The practice of cultivating unconditional, ego-transcendent love toward your child as a spiritual discipline, rooted in Rabia's model of pure devotion.
Rabia al-Adawiyya taught that love of the Divine should be free from fear of punishment or hope for reward—a love that exists for its own sake. In attachment parenting, this translates to a parent's capacity to show up with presence and affection that isn't contingent on the child's behavior, achievements, or emotional state. This concept invites parents to examine whether their love carries hidden conditions or expectations. By practicing presence without agenda, you create a secure base where the child feels fundamentally valued. Rabia's radical devotion becomes a daily practice: responding to your child's needs with genuine attunement, offering comfort not to control behavior but because connection itself is sacred. This transforms routine caregiving—feeding, holding, soothing—into acts of spiritual practice that deepen both parent and child.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.