Many parents and educators are concerned by the
increasing challenge faced by many children to focus, concentrate and pay
attention. Consequences of this challenge include poor academic performance,
difficulty learning and remembering, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty
to forge sincere, meaningful friendships. Unable to control one’s own mind
leaves young people vulnerable to external mental influences such as peer
pressure, negative media and a generally superficial culture.
Pharmaceutical companies advocate for the administration of drugs such as
Ritalin as a “fix” to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. After many years
of this approach, some psychologists, psychiatrists and parents are seeking
drug-free alternatives and are drawing inspiration from various initiatives.
Educators, psychologists and psychiatrists are coming up with “staggering
results” in the improvement of children’s attention skills using more
traditional methods of development such as calming the mental landscape which
then opens it up as fertile ground for attentive learning.
“Mindfulness education” has been implemented in some West Coast elementary
schools, using breathing and imagination exercises to calm the students’ minds
for ten minutes each day before lessons begin. Researchers and teachers have
noticed that children are calmer, more focused, have better academic results.
Additionally, they are more inclined to respond to situations rather than to
automatically react; as children become more attuned to their inner reality,
they also develop more empathy toward others.
The programs run by New Acropolis internationally, for children and adults, also
herald similar results: individuals that are more attentive, self-controlled,
other-centred and happy, as a result of a conscientious training of our mind. By
strengthening attention, memory and imagination, we give ourselves the
opportunity to exercise more fully the limitless power of our mind. Traditional
teachings around the world insist that human beings need to harness and develop
this fabulous tool, as the foundation for living harmoniously with oneself,
others and the planet.
