How do you share the understanding of the Three Principles with children?

– Written by Natasha Swerdloff

Parents often contact me with a desire to help their children. Their love and concern for their little ones is evident, but ironically, this deep concern can sometimes lead to more pressure on the child. Without being aware of it, parents' concerns can create an extra burden for the child. 

That's why my approach always starts with the parents. By talking to them first, we can work together to address any unintended pressure they may be putting on their kids. Then I talk to the kid to understand and support them at their level. But the journey doesn't stop there. I also guide parents on how to share and communicate with their kids in a constructive and supportive way. This blog will delve deeper into this process and provide you with some specific tips on what to be aware of when sharing your understanding with your child.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that children in many cases already live with a natural understanding of the Three Principles. Often, they know much more about it than we do. But sharing this understanding with children is very much like sharing it with anyone else.

The right state of mind:First, we must ensure that we ourselves are in the right state of mind. We must see the world through the Three Principles if we want to help anyone, whether children or adults.

Create a light and playful atmosphere:Especially when sharing with children, it is important to create a light and playful atmosphere so that they are open to learning something new.

Listen deeply:It is crucial to listen very attentively to children in order to understand where they are coming from and what might be blocking them. We need to listen at a level where we can intuitively sense how best to help them.

Share at their level:When sharing the Three Principles, do so in a way that children can understand and relate to. For example, they can understand that when their minds are confused, they don't make the best decisions. They can also recognize the feeling of calm when their minds are clear.

When we want to share with children, it is good to use creativity because it gives them insight into how their thoughts influence their experiences.

Think of a snow globe. When you shake it, everything becomes foggy with snow—it's like when we have many thoughts and feel confused. After a while, when the snow settles, it becomes clear again inside the globe. It's like those moments when we feel calm and happy. 

With the snow globe, we can show children that just as snow settles, our thoughts and feelings can also settle, making us feel better.

The key to capturing children's attention lies in our ability to first deepen our own understanding.

This is also what we call grounding. As parents, we want the best for our children, which is why it is important that we approach our children with authenticity, openness, and empathy.

Remember that children often intuitively understand the Principles. Therefore, our task is not so much to "teach" them as to "remind" them of what they already know. Through playful approaches, such as the snow globe example, we can make it more vivid and relatable for them.

Finally, I would like to encourage all parents to take time to reflect on their own inner experiences and understandings. Once we truly understand and live by the Three Principles in our own lives, it will naturally radiate to the young people around us with whom we wish to share.

So dive in, and may your journey of sharing the Three Principles with your child be filled with insights, connections, and loving moments.