Hellobee

Spirituality: A broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. As such, it is a universal human experience—something that touches us all.  – via the University of Michigan

After reading Deepak Chopra’s inspiring, little book, The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents I struggled about how to properly review it. Maybe, it’s because unlike other parenting books where the outcome is defined, (i.e., you will have the happiest toddler on the block if you do X, Y and Z), the goal of teaching your child how to be spiritual outside the religious sense and find their purpose is abstract, vague and means different things for everyone.

Even my parenting partner in crime, Mr. Skateboard, had a different opinion of what spirituality is and why it’s important that we teach “it” to our little Sk8ers. So, I asked my friend Katy McLaughlin, who works in the business of helping people connect with themselves, why teaching children spirituality matters:

If children understand, which I think they innately do, that they are spiritual beings too, not only human bodies, then their purpose will rise quicker to the surface of their conscious mind, and they will perhaps follow that purpose without hesitation.

Hmm, I haven’t done this much pondering since my undergrad philosophy class (Chopra does that, right?). The book is organized into one law per week and guides parents on how to engage little ones (I’d guess age 5+) with the concepts.

The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents

• First Law (Sunday): Everything is possible.
  To teach our children that every second of every day is a doorway to new potential and new perspectives and that old thoughts imprison us. Basically, this is a day to tear down personal stop signs and remove the word, “can’t” from your daily life.

• Second Law (Monday): If you want something, give it.
  A smile, help, kisses, love, respect – this isn’t a law about giving a Lego for a Lego, “Giving is the secret of abundance.” Not only teaching kids how it feels to give, but how to accept graciously and be grateful.
• Third Law (Tuesday): When you make a choice, you change the future.
  Uh-oh, karma day. “Talk to your kids about how it feels to make one choice over another…Our heart tells us when an action is right or wrong.” This is an amazing emotional intelligence activity!
• Fourth Law (Wednesday): Don’t say no – go with the flow.
  I still struggle with this law. It teaches the concept of “least effort,” but as a self-confessed control freak, this flighty concept is difficult. This law tells us not to fight our destiny – to be in the moment, “Let the Universe help guide you.” I’ll really try not to, “steer the river,” a bit more, but if I don’t take the oars and paddle nothing will get done around here.
• Fifth Law (Thursday): Every time you wish or want, you plant a seed.
  I LOVE this law. One of the activities given is to sit with your child weekly and have them (or with your help), write down what they want for themselves/others this week; what they want to happen with school/lessons (avoid acquisitions). This is an activity to teach vision and perseverance on a micro scale and can include anything from being less shy in class to being a better helper with little sister.
• Sixth Law (Friday): Enjoy the journey.
  This law isn’t as direct as it sounds – it introduces the Eastern idea of detachment, which is a hard concept for me to grasp. In this book detachment involves throwing yourself enthusiastically into something without expecting to control the situation/outcome. Teaching that life can be uncertain and inevitable, but it is not to be feared. Kids should feel safe in a shifting and unpredictable world. I interpret this as just enjoying the randomness of life (sort of the same as #4, no?)
• Seventh Law (Saturday): You are here for a reason.
  The law of dharma: Duty, purpose, law, goal making – my favorite (I’m a girl all about lists!). Ask your kids: Where are you now? Where are we as a family? Work together on a path for what they/we want. This law also introduces the idea of service to others, which I think is important.

Many who read Hellobee are in the thick of sleepless nights and are in general survival mode –  you’re not exactly ready to chat with Junior about dharma or karma over Cheerios at breakfast. But, in five short years, which will be here in a blink, these laws can help facilitate conversations about purpose, empathy, kindness and regardless of your religious beliefs can open the door to talking about spirituality and the power of Self.

Even if your Bebe is still in diapers, I recommend getting this little book. It’s a good way to connect with our own path before we try and show another little human how to do it. Chopra intends that through your parental influence, children will learn that life is exciting and wondrous and hopes that you will be able to look at your child as a soul embarking on a journey.