juliemcallister.com

Parents are the child’s first spiritual teacher. Even if your parents were not overtly spiritual, there is no doubt that they influenced your sense of spirituality in some way. So now that you are a parent, you have to make important decisions about how to develop spirituality in your children.

The good news is that children are naturally spiritual. They are naturally intuitive and compassionate, and they are completely open-minded without any hard and fast beliefs. Thus, to a large degree, you can simply let your child’s spiritual development unfold naturally and without much effort on your part.

However, there are some important decisions to make. If you come from a particular spiritual background, you may want to pass on certain beliefs or traditions that you think are important. In this case, I recommend exposing the child to these spiritual elements without forcing the child to accept or embrace anything. Just make it fun, and the child will be naturally curious.

Another powerful tool for the teaching of spirituality is nature. I would even say that nature is far superior to any cathedral or temple for developing one’s spirituality. By spending time in nature, children can learn the very important skill of being. Nature, by its essence, allows people to feel oneness with all of creation, as well as their own true nature. As a parent, there is very little that you need to do to make nature a spiritual experience for children. Most importantly, you can teach them reverence and respect for the earth, making them aware that each step they make can affect the earth. Help them to walk and play in nature without harming it. Beyond that, you may also point out certain things, like the beauty of a sunset or the sound of a babbling brook, but for the most part you can let them explore and discover themselves as they interact with nature.

Another important way of teaching spirituality to children is through example. In a way, everything that you do serves as a spiritual example to children. For example, consider how you respond to difficult things in the presence of your children. Do you become angry easily? Do you insult or berate others in their presence? Do you forgive others easily or do you hold a grudge? All of these behaviors are sending messages to your children about ways of being in the world. If you choose, whenever possible, to be a loving, caring presence, your children will automatically know and understand the value of this.

In the healing work I have done with adults, I have met many that feel hurt by the spiritual teaching they received as a child. Whatever you do, please do not force your child toward any particular form of spirituality. Also, avoid the tendency to make spiritual concepts a matter of right and wrong, for this teaches them to judge themselves and others, rather than to love, which is the real goal of spirituality. As they grow, they will incorporate what feels right at the right time. If they feel pushed, however, they might end up feeling resentful, and as adults they might close down their spiritual side as a result.

Finally, remember that your child’s spirituality is already there in the same way that the oak tree is in the acorn. It’s not really up to you to instill spirituality in your child. Just find ways to allow your child’s spirituality to bloom in its own way and at its own time.

ILCHI LEE is an educator, mentor, and trailblazer who has developed many mind-body training methods including Dahn Yoga and Brain Education.  He is also the founder of Sedona Mago Retreat and the author of thirty-three books, including the New York Times bestseller, The Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart.  For more information about his Sedona experiences, visit www.callofsedona.com.

{ 0 comments }