Contemplaytion™
"Mindfulness is paying attention to the here and now, with kindness and curiosity, so that we can choose our behavior." -Dr. Amy Saltzman
Learning what it means to live a good life is spiritual work. Contemplaytion is a chance for young people to remember who they truly are. It is an opportunity for them to share their lives, questions, dreams, and worries with a compassionate listener. It is a time to listen to the still, small voice of God. It is a moment to take a deep breath and know that they are beloved and they are never alone.
We will spend time together contemplating big ideas the way all children do—through play!
Each session will contain elements of the following:
Contemplaytion Through Mindulness
Teaching children to come home to the breath gives them a simple, reliable way to return to safety and presence in their bodies. The breath helps children recognize and sit with big emotions without needing to fix or suppress them. Learning to pause and breathe nurtures self-compassion and trust in their ability to self-regulate. This practice lays a foundation for lifelong resilience and inner peace. By returning to the breath, children learn that peace and grounding are always available within themselves. Along with breathing techniques, we share short meditations, mindful movement, and bringing loving awareness to everything we do in our daily lives.
Contemplaytion Through Story
Inviting children to explore their lives through imagination, narrative, and wonder. Stories—philosophical, sacred, or created by the child—offer a safe and accessible way for children to express questions, fears, hopes, and life experiences. Using a storytelling method called OutoftheBox, we will listen and respond with gentle curiosity and reflection rather than interpretation or correction. This practice honors children as natural storytellers whose inner wisdom often emerges through metaphor and play. Through storytelling, children begin to learn that their lives are held within a larger, loving narrative.
Contemplaytion Through Nature
Inviting children to encounter the holy through the living world, engaging their senses, bodies, and curiosity. Time outdoors—walking, sitting, observing, or playing—creates space for children to wonder, notice silence, and experience interconnectedness. I walk by their side helping them reflect on what they notice in themselves and the world. This practice allows us to recognize the sacredness of the Earth and our place in it. Through nature, children learn that they belong to a wider web of life and that God can be experienced in stillness, movement, and awe.