Day 2 of Mindfulness

Day 2
Image: Desert leading to mountains
Script:
Students entered and teacher took attendance.  Teacher re-introduced mindfulness and the purpose of it.  During the breathing exercises, the phone rang from the tutors.  Teacher requested they call back after the meditation.  
Journey included the following steps:
1. Walk through breathing and proper posture.
2.  Student relax as their eyelids feel heavy
3.  Students are asked to call the image back up to their mind
4. Teacher gave sensory feelings as if their feet are on the desert ground and legs were brushing against the cluster of grass.
5.  The warmth of the ground passed through their feet to soften their joints and pass up through their, leaving them feeling light and fast.
6. They walk quickly through the desert ground and up a the hills. 
7. The airs begins to chill as they walk to the top of the mountain.
8.  Night comes on and they see lights formed in a grid pattern over the mountain. 
9.  They walk towards the light hoping to see a city of people who will accept them. 
10.  The lights turn from a city into a path
11. They follow along a path of lit stones to a bright rectangle in the distance.
12. Walk to the rectangle and see a door. Turning the cold knob they walk through
13.  On the other side of the door they see a circle of trees and white moon above.
14. They sit in the circle and feel complete. A whole person, comfortable in our skin. 
15. Gently open the eyes, welcome back to class.


Student responses:
Students described themselves as feeling calm and relaxed.  Many noted that their mood changed afterwards.  In terms of energy, many said they were more tired than energized.  They responded that the ocean scene left them feeling more relaxed.  


It's important to note that my room is shared with another teacher and is divided by a temporary wall.  Thus, all of the sounds they hear from the other class become more obvious when meditating. I have informed my students that they know they have successfully meditated when they can block all exterior sounds from their mind. 

---

Successes

Students consider this a positive experience

Students respond well to transparency, appreciating that we are piloting a new meditation program

Students admitted benefits from the experience. 

future changes

Students described the Ocean scene as being more relaxing
   I will be attempted a second desert themed meditation to test this. 

Some students said they were more tired from this experience 
   I will research if this is negative.  Does this mean they are closer to sleep? Is that negative in the classroom.