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Chapter 1 – Mindfulness with Elementary-School-Age Children

For 15 years my pet peeve has been that the term “yoga” has become synonymous with hippie exercise rather than its scientific, faith-based origins.

Deep breaths.

“Aum. All yoga is good – except maybe that one with guns! Aum.”

 

I have a new one: the term “mindfulness” has become another mainstream spinoff of Patanjali’s Raja Yoga – again, without mentioning the author or the object of his faith.

According to Raja Yoga, we have THREE parts: body, mind, and consciousness. No one seems to want to be associated with the third one!! WTH?!

I shouldn’t care. Patanjali would be delighted that his prehistoric treasure map has survived in any form, regardless of name or attribution. Though he’d be mortified at what we’ve done to the Garden of Eden.

The intent of Patanjali’s discipline is to foster Love and Faith.

 

The Yoga Sutras are a personal, holistic (body, mind, spirit) discipline that can lead to realization of the existence of God.

Right. Game changer. As in, a way to find eternal peace while you’re still here!!

Once faith buds, love inevitably blossoms – and nothing is more powerful or transformative.

 

Every breath is scientifically (if not divinely) miraculous. Give thanks to the Source of Everything for this life opportunity and experience and get to know yourself better. Meditate, the original form of prayer!! 😉

Since actions speak louder than words, in addition to setting aside time to close your eyes and express appreciation for your life, give thanks and honor whatever you call the Source of Everything (which, btw doesn’t need anything) by serving those less fortunate than yourself.

These are my notes after a quick read of the first chapter of Willard & Saltzman’s “Teaching Mindfulness Skills to Kid and Teens”:

The first chapter of the book introduces “MBCT-C” as fundamental to their approach. What’s MBCT-C? “Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children” [that’s a mouthful]

Here are MBCT-C’s “12 points of awareness for children”. It’s a 12-class course for elementary school kids [these aren’t MBCT’s titles; I’m just making the point that Patanjali is smiling!]:

THE KID VERSION:

  1. We naturally run on autopilot
  2. You can live with awareness instead
  3. We’re not our thoughts
  4. We’re the awareness OF our thoughts
  5. Emotions affect our thoughts
  6. Thoughts affect our actions
  7. Concentration
  8. Practicing concentration
  9. Karma
  10. Non-attachment
  11. Constant practice
  12. You get out of anything what you put into it

Can you spell,  “P A T A N A J A L I ‘ S   R A J A  Y O G A”?

WANT THE ADULT VERSION? Pick up a copy of any interpretation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and reach out. It’s what I do.

God bless, Skip

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MIND BLOWN 🤯

This book by Christopher Willard & Amy Saltzman practically jumped off the library shelf at me yesterday. ❤

THIS IS RAJA YOGA!! 🕉

Step 2 of 3 anyway!

[Have you taken a yoga class in the past 20 years? You’ve taken Step #1.]

So many awesome quotes….

Kabat Zinn, 2011: “Mindfulness is paying attention without judgment in the present moment.” ❤

.…and exercises (from page 2):

Place one finger on the center of your forehead, close your eyes, and simply place your attention on the sensations.

  • Notice what your forehead feels like against your finger…..

  • Notice what your finger feels like against your forehead…..

  • Bring awareness to the sensations…..

  • Notice temperature…..

  • Texture…..

  • Pressure…..

  • Moisture…..

  • Can you feel your pulse?

  • Stay with this for a moment; when your mind wanders, just notice that and bring your attention gently back to the sensation of your finger on your forehead.

  • And then open your eyes and notice how you feel.

❤❤❤

 

They’ve adopted Patanjali’s concentration and meditation exercises to help children! The book has contributions and support from dozens of well-respected academic and mental health professionals!

link to first 50 pages

NOW – STEP #3 (YOU’RE SOOOO CLOSE!)

 

So what’s the point of learning physical and mental self-awareness and control at any age?

Ultimately? To find and develop faith in your Self [with a capital “S”]

How?

Patanjali’s advice? Never give up. Always let go.

 

The object is to identify with the aspect of you that sees through your eyes [rather than with your eyes]: your consciousness – the awareness OF your thoughts: the aspect of each of us that NEVER changes.

It requires a paradigm shift but when you “see” it for the first time it’ll blow your mind.

Part of us IS eternal.

It’s not a story.

THAT realization will change your life.

 

God bless.

Allan (Skip) Dowds, Raja Yogi

 

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Meditation Relieves Suffering

Meditation relieves:

  • Dis-ease
  • Dullness
  • Doubt
  • Carelessness
  • Laziness
  • Sensuality
  • Misperception

But don’t take Patanjali’s word for it – Try It!

Bottom line: meditation takes your mind offline, giving it a much-appreciated chance to rest, relax, recharge, restore. The benefits will become self-evident in short order!

3 of Patanjali’s 196 Yoga Sutras:

1.51

Concluding line of Chapter 1 on the science behind meditation:

Patanajali: “tasya api nirodhe sarva nirodhat nirbijah samadhih”*

In a state of union with consciousness [nirbijah samadhih] no emotional triggers remain; it’s a state of ultimate serenity: the state of union or yoga.

2.1 & 2

First two lines of Chapter 2 on preparing to meditate:

Patanajali: “tapah svadhyaya ishvara-pranidhana kriya-yogah samadhi bhavana arthah klesha tanu karanarthah cha”*

Practice serenity, courage and wisdom to reduce self-inflicted suffering.

2.17 & 18

The gist of Patanjali’s Raja Yoga:

Patanajali: “drashtri drishyayoh samyogah heya hetuh prakasha kriya sthiti shilam bhuta indriya atmakam bhoga apavarga artham drishyam”*

Avoiding future pain is a matter of remaining aware of the distinction between matter and consciousness. The latter witnesses life through the former.

 

* “hardcopy” version of Patanjali’s phonetic (oral) Sanskrit

Want to get started? Sit still with your eyes closed and observe. That’s it. Simple – not easy.

Want help? It’s what I do. ❤😊🕉

God bless. Enjoy!

MEDITATION TIPS FOR BEGINNERS