Shows
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastLearning from the Ammas: Recognizing MarginsIn 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 finding margins (opening oneself to the unexpected) is exactly what it says...2022-05-2322 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastChristian Desert Ammas: Contemplative Midwives Part 2This 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 and life-giving women. To all they met, they were spiritual midwives helping to transition each p...2022-05-1637 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastChristian Desert Ammas: Contemplative Midwives Part 1This 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 and life-giving women. To all they met, they were spiritual midwives helping to transition each p...2022-05-0937 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastAmma Rabi’a: The Contemplative Beloved. Part 2Erin 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 listeners can walk with us as we slowly un...2022-05-0233 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastAmma Rabi’a: The Contemplative Beloved. Part 1Erin 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 listeners can walk with us as we slowly unco...2022-04-2528 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastAmma Ayya Khema: The Practical Contemplative Part 2Erin 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 through life. We will learn about meditation, how to be present...2022-04-1825 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastAmma Ayya Khema: The Practical Contemplative Part 1Erin 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 scratch the surface and learn how to be present as a...2022-04-1126 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastAmma Miriam: The Contemplative LiberatorWe 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 challenges us all to use our feet as our prayer, our...2022-04-0439 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastBuilding the Bridge: Introducing the AmmasChelsea & 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 is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” Tune in to...2022-03-2835 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastTrailer for Season 2We are back! Listen for a preview of our second season of the Contemplative Motherhood Podcast. Episode 1 drops on March 28, 2022.2022-03-1402 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastBONUS: The Contemplative Child: Cultivating Gratitude with Our ChildrenIn 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. 2021-11-1714 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastBONUS: The Contemplative Child-"Evaluating our Family Margins and The Space for Silence and Sacred Listening with Children"Join 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 of silence with our children, a seemingly impossible task. This is the quentessential episode of a "gentle start" to...2021-11-0123 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastThe Contemplative Child: Transforming Our Children's Routines into Times of Sacred ConnectionJoin 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 larger template for children's spiritual formation. 2021-10-0421 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastThe Contemplative Child Episode One- "The Push and Pull of Parental Emotional CapacityIn 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" for your child can be an act of freedom from parenting beyond our emotional capacity and shame based children's spiritual...2021-09-2722 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastSharing our Noticings: Wrapping Up Season 1In 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 this episode.To keep in touch with them please email them at contemplativemotherhoodpodcast...2021-08-0838 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastIs Motherhood A Spiritual Practice: Part 2In 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.2021-08-0130 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastIs Motherhood A Spiritual Practice: Part 1This 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 together a tapestry of the picture of the Contemplative Motherhood life.Contemplative Book...2021-07-2534 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastNew Year Refresh- “Learning to Say No: Finding Our Heart Center”Saying 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 to know ourselves better, and...2021-07-1938 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastGlimpses of Solitude: Initiating Time for YouIn 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 dive deeper on what to do during solitude time and how to throw away the to...2021-07-1143 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastNavigating Unexpected Moments: The Art of GratitudeIn 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. 2021-07-0438 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastCreating Rituals: Transforming Our Rhythms and RoutinesIn 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.2021-06-2733 min
Contemplative Motherhood PodcastConnecting to Nature: Exploring Our SurroundingsIn 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 the Spirit. 2021-06-2026 min