Shikantaza, Just Sitting

A regular meditation practice is like
a bridge connecting our busy mun-
dane minds to a peaceful sense of
silence and illuminating awareness.

            Buddhism is full of techniques for dealing with an overly active mind during meditation.  From what I have learned about meditation, the mind is supposed to be alert and aware during meditation (not drifting off somewhere in space, nor listening to "voices"or zoning out to "meditation music," etc.).  Yet, it's not to be caught in a parade of discursive thoughts, either...somewhere on a Middle Path between the two extremes.

             Of course, discursive thoughts have their place: they are great when one is trying to write something, like a blog post for instance, or give a speech, or chat with a beloved friend.  But they are obviously problematic to a meditator, someone trying to get away from them for a while.

           One method (or an approach to living, really) is that of shikantaza,“just sitting” in Japanese.  This method is a wonderful bridge leading one beyond the endless chitter-chatter of one’s thoughts, into a peaceful and empowering experience of pure awareness.  It involves only concentrating on the awareness of one’s body just sitting as one meditates, nothing more.  

Our Wonderful Dream-Movies

"Dreaming is the inner language of the soul through which wisdom is transmitted to our conscious minds."  -Arthur Bernard
  

Sometimes before I go to bed, 
I pause and wonder with delight,
"What will I dream of next?  What
will be tonight's special feature?"

        Dreaming is like simultaneously producing and watching a movie, and our minds are like amazing, one-stop production companies!  We are at once the writers, lead actors, directors, producers and enthralled audiences of our own dream-movies.  It's a shame few of us take the time to remember, record and decipher our dreams.  Like Hollywood movies, most dreams have a "moral of the story," a valuable message with wisdom we could apply to our lives.  Our conscious minds are usually too busy with mundane matters to listen to what our deeper selves have to say, to hear our inner wisdom.  So dreaming is a wonderful tool, a technology of the soul that, as Bernard stated, transmits this wisdom to our conscious, waking selves.  So many of the dreams we dream are created by us, for us.

We Have a Psychic Kid, What Should We Do?

Not long ago, someone wrote to me:

        Hi.  We have recently found out that my 13 year old son is clairaudient. We love and support him but this is all new to us.  I was wondering if there is any information or guidence you could suggest.  We have saged the house and have crystals in his room, and I have organized for him to have meditation and Reiki classes.  Are we doing the right things for him?  We feel it is important for him to have a normal (so to speak) childhood.  I would love to know if there is any sort of website that children with these abilities can talk to each other?  Thank you.  

My answer was:

Acceptance

         In my opinion you are doing so many things right!  For one, you accept him as he is.  That is huge.  So many psychic kids (and adults) are not accepted by their loved ones, but ostracized, so they suppress their skills in order to be “acceptable.”  Or, they are forced to sadly dissociate from their families in order to be around those who accept them.  Either way, it can be lonely and painful.  So a huge, potential block to his well-being is lifted by the love and acceptance you’ve shown him.  Bravo.  

          Of course, after he leaves his loving home, he’s got the world to face.  But with that, you’re also helping him.  You’re preparing him for the world by letting him develop and control his metaphysical skills slowly, while he’s still with you.  By the time he leaves home he will be able to focus on the normal issues we all have to face, making a living, etc., without the added burden of not knowing how to control his psychic ability.  You’ve seen to it that he started developing his skills in meditation and Reiki.  He will naturally gravitate to other modalities that interest him on his own.  You've opened the door for him to explore.

Tools

         Meditation is important so that he is able to focus his mind, which is crucial for someone with psychic ability.  If one’s mind is not balanced and focused, psychic ability could be a very negative thing.  For example, someone with clairaudience, if unbalanced,  might “hear” from and obey the wrong kinds of entities.  Reiki is a form a energy manipulation, a skill that someone sensitive to subtle energy would greatly benefit from in order to grasp and feel comfortable with it. Reiki practitioners not only work to heal other people, but they also learn to keep their own energy healthy and properly attuned.  So you are equiping him with tools he will find valuable now, and in the future as an adult.  I would say you are doing the right things, and should keep it up.

Adapting

           Be easy on yourself and don’t make too big a deal about his being “normal” or not.  It’s important that he learns to handle a little taunting from others, or occasional loneliness, in a positive way, so he will have developed adaptive skills by the time he’s grown.  All of us feel different, misunderstood sometimes.  We all have something different about us that we think we need to “fix” in order to fit in.  People with straight hair get curly perms; those with curly hair buy flat irons and straighten it.  If it wasn’t clairaudience that made him different, what would it have been?  --a big nose, or big ears, or exceptional mathematics ability?  It would have been something.  So one of the best things you could do is relax, continue giving him a sense of acceptance, and celebrate his differences. 

Networking

         As far as meeting other kids like him, in the process of attending various metaphysical events and classes, he will naturally make new friends.  I find that the more events I attend, the more kindred spirits I meet!  So, give it time.  It will happen naturally.  He'll be fine.  You’re on the right track and doing great, Mom.  Here are some additional sources you might look into for starters:

 Profound Awareness Institute  -  "Where families & individuals to meet locally & virtually in a safe, supportive environment” 

Children with Light forum  - “Children with Light is a board for children who wish to communicate with other children who have intuitive abilities”

Psychic Meetup groups in Melbourne, Australia  -  I’m not sure where in Australia you are.  But here is a listing of psychic groups in Melbourne to start your search of finding a children’s group (you could type in another city in the search field at the top). 

       The best to you and your family!