Have you ever sat in stillness? Do you find it hard to stop the chatter in your mind?
“Meditation is a technique that settles the mind from the constant chatter and chaos that surrounds us. Mindfulness is being more aware of our thoughts, bodies and surroundings. Meditation and mindfulness help us self-regulate our bodies, and be more in control, emotionally and physically, of how we react to everyday stress. Research in the last decade has shown that meditation has physical and emotional benefits, ranging from reducing cholesterol to helping depression to increasing empathy.” Mallika Chopra
I have been meditating on and off for many years now but in the last few months I thought I would do it more regularly to help combat the uncertainty of the world around me. Ideally you are meant to meditate in the mornings but I meditate in the evenings when I have some time to myself. It certainly is a skill that will take time to develop as I am beginning to learn. I still struggle to silence my mind as thoughts of house chores and other duties and responsibilities keep popping up. I’m told not to force the stillness but instead to just relax and one day the mantra will become the focus as effortlessly as the thoughts that currently enter my mind. Even though I am far from that point I feel the benefits already. I feel positive, I think positive and my mood is instantly elevated. I also feel more energetic and refreshed. I’m not sure if that’s from relaxing the whole body or from just clearing the mind, but when I open my eyes it feels like a new day!
At St Luke’s we practise meditation everyday and one obvious benefit is that it creates calm in a classroom which is most appreciated, but there is more to meditation than that. Starting at a young age it can prove vital in developing self respect as well as respect for others and the world around them. Meditation and mindfulness develops awareness, which leads to a happier and more fulfilled life. However, we can’t teach meditation if we don’t meditate ourselves and experience first hand its benefits, much like faith. In the same way, if we don’t have a good understanding of the content we are teaching it would be difficult to teach others.
Meditation has had the attention of scientists for over ten years now with new studies showing the benefits in developing this skill in children as young as Kindergarten. Research shows that through meditation, brain centres responsible for emotion and executive function can change, helping children to regulate their emotions, reduce impulsivity, improve concentration and much more. This not only improves academic performance, but can also boost physical and emotional health.
At a physical level, learning how to breathe deeply and slowly, which is characteristic of most meditation routines, can have many health benefits. Breathing properly is something many adults don’t know how to do so learning this early in life could possibly develop into a subconscious habit they can carry into their teen and adult life. Meditation is known to improve physical health such as, lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, insomnia, as well as anxiety and depression, providing a natural health alternative to medication.
Scientists have found that over a lifespan, meditation and mindfulness can have a significant positive impact on a person’s emotional health as they learn to understand their thoughts and feelings. They come to understand their relationship within their body and the interconnectedness of the world around them. This kind of awareness can act as a preventative tool that allows greater emotional and psychological resilience.
Current statistics of diagnosed anxiety and depression in young children and teenagers is very alarming. This means our children are stressed and overwhelmed in life well before they reach adulthood! Making meditation common practise from young is essential in developing positive, self aware human beings who have contentment within themselves, appreciation for others and the world around them and ultimately providing them with security, freedom, and happiness. Moreover, if the skill is developed early in life, they will have a valuable tool to use throughout their adult life. Even if they abandon the practise as their lives become busy, they will always be able to reconnect when they feel the need to, and stillness, like an old friend, is always waiting to greet us.
Evident above, are several examples of the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. As teachers, if we integrate this practice into our own lives, even if it’s just 5 minutes a day, we not only enjoy these benefits but we provide an enriched environment for our students, which in turn will create and attract further positivity beneficial to the whole community. How will you find stillness amidst the chatter of your mind?