Mindfulness

We want to set children up for success when introducing them to meditation practices so playfulness is on order. The Monster Parade: A Book about Feeling All Your Feelings and Then Watching Them Go by Wendy O'Leary with illustrations by Noémie Gionet Landry (Bala Kids 2022) is a wonderful and playful way to approach the idea that feelings and thoughts are fleeting.

In this video, Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro explains how Buddhism can be seen as a complete educational system. He discusses mind training, the study of sutta (sutra) and how to integrate the Dhamma (Dharma) into one’s daily life. From a series of talks from a contemplative retreat at Paccaya in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

This books takes us on a colorful adventure with Bodhi and her mother to Bangkok, Thailand, where they explore themes of language, culture, routine, ritual, kindness, compassion and bodhicitta. Recommended for children ages 3 – 7.

From the Rubin Museum: An art project aimed at generating self-reflection and mindfulness

From the Rubin Museum: An art project to explore letting go of fear and attachment

The 16 Guidelines for Life aims to empower parents, teachers, educators and carers to explore mindfulness and ethical values with children and teenagers.

Free resources to bring mindfulness and meditation into the home.

Online self-guided courses and resources from MindUP, designed to support families in cultivating mindfulness, awareness, compassion, an understanding of the brain, and more.

This is a simple and fun activity to do with kids or adults of any age. It can serve as an introduction to the practice of mindfulness or just be a visual metaphor for the interplay of life’s chaos and stillness.

About the book Breathing Makes It Better: A Book for Sad Days, Mad Days, Glad Days, and All the Feelings In-Between