Meditation has long been the domain of the child-free seeker. The perception of the lone monk on the mountaintop, or magazine ads depicting the very young or very old childless yogi languishing in long retreats by the ocean, are almost cliche. Time and again, fellow parents lament about their lack of time to do even basic self-care, never mind meditation. This sense of lack feeds into the concept that a sincere, regular meditation practice and parenthood cannot co-exist. Meditation for Moms and Dads: 108 Tips for Parents and Caregivers boldly claims that a thriving meditation practice is not only possible, but an absolute must for the parent/householder. It isn't an empty claim. The author, Shana Smith, is doing it. Her journey is profound, funny, and fabulous. This book was born over two years of careful observation and recording about her own experiences merging the worlds of meditation and family life into a synergistic practice that is, in actuality, for all. The entertaining combination of tips, real-parent stories, and poetry demonstrates that parents can squelch the mindset of "I can't" to "I will" to celebrate the opportunity to embrace parenthood and worldly life itself as a vital spiritual practice rather than an impediment to one.

Meditation for Moms and Dads: 108 Tips for Mindful Parents and Caregivers, Shana Smith, ClearSky Publishing, Paperback, 148 pages, $19.95

Shana Smith is a mom, musician, marine biologist, teacher, and writer. She is an avid and longtime practitioner of Zen and meditation, a decades-long yogi, and a much sought-after kirtaniya, or devotional chanting leader. Known across the state of Florida and the U.S. for the past 20 years as her award-winning children s entertainment persona Shana Banana . Shana and her family (husband Dan, daughter Grace Ohana, and son Benny Albert) have settled down in Gainesville, Florida. From there they run the meditation- and yoga-based Gainesville Retreat Center, which attracts many renowned teachers and practitioners.