How to teach your children about spirituality?

Kassy · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 05:04 AM

I am a very spiritual person, not afilliated to any religion or group, and I'm starting to wonder how and when will it be the right time to teach my child about inner spituality. I believe in spirit guides and the spirit world in general and, of corse, I also believe in God. How do I blend those 2 concepts toguether without causing any confusion? She is aware of the spiritual world b/c she does have an eye for that dimension and she is not afraid.
Sorry for all the questions. I'm just trying to find the best way to start nourishing the beautiful spiritually she was already born with. Have any of you mommies gone through this?

hanabi · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 09:19 AM

This is a hard question because spirituality is so very individual and I personally don't think it can be 'taught'. I think it is all about process (how to foster personal reflection and growth) rather than content (there is a God/spirit guide/spiritworld etc).

But that just is my approach since I do not subscribe to any particular belief system and I want my kids to ask questions of themselves and others and come to their own conclusions on the subject.

I do think it is possible to nurture 'the spirit', self-image, self-esteem, balance, etc, without even touching on topics of religion.

kime · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 09:41 AM

Hi Kassy,
When I was pregnant with my first, I really enjoyed the book "caretaking a new soul" by Anne Carson. It is a collection of writings from Thich Nhat Hanh to Z. Budapest. It has information on how to nurture your child's spirituality from birth up. It is not that comprehensive - but an interesting read.
For me, there is no confusion between spirit world and god, they exist together. I believe that I don't have to exactly understand what god is to believe in his/her existence.
I am sure you find what is right for you and your daughter.

rebjm · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 03:59 PM

I think open communication. I'm sure you speak to your close friends about your beliefs, so why not your kids. I also read bible stories to DS when he was younger and conversation flowed from there. We have a few relatives that have passed before DS was born, and when he was older so he was bought up with conversations about people in spirit.