En-light-en Me » Spiritual vs Religous

Spiritual vs Religous

1. What do you mean by Spiritual?
Are these Religious books?

When we talk ‘Spiritual books’ or ‘Spirituality’ we are not talking about a religion or a belief system. People from all beliefs and from all spiritual paths read the Pick-A-WooWoo children’s books. ‘Pick-a-WooWoo books are ‘non-aligned’. While all the books are borne out of a thoughtful, modern consciousness they are by no means all connected to any one philosophy or outlook.

These enlightening books highlight, in a child friendly, fun and interactive way, the following insight:

* Spirituality is synonymous with unconditional love.
* Our spiritual consciousness shapes our experience of life.
* There are many paths to spiritual awareness and enlightenment.
* We are multi-dimensional beings whose existence extends beyond the physical.
* Spirituality provides us with a sense of meaning, the possibility of personal transformation and celebration of life.
* Spirituality expresses unity, and unity is beyond the need for boundaries; every person and every thing in our universe is ultimately connected.

Spirituality is not a religion - To test whether an ideology is a religion many use the 'Litmus test' requiring 3 prerequisites. Assure / Believe /Convert. Most Religions assure salvation; religions believe in a precise theology: and religions convert nonbelievers. We do not partake in these activities with our books. 

2. Groundbreaking Research:
Why is the spiritual nature of children so important?


Dr. Mollie Painton is a nationally recognized lecturer on play therapy and the spirituality of children. Over the past thirty years Dr. Painton has worked with spiritual boys and girls from diverse populations. In the role of friend, confidante, and helper it has become clear to her that all children are at least potentially spiritual, while many are astonishingly gifted. Her compelling and unique book Encouraging Your Children's Spiritual Intelligence hightlights that:

Spiritual kids are:

  • Messengers of love to the world / Intimate with “truth”
  • Wise beyond their ages and experiences
  • Healers mending the wounds of loss, judgment, abuse, hate, indifference, disease, and violence
  • Determined to unite all in love and peace
  • Sensitive individuals with open hearts & minds
  • Seeking to find one another
  • Compassionate beings who feel the pain of others
  • Hungering for a sense of belonging with all people
  • Graced by the loving presence of spiritual companions, such as angels and others / Refreshingly honest in their perspective on death
  • Blessed with God-given gifts of intuition and ability to see beyond the ordinary
  • Astounding teachers with healing messages
  • In need of the support of spiritual partners

When offered support, spiritual children develop:

  • Personal strength, gentleness, compassion / Love of self and others
  • Receptivity to being loved /Giftedness, openness, joy, and peace
  • Acceptance of self and others /Wholeness, balance, and honesty
  • Truthfulness /Awareness of their power against darkness
  • Ability to be agents of change /Free expression of self
  • Creativity /Powerful peacemaking /Teaching abilities
  • Healing gifts /Connection with others

When ignored, spiritual children are:

  • Lonely / Disconnected /Anxious /Hurt
  • Uncomfortable with self /Withdrawn
  • Depressed /Oppressed /Bored
  • Unaware /Ultimately self-destructive

3.Why Spiritual Children’s Books?


Children’s spiritual books are about reading the sacred in everyday life - in nature, at home, in the classroom, at work, at leisure, in relationships...

Such books are not about a religious practice. They are basic stories that explore the deeper meaning and connection in all aspects of life.
Would we prefer our children to be spiritually illiterate? Meaning that we do not see the web, which connects us with other people and the natural world.
Being spiritually illiterate means that we do not have access to open doors of information and inspiration that lead to more fulfilling lives. Like other illiteracies we would live in a shallower world with less opportunities, limited meaning and a reduced capacity to create preferred futures.

In ‘Care of the Soul’ by T.Moores states “Some might go further to say that being spiritually illiterate can lead to increased feelings of purposelessness, disconnection, isolation and loneliness in the world.”

4. Spirituality in children's lives and indeed their education could promote the following qualities of spiritual maturity!

  • love, compassion and service: Love and compassion are often associated with the beginning of a true spiritual life. Love dissolves confusion and fear and elicits kindness, openness and respect. Unless we love and trust ourselves, we cannot love others. Compassion goes beyond a personal form of love to a love of all creation.
  • honesty and authenticity: No longer lying to ourselves and others about what we are doing and what the consequences are. To live as we really are without delusion about the reality of the past, the present, our selfhood and behaviours.
  • physical, emotional, mental and spiritual clarity: Physical clarity has to do with attention to the body's health and real needs. Mental and emotional clarity have to do with awareness, discernment and lucidity. Spiritual clarity has to do with wholeness, simplicity and sensitivity.
  • responsibility and discipline: Becoming accountable for ourselves without feeling excessively responsible for others. Dependable and creative completion of our responsibilities and a disciplined approach to personal growth.
  • serenity: A state of equanimity, inner tranquillity and peacefulness in the face of challenge and change.
  • personal freedom: Letting go of attachments and living questions and problems into answers and opportunities without drama, escape, or avoidance.
  • tolerance and patience: The ability to embrace self and 'the other' in spite of perceived weakness or difference. To even move beyond tolerance to acceptance and celebration of difference and diversity. Patience means to take events and experiences as they come without complaint or expectation. It also means all things have a natural time and place to be.
  • faith, trust, and inner security: The ability to live without anxiety or doubt. An inner security free of fear and deprivation.
  • wisdom and understanding: Deep insight, possible at any age, expressed through everyday action.
  • gratitude, humility and willingness: Gratitude is the recognition of the little miracles that occur everyday. Humility is the ability to move beyond arrogance and grandiosity toward an honest acceptance of ourselves with all our perceived limitations and faults.
  • hope, happiness, joy, and humour: Hope and happiness are states of well-being and contentment emanating from a deep feeling of inner wealth irrespective of outer events or experiences. Joy and humour spring from a warm heart and a sense of the 'cosmic game'.
  • connection with the earth, nature and everyday life: Even though we may find great inspiration in sacred systems or transcendent experiences, we recognise the sacredness of daily activities, other people, other life forms, inanimate matter, and nature. "It's no good being an angel if you're no earthly use."
  • living in the present moment: The ability to live in the present rather escaping to the past or the future. The ability to constantly 'let go'.
  • a sense of wonder, mystery, and reverence: A direct experience of the cosmos which is unitive, inclusive, and expansive. A sense of being aware of the profound interconnectedness of all creation.
  • a sense of purpose and place in space and time: A sense of the unique and necessary place and personal contribution of each individual being in the world. "Where does my deep gladness meet the world's deep need?"

Reference : Grof, Christina. The Thirst for Wholeness HarperCollins, 1994.

 

Can you see the importance of Spirituality in Children?

Help us to help our children to become wonderful spiritual beings today.

Purchase our 'Pick-a-Woo Woo spiritual books OR better still JOIN US now and make a significant difference to children’s lives.

 

"I believe all of us as children enjoyed spiritual doors that were wide open--or at least slightly ajar. Most of us were not encouraged to preserve these gifts. However, our children needn't suffer as we did."
Dr Mollie Painton