition from Tufts University. She has trained in numerous integrative modalities, including polyvagal theory, somatic self-compassion, trauma-sensitive mindfulness, and embodied social justice.

Jenna has spoken at universities, retreat centers, and extensively online for both consumer and clinician audiences. Her work has been featured in the The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Yoga Journal, Health, Self, Lion’s Roar, Mindful, Vogue, Elle, Glamour, and Women’s World.

Reviews

[Carra S · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read for mothers and for non-mothers alike. Jenna's honest and tender writing about her experience as a woman, spouse, and mother is moving and offers momentum for positive change in daily life and practice.

[Kayla Heineman · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice parallels between Buddhism and motherhood

Drawing on our experiences during a pandemic, this book gives us permission as mothers to give ourselves grace and allows our practice to evolve into something that looks different for all of us.

[aditi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book! Have become a member of mommy sangha. Motherhood can feel quite isolating especially when your loved ones despite the support are unable to relate to your physical and emotional state of mind. Reading this book, made me feel belonged. That I’m not alone in this journey. Behind the glorified image of mommyhood, is an exhausted mother who hasn’t had and will not have time unless she carves some for herself. The book has helped me to appreciate life amidst chaos, to be in the flow of the moment, stay in the present n mostly, to appreciate both ends of the motherhood spectrum - the good n the bad, with no judgements.
Excellent read!