Meditation Two
(for Day Three)
For I have created thee rich …
For I have created thee rich and have
bountifully shed My favor upon thee.
Hidden Words, Arabic 11
Materials:
- Meditation table/beautiful rug/ beautiful felt mat
- Treasure box with gems inside, felt mat (Use the dazzling treasure box from Day 1)
- Hidden Word Arabic 11 – broken in to three Sentences – stands
- The following Quotes with stands:
The Holy Spirit it is, through the Prophets of God, teaches spiritual virtues to man and enables him to attain Eternal Life.
‘Abdu’l-Baha Paris Talks 57-59
The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men.
Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas 33
- Cloth fabric that reflects light (for costume)
- The Book: Kindness by J. Woodson
The Meditation:
Have the three cards from Hidden Word Quote turned over (on a mat).
We have been meditating on Hidden Word Arabic 11.
What does the first verse say?
Children state and card turned over.
Place on stand
What does the second verse say?
Children state and card turned over.
Place on stand
Today we are going to think about this part of the Hidden Word.
Turn card over and recite
For I have created thee rich and have
bountifully shed My favor upon thee.
Place on stand
Favor: Something done out of goodwill vs. deserving it. A gift bestowed out of regard or love.
Bountiful: Liberal giving of gifts or favors; generous, abundant
Are there any Words that stand out for you?
What are the gifts God has given us that we didn’t ask for?
(body, mind, Manifestation, know our Creator, other humans, creation etc.) Were you created rich – as the Quote says?
Today we are going to think about this gift.
Place Quote out on a stand and read:
The Holy Spirit it is, through the Prophets of God, teaches spiritual virtues to man and enables him to attain Eternal Life. ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks 57-59
God makes us aware through the Prophets of God, like Baha’u’llah, that we have virtues that we can develop.
Place out (on rug) treasure box with beautiful beaded gems inside. Open the box slowly.
Each one of these beautiful gems represents a virtue.
Notice how each gem sparkles. I wonder why?
Select a bead and place it on a felt mat.
This bead could represent truthfulness.
This bead could represent courage.
This bead could represent kindness.
What do you think this bead might represent?
Have each child contribute.
These qualities make up our character and become our light. The Baha’I Writings say:
Place Quote on stand
The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men.
Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas
Today we are going to meditate on one virtue: “Kindness”.
So, what is kindness?
To think deeper about this quality I have a story to share.
Read:
Each Kindness by J. Woodson
Discuss.
What do you think the lesson is to learn here?
(Practice kindness)
The more you practice a virtue like “kindness” the more you radiate Divine Light and become a lamp of dazzling light. You become like a jewel among people.
Wrap each child in a fabric that radiates.
While doing this say: ________, the light of your good character surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men.
Today we will begin making a costume with the cloth you are wrapped up in.
Closing Meditation Day Three
Materials:
- Quote used in meditation – one for each child – undecorated.
- Supplies for decoration (e.g. colored pencils), ruler
- Backing for quotes, scotch tape (to apply to backing)
- Stands
- Glitter clue
- Music
Meditation:
Begin at the art table.
Today we meditated on this Quote
The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun
and the radiance thereof.
Whoso attaineth unto it
is accounted as a jewel among men
Baha’u’llah in The Tablets of Baha’u’llah, 36
We will decorate this Quote and then bring it to our meditation area for our closing.
Limited talking – to allow others to meditate.
Steps in decorating.
- Show samples. Begin decoration.
(music can be added)
- Attach backing with tape
- With glitter clue underline the Words you are attracted to.
Meditation.
Bring decorated Quote to meditation area.
One at a time each person reads the Quote, places it on the stand and can share (optional) the Words that stood out for them.
Close with music.
Today we are going to think about the quality of kindness through an art activity based on this Quote:
Show art activity
God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world. ‘Abdu’l-Baha
I wonder how this Quote is like this art activity?
(The quality of kindness can become like a radiant star)
God sends the Prophets to teach us spiritual virtures. So while we are making our kindness heart you should select a Quote from the Baha’i Writings to think about kindness.
Here are some choices of Quotes. (Read as placed on stands.)
Each child selects a Quote and then takes it (with stand)
to the art table.
Art activity is done.
At the end children come to the meditation room.
On the meditation table is the third study verse (For I have created thee rich …)
Before beginning show each child how to stand and read their selected verse .
The Meditation
Children sing: “This little light of mine (and add the word “kindness” in on the second verse.)
Hidden Word verse is read
Each child, one at a time, places their kindness heart on the meditation table along with their selected Quote – and reads their selected Quote.
Making a Virtue Heart Ornament
From YouTube: How to make quick and easy paper heat design (6:11)
Cut 3, 6 inch square pieces per person
Fold each piece in half
On one half draw a pattern
Place the three halves inside each other with the pattern on top.
Cut along pattern lines being carful not to cut into the stem line.
Unfold each piece and carefully fold up each cut ring.
On a string place the beads that will go into the center. Leave some hangover at top so that the ornament can be hung.
Glue the first two stems together. Then place the string on the stem and glue to third stem on top.
Glue to bottom 3 outer rings.
Trim the stem for appearance.