Back to Mind Explorers
These twin lessons help children explore deep philosophical questions about the nature of existence and the unity of all things.
By stretching their imagination and considering new perspectives, children develop greater flexibility and openness in their thinking.
The games also promote a sense of wonder, curiosity, and comfort with the unknown, as children learn to embrace the mystery and complexity of the world around them.
By playfully engaging with these abstract concepts, children can gain valuable insights into the nature of their own awareness and the interconnectedness of all things.
Hey there, young philosopher!
Today, we're going to play two special games called "The Oneness Explorers."
In the first game, we'll try to imagine what it would be like if there was nothing at all.
In the second game, we'll imagine what it would be like if everything was actually just one thing, taking on different shapes and forms.
These games might make us think and feel in new and exciting ways, so let's dive in and explore together!
1. Have the child lie down comfortably and close their eyes.
2. Ask the child to try to imagine what it would be like if there was nothing at all. Encourage them to really try to picture it, even if it seems difficult or strange.
3. If the child expresses confusion or difficulty imagining nothing, acknowledge that it’s a tricky concept and that it’s okay to feel a bit puzzled or unsure.
4. Encourage the child to notice any unusual or interesting feelings that might arise as they try to imagine nothing. Let them know that it’s okay if they experience something weird or hard to describe.
5. After a few minutes, ask the child to gently open their eyes and share their experience.
1. Have the child sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths.
2. Ask the child to imagine that everything in the world, including their own body, is actually just one thing taking on different shapes and forms, like a big, complex wave or a TV picture.
3. Encourage the child to imagine that when they move their hand through the air, it’s not actually their hand moving, but rather the air itself taking on the shape of their hand in different positions.
4. Invite the child to explore this idea playfully, without worrying too much about whether it’s actually true or not. Encourage them to simply imagine it and see how it feels.
5. After a few minutes, ask the child to share their experience and any insights they gained from the exercise.
To further explore the concepts of nothingness, oneness, and the nature of reality, consider introducing your child to the book “The Everything Seed: A Story of Beginnings” by Carole Martignacco.
This beautifully illustrated story takes children on a journey through the origins of the universe, from the vast emptiness of space to the emergence of stars, planets, and life itself. Along the way, the book touches on themes of unity, transformation, and the cyclical nature of existence.
By engaging with these deep philosophical questions in a playful and imaginative way, children can develop a greater sense of their place in the grand tapestry of life and a deeper appreciation for the mystery and beauty of the cosmos.
1. What does the “Everything Seed” represent in the story?
a) A magical plant seed
b) The beginning of the universe
c) A child’s imagination
d) The Earth
2. How does the book describe the state before the universe began?
a) Bright and noisy
b) Dark and silent
c) Colorful and chaotic
d) Cold and windy
3. What happens when the Everything Seed “awakens”?
a) It grows into a tree
b) It explodes, creating the universe
c) It falls to Earth
d) It disappears
4. How does the book describe the early universe?
a) As a garden
b) As an ocean
c) As a dance of energy and light
d) As a giant playground
5. What forms first in the story of creation?
a) Plants
b) Animals
c) Stars and galaxies
d) Humans
6. How does the book explain the formation of our solar system?
a) As a gift from the stars
b) As a result of a magical spell
c) As stardust coming together
d) As a giant’s sneeze
7. What does the book say about the connection between all things?
a) Everything is separate
b) Everything is connected, sharing the same origins
c) Only living things are connected
d) Only Earth is special
8. How does the book describe the appearance of life on Earth?
a) As an instant event
b) As a slow, gradual process
c) As a sudden miracle
d) It doesn’t mention life on Earth
9. What message does the book convey about humans?
a) Humans are separate from nature
b) Humans are the most important species
c) Humans are part of the cosmic story, like all life
d) Humans appeared before other life forms
10. What is the main theme of “The Everything Seed”?
a) The importance of gardening
b) The interconnectedness of all things in the universe
c) The superiority of humans over nature
d) The danger of scientific discovery
1. b) The beginning of the universe
2. b) Dark and silent
3. b) It explodes, creating the universe
4. c) As a dance of energy and light
5. c) Stars and galaxies
6. c) As stardust coming together
7. b) Everything is connected, sharing the same origins
8. b) As a slow, gradual process
9. c) Humans are part of the cosmic story, like all life
10. b) The interconnectedness of all things in the universe
Verse 1:
Close your eyes and try to see
A world of pure possibility
Can you picture nothing at all?
Or is there always something to recall?
Pre-Chorus:
It’s a puzzle for the mind
A mystery we’re trying to find
Between everything and nothing
Our imagination’s running
Chorus:
We’re the Oneness Explorers
Diving deep, searching for answers
Is it all just one big wave?
Or nothing at all, an empty cave?
Verse 2:
Now imagine we’re all the same
One big picture in nature’s frame
Your hand, the air, the trees so tall
Just one thing playing different roles
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
Bridge:
It might feel strange, it might feel new
But that’s what explorers do
We question, we wonder, we play
Finding unity in our own way
(Chorus)
Outro:
Open your eyes, what do you see?
A world of wonder, you and me
Everything, nothing, all in between
In this grand cosmic dream
Remember, at QMAK, we don’t just teach; we empower. We don’t just inform; we inspire. We don’t just question; we act. Become a Gold Member, and let’s unlock your child’s full potential, one question at a time.