September 26, 2020

Quote of the Week

"The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence." - J Krishnamurti

Seeds Of Awareness

The importance of mental health is one of the key things that is coming in the forefront during the recent times. This week we share with you a couple of initiatives that intend to help children in this area.

Twelve-year-old students from Australia are teaching younger children through podcasts about how their brain reacts to stressful situations and how to take care of their mental health. They use fun analogies like the guard dog as the amygdala, in charge of fight or flight responses; the wise owl as the pre-frontal cortex, which regulates cognitive function; the elephant represents memory; and the sooty bird represents the ability to sort and organise information. It seems to be helping even kindergarten students understand the basics of how their brains work. [Read More]

In an another initiative, seeds of awareness are being planted in children across the world using a simple approach of 'Breath Awareness' (Anapana Meditation) which is giving them a practical tool to be more self-aware and in the process also develop concentration and compassion. This video gives a glimpse of how children find this approach beneficial. [Watch Here]

Reading Corner

Title: Awareness Through The Body
By: Aloka Marti and Joan Sala
Stage: Parents of kids 4+ (as there are suitable activity guides included)

Awareness through the Body is a comprehensive curriculum of exercises that aims to raise awareness and enable children – or adults – to become conscious of their own perceptions and abilities so that they may become self-aware, self-directed individuals. The activities are creative and often fun; they develop gradually and encourage concentration, focus, relaxation and a sense of accomplishment.

The book is meant to provide a guide for people who want to discover the existing connections between mind, emotions and the physical body, and to offer ways to integrate these different parts into a more harmonious whole around their inner-most centre. The authors have borrowed and blended elements from a multitude of disciplines, including dance, Hatha yoga, Taoism, martial arts, physiotherapy, Shiatsu, relaxation and breathing therapies.
 

Be the Change

Take some time to close your eyes and observe your breath, as it is. Don't have any goal or expectations and see what happens when you observe without any evaluation.