Mindfulness & Meditation
First Essay: Mindfulness & Children
As an adult, studying mindfulness for the first time, I found it a difficult concept and an even more difficult concept to put into practice in my everyday life. However challenging it may be, I can clearly see the benefits, rewards and impact it can have. As I’ve tried to implement what I’ve learned into my daily life, I’ve definitely I had setbacks here and there. It really is the process that takes practice and much thought. One definition of mindfulness is “the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgementally to the unfolding of experiences moment by moment. It is an active process involving staying aware of the external environment and the internal bodily sensations in the present moment without judgment, positive or negative” (Joh Kobat-Zinn).” While this may sound rather uncomplicated, it is not always simple. The uncertainty of the life can produce worries about events that have happened in the past or what may come in the future, this is true not only for adults but for children as well. The use of meditation practices, including mindfulness, is a relatively new way to promote health and well-being among adults, but more recently these mindfulness practices have been introduced to children.
To be a child is to be constantly told what to do, all day and all night long. What time to wake up, what time to eat, where they are going, what they can and can’t touch. Being constantly told what to do can lead to going through the motions of living without conscious awareness. A good example would be if you asked a child what they had for lunch and they are unable to tell you. This does not necessarily been the child does not remember what he or she had for lunch but more likely because they were not paying attention at the time. Children are much closer to their daily experiences than adults. Every experience is...