Today started out differently for me than most days as well. Although I knew Hudson was awake and I could hear him fussing over the monitor, I turned the monitor off and I took a few moments for myself. I sat on my bed, in lotus position, and I began chanting a mantra that I haven't done in almost a year - "Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha". It is thought that this mantra removes life's obstacles. I cleared my mind, and then, feeling refreshed, I went in to kiss my baby good morning.
Moments later I got a call that a friend was in labor, but she's not dilating. She's in a hospital, and of course, the usual routine is taking place ... pitocin, increased and spiky contractions and early talks of a cesarian section. I've set my daily intention towards sending her my love and openness and my hope for a smooth and vaginal birth.
Our minds are more powerful than we could ever begin to imagine. I know that it's true, and I see evidence of this all around me, but I'm still awestruck when I hear personal stories similar to the one I heard last week about an acquaintance (I'll call her "Jessica").
While one friend is praying that her labor progresses, another, Jessica, used her mind to virtually stop her labor. She was 36 weeks gestation last week when she started having contractions six minutes apart. She knew that giving birth before 37 weeks meant that she couldn't have the birth that she had been hoping for, and she literally used her mind to stop her labor. She had read many accounts of where women weren't progressing with their labor, often because of the negative energy of someone in the room or close by, and she believed that if your mind and body are so connected, she could actually do the opposite - and stop her labor. After hours of meditating, she did just that. She went from active labor to having contractions every 30 or so minutes. One week later, she is now 37 weeks gestation.
As I sat down to write this post I put my headphones on and turned up the volume. The third song to play from my iTunes library was, Forgotten Seasons - the song that Hudson was born to. It was also the soundtrack that was playing the very first time I met Jessica. Coincidence? Not likely.
For my friend who will be giving birth sometime today, Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha. May all of your obstacles be removed and allow you a safe and enjoyable delivery. You are about to meet the person whom you will love more than you ever imagined possible. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. The rest of your life will never be as it was yesterday.
For my friend "Jessica", thank you for reminding me of the strong connection between body and mind, and how powerful we all are in controlling our lives.
Namaste.