Mention the effect is the same regardless of the religion it is part of. This means that meditation is ideally suited to school classes where there are children from different religious backgrounds. What is even more exciting is that Christian meditation is widely accepted and widely adopted.

Let’s experience it before we hear any theory about it.

Re-connects children with silence and stillness; counterbalance to outside world. Not only the children but also the teachers.

Even worse for teachers

Serotonin is a chemical that influences our emotional state: a happy state is associated with increased levels of serotonin and an unhappy state is associated with decreased levels. Stress reduces the serotonin level considerably. Moreover, stress will lead to higher levels of the hormone cortisol in our blood stream, which triggers our ‘flight or fight’ reflex. This leads to a permanent state of tension and alertness to danger, which in turn is proven to lead to memory loss, depression and anxiety. Meditation’s impact on stress underlies many of its proven physical health benefits. Dr Shanida Nataraja ‘The Blissful Brain - Neuroscience and proof of the power of meditation’ Importance of endocrine system, net work of nerve cells, which secrete hormones in the bloodstream

Lack of balance prevalent; can create ill-health

Starts in childhood

How does this happen? Most of the effect of meditation depends on attention and in doing so concentration. In the Townsville experience more than half the students and teachers observed improvement in concentration. Obviously results in better study outcomes

Attention switches on the right side of the brain – empathy, connectedness, seeing the whole picture. in context with feeling included. Through meditation bridges are built between the two sides

Alpha waves dominate, but from 2 onwards use of left brain – quite rightly increases. Based on research by Erwin Laszlo ‘The Interconnected Universe’ 1995. Children will find the practice of Christian Meditation is a process in which they feel like they are ‘coming home’- a place that is familiar, real and comfortable.

Has also social implications

Meditation helps them to reconnect with the right brain way of being and therefore increases a sense of balance . Not new learning but re-connecting.

Remind audience of brain studies

Get children involved in the creating of the sacred space and lighting the candle, sounding the gong.

Children associate times and places with certain activities Children associate times and places with certain activities. Just as we have a special time and place to eat or to sleep, it is important to create a special place to meditate. If you do not have an extra room at school, you can transform part of the classroom into a sacred meditation space with an icon, a candle, or perhaps some other special objects. Make the area comfortable to sit relaxed with their back straight. Always meditate in that place specially dedicated to prayer. The children will then come to associate that place with silence, stillness and prayer, which will help them in the discipline of meditation.

Let’s begin with students posture Let’s begin with students posture. Suggest relaxation of muscles in the face and jaw and especially shoulders Recommend that students sit upright with straight back. Decide together with your students whether you sit on the floor, chairs or at desks for meditation. Pause for brief response of this To meditate well the children should adopt a comfortable sitting posture; It must be comfortable and relaxed, but not sloppy. The back should be as straight as possible with the spine in an upright position. Those who possess a fair degree of suppleness and agility may sit on the floor in a cross-legged position. If you sit in a chair, make sure it is one that is upright and comfortable

Ask them to notice how the breath is cool when it comes into their nostrils and how it feels warm when it comes out. Let them watch their breath in this way for a while, practicing the breathing in and out. Watching the breath in this way not only stills the body but also the mind. Breathe should be calm and regular This allows the students to relax and become peaceful in readiness for the work of Meditation – Stilling the mind through the saying of the Mantra.

Universal word calling on the Lord Universal word calling on the Lord. Explain to the children that we say sacred prayer word called a “mantra” throughout the time of our meditation. With very young children out loud for the first few times. The mantra helps us to clear the mind so that we can be attentive to God within. The word we recommend is MA RA NA THA The Mantra helps us to focus The Mantra is simple The Mantra allows meditation to be available to all, even those who can’t read Praying the mantra shows that we believe in God who is Father, Jesus who is God’s Son and the Spirit that is love. (The Trinity)