When most people think of meditation, they think of silent crossed legged people in Nirvana. While this is one form of meditation, many Westerners and children can benefit from active meditation.

Active meditation involves using words, mantras or prayers while doing some activity. One of my favorites is walking meditation. The Names of God and meditation are especially useful for children. Many mystics use them daily and now you can help your child cultivate this powerful practice.

When I operated my small in-home childcare, I utilized the names of God and meditation with my students ages 3-5, so this technique can be done with young as well as older children.

In using the names of God in meditation, you can select a name of Name of God and read the scripture in accordance with that name to begin the activity.

Here is a possible format for the names of God and meditation activity:

• Focus: Name of God-(Hebrew) Melek (pronounced meh-lik) and (Arabic) Al-Malik-"the King
• Some Scriptural references: Bible, Melek-Psalm 5:21;Psalm 29:10; Psalm 4:44; 1 Tim. 6:15
• Quran, Al Malik-Surah(chapter) 23: 116; Surah 59:23; Surah 62:1; Surah 20:114
• Read a few verses that refer to God as the King (kids can relate to this concept easily from movies and books) However, you want to focus on God's quality as the Eternal King, Immortal Invisible, King of all the Earth and King of Glory

{For more on this, see Names of God (Hebrew/biblical) and Names of Allah (Arabic/Islamic)}

• Now have child(ren) sit in a circle with you in front or middle, Began active meditation:

For Melek (the King): You should recite the name, clapping once for each syllable -Meh (clap) lik (clap).

Then repeat and have child say it along with you, together repeat 3 to 4 times.

If using Arabic, Al-Malik (the King): You should recite the name, Al-Malik, then follow it with 2 claps.

Then repeat and have child say it along with you, together repeat it 3 to 4 times.

From my experience, the names of God and meditation are a great morning or afternoon activity. It is a wonderful way to start or end your child's school or active day. It's simple, utilizes repetition (great for helping children and Adults learn) and involves melody. The names of God and meditation time became my groups favorite time of day.

For older children, there is a Names of God word find available from Applesauce kids.