I was reading Hen’s post today about being mindful by walking silently in the forest. It made me remember a time when it was just me and my dogs and this was possible. It made me wish I was able to try being more quiet and purposeful in my walking now but my kids have little appreciation and awareness for focussing this way. Of course. They are small and bursting with life and energy. One day they’ll be able harness their selves to appreciate the different depths of life.

This made me think about another posting, this time by Stacy talking about her singing bowls and how she uses them to help her stay mindful. I had immediately thought about how we use the singing bowls with our kids. We’ll put one of our kid’s bellies (or backs or outstretched hands or…) while laying down before bed and gong it. I notice they’re concentrating on the sound and feeling so much that they stay quiet and still. They’re just being in the moment.

I bought the book Baby Buddhas (not to be confused with Buddha Baby) back when my daughter was still an infant and after I read it, it sat on the shelf until she was about two. It’s a book for teaching meditation to children. I think I’m going to reread it when I’m finished my current read.

Lily has always enjoyed doing yoga with me and was serious when she was mindfully siting and I was mediating.

Lily

I’d like to continue doing yoga and short mediations on regular basis in the mornings. It’s been difficult to do when my husband isn’t home because my son thinks only to climb all over me and isn’t interested in participating. Hopefully one day he’ll have an interest!

3 Responses to Mindful Musings

  1. Penelope says:

    Oh that photo is just too cute!!

  2. Annie says:

    I know! I absolutely love that one. It was such a neat moment to capture!

  3. I love that picture!!

    My oldest son (who is five) likes to meditate with me sometimes. He is the absolute embodiment of monkey-mind! At the same time, he is very calm and focused and says everything in a smiley-whisper, which touches my heart.

    I use his jumping up and down to look out the window or rearrange the blanket around his shoulders or his sharing of his thoughts with me as part of practice. I realize as I write this that it has become a sort of spontaneous compassion practice… can I abide in calmness while my son does what he does (which is move around and make noise!)?

    I will have to check out that book you mention.

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