Meditation in Schools

Have we talked about this yet?

Not sure we have. Very encouraging. Meditating has certainly helped me in my day to day life.

What kind of schools? Colleges, fine. Schools with minors, not. I wouldn't want somebody leading my kid into doing something like that.

Meditation being dangerous to the undeveloped mind, of course.

Though, really, if you read the article, I don't see how taking a time out each day to calm yourself and collect your thoughts could be so debilitating regardless of age, but you've made strong arguments before about how damaging meditation can be, so I'll not open up that can of worms. To each his own.

I'd like to share a thought I had regarding meditation or whatever it may be that can calm children, allowing them to think more clearly...

I was at my sons house to visit. My grandson was getting fidgety and it was close to his bedtime. My son picked up the baby and took him to his crib. From the intercom system I hear this high intensity music. Although it was set at a low volume, my grandson was obviously tossing and whining as my son reentered the living room. this went on for several minutes.

Being the granddad I am, I excused myself and went to my grandsons room and turned off the music. I picked him up in my arms and slowly began to sway back and forth (like the Trivolta tree scene from the movie Phenomenon) while singing soft ballads from country music and Elvis. As I rocked him, I held him close so he could feel the vibrations off my chest from the singing.

My grandson immediately stopped fidgeting and began to close his eyes. I felt his body relax and go limp. He was asleep in less than 2 minutes. The soft volume and the vibrations of my singing are similar to that of the Om Ah Hum chants of the Tibetan Monks. It is the sound of life, and the sound of peace and security (along with my arms wrapped around him).

If we encourage this type of calming techniques early in a child's life, could we not continue this in school? In the US, the laws say that there is allowed 5 minutes of reflection during school hours. It is lost in the code but it is there. I know, I was with the PTA for many years and looked this up because we had so many parents of religious beliefs that wanted prayer back in the public schools.

So if we allow our children during this period to meditate, in whatever form of prayer they desire, would it not be beneficial to the security and safety of the children? Would it not help keep them from becoming agitated and aggressive because they are cooped up in a building without relief for 8 hours?

Just food for thought

edit - I used this technique at a professional hockey game on my grandson...he was sleeping in 2 minutes. Just saying

I might ad to that any moment of refocusing, regardless of beliefs, can be taken advantage of for the ones own betterment. It doesn't have to be "meditation" or "Prayer". These labels do that moment a disservice. It doesn't need and is harmed by said labels. Let us say that everyone could benefit from taking "a moment".

ISn't that all we really have?

I agree! But some people need more than a moment. :lol: