I am so excited to announce that Zen for Kids: 50+ Mindful Activities and Stories to Shine Loving-Kindness Into the World, by Laura Burges, illustrated by me is available for pre order!
This lovely book covers basic teachings about Zen through eleven stories and numerous activities relating to each concept introduced. Some activities include:
Sitting zazen
Writing haiku
Observing, making, and appreciating food
Growing plants
Spreading kindness and performing secret good deeds
Learning and writing about family history
and more!
I am very pleased to have been a part of this project. Most of us aren’t taught how to manage difficult emotions and stress until we are adults. And even as adults most people are not good at it! It is so easy to chase external solutions to ease our suffering— distracting ourselves in the form of alcohol, drugs, sex, food, shopping, scrolling online, video games, Netflix, etc. But when we get comfortable with ourselves —our fears, our worries, and our endless thoughts— with compassion and non-reactivity, and just sit with that, a shift takes place. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we were taught how to be with ourselves and the present moment as children!? What would our world look like?
I’ve been an enthusiast of meditation ever since I was a young adult, but I have never been very “good” at it. I admit I am not so comfortable sitting still. But I have been practicing daily for a number of years and it is easier than before. I started at a bare minimum — 2 minutes— and have progressed slowly. I use an app — Calm— I am still a newbie. But it has had an enormous positive impact on my daily life.
Zen for Kids is written by Laura Burgess, who has taught children for over 35 years and now mentors teachers helping to bring the practice of mindfulness into the classroom.
I adored illustrating each story she tells in this wonderful and important book. It is available for pre order here!