On raising children - I can't imagine a question that's more exciting to consider given what it means to the World in which we live.
I believe it was Martin Buber who wrote, "in each hour a new generation is born." Imagine what the World might be like if we find the way to allow an entire generation to purely evolve into our fullest expression as divine beings. Sons and Daughters of God, growing together in community. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
I've been living with this question for a long time. What follows is a list of 'guidelines' that I'm currently committed to as both teacher and parent. In no particular order:
* Treat each child, no matter how young, with the same intensity of love and respect that I give to any other person. Take extra care to be especially mindful and heart-full when I'm around the youngest.
(While children require guidance as they grow into their bodies - learning to eat, sleep, poop, walk, etc. - they do not require 'talking down to' or 'baby-talk.' Indeed, I suspect baby-talk can be quite damaging in that it projects a sense of ignorance and foolishness on the child. As closest to Source, a baby has the purest potential and can naturally inspire a response of unconditional love from beyond even the most hardened ego-mask. On the flip side, a baby is a divine being in its most vulnerable form, and will be effected for better and worse by any and all energy in its area.)
* Practice the art of Play in the company of children.
(By the art of Play, I refer to a spontaneous creative activity that is stimulating, imaginative and, of course, fun! This is a great way to engage a child (or any other person) in an authentic way. This does not involve a board game or anything else with established rules; it's about stepping outside of our framework to relate to one another in a completely unique experience.
(My daughter is 15 months old, and we engage in a new form of 'Peek-a-Boo Tag' every day. It might seem to start out the same way, I suddenly have a sly grin and she knows what that means. She laughs and runs down the hall, I become a creature of some bizarre shape and awkwardly chase after her. We come to a certain point, then she turns and chases me. With every turn, my creature has a new form and a new sound. These 'creatures' are not made up in advance, rather they take shape spontaneously the moment I turn. Hiding places become more complex, laughter reaches new heights, our traditional roles are entirely abandoned until we finally collapse together and catch our breath while our familiar world settles into its place.
(As its practice cannot be replicated, the art of Play provides unlimited opportunities to for one-of-a-kind encounters. This is highest quality of time to be shared, Kairos, the 'time that flies when you're having fun.')
* Be Authentic.
(This 'guideline' applies universally to every aspect of my life. I must not act differently around a child, I must not put on an act at all. As authentic as I'm capable of being, I must be nothing less. If I make a mistake, admit it. If I lose my temper for no good reason, apologize (even to a baby). If I pretend to be listening when really I'm not, confess. If I'm feeling sad, anxious, scared, frustrated, etc. and can't recognize why, express. Clearing my consciousness in the presence of children is one of the best ways to demonstrate the capability of growing with and through the challenges we face.)
* Allow the Child to Be.
(This says it all, and I'm afraid it's much harder than it seems. If I have even the slightest idea of something that I hope or fear for concerning the child in my care, I'm at risk of interfering adversely with her process of genuine evolution...
To Be Continued...
