Self Esteem

Step 1 : “Firstly, sit in a comfortable position on your chairs, or cross legged on the floor. Make sure your back is straight and head is upright. Take a deep breath and relax as you breathe out. Take another deep breath… and another…”

Step 2 : “Now become aware of your breathing. Take a deep breath, filling your lungs. Then in your own time, breathe out slowly. Let your eyes be gently closed and, as you breathe in, imagine clean healing energy is entering your body, filling you with happiness, love and peace. As you breathe out, imagine any uncomfortable feelings you have, such as sadness, tiredness, anger, annoyance, fear, boredom, jealousy or any other, being breathed out, leaving you feeling happy and free from worries. Repeat this 3 or 4 times. One by one, the things that upset you are breathed out and drift away.”

Step 3 : As you listen to the music, imagine in front of you is a beautiful country lane or a park. See the trees and hedges… The sun is shining and there is a gentle warm breeze. If you feel like it, you can take a stroll along a lovely path… It is very beautiful and you feel happy and content. Look at the bright flowers lining the path… Everything around you is beautiful… Look at yourself – inside you are beautiful too, even if sometimes you could do better. You are lovable and beautiful and so are the others around you… Seeing all this, you feel relaxed and happy.

Step 4 : “Now bring your attention back to the classroom, open your eyes and stretch, as the exercise has finished. Smile at the person next to you and tell them the date and time.”

(After these silent sitting exercises students may wish to share their experiences and this should be encouraged, especially asking how they feel. It is a good time to do some creative work such as drawing a picture of their experience.)

Adapted from ‘Sathya Sai Education in Human Values’, Published by BISSE Limited