To Peter Harris (or other interested persons)
I usually provide a period of silence after giving students a theme to
meditate on. The length of time is about 3-4 minutes, and I do this each day.
Some other teachers do a meditation once a week or whatever suits their
needs.
The theme need not be "religious", so for example I may give the students
something to meditate about such as, "How can I be a more caring person?" or
"Think about all those who love you" or "How can you have more empathy in
your life" etc.
After about three-5 minutes of silence, I usually play an instrumental piece
of music, or a popular song, and when the song is over the students know the
meditation time is over. Types of popular songs I use may include Kenny
Loggins, Conviction of the Heart, Tracy Chapman's Heaven on earth, Phil
Collins' Another Day in Paradise, The Eagles' song "Learn to Be Still", etc.
As for the instrumentals there are tons of quiet instrumental pieces to play.
My sense is that the students, all Seniors, respond positively to the
meditation time. I explain to them that when closing their eyes they should
get in a comfortable position to meditate in, but not to sleep in!
The main thrust of all the meditations is to connect a sense of awareness of
themselves, their feelings, their environment, and a sensitivity to those
around them, to a sense of empathy for others. And to connect their empathy
with more humane and nonjudgemental reactions and attitudes towards the
homeless, the poor, etc.
It is vital to the meditation process, in my view, that it be connected not
solely to "self-improvement" but to being aware of how a person can
ultimately contribute to the welfare of others, especially through service.
Steve Herrera