The other day, I decided I wanted to get all three of my children started with a regular meditation practice. They’ve all had the opportunity to try it, but haven’t done so regularly. My motivation is primarily to give them a practice they can turn to when they need to deal with the stresses of life. If meditation became something they are skilled at eventually, then it would be a ready “tool” at their disposal. At the same time, I would work on making my own practice a daily one.
All I ask of them right now is 2 minutes a day.
I visit each of them before they head to bed to read each night. I sit in front of them, they settle on top of their new “meditation cushions” which in truth are just chair cushions we bought at KMart. Each in turn will either nod or say “not yet” and get settled and still.
Cricket tends to sway a little as he meditates. Monkey is impressively still, but chooses a yoga pose instead, cupping his feet. I decide neither of these habits are ones needing to be addressed yet. They are, after all, sitting with the intention to meditate. Ladybug sits in better form than I can manage myself.
Two of them are likely bored with the practice, but it’s okay. I even tell them this is fine. It’s 2 minutes. We won’t bump up the minutes until they want to do so, even if it takes a long time.
I’m hoping we keep up the practice. It’s still new, and it’s hard to predict whether we will, but it’s something I feel will be worthwhile for each of them.
