Last weekend I was trained in transcendental meditation through the Center for Wellness and Achievement in Education. This center implements the Quiet Time Program (funded by the David Lynch Foundation) in several SFUSD schools. Longfellow Elementary is currently participating in a research study on the effects of transcendental meditation and because I work at Longfellow, I’m fortunate enough to have access to the training.

I heard about Quiet Time a year ago and was so intrigued by the idea of bringing meditation into schools that I managed to incorporate myself into the gala dinner / celebration. I get certain feelings about people / ideas / events / organizations once in a while. These feelings are not rooted in logic but they are steadfast / enduring. I had this sort of feeling when I attended the gala last year, I thought  “I belong here. This is something that will be a part of my future.” Lo and behold, a year later, funds became available for new trainees and so here I sit, on my meditation cushion, practicing twice a day since I was trained last weekend.

It has only been one week and I already feel like I have a lower base-line level of stress. I feel less tired, more focused, more efficient, and more present with myself and the people I interact with on a daily basis. Meditation has become one of the highlights of my day. In a dizzying world of prep, teaching, choreographing, emailing, blogging, writing, facilitating, planning, coordinating, and feeling an immense pressure not only to create but to be really creative, carving out some time for myself to just be, to rest, to give my mind and body the chance to recalibrate, has felt incredibly good / right / necessary. As my workshop leader Laurent put it (and I’m totally paraphrasing here), putting time aside for yourself is one of the most “selfish and selfless” things you can do.

It’s totally true. In addition to the importance of your own quality of life, for it’s own sake (!) - Yes, for it’s own sake (!!), being happy / healthy / peaceful / focused / filled with joy, are prerequisites for really being there for myself and others in every capacity. I truly believe that you teach what you are. If you are depleted and experiencing all of the symptoms of depletion (being fatigued, unfocused, unreceptive, not centered or present etc.) that’s what you transmit. And if you are abundant and experiencing all of the symptoms of abundance (balance, focus, energy, calm, centered-ness, grounded-ness) that’s what you transmit. It’s quite profound and quite simple at the same time. The importance of meditation is one of the most crucial realizations I’ve had this year, second only the realization that in order to function optimally, I need 8.5 hours of sleep. And in order to ensure that that happens I need to make it a priority. So I set an alarm now, not only to wake up but also to go to bed :)

Below are a few videos and links for anyone who is interested in the Quiet Time Program and / or transcendental mediation in schools:

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•Quiet Time Program
•David Lynch Foundation
•Transcendental Meditation
•Center for Wellness and Achievement in Education
•Edutopia: Tackling Truancy, Suspensions, and Stress