Zen for Kids

"This classic way of sitting zazen in such a formal way can be challenging for children. A guided meditation at home with the family can help them focus. While children might feel self-conscious or a little embarrassed by this at first, I've found, from using these practices as a classroom teacher, that they can come to enjoy silence and stillness. It will be helpful to your children, to your whole family, if you develop a sitting practice of your own. Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese priest and peace activist, says, 'If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.' This is an important reminder. We don't just claim peace and happiness as our birthright; rather, we rest in happiness and peace for the benefit of all beings"--