What would you say?

Cinorjer

I was once meditating in a public park, sitting cross-legged on top of a picnic table and enjoying a bit of fresh air with my practice, when a child's voice intruded.

"Watcha doing?"

I looked over to see a young girl, of maybe 6 years old or so, standing next to the table.

"I'm meditating," I said.

"What's that?" she replied.

So this was going to be one of those conversations. "It's where I sit down and pay attention to my own thoughts," I said, trying to find words she'd understand.

"Oh," she replied, then "Why?"

"So I can learn about how my mind works."

"Oh." She picked at a scab on her elbow while she thought about this. "Sounds boring. You must have learned a lot. What did you learn?"

So how would you answer this child?

federica

"I learned it's really hard to keep my Mind quiet, when others are bothering me. That's a real exercise in self-control...."

*back to meditating*....

karasti

I'd tell her the same things I tell my kids, the youngest is 5. That I learn better how to react and respond to all sorts of situations and it makes me a better person because of it. That life no longer just happens to me and my mind no longer throws me around in it like a tornado. Life still happens, of course, but I have a steering wheel now.

seeker242

Cinorjer said:

So how would you answer this child?

"I learned how to be happy! "

Rodrigo

I think I would say that I haven't really learned anything significant yet. But that's ok.

banned_crab

I personally always allow the child to direct the conversations for me. This way they are more interested. Children dont like to listen unless it is something that they want to talk about. Actually, not just children, everybody.

Zayl

"That everything is alright."

fivebells

"Ask me again when you're seven."

snowmelt

@seeker242 I like your answer.

Cinorjer

I like all the answers.

By the way, this actually did happen to me years ago, and I remember my mind went completely blank and I had no answer. In the end, all I did was something like shugging my shoulders and saying, "I don't know."

But by then, the girl was more interested in showing me her scab and explaining how she got it.

zenff

Nice.

Meditation is more about unlearning; about observing how thoughts dissolve.
Imho that’s why answering questions about the goal and benefit of meditation is so hard.
The goal and benefit of meditation dissolve in the process of meditating.

Usually I just say that meditating is fun to do; that I enjoy it.

betaboy

Ask her about homework - she will quickly stop bothering you.

vinlyn

As a retired educator, I would say, I always have time for a child...until they start yelling, "Stranger Danger!"

Jeffrey

I would say that my mind is clear light. And then when she asks what is clear light I would say that I couldn't explain it and she would have to try meditating to find out. But I would say that the mind can be trained how to think without boredom, confusion, anger, and greed.

David

I'd say I learned about how what I do affects others and that happiness really is a choice. It's hard to explain and there's always something new so maybe we could exchange notes if you ever give it a try.

anataman

'That I'm daydreaming again'

DharmaMcBum

I learned that it's quiet inside when I meditate and I like to take the quiet with me when I come back out of the meditation.

how

@Cinorjer
My first thought...to "what did you learn?" was
I learned that my inside and outside are only separated by my attention.
but that changed... & changed again...because
all of our answers are in reply to a story that is really yours. I'd just let your meditation answer...and it sounds like that's just what you did.

wangchuey

"Everything"

DairyLama

I think I'd change the subject.

David

Thanks a lot, Kid... Now I have to start all over!

yagr

That I should stop whatever I am doing and listen to and learn from any six year old who, in response to “To learn how my mind works.” suggests that I must have learned a lot and asks me what it is that I've learned.

footiam

Cinorjer said:

I was once meditating in a public park, sitting cross-legged on top of a picnic table and enjoying a bit of fresh air with my practice, when a child's voice intruded.

"Watcha doing?"

I looked over to see a young girl, of maybe 6 years old or so, standing next to the table.

"I'm meditating," I said.

"What's that?" she replied.

So this was going to be one of those conversations. "It's where I sit down and pay attention to my own thoughts," I said, trying to find words she'd understand.

"Oh," she replied, then "Why?"

"So I can learn about how my mind works."

"Oh." She picked at a scab on her elbow while she thought about this. "Sounds boring. You must have learned a lot. What did you learn?"

So how would you answer this child?

I wouldn't answer yet. I'll learn to explain colours to the blind first.

FoibleFull

That the important things in life are not things you can put into words, but must see inside yourself.