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I have long been fascinated by the subject of Mindfulness. Books on Mindfulness litter the bookshelves at bookstores. Mindfulness for children has also been an increasingly popular topic, as scientific research shows real benefits for those who practice it. However, when you mention Mindfulness to many adults, their eyes immediately glaze over. Many Mindfulness techniques seem boring and restrictive. An invitation to sit and breathe can seem like a veiled way of telling someone, especially a child, to just ‘stay put and be quiet.’ Finally, and most importantly, many of the concepts that are central to mindfulness can seem abstract and inaccessible to adults, let alone children, making them extremely difficult to comprehend and discuss.
To me, something critical has been missing from these books on Mindfulness. What's missing is the humor and the life that our egoic mind brings to our lives. Books on Mindfulness for children often come across as adult manuals watered down so that kids can get it. Missing are the stories, characters, and humor that fans of children's book cherish. First as a syndicated cartoonist and later as a children’s book author, I’ve found drawing to be a great link to self expression. I’ve long been drawing personifications of my own egoic mind as a way of observing myself. Since becoming a father, I have worked with my own children on helping them observe theirs. In looking for a way to refer to their egoic minds, I came up with the concept of Oogies: a playful term I invented to help kids relate to their inner selves. (To find out more about what an Oogie is, click here.) I've been amazed at how some simple techniques can transform the way adults and children relate to each other and themselves! |
