Vedanta Saraswati
Guided Meditation for Children
Review by Vedanta Saraswati

This CD takes children on five defferent journeys with each of the elements earth, water, fire, air and ether. Each track begins with awareness of and connection to the breath, this is followed by a guided imagery to evoke the mood of the element and the children are then left with space to explore their visualisation. All tracks finish with a "life enhancing message" read by Mario Van Peebles, which further connects the children to the element and gives them an environmentally friendly thought to contemplate. Each track is accompanied by music and could be used individually, taking one element at a time. or a journey through all five.

The CD is well presented with a cover that would attract children, an inspiring picture of Chitra and her children and a summary of the content of the CD. There is a text of each track, which could be read out to children if a CD player was not available, and a short explanation of meditation, its benefits and a note to parents about the practice.

Chitra has a good voice for teaching meditation. The language used is mostly positive and the journeys given during the guided imagery are excellent, caring and very appealing to children.

Teaching meditation to children requires a great deal of sensitivity and experience on behalf of the teacher. Chitra has these qualities and guides the children through meditations safely. It would be essential that the parent or carer is present throughout the practice and has personal experience of meditation themselves to be able to be "available" for their children to discuss the experience of meditation.