Today I am very happy to introduce Ilchi Lee.
A beautiful teacher of spirit, Ilchi Lee is an educator and mentor 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 a closer look, click here.
I asked Mr Lee how to nurture spirituality in children. Here is his golden advice for all of us to imbibe.
~~~
For conscientious parents, introducing spirituality to children can be difficult. On the one hand, you want them to develop that side of themselves. But on the other hand, you don’t want to foist your beliefs onto them. I would like propose that the most natural way to expose kids to spirituality is nature herself.
The first thing parents should realize is that teaching spirituality is not about telling your child what to believe. In fact, the need to compartmentalize spirituality into a set of beliefs has caused much trouble for humanity throughout history. In its purest form, spirituality is about experience, not belief, and thus words will always fall short. Thus, your goal should be to allow children to experience their spiritual side, rather than to believe any particular thing.
Nature is the perfect place for children to experience their spiritual selves. Outdoors, children very naturally experience the awe and wonder of life without all the noisy, artificial distractions of modern life. They do not have to know any facts or figures about nature to feel this. Nature teaches about the cycle of life and the oneness of all things in ways that far exceed the words written in any sacred document.
When out in nature, there is little that you as a parent have to teach. All you have to do is provide the opportunity to interact with nature. The most important lessons of nature are communicated intuitively and automatically, if a child is given enough time to romp and play and explore. What is more important, I think, is what you demonstrate in your own behaviors toward nature. Do you look at nature as something for humans to exploit, or do you regard nature with reverence and respect? In their lifetimes, children will be exposed to many ways of thinking and relating to the world. By communicating to them through your own behaviors toward the earth, you could be communicating a sense of sacredness in regard to the earth and the natural environment. These behaviors could serve your children for a lifetime.
~~~
I would like to offer you the chance to win Ilchi Lee's book, the bestseller,The Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart. Please leave a comment for your chance to win.
For more information about Ilchi Lee's teachings, visit www.callofsedona.com
Mary Adams writes for Mr Lee's blog. It is filled with interesting insight into spiritual lessons and how we can live an enriched, full, beautiful life.
Good luck! The giveaway is open for one week. Please share this post around and kindly tell others of the competition. I'll announce the winner next Friday.
A very special thank you to Mr Lee for his very generous contribution to Obaitori.
~~~
The winner of Ilchi Lee's book, The Call of Sedona; Journey of the Heart goes to Amanda from
"Beautiful and inspiring! So simple, yet so important. The last few weeks, as I began the herb and vegetable seeds for the garden, having the children involved, helping me with the seedlings, has been such a wonderful way for them to develop their connection with Nature.
Thank you for an amazing giveaway!"
Congratulations Amanda!
