I meditate daily as spiritual practice along with daily yoga. It has brought much joy to my life. I have a 3 year old that loves to practice yoga with me, but my wife draws the line with the meditation aspect saying its too early. I feel one compliments the other, but for the sake of household peace, I respect her position. I look forward to the public response on this issue.
I think her objection lies with her first and only experience going to a Christian church. Speaking in toungs and flopping on the floor left her with the opinion that anything related to spirituality is wack.
Perhaps I am at fault, as I have made the statement this is the closest I have to a religion.
2007-12-04 12:55:06 · 11 answers · asked by foolofjoy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I chose 7 for my children and that seems to work out. Mental concentration emerging into spiritual freedom involves converting thought into pure abstraction and anyone under 7 has a very,very limited capacity for abstract thinking. I could have started them earlier but they would have just been going through the motions so to speak.
2007-12-04 13:48:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-23 01:10:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think 3 or 4 is a fine age. There are 4 year olds who are introduced to meditation at the dojo where I do karate training. They do fine with it.
The Christian religion has a tradition of meditation including St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.
Not all Christians speak in tongues or flop around on the floor. I think you need a more liberal church than the one you had described. Or, if you don't want to go liberal, shop for one that has embraced meditation.
I have a masters degree in psychology, and I have used meditation as a "modality" to reduce stress and blood pressure. The psychology / counseling community has embraced the benefits of meditation. I don't see what the problem is.
2007-12-04 13:04:13 · answer #3 · answered by Mark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to teach your three year old meditation, since the child will be affected by your energy when you meditate, and go into a meditative state to some degree by being there. Animals are also strongly affected by meditation. Meditation will help calm the child, which could be a benefit.
2007-12-04 13:02:50 · answer #4 · answered by astrogoodwin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the child can sit still and just be then let them for however long they can manage it.
IF you want to do visualization type meditation do it as a relaxant before bed. It can also stimulate the imagination of children.
I do a guided meditation with any kids who want to using Daisies in charkra colours
Personally I feel if a child wants to join in then let them but don't force them.
2007-12-04 13:00:49 · answer #5 · answered by silkin_storm 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that you should wait until the child reaches puberty, 12 or 13 years old. Younger than that the child wouldn't have a clue. During puberty sexual energy starts to come in force and it is just that energy which is taken to a higher level in the process of meditation.
2007-12-04 13:07:50 · answer #6 · answered by Barry W 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The practice of yoga is "...A Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity." If you are trying to get closer to the true and living God, you must use the practices that the prophets and apostles of God used .... Keeping the commandments of God, having faith in Jesus, and PRAYING to Him.
Concerning your daughter, the Word of God says that we are to teach our children what needs to be done.....and that also includes praying. Look here in Psa. 78: 1-7 ..
"...Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments..."
The Commandments of God are to be taught to the children at a very young age. Look here in Prov. 22:4 ...
"...Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it..."
All in all, it is never too early to teach our children...
"...Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." - Eccl. 12: 13-14
2007-12-05 12:34:34 · answer #7 · answered by Deuel Israel 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3 is waaaay to young. They can't even sit still for very long at that age. I'd say maybe 10, and then only if it interests them.
2007-12-04 13:23:28 · answer #8 · answered by MiaOMya 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would say that at 3 years old it would be rally hard to find a center of meditation. i think at that age breath-consciousness is enough. allow him/her to go at their own pace from there.
2007-12-04 13:02:32 · answer #9 · answered by voodoogeisha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let him be still as long as he wants to. Make it a game at first, he'll get it.
2007-12-04 13:06:39 · answer #10 · answered by Sister blue eyes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