Noel Keating’s doctoral research explored the child’s experience of meditation. He has written a book for teachers and parents to deepen their awareness of the innate spirituality of children and to show how to teach meditation to children.
The book is full of rich examples of the children’s ability to give profound expression to the fruits of meditation in their own words. Published by Veritas (Dublin), the book is available both in print and in Kindle format.
To purchase directly from the Irish publisher, Veritas, click their logo
To purchase the print book from Book Depository, click the logo.
To purchase directly from Medio Media, click their logo
To purchase the Kindle book from Amazon.com, click their logo.
Noel has also produced a CD of songs and reflections in conjunction with Canadian singer, Alana Levandoski.
The CD contains 10 songs, each including a short spoken reflection of about 30 seconds.
Each song gives voice to one of the deep fruits of meditation as described by the children. The hope is that in addition to the regular practice of whole-school meditation, teachers will play one song each month in class and use the opportunity to speak with the children – and enable the children themselves to speak – about the deep fruits that arise in our lives when we meditate regularly.
The CD is available (for free )on a variety of online platforms such as YouTube Music and Spotify to their subscribers. It is also available for purchase from Medio Media (CD and mp3) and from Amazon (mp3)
The final song on the album is called ‘There is Goodness Inside.’ These are the words some children used to describe what they discovered deep within themselves as a result of their meditation. Click here to download and listen to the song; the lyrics are in the panel on the right.
It captures a deep ontological truth very simply. John Main expressed it a little differently, in theological language, when he said that the spirit of God dwells within every person, loving to all. While the children simply said that in meditation they discovered the goodness deep inside themselves.
The words of the song capture the simplicity of their experience very subtly. Yet, as simple as the words are, they manage to capture the depth and richness of the core fruit of meditation. Although designed for children, the album will be experienced by adults too as deeply meaningful. An excerpt from a second song, ‘Be Still and Aware‘ may be accessed by clicking here.
There is goodness inside.
There is kindness inside.
If we sit for a while
We will feel it,
We will know it.
There is goodness inside.
There is kindness inside.
This is who you are.
This is who I am
So trust in this goodness
And trust in this kindness;
And when trusting gets hard,
Sit in quiet.
You will find that …