Meditations for Children eBook

By FPMT

This practice for children was created in support of Lama Yeshe’s and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision of Universal Education.

The aim is to give parents and educators some useful, accurate, and practical guidelines for meditating with children, from ages 5-15. The meditations gathered together here use simple, universal language that children of all ages and backgrounds can easily understand.

This title comes with a downloadable audio containing instructions and timeless meditations from the Buddhist tradition, which have been adapted especially for use with both Buddhist and non-Buddhist children. Two of the meditations were originally given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to Ven. Wendy Finster in 1984, for use with children in Adelaide, Australia. The ideas given by Rinpoche have been expanded in this booklet into full meditations, and named “Transforming Your Body to Help Others” and “Awakening the Heart.” To download audio visit FPMT website .

• Language: English
• Publisher: FPMT
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005597986

FPMT

The FPMT is an organization devoted to preserving and spreading Mahayana Buddhism worldwide by creating opportunities to listen, reflect, meditate, practice and actualize the unmistaken teachings of the Buddha and based on that experience spreading the Dharma to sentient beings. We provide integrated education through which people’s minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility and service. We are committed to creating harmonious environments and helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion. Our organization is based on the Buddhist tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught to us by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and our spiritual director, Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche.

Book preview

Introduction

Everyone wants to be happy, especially children. Meditation can help children to be happy. They can learn how to calm and focus their minds, and to transform disturbing thoughts and emotions into happiness and peace.

Children of all ages can use meditation to access their own inner strength and problem solving processes. They will be able to develop their potential to be wise, peaceful, and loving, so they can better cope with the problems, stress and uncertainty of a rapidly changing world.

This booklet contains some timeless meditations from the Buddhist tradition, which have been adapted especially for use with both Buddhist and non-Buddhist children.

Two of the meditations were originally given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to Ven. Wendy Finster in 1984, for use with children in Adelaide, Australia. The ideas given by Rinpoche have been expanded in this booklet into full meditations, and named Transforming Your Body to Help Others and Awakening the Heart.

The meditations in this booklet are grouped into three levels:

Level One meditations are suitable for children five to seven (and over), as well as for beginners of all ages. Remember to keep the sessions very short at first for this group. Even five minutes can seem like a very long time for a young child. Try to avoid conceptualising with children aged five to seven, as their logical thinking is limited. They are dominated by perception and experiential learning, so analytical meditations, which use reasoning will not be useful.

Level Two meditations are suitable for children from age eight to ten, as they can apply reason and logic. However, their logic is developed at a very concrete level.

Level Three meditations are for children aged eleven to fifteen. This age group can comprehend and process more complex language and concepts, and their ability to reason and conceptualise is more developed. They can also concentrate and sit quietly for longer periods.

When deciding on the meditation subject and length of the session, be flexible and make adjustments to suit the age, maturity and level of experience of your group. Children of all ages have a great capacity for imagination, but they vary in their capacity for abstract thinking.

It's important that the interest or inclination comes from the child's own side - children can be encouraged to meditate, but it must be voluntary. If a child in your group does not want to, or is unable to participate for any reason, then give that child the option of another quiet activity, such as drawing or reading. It is helpful if another adult can co-facilitate the sessions, so that the second adult can take aside any children who choose not to meditate. Then those who are ready to participate will be able to do so without distraction.

On some days, external influences may create too much excitement for children to even try to meditate. If the children are unsettled or excited, try guiding