This is my child. Up until recently I have only been aware of this child being a “lump” in my wifes stomach…now it has a face and the reality of that is quite impressive.
What I often forget about birth is that it is my own birth. Quite literally this child is my own mind starting a story that is similar but profoundly different than the one I am currently experiencing as its father. It is emerging from a state of utter unity into the world of duality, possible perceived limitations, and experience.
This consciousness, which so recently built a brand new body, is going to go through the same lessons that we all go through. It’s going to learn about a reality that is separate from itself…it’s going to learn how its body works…its even going to learn what taste, touch, and sound are. It’s going to be quite a shock.
The really interesting part of this experience is that I am aware of being both sides of the experience here. I am aware of being the Father as well as being the child. I often talk about how our own consciousness is always there for us, acting as different characters throughout our life in order to help us along…but this is where I’m truly experiencing that reality. To this child I am simply an extension of itself…I am a part of its reality that is supposed to help it along as it gets used to living in Duality. Every thought, insight, or impulse that I have is literally connected to what this “childs” mind is creating for its own good.
I think we often limit our children by assuming that just because they don’t speak they do not understand. To a consciousness that is learning the concept of being separate from the things around it I would think that it understands a great deal. Perhaps more than we are willing to admit. Our children hear our justifications, our escapes, and even our self-deceptions. They learn from our own lack of responsibility from the moment they come into this world….just as your own mind knows when you are lying to yourself, your child does as well.
I think that this is the biggest part of what I have been facing within myself lately. So often I come across “parenting” tips from people who truly believe the best way to raise a child is to Train it, To control it, and bombard it with a belief system. I have been wondering if I would do the same thing…am I so insecure in my own sense of self that I must condition a newly emerging consciousness to agree with me before it can make its own choice about what to believe? Is it right for me to stomp out any chance this child might have to explore perceptions and beliefs that I myself was too afraid to explore? I think not.
I think the one thing I must have faith in is what I have had faith in all along….myself. This child is nothing more than another reflection of my own mind and because of that I must realize that it has the ability to choose, it has the ability to see, and it has access to infinite perceptions. This child is not something to be trained, it is something to be communicated with. It is something to be learned from rather than simply taught. As a consciousness this child will learn regardless of whether or not I boost my own self-image by deeming myself to be a “teacher”. In making myself out to be a “teacher” I am doing nothing more than being an example of self-righteousness and ego. I am not this childs teacher, I am an extension of this childs reality.
I am often amazed at my own life and how many choices have been made since its beginning. I look back at my path through perception and see an infinite amount of choices I could have made and even the points where I chose to pass those choices off to whoever was willing to make them for me. I know there are realities where the observer (me) has different choices and less chances to pass them off. There are realities where I am not immediately faced with the belief that I am separate from everything else…It amazes me to see this child being born into one of them. It is comforting to see myself being Reborn again.
AgnosticAtheist said,
April 8, 2007 at 11:05 pm
FG,
Have you heard of the new book Parenting Beyond Belief?
aA
Forgetful God said,
April 8, 2007 at 11:11 pm
I have now. Thank you for the link.
To be honest I think that referring to a parenting book, while helpful, takes away from our own faith that the knowledge needed for the child is within us. The child creates us as much as we create the child.
Mark said,
April 9, 2007 at 4:33 pm
FG,
I think that you will be a great father. Your child is so lucky to have you as an example. You will be a teacher as well as a student, as you always are. You child will be the same, a student and a teacher. You are aware and therefore your child will not be as stifiled by this human experience as most are.
Enhance Life said,
April 10, 2007 at 3:53 am
Hi,
I guess initially it will be a bit overwhelming to realize that you are going to be a father. However, as time progress it will come naturally.
All the best
Sham
Enhance Life
Sophia said,
April 10, 2007 at 6:37 pm
How beautiful, FG! The image of your child is precious, imagining it as a little being who will soon get to experience making choices in life. These little guys remind us of the joys and wonders we experienced as children.
For a new father, you are very mature about how you will go about letting this child form. You will be an excellent father!
Brian said,
April 11, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Good for you! I agree with everybody else that you would be a wonderful father based on everything you have expressed in your posts.
There are really so many parents that do more harm than good, thinking they own them and try to control them or mould them into their ideal child.
Your child will be fortunate to have a father like you.
Brian said,
April 11, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Good for you! I agree with everybody else that you would be a wonderful father based on everything you have expressed in your posts.
There are really so many parents that do more harm than good, thinking they own them and try to control them or mould them into their ideal child.
Your child will be fortunate to have a father like you.
The Phoenix said,
April 12, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Written like a first-time father…
I’m sorry. I’m just joking. I can be such a smart-ass. I hope that’s ok, because I love reading your writing.
I’m a father of three under the age of 6. I tell you…I’m just concerned with plain SURVIVAL.
My 6 and 2 year olds are both very independent and confident little ones. I think it’s because we’ve allowed them to explore and gain that confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Having been a high school teacher also, the teacher is often the student as well.
The Phoenix said,
April 12, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Written like a first-time father…
I’m sorry. I’m just joking. I can be such a smart-ass. I hope that’s ok, because I love reading your writing.
I’m a father of three under the age of 6. I tell you…I’m just concerned with plain SURVIVAL.
My 6 and 2 year olds are both very independent and confident little ones. I think it’s because we’ve allowed them to explore and gain that confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Having been a high school teacher also, the teacher is often the student as well.
Secret Simon said,
April 27, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Hi there – I’m just catching up on your blog. Reading this, I wonder if you’ve come across Marion’s blog, Herbal Connection? She’s been writing about communicating with her new grandchild at http://mysteahag.blogspot.com/2007/04/yesterday.html
Congratulations on your imminent rebirth!