“Meditation elevates the soul from the body, mind, and intellect to absolute peace and bliss.”–Amma
This year I resolve to will sit in meditation for at least 30 minutes everyday for the entire year. (#sit365) I have been sitting everyday for about 40 minutes for the last 5 months and have seen tremendous changes in my life. I can’t imagine what the effects of 17 months of daily meditation will be.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” Psalms 37:7
One of the surprising side-effects of this daily practice has been the introduction of meditation to my sons. Although they won’t sit with me for 40 minutes, they do understand that Daddy has to meditate everyday. Rather than ask, “Daddy, will you sleep with me?” my two year old commands, “Daddy med-tate by my bed.”
My 5 year old loves the anime show “The Last Airbender.” He often asks me, “How many hours a day do you have to meditate if you want to move earth, Daddy?” or “How strong would you be if you meditated for one month?” (He means 24/7 for 30 days straight.)
Although they won’t sit for longer than a minute, when I tell them to meditate, they sit down, cross their legs, put their hands together, close their eyes, and think about inner peace–they learned “inner peace” from Kung Fu Panda. I’m thrilled that they already know how to meditate and the benefits of meditation. I can’t think of a better thing to teach my sons.
Thank you for reading, sharing, and/or smiling.
What would be one thing that you would try to pass on to your children? Please share.
Related articles
- Meditation – Easy Peasy (curtiswl.wordpress.com)
- Days Three Hundred Thirteen – Three Hundred Twenty-Four (slowbreathsoftheart.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Resolved (rarasaur.wordpress.com)
- Weekly Photo Challenge: Resolved (scsurfbutler.com)
- Weekly photo challenge: Resolved! (eyeof1001.wordpress.com)
everyday gurus 
Kozo, this post is magic to my eyes and your son’s photograph makes it even sweeter. Meditation seems to be one of the many lessons I want to learn but do not manage to for some reason…I know the theory of “making” time however when it comes to meditation I always feel so short.
I admire you so much. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Did I mention your son is sooooo cuuuuuute
Thanks, Anyes. Even if you do 5 minutes, it will make a difference.
This is not one of the most flattering photos of my son, but it cracks me up how he scrunches up his face when he “med-tates.” haha
Look at the face, a made-tation with a squint. And the questions are just priceless. Who can meditate? I think this blog should be tag under humour.
Thanks, Seeker. If the Dalai Lama is any indication, the more one meditates, the more one laughs. So humor and meditation go hand and hand. haha
I love meditating. My knowledge of Dalai Lama is about compassion. My experience on meditation lead me to Gopi Krishna on Kundalini rising. It’s a wonderful experience but not for everyone. Laughter is a form of yoga and humour is good for the soul. Seriously speaking, I find humour on most aspects of my own life and I laugh a lot. Thanks Kozo for sharing your children. Namaste.
This is one of my favorite pictures ever. Too bad you don’t get paid to put pictures on Pinterest…
I just got a pinterest account, but I have no idea how it works. I will try to put up the picture though. Thanks, Olivia. Hope you had a great first day back.
This is how our children learn the best things in life! I totally enjoyed reading and thank you for sharing the photo!!!
Your welcome. I hope to teach by example.
P.S. Loved your last post that deconstructed depression.
awww thank you so much!!! I was told by a nurse when I was hospitalized in 2010 something profound (at least to me)—she actually told me I was lucky…she pointed out, that she obviously knew I suffer from depression yet, people inside this hospital are suffering and dying of cancer and other death sentences they can not defeat (if in finally stages) she said, I could defeat my depression in so many ways. Medication, different surroundings, changing thinking patterns, different views ect ect and you know what? She was right. I was broken in the hospital but, like the famous quote goes, “We become broken open.” and this is what moves me. I still have my inner battles and they may never go away but, I have a light that will never be snuffed…it’s an eternal light and I will define myself and my life with ZEST. WOW….Sorry for the looooong comment, just wanted to share a tad but ended up giving you an epic comment. yikes! 🙂
I’ve heard many people say how meditation has changed their lives. Your post is so appropriate, Kozo, because after a stressful day, I feel mediation would help with the stress. Maybe it can solve my daily migraines!
Meditation and a good neck massage could do wonders for headaches, DIeu. If you really NEED a cure, I would try a Vipasssana Retreat. Smiles also help. 🙂
How adorable is that little one!! 🙂
Kozo, we recently go the Wii system and Wiifit and it has, on balance exercises, a meditation pose!! Ha ha guess what this old mum is not doing as well as daughter on all the other games and exercises but I can manage to sit still !
Love the example you are providing for your two sons..
Rarasaur told me about the Wii Fit meditation. Would love to see you kick butt on the youngsters on the most important game in the system. haha
ha ha not that I’m competitive OR ANYTHING oops did I yell 🙂
Haha. You can win all the time, Annie–just keep meditating on being less competitive and you will sit forever. haha. I hate to admit it, but I am the same way.
