Simply put, meditation is a practice that trains the mind to pay attention to the present moment. I’ve practiced meditation for many years, even though I have to admit that I wasn’t always consistent. Over the years I learned different meditation techniques all pointing in the same direction. 

I once read the following words from the Dalai Lama: “If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence from the world within one generation.” I couldn’t agree more. 

I decided to make my small contribution to the cause by teaching my students meditation. However knowing that the word meditation may have a religious connotation, and in order to avoid resistance, I had to find a way to deliver this teaching in a secular manner. 

Eventually I discovered mindfulness, and even though some of its roots are in practices that are religious, there are some that are not. But I was able to find a secular program designed specifically for children and teenagers. The only requisite to obtain the curriculum and learn how to deliver it was that I established my own mindfulness practice which made total sense.  

After a year of practicing mindfulness I became a certified teacher. In less than two years I was able to teach mindfulness to at least 80% of my students, around 130. More importantly, because the program was very easily adapted to adults, I taught most of my teachers as well. My takeaway of this experience is that it is more efficient to implement meditation from the top down, means, adults first. It is hard to ask a child to self regulate if the adults in their lives don’t handle their own stress well.

While looking  for secular meditation programs designed for kids, I found a vast amount of scientific research claiming many benefits for the well being of the practitioners. Some of them  like stress reduction and better sleep, I already knew first hand. But I also read about self-regulation, increased empathy, and improved concentration. These benefits added more value to the beautiful task of teaching meditation.

If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to reply to this post.