Mindfulness and Children

[FeeHutch]

I have been sent the link to this piece several times in the last few days and I've seen it shared a lot on twitter: http://www.wildmind.org/blogs/on-practi ... indfulness

I just wondered if anyone else has tried any of the suggestions with their children and how they had got on.

[Gareth]

This is a big subject for me at the moment. I see mindlessness creeping into my oldest son, and I want him to to benefit from the incredible amount of peace that I have had recently. I will definitely be reading this article.

[BioSattva]

I see mindlessness creeping into my oldest son

Haha - for some reason that sentence brings about imagery of Damien the Omen hunched over his tricycle in the corridors of his house. I don't mean to make light of the situation of course. It is intriguing to consider how parents nurture the 'little Buddha' side of their young children - especially when those children will be potentially responding subconsciously to wider prevailing mindless cultural habits - they are preparing for obtaining essential resources through a practical life in a global society and they'll no doubt be weighing up the various strategies available - many strategies of which being mindful of human feelings will be a limiting factor. When competing with other businesses, for example, honesty and compassion when interacting with a customer is not deemed to be a desirable character trait. That's why I like teaching instead.

I remember telling my mum that I couldn't wait until I could be old enough to get drunk without being told off by adults. She asked me why with a frown of confusion on her face. I couldn't believe getting drunk as a sole aim would ever be met with opposition - that's how most adults enjoy themselves, right?

[FeeHutch]

since having children there have been many times when something has come out of my mouth that confuses me as much as them! Why tell them it is rude to notice the world (and people) around them and then *gasp* comment on it?! Out of the mouth of babes as is often said