🙂
What a wonderful thing to teach your children! I love the picture of your son. Like the theme, he shows true resolve!
Thanks, Cathy. I don’t know what he thinks about with his eyes all crunched up, but he sits there for a good minute. haha.
your words are very inspiring, and i love the photo of your son … what a gift you are giving your children! the quote at the to is marvellous because many people tink that meditation is for quietening the mind … rather than ‘elevating the soul’ 🙂
Exactly, Christine. I don’ think people realize how “healthy” meditation is for all parts of our lives. I hope to pass this down to my children. Thank you for commenting and reading.
What a beautiful picture of your son! He is just the most beautiful boy 😀
Meditation is a wonderful thing, Kozo. I’ve been meditating for about 30 years now and it’s such a wonderful and calming experience. I still can’t ‘move earth’ – but maybe one day…
Haha, Dianne. Now I know what your secret is. I just have to meditate for 29 more years and I will get to live the amazing Dianne Gray life.
P.S.
You may not be able to move the earth, but you can move a RUC which is pretty impressive.
Hahahaha! So true!
Kozo, I know I’m repeating what others have said but this is a gorgeous picture of your son – the effort he is putting into it just warms my heart 🙂
It’s lovely that you connect with them in such a personal activity as well.
Thanks, Lena. I feel blessed that I get to spend so much quality time with my sons. We have called my youngest son “The Buddha” since he was born because of his easy-going disposition. I’m amazed that he sits there with his eyes closed for almost a minute.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Although I’ve never meditated, the one thing I did do with my son when he was growing up, was reading. He still loves it today. So I think knowledge is also important.
Nice peaceful post, by the way. 🙂
Great point, Sarah. With Netflix, YouTube, and iPads, it is really easy to forget to read to our children. I just finished Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with my son, and he loved it.
Thanks for the reminder of the importance of reading.
Beautiful post…
this makes me want to begin meditating…
With school, work, and blogging ~ I need a mental cool down every day…
Thanx for posting…This is great inspiration…
BTW: Cute son!!!!
Thanks, DLT. You can start meditating anytime, even while blogging. Just take 2 minutes and focus on your breath. Yay, you meditated. I sometimes do a quick meditation at a stop light or while waiting in line. What seems to matter most is consistency. If you do 2 minutes of meditation a day everyday, then you will notice the difference. Hope that helps.
P.S.
Popped over to your site and read about the Taft shooting. I have no words. My heart sinks every time I hear “school” and “shooting.”
A great post Kozo. I’ve never tried Meditation, but I may give it a try. Thank you too for posting the photo of your son, what a lovely boy. He does you credit.
You asked in your post ‘What would be one thing that you would try to pass on to your children?’
When my children were little I tried to pass on this thought. ‘No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.’
Joy to you and yours always. Chris
Wow, Chris. Thank you for this wonderful advice. Obviously, this idea had a huge impact on Tracy. I think I will make a poster to put up in our house with that saying.
I’m going to remind Tracy to let you guest blog on FEC-THis.
Sweet to hear about your boys!
Love,
Tomas
this is a warm and wonderful post so full of love…your son in his pose is just precious. because of your inspiration, i am incorporating morning meditation (learning) so keep your tips coming…thank you & peace be with you. ❤
Yay, Sunshine. I just finished my morning meditation. It really helps me with patience. As we know, “let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” James 1:4.
Tweet me if you find something deep in meditation and are bursting to tell someone. 🙂
Thank you for shining on my blog.
will do, Kozo…thank you!!
Kozo, that’s the greatest gift you can give to your sons! Sitting meditation (satsang) with loved ones allow your heart energy to be shared freely. This heightened awareness is true freedom of the soul, your purpose is revealed. This awakened state becomes your everyday state of consciousness! Imagine the love and joy of knowing who you really are!! You are transmitting this “sacred silence bliss” or what I like to call “lovey dub magic spell” to everyone you meet. Now that’s what I call true power! 😀
“Lovey Dub Magic Spell” haha Love it, Maddie. I’m going to entice my boys with that phrase.
I’m especially thankful that my wife and I are taking a Cultivating Compassion workshop which requires daily meditation, so my wife is joining the practice. Soon, I will send out a picture with the whole family in satsang. Maybe that will be our Christmas card for next year. 🙂
I don’t have biological children. I always tell my friends kids to trust their instincts. Take advice with a grain of salt because at the end of the day, they are the only one’s living their life. No one is going to listen to how they were part of a decision that went wrong. So when they decide on something, it has to not only be what’s right, but what’s right for them.
Great advice, GM. I like the idea of teaching our kids to be critical thinkers even with advice from elders. Although if you teach them this, they might not listen because they will be critical of your advice. haha
Yeah I thought about that. They’ll still get a lesson out of it if they don’t take my advice. So I rest in that notion 🙂
What a gift. I am really touehcd deeply. Thank you for this gift. I consider it an honor to have found such a treasure especially during this ascension process can become quite intense.Much love and peace for 2012