For episode 276, we are continuing a new series on the Metta Hour, centered on kids, in honor of Sharon’s first children’s book, Kind Karl, released on December 9th!
Written with Jason Gruhl, this illustrated picture book is for 4-8 year-olds and is a children’s adaptation of Sharon’s beloved book Lovingkindness.
In this podcast series, Sharon speaks with educators, caregivers, and researchers about the ways meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness can impact children of all ages and the family systems that support them.
For the fifth episode of the series, Sharon speaks with Sumi Loundon Kim. Sumi is the Buddhist chaplain at Yale University. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, she is the founding teacher of Buddhist Families of Durham (NC). She is the author of Blue Jean Buddha; The Buddha’s Apprentices; Sitting Together and of the children’s book Goodnight Love: A Bedtime Meditation Story.
In this conversation, Sumi and Sharon speak about:
- Sumi’s early life in Zen community
- Sumi’s first visit to IMS at age 16
- The value of spiritual practice during adolescence
- Teaching meditation to kids through song
- Benefits of group practice for parents and kids
- Working with the five senses
- Implicit learning, leading by example
- Nurturing kindness in self-talk
- Creating a home as a sanctuary
- Designated device-free family time
- Meditation for college students
- Social connection promoting self-regulation
- Psychological fluency
- A bedtime meditation for kids: “Goodnight Love”