Stories for children (part one)

Here is a story that I heard from Amma, the last time she was in the Pacific Northwest. She gave this story during Darshan before guiding us in a short mediation. I found her story to be helpful and nourishing... It is my desire to find the types of stories that can be useful and meaningful to children. Stories that can help one to feel safe, stories that can help one to understand, stories to inspire adventure... Good stories. So here is my version... Enjoy!

The two children.

Once upon a time there were two children, two little girls. Lila and Maya were their names. They were good friends, and they were both a little over four years old. It just so happened that on the very same day, both of their parents decided—at the very same moment—that today is the day for their beautiful daughters to learn how to swim for the very first time. 

When the time came for Lila to get into the water, she jumped forward without fear. She slid her way into the water, and immediately knew that this was way different then her bathtub. She felt her way into the strange sensations that swimming undoubtedly causes—at least, the first time around. She noticed the pull of water on her hands and feet. The water felt very interesting moving through her fingers and toes. She quickly realized that when she cupped her hands in a particular way, holding her fingers together—while kicking hard with her feet—that she could stay above water. Before long she was treading water with no trouble at all. 

When Maya's turn came around, she moved forward with much fear. She too, noticed a grave difference between this giant pool and her bathtub. When she cautiously moved into the water, her fear began to grow. She was so afraid that she tried to cling to the water, attempting to stay on top of it. Of course, this is not a viable way of staying afloat, so all of her efforts were in vain, and she began to sputter and sink. Her mother was of course, very close by, and immediately saved her daughter, pulling her close, and giving her much love. 

When Miya's Mother asked what had happened, why had she been so terrified, Maya replied that she was scared for her life—that she thought she might drown there in the water. Because of her terror, she could not notice the sensations of the water moving through her fingers, could not realize that a calm and explorative approach would be more successful. When Lila's Mother asked Lila what had happened, how could she swim with such grace, Lila said that she had no fear, that she knew her mother would save her should anything go wrong. Knowing this, Lila could freely explore the water, noticing all the sensations, and quickly gained the experience needed to be successful. 

So it is with meditation... When we jump into the waters of meditation, we must do so without fear. We must know that the mother of us all—the perfection and grace that gave birth to existence itself will catch us when we fall. When we know this, we will be able to swim perfectly, we will not drown. Yet when we are frozen with terror, afraid for our very existence, we will surely sputter and sink. Although we can rest assured that if such a thing were to happen, that grace and mercy would follow us, and hold us safe.