Did you ever think a public school assembly in the United States would end with a meditation? It has been quite a journey, but last week Albert Einstein Academy in San Diego concluded its awards ceremony with a guided meditation. The meditation was led by Jeff Zlotnik, co-founder and executive director of The Meditation Initiative, a nonprofit organization sharing secular meditation with thousands of people.
Since the assembly, people have asked if 250 kids actually sat in silence. “Absolutely not!” is the response. But wow, what an experience it was. For about 5 minutes, the kids were asked to observe the sounds and attempt to keep their mind focused on their breath. Life is filled with noise and distractions and our practice is to observe them, yet stay focused on the present moment.
The relationship at Albert Einstein began in early January with the administration and staff being led in a meditation. It was clear that this practice would be of tremendous benefit to the kids. Meditations are now scheduled regularly on the school’s half day, so students and teachers who wish to attend can join the meditation. Staff and students sit in meditation together which allows the teachers to observe the students’ emotional reaction to sitting quietly. This is a beautiful activity for them to do together, strengthening the bond between staff and students.
After the meditation last week a 13-year-old boy said, “I feel calm and less destructive”. The look on the teacher’s face was one of complete amazement. A child openly saying he feels less destructive. What is it about our way of life that allows a 13-year-old to feel destructive? So as we continue to work with Albert Einstein and other places throughout San Diego, we hope to bring some peace and quiet to all who sit.
In a culture so quick to give medication for ADD and ADHD, the art of meditation is becoming a beautiful way to help kids deal with their inability to pay attention and stay focused. The Meditation Initiative works towards the California Department of Education recognizing the importance of meditation for our children and making meditation a part of the core curriculum. It is time our culture no longer fears the word meditation, but appreciate it for the beauty and peace it allows us to experience.
Founded in January of 2009, The Meditation Initiative provides free meditation classes and training for children, adults and seniors to help prevent stress and anxiety, improve focus and attention, and share tools for anger management while improving overall mental and emotional health and well-being.
Free meditation classes are offered at K-12 public schools, colleges, hospitals, prisons, diabetes patients, HIV patients, senior centers, veterans’ facilities, sober living homes, and group homes for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
For more information on The Meditation Initiative, please visit www.meditationinitiative.org or email [email protected]
