In my role of working with children aged 10. I’m lucky enough to be provided with many opportunities to employ some of the great perspectives, techniques and teachings of EnlightenNext. In my time of working with children I’ve found it to be very powerful to facilitate ‘non-religious’ meditation sessions. Here the children sit still, relaxed and attentively for 5min sessions in the morning and for 2 mins in the afternoon. It’s a powerful, focused and calming time for us all. Its a time when children (and adults iin the room) can let go of all the agitations and worries and allow their awareness to expand outwards. Most children I’ve worked with love this exercise and many practice it themselves at home through their own volition.
One of the unique aspects of EN work is Enlightened communication. What I’ve been amazed with is that children can practice this too! At the highest level EC groups are about communicating with others beyond ego. With children aged 10 this can be a little bit too much to ask for. But basic principles of ‘following the thread’ of what’s being said and speaking in the most positive way without putting ones hands up can easily be practiced by children. I’ve found children significantly raise their levels of care and respect for each other in these groups. They also become aware that they are a valuable and intrinsic part of a larger body of pupils and not just separete and isolated individuals. Furthermore, these groups allow most pupils I’ve worked with, to increase their levels of speaking with depth, authenticity, meaningfulness and purpose.
Another important aspect of EE is the evolutionary perspective. Most children I’ve worked with find the ‘Universe Story’ from the time of the Big Bang fascinating and enriching. To my knowledge it places the biggest and most positive perspective on the child’s own experience of life.
from Rod S
Thanks for this great post! It’s so uplifting and inspiring. I love what you are saying about bringing enlightened communication to children in the classroom, and the very positive effect this is having on their ability to speak with authenticity and depth. Wow, imagine how different the lives of children (and all of us) would be if this were a regular part of their school experience? Heaven at school! And then… beyond
Hi Andrea,
Many thanks for your response! Yes, when children start to speak about higher values ‘without raising hands’ and following a ‘thread of conversation’ they too can enter into an intersubjective hightened awareness together. Indeed, I think that if children had this experience once or twice a week throughout their school years it would have a profound effect on them and on our culture as a whole!
This is very inspiring reading Rod, and I am sure it is making a big difference to the children. I am particularly struck by how simple and plain it is possible to be in ‘translating’ some very profound approaches, like meditation and enlightenend communication in this way. We are looking at doing this in a business context and this is very encouraging!
Hi Uli,
Yes, I think that there are many approaches and teachings used at EN that can we used in other contexts including business to great effect. One other that I didn’t mention in my blog are (and one that I’ve also used alot in the classroom is ‘The law of Volitionality’. Here children learn that they are either making negative choices or positive choices inside the classroom. The good news is, that if children want to change their behaviour for the better, thay can simply do this by making the right choices.
Dear Rod ,
Its encouraging to read how EC applied in many ways . Its being applied in my mentoring of a small group of teachers and has amazing inspiring outcomes . Thanks !