“If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.” Dalai Lama
That’s a great aspiration, and a strong statement. Regardless of whether it’s absolutely true there’s no denying that teaching meditation at an early age can have profound, positive affect for the student.
But where do you start, and when? Asking small children to sit still for five minutes can be an exercise in patience and frustration, nevermind getting them to sit on a yoga mat for a half hour while soothing music plays and you speak in that calm relaxed manner that is so easy to maintain when there aren’t small children pulling at you, for example.
No, you can’t go from zero to 90 on this one. But if you look for your opportunities you might find small ways of introducing the concept.
I’m thinking of our five year old and the relax game. My partner started it to try to get him over that giddiness some children get the more tired they become. The relax game simply involves our son lying in bed while myself or his mother go through what I’m sure will be a familiar sounding recitation. “Relax your toes, relax your feet, relax your ankles, etc…” This goes on for five to ten minutes. Success is measured in yawns, which usually begin about halfway through.
I’m amazed at how well this caught on. Maybe it’s because the word “game” is included, lol. Each night now since we started, he’s asked to do the relax game before going to sleep. Long may it last, while we feel our way towards the next step.
Reiki Flow 