Dear Great Families,

We are so happy to welcome you to our on-line Youth Spiritual Education (YSE) program. This program is designed to support you and your family in experiencing the Divine essence of who you are, sharing that essence within your family, and expressing that out into the world. This is a new experiment of increasing Social Connection even as we maintain our physical distance, knowing the truth - we are always connected to each other and to the Source of all Life.

We invite families to use these resources as a time of experimentation, just like the ancient yogis, who were scientists of the body, mind and spirit. We try the experiments in our own life, ask the important questions, and find the truth that is within each of us. Our answers may not be the same as the person next to us. It is important to listen and accept each other, just the way we are. We can use our imagination to help us find the answers. Sometimes the answers won’t come to us right away, and we can leave questions open, knowing that our inner wisdom will continue working on the question without the active use of the mind.

Suggestions for working with children:

The best way to share the materials with your children is to first explore the materials for yourself. Read through them. Contemplate the questions in your own life. Allow you inner wisdom to guide you through the teachings. Leave questions open. Be inquisitive. As you learn, and absorb, and allow the material to sink into your cells, you will naturally begin to share them with your children.

The lessons are fluid documents, meant for you to adapt them to fit your family’s needs. They are presented through a number of modalities, including: discussions questions, a small bit of yogic theory, coloring sheets, activities, stories and quotes, and links to additional resources and activities. Some children will only want to engage with the art projects or activities, others may be fascinated by the experiments and the invitation to be scientists of their own lives. Still others may enjoy conversations with you around the discussion questions. Yet others may only want to hear the story. We all learn in different ways. Lead with that part of the lesson that appeals to your child, knowing there are many ways to absorb the teachings.

Some families may want to devote a special time for Sunday School. For others, discussions and experiments can come up during the progress of normal life, at “teaching moments”. If you and your child want to make a more formal time for exploring these materials, you may wish to preface your time with an opening ritual or circle, and close with our closing circle video. Please see the YSE Opening and Closing Circle Recommendations and Closing Circle pdf and video for suggestions.

If, while exploring these materials, you have questions, or would like to share your experiences with us, please feel free to contact me.

May this time of spiritual exploration be a support to you and your family. own lives. Still others may enjoy conversations with you around the discussion questions. Yet others may only want to hear the story. We all learn in different ways. Lead with that part of the lesson that appeals to your child, knowing there are many ways to absorb the teachings.

Some families may want to devote a special time for Sunday School. For others, discussions and experiments can come up during the progress of normal life, at “teaching moments”. If you and your child want to make a more formal time for exploring these materials, you may wish to preface your time with an opening ritual or circle, and close with our closing circle. Please see the YSE Opening and Closing Circle Recommendations pdf for suggestions. A video of our closing circle will be available next week!

If, while exploring these materials, you have questions, or would like to share your experiences with us, please feel free to contact me.

May this time of spiritual exploration be a support to you and your family.

With great love and respect,

Rev. Elena Kanti Fritchle
Youth Spiritual Education Manager