Online Videos
The following videos are all mindfulness lessons based upon the How Do You See the World? Curriculum: a training in both awareness and kindness. These easy to follow video lessons range from 10 to 15 minutes. Most lessons also provide a link to a guided reflection/ meditation that are perfect for families.
What is Mindfulness?
“Mindfulness is being yourself.”
This first lesson defines mindfulness and how this “practice" benefit us in our lives. We also explore the foundational practices of mindful bodies and mindful listening.
Video length 15 minutes
Reflection: What is mindfulness and how might it be useful in your life?
Mindful Breathing
“Mindfulness is breathing.”
In this lesson, we start out with the foundational practices of mindful bodies and mindful listening. We discuss:
What is an anchor?
Mindful breathing and our own personal anchor spot
Belly breathing/balloon breathing
Items needed: 5 beads, a piper cleaner or ribbon. If nothing is available, you can always use 5 pebbles or small rocks.
Video length 16 minutes
Reflection: When might mindful breathing be useful in your life? During challenging times? Maybe try it when you are feeling frustrated, stress, or sad. Maybe try it when you are having troubles falling asleep at night.
Science of the Brain
““Mindfulness is find out your real safe.”
In this lesson, we start off with the foundational practices of mindful bodies, listening and breathing, then learning about the brain and some science behind mindfulness.
Video length 13 minutes
Reflection: Can you remember a time when you “flipped your lid”? How did this feel in your body? Fast, slow, hard or fast? Where did you feel this in your body? Could you try some cleansing breaths next time?
Heartfulness
“Mindfulness is being your own best friend.”
Mindfulness has two wings: awareness and heart. And just as a bird needs two wings in order to fly, mindfulness needs two wings in order to be complete: awareness and the heart. Today we will start to explore the second wing, the heart and all the benevolent qualities. We will learn about the practice of “Heartfulness”, also known as Loving Kindness, as we send well wishes to ourselves and to others. Heartfulness will become part of our foundational practices.
Video length 17 minutes
Reflection: Who did you send your heartfulness to? How did this make your feel? What do you most wish for our world right now?
Perspective: a reading of HDYSTW?
“Mindfulness is choosing with awareness. ”
In this lesson, I share the making of my picture book How Do You See the World? A book of curiosity, perspective, the heart and ultimately our power to choose.
Video length 12 minutes
Reflection: Have you ever felt sad or mad? Is it okay to feel this way? What can you do when you feel this way? Do you think you have the power to choose your own lens? Do you have a choice in how you see your world?
The Power in a Pause
“Mindfulness is feeling like you want to punch someone but you don’t. ”
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Video length 15 minutes
Reflection: Do you agree with the quote “You slow down half as much, you notice twice as much?” Why or why not? Where in your life might slowing down be helpful, skillful right now?
Making Mind Jars
“Mindfulness is slowing down so you can see clearly. ”
In this lesson, we will learn how to make MIND JARS, read Moody Cow Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean and revisit the importance of slowing down and, the power of taking a few cleansing breaths.
Video length 17 minutes
Reflection: What makes your mind swirl? When your mind is swirling, feeling a bit out of control, could mindfulness help? How so? Do you think the world might be different if everyone practiced mindfulness?
Creating Connection: a family activity
“Mindfulness is being open-minded.”
In this lesson, we will talk about creating connection with ourselves and each other through the reflections of curiosity (asking meaningful questions) and the practice of heartfulness (reflecting on the important question: what do you need?). These mindfulness practices are wonderful ways for families to connect in a more heartfelt way.
Video length 14 minutes
Reflection: Does connection matter? How do you connect with the present moment (open and receptive or distracted and checked out)? How do you connect with yourself (kind, compassionate and understanding or judging and wishing things were different?), and how do you connect with others (looking for similarities or focusing on differences, assuming we are all doing our best)?
Presence is the greatest gift we can give to another
Exploring Through our Senses: a family activity
“Mindfulness is seeing the world with fresh eyes.”
In this family friend lesson, we will discuss the use of our 5 senes in “noticing” and using these same 5 senses to play the “Quiet Game”. Then we will then explore the outdoors with fresh eyes to find three items that speak to us. This is a great activity to foster curiosity and curiosity.
Video length 11 minutes
Reflection: What matters most to you? What do you value? What makes your heart sing? How do you feel when you are outside in nature?
The Mystery of the Heart
“Mindfulness is finding the key to unlocking your own heart.”
In this lesson, we continue to explore mindfulness through our awareness and our own heart. We discuss mystery and how it relates to our own hearts holding all our emotions. We will talk about “awareness is like the sky that holds the weather” and finish with a reading of “In My Heart” by Jo Witek.
Video length 12 minutes
Reflection: Do we have a choice in what emotions we feel? Can we be selective with our emotions? Feel only the ones we want to feel? When you are sitting quietly, what does your heart say today?