Our spiritual path does not only consists of exercises, mediation, yoga etc. Our path is a life style, a way to live and think. We don't just practice while we meditate, but want to practice awareness, kindness, calmness, trustworthiness every moment of our day. Is that possible? Well, like I said it is a practice and life brings challenges, but we have our intentions and believe that in living this way lies our happiness.
Creating this kind of atmosphere, including happiness and inner peace is how we mostly include our children into our spiritual life. Children might not be able to express much of what goes on in their minds or bodies, but they can feel and benefit from their environment and learn a sense of self and life style through their experience.
We also love to sing or pray before we eat. Now that Sophia can read she is eager to read Yogananda's words from "How to be happy all the time".
The words to a favorite song we love to sing go as follows:
Receive Lord in Thy light the food we eat for it is Thine.
Infuse it with Thy love Thy energy Thy life divine.
Om
Empfang Herr in Deinem Lichte
Die Speisen die Du uns gegeben
Erfuell sie mit deinem Leben
Mit Deiner Liebe und
Lebenskraft.
Om
As of late the children enjoy their bed time routine of laying still in bed. We practice a little breathing together, to help their tiered bodies and minds to rest. Once they have found a quiet place Theodore or I play on the harmonium and chant out loud. We sing two or three chants before we end with a prayer. We all place our palms touching in front of our hearts and everyone repeats. The prayer is simple, but meaningful, connecting feelings to the body (asking for calmness in our hearts) and thanking for divine mother's presence. I usually include something from a daily situation as a reflection and gratitude.
To life my spiritual values is the most important goal in my life. If I can truly model to live spiritual life I think I will have shared spirituality with my children.
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