Binnie is my wife and a fellow pioneer in
conscious birthing and living practices.
The process of conception, pregnancy
and birth is a most available metaphor for
creativity. When we have an idea, we have
conceived. If we add energy and time and
attention to the idea, we are pregnant with the
possibility. Continued persistence will bring
forth a result, a birth. In
the light of this understanding I always
encourage pregnant fathers to be aware of the
creative energy that is available when their
partner is pregnant. At no other time are we
more creative than in the process of
‘becoming’. I consider the human body
to be the most sophisticated and beautiful of
artworks. The energy that was necessary to paint
the Sistine Chapel does not come close to the
energy that is necessary to create a human body.
Each father-to-be is in direct contact with that
energy when sleeping, when making love and when
simply being in daily life. Awareness is the key
to the access and use of this valuable
resource.
Many years ago I taught a class called the
Conscious Birthing Program in Santa Monica,
California. Fathers were always welcome and
typically comprised one third of those present.
The intention of the class was to facilitate the
release of any fears regarding birth. We
explored each partner’s birth experience as
the source of his or her thoughts about birth.
Sometimes these thoughts are held just below the
level of conscious awareness. I used gentle
breathwork, visualization, and affirmation to
help people to remember, release and heal. We
also gave attention to society’s thinking
about birth and what the people in their lives
were telling them about birth. This supported
them to acknowledge the influence of the
environment on their thoughts and behavior.
During this time I had a private client in
my counseling and breathwork practice who was a
screenwriter with ‘writer’s
block’. In one of our sessions I suddenly
suggested that he come to the Wednesday morning
Conscious Birthing class. He was,
understandably, in doubt about my sanity, and I
admit, I had my doubts, as well. Given some
thought, I knew the reason for my invitation was
to expose him to all the creative energy
generated by 10 to 15 pregnant women. With
encouragement he came and continued to join us
every Wednesday for several months. In a very
short time one fourth of the participants in the
program were creative artists of some form.
Everyone was pregnant, some with ideas and some
with human beings and new lives.
It has been a privilege to work with
couples who chose to use the energy of pregnancy
to start up new businesses, build new homes, and
take art classes together. One couple decided to
do The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, as
they were creating a baby together. Another went
to French class as a couple. Other couples took
Tango and Salsa lessons. They all expressed how
easy and enjoyable creative pursuits were for
them during pregnancy.
An added advantage to learning and
creating during pregnancy is that the baby will
have an affinity for the language or the
activity when they are of an appropriate age. A
German woman whom I met spoke English with a
British accent. I asked if she had lived in
England. She told me that she had not. With
further inquiry it was revealed that her parents
lived in London during her mother’s
pregnancy with her. They were learning English
and speaking it for most of the 9 months. They
returned to Germany only a week or so before the
birth. She reported that one of her easiest
classes in school was her English class.
An essential aspect of creativity is
curiosity. What do you really want for yourself
and your partner and your children? What gives
you pleasure? What is something you have been
longing to learn about? What is something you
have wanted to do with your partner, just the
two of you? You have a new life adventure ahead.
Be curious about what is happening with your
partner. Be curious about the possibilities of
giving birth, the world over. Be curious about
how to best nourish your pregnant partner and
your baby. Be curious about
‘fathering’ and parenting practices in
other cultures. Have fun during pregnancy.
Explore the creative possibilities in all parts
of your life. Expand and grow during this
intense and precious time and the future will
reflect your efforts and commitment.
These articles are excerps from his book
