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38 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

through observing the behaviors of a community of caring, well- Children’s dhamma programming
those around us. I remember, before intentioned, thoughtful families in can be based on the idea that
I had my own children, watching a your area. Exploring questions and children experience spirituality
mother try to get her willful, tired issues will be far richer and deeper through their senses. Connection,
toddler into a car seat. I could easily if done with others. mystery, awe, love, contentment,
imagine an aggressive impulse to inner peace—these arise through
A Child’s Path
shove the child’s hips into the seat, hearing stories and singing together,
overcoming her with adult strength. Our children arrive into this world smells of incense, sharing food,
The mother, however, pulled out with an innate spirituality. Yet, visuals in art and candlelight, and
a simple object from her bag and without care and tending, childhood in moving the body in ceremony
dangled it in front of the toddler. spirituality can wither and even or dance. For children, all of these
As the child reached for it, she become dormant until decades later. aspects are magical and exciting.
became distracted and her body Helping children learn meditation Thus, children’s lesson plans should
relaxed right into the car seat. At and dhamma teachings provides center on activities that connect to
that point, the mother buckled her children with ways of finding: the senses in multiple ways.
in. The moment was a revelation for • meaning and purpose in life
me at several levels, particularly in • self-knowledge With regards to teaching children
understanding that parenting could • freedom from consumerist meditation, we should use
be a skill that was learned. But more greed, ill will, hatred of the exercises that are engaging, putting
important, it was something I saw other, ignorance, and delusion abstract teachings into tangible
in real life from someone I knew. • a life directed toward wisdom activities. Certainly, a child can do
We are social animals and, as a and compassion a few minutes of quiet breathing
result, much of our learning occurs • authentic love for oneself and meditation as adults do, but in the
not through reading but through others experience of many teachers, long
relationships. • values and priorities that meditation sessions get associated
lead to happiness, peace, and with boredom or sleep. Besides, a
Therefore, as you undertake contentment lot of children have their own way
family dhamma, consider joining of meditating informally, so we do
not need to be rigid about what