Safe Spirit

1. What do you think it means to have a safe spirit?

 [Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

Having a safe spirit is having a home for all of your emotions and big feelings. Sometimes our feelings can make our spirit or energy feel high or low and that's normal. If we pay attention, we can help keep our spirit energy from falling too low

Having a safe spirit is the process of keeping your whole self safe, this includes your body, mind, and feelings

To have a safe spirit means you feel comfortable being your true and authentic self

2. What are some ways we can keep our spirits safe?

 [Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

Some people try different practices to keep their spirit energies safe: exercise and nutrition, mindfulness techniques, art and creative practices- these activities can be called self-care. Opportunities for self-care is a way we create a boundary

Some people keep their spirit energies safe by praying to a god of their understanding

Some people keep their spirit energies safe by spending time with nature, people, animals, or things and places that they love

Some people keep their spirit energies safe by making sure they are giving their spirit balance- this means, their spirit has multiple opportunities to do different things like playing, school, and rest

3. Why do you think it is important to keep our spirits safe?

[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

Our spirits, minds, and bodies are all connected and essential to a happy life

When spirit energies are kept safe and protected, it is easier to form lasting and loving relationships

When spirit energies are safe, you are able to love and live well

When your spirit is safe, your body and mind are more likely to heal and feel relaxed. And you may be more willing to express yourself

When your spirit energy is safe, you may feel more calm and peaceful

[Invite the group to find a relaxing position, take a mat or towel, if you are working on a

hard floor. They may sit or lie down to be comfortable. Speak slightly slower in a soft,

soothing tone throughout, pausing briefly between sentences. You may play soft,

instrumental music in the background while reading the meditation script]

Welcome to our Meditation Time -- the time where we relax and connect to the spirit in

and around us. I invite you to put a cushion on the floor, and to sit cross-legged, with a

nice tall back and your hands relaxed in your lap. Quietly do that now, as we begin our

meditation.  [Wait until the group is settled, then read the meditation script.]

I am going to guide you through our meditation to help you relax. Let’s close our eyes,

and let’s start by putting our hands on our bellies, and taking a deep, long breath in.

Feel your belly rise as you breathe in – to the count of 1, 2, 3. Then feel your belly fall,

as you slowly breathe out – to the count of 1, 2, 3. Now breathe in – 1, 2, 3. And slowly

breathe out like a tire losing air – 1, 2, 3. Continue to breathe in and out slowly and

steadily. Relax your body into the floor beneath you. Keep breathing.

We've been talking about how staying safe is like building a house.  The frame and

foundation of the house is your body.  You keep it safe by closing your door to harmful

behaviors and activities.  Your body houses the physical you, so you want it to be as

healthy as it can be. -- just like you want your house's walls to be strong and sturdy.  

[Pause.] Your mind is the roof of your home.  It shields you, and helps you deal with

hurtful thoughts and painful experiences.  It guides you in making wise decisions.  

[Pause.] The last part of staying safe is creating protection for your spirit. Your spirit is

like the lamps in your home, that make you able to see what's important. Spirit is the

light within each of us: our beliefs, and the things that we know are true for us. Spirit is

what makes us who we are -- good, kind, giving, loving.  Keeping our Spirit safe means

setting boundaries about how people can treat us ... and how we treat ourselves.  

[Pause.] Think of how you feel walking into a dark house.  Maybe you feel a little

scared.  You can't see where you're going, and you don't know what lies ahead.  But

when you turn on the light, you can move confidently, and you can see what's ahead. It

feels warm, and it feels safe.  [Pause.]  So think of Spirit Safety as turning on the light.  

The light can be turned on with affirmations, prayer, music, poetry, connection with loved

ones -- anything that lifts your heart and soul. [Long Pause.]  You've built a beautiful

house: a Safe Body, a Safe Mind, and a Safe Spirit.  You can make healthy boundaries

by knowing when to say "no" when something doesn't seem right or safe.  Think of it as

closing the door of your house to any person, thought, or action that could harm you.  

You are safe inside the sacred house you've built. [Pause.] When we feel safe, we're

able to be our fullest selves.  We're able to use our talents, to be a good friend, to live in

happiness.  Now think to yourself: "I am able to create my safety."  [Pause.]

Now let’s take one more deep breath, and slowly let it out. Now slowly open your eyes

and slowly roll to the side and sit up to end our time of meditation.

[Optional: Turn off music]  [Optional: Say: Please return your cushion to its starting

place]

Safe House (We built the house through the three sessions)

Directions:

For our third session, we talked about Safe Spirits and what a safe spirit is. For this activity, the part of the house that represents your safe spirit are going to be the lights  in your house.

Materials Needed:

• Paper- if possible, a large piece of paper could be really fun to work on

• Markers, Crayons, Pencils- whatever utensil your child enjoys

Did you know that everyone has a light inside of them? Their spirit, which houses everything that makes them unique and extraordinary. And just like your completed safe houses- everyone’s light may look and feel a little different. And that’s okay. Just because one seems to shine brighter than another, it doesn’t mean it is any more safe. Light is special, because whether it is a single candle, a flashlight, or lamps- that light has the ability to fill up a whole room.

Closing - Choose One:

Closing Affirmation - Option 1

Turn to the person to your right, look them in the eye and say, “I am happy I could share this time with you and hear about your beliefs.”

Closing Prayer - Option 2  

The light of god surrounds us
The love of god enfolds us
The power of god protects us
The presence of god watches over us
Wherever we are, god i,s and all is well!