The Concept for this Book
    The writing of this book has been the longest pregnancy, labour and delivery of my life! I am sure this is neither an original statement nor a unique experience for a female writer but, given the subject matter, I feel it is an entirely appropriate one. My first idea for writing a book some 7 years ago, was to focus on the experi-ence of pregnancy and childbirth, and to share the ways in which yoga can prepare a woman to meet the challenges of these important, and sometimes difficult, times. However, since that time I have borne 2 more babies, learned a lot more about these topics, and discussed these situations with many more women, and come to realise that motherhood, more than just a situation we find ourselves in at a particular time, is so much a reflection and extension of all that has gone before.
   Whilst contemplating and researching this book, I was struck by many women's comments that, whilst there is a fair amount of educational emphasis on pregnancy and birth, once they had scaled those immediate heights there was little continuity of help for their new role as a mother. In other words, their women's business had been compartmentalised - they had "done that bit", and then been dumped to "work it out for themselves". Therefore, in addition to the originally intended issues, I felt compelled to include material for the earlier phases of a woman's life as she grows into her womanliness, as well as to extend the book into the early years of a child's (and a mother's) early development. In short, I felt a book needed to be written to thread together the whole story of our maternal development, and to show ways of addressing all our needs in an integrated and holistic way. I also wanted to demonstrate ways in which we can weave into our maternal experiences a consistent thread of spirituality.
   Whilst writing the book, many people com-mented on its breadth and size. "It's too big", they said. "Break it into smaller books. People can't take it in all at once". Not that I'm expecting them to! It's a book to browse chapter by chapter as appropriate and in synchronicity with your life.
   I believe that the above kinds of reductionist sentiments are both a symptom and a cause of disunity in many people's lives today. Too often large topics are divided up into simplistic bits 

and pieces, and then we are left alone to make sense of it all. I feel that it is this lack of a big picture which is stifling progress towards a more holistic vision of motherhood.
   As mothers, in addition to being the creators and bearers of our children, we must also be proper guides to them, so that they may grow up free of the ignorances and parental conditionings which commonly prevent a child reaching his / her whole potential. In short, we must be, nay, we are, our children's first guru. However, prior to and in tandem with that teaching role, we must first un-condition and then re-condition ourselves to be a fit and proper instrument of that teaching - as well as to learn from them.
   The title for the book was inspired by my relationship with my own guru who, so much like a mother, sustained me in times of hunger and thirst; helped me to stand on my own two feet; taught me how to grow out of my limiting patterns; uplifted me when my spirit was flagging; showed me the depth and strength of my own self; taught me the techniques and therapeutic aspects of yoga and tantra; showed me the dualities of my nature and the ways of unifying them; illuminated me to the spiritual potential of motherhood; and guided my pen (keyboard actually) late into the nights!
   Through such training I have become rightful guru to my children and hope to inspire others to accept this mantle, not just the usual role of conceiving, carrying, delivering, nurturing and domestically supporting. That is the easy part - although many do flounder in these areas. Being a truth teacher and a fountain of spiritual inspiration to our children I believe, is the highest duty of the mother - not just for happy, healthy children - but to assist a gradual awakening in mankind towards greater spiritual understanding.
   Through writing and teaching, it is also my desire to inspire women to work towards birthing more naturally. I have come to this point in my life steered by the experience of 6 childbirths, the first 3 of which were in hospitals and last 3 at home. As a pregnant schoolgirl of seventeen, intellectually I understood that giving birth should be a truly profound moment in one's life, and yet, that first experience of childbirth left me physically shattered, emotionally bereft and mentally confused. It was following this experience, that I resolved to discover the true essence of birthing and motherhood.