Generally, in most schools, when a student misbehaves, he suffers a punishment or is suspended from school. However, at a Baltimore elementary school in the United States, a new strategy has been adopted for students who behave badly. It is a question of imposing on the student a meditation session, which certainly has borne fruit in terms of education.
Thus, instead of being summoned to the director's office or undergoing extreme punishment such as suspension or expulsion, unruly or misbehaving children are sent to the "Hall of Strong Moments". This room, also known as the "room of the moment of conscience", is equipped and lit in such a way as to provide children with a feeling of peace and serenity. To this end, the student is invited to discuss, breathe and meditate with an instructor who assists and guides him to soothe his emotions. This technique seems to give good results since since its application, the rate of suspension in this establishment has recorded a clear regression. Even better, since the adoption of this program, children are showing their desire to come to school.
In other countries, such as Canada, meditation is practiced as a non-punishment school activity to reduce children's stress, develop their self-confidence, and improve their attention span. 'school. Moreover, in France, Belgium and Switzerland more than 9000 students from 350 schools are taking part in the P.E.A.C.E. initiated by the Association Meditation in Education. 60 French schools that go from primary to high school organize meditation programs with the help of this association.
What is meditation?
The fundamental principle of meditation is to develop one's attention and concentration which are two essential factors in all the processes of life. It's about focusing your attention on a particular point such as breathing and trying to sweep away all thoughts that may arise in the meantime, be they negative or positive. The goal is to learn to soothe the mind of any kind of disruptive agitation. At the very beginning, the result can be difficult to achieve. However, with practice and perseverance, we arrive at the desired goal. It follows a great moment of appeasement and serenity that affects our everyday behavior.
Types of mediation
There are 4 types of meditation:
1. Vipassana meditation which is based on the technique of breathing.
2. Transcendental Meditation which is a technique of relaxation and development of consciousness using mantras (repeated words) for concentration.
3. Zen meditation that uses techniques to change our understanding of reality through observation and reflection.
4. Mindfulness meditation, which consists of becoming aware of the present moment at each moment and moment of one's existence, and of being aware of one's body, of one's daily acts and actions and of other people around us.
What are the benefits of meditation
With meditation practiced regularly, we begin to feel its benefits after 2 to 3 weeks. Also, we become more tolerant, more understanding and more compassionate. We are thus in the acceptance of others as they are and also in the acceptance of ourselves and of our qualities and our faults. It is certainly a long way but which leads to a great wisdom and to the attainment of happiness.
In addition, meditation has other benefits for the body and mind. It allows to:
- Reduce daily stress
- Develop attention and concentration
- Develop creativity
- Improve sociability;
- Reduce depression
- Strengthen the immune system
- Reduce the blood pressure.
How to meditate?
Several methods of meditation can be provided on the internet or through guided meditation CDs. Thus, at the beginning, the mediation session may not exceed 5 or 10 minutes but you can increase the duration over the days.
Meditation exercise
At the end of the day, give yourself a little time and get comfortable in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. By closing your eyes, inhale and exhale slowly while focusing on your breathing. Relax and release the pressure you feel on your shoulders and imagine a light that penetrates your head to the tip of your toes and floods you with a wave of relaxation throughout the body. Feel the flow of this wave and the pleasure it gives you. Continue to breathe and exhale while feeling the flood of this heat. Then slowly open your eyes and feel the moment of calm and calm that permeates you.
This meditation can be practiced in the evening to calm your tensions of the day or early in the morning to start a positive day full of energy.
