When I was pregnant with my first baby, I had been a midwife for years already and was in absolute bliss to be finally having my OWN baby. I loved my baby so much that my pregnancy was marked by fits of joyous laughter for no "reason", and a deep joy that came with me everywhere I went. (once the nausea had passed, of course) I glowed. In my ninth month, my husband took me to San Fransisco to see a very holy Tibetan Buddhist teacher, who was staying with a friend of his. This teacher, the Venerable Khenpo Palden Sherab, was performing sacred ceremonies for generating peace and awakening for hundreds of people. Because he was staying with our friend, I was given a private audience with him. Here is information on this holy man: http://www.dharmafellowship.org/biographies/contemporarymasters/khenchen-palden-sherab.htm
Khenpo Palden blessed me and my ripe belly, and then he gave me an instruction, which I have held in my heart as my path ever since. He told me I must love ALL BEINGS as if they were my precious baby. This is a nearly impossible task, but I am trying. When I remember, my heart is filled with compassion, and anger, hatred, and judgement melt away. It is the perfect instruction for a midwife, isn't it? And he didn't even "know" that is what I am!
