Psychiatrist Edward Hoffman who has done extensive research on spirituality in children feels that even very young children are capable of an inner spiritual life.
One way to develop this inner life is by actively exposing children to nature because nature can have a profound effect on children's spiritual development. It is from nature that children learn that all life is connected.
Exposing children to nature can take many forms--spending time close to a lake (as we did on Lake Manitou when our boys were young), camping in the wilds (as our son does with our grandson every summer in Algonquin), growing a vegetable or flower garden, or simply being outdoors as often as possible. Children love the natural world because nature is the Great Teacher that can mold thoughts and inspire love.
Imagine running freely in the fields,then placing your ears against great leafy trunks so you can listen to the trees! Children understand that this freedom in nature is what gives them vitality and inspiration. It is the language of trees and birds that feeds the invisible self.
Another way is to encourage the child to connect with his inner life through art, songs, dance and movement. Give children every opportunity to establish a flow between the inner and outer selves.Children have a natural understanding of the invisible realm, but this realm needs to be nurtured so that it is not stunted by our all too material world of things and logic.
Our grandchildren are surrounded by tools for expression--paper, crayons, cardboard, paint, glue. Their mother is a child of nature herself and understands fully what is needed to seed and nurture this "child."
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