February 2023 Teaching Calendar

Re-Create a Visit to a Buddhist Temple with a Guided Relaxation Adventure

Guided relaxation is generally considered a safe activity as it is the practice of relaxation, stillness and calmness.

By adding props you can create a wonderful sensory experience.

Preparing For Your Guided Relaxation Adventure

1. Find a comfortable place that is free of distractions.
2. Settle the student into a position that is comfortable for them.
3. Provide pillows/beanbags/cushions and blankets.
4. Dim the lights.
5. Tell the student that if at anytime they wish to stop the activity to tell you, raise their hand or open their eyes.
6. There is an option to incorporate props such as mini cymbals, incense sticks, a gong/drum, a money box and coins.
7. Using a calm and gentle voice, slowly read through the guided adventure below pausing between sentences.

‘Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath.

I want you to imagine a magic carpet has floated into the room.

Climb onto the carpet. It is soft and comfortable.

You feel safe as the carpet gently rises, floats across the room, and leaves the building.

The carpet flies into the sky and gently glides over the rooftops.

You feel excited as the magic carpet sweeps over towns and villages, fields, and farmland.

The sheep and cows look tiny below.

You are now travelling over the sea.

Can you see how blue the water is?

Can you feel the warmth of the sun on your back?

You feel very relaxed and happy riding on your carpet.

In the distance you see land approaching.

The carpet glides along long winding rivers, and across vast grasslands then sweeps up to the highest part of the hillside, where you see a temple.

Your magic carpet lands outside a gate.

You see a kind man with a shaven head. He is wearing an orange robe.

The man greets you by placing his hands in front of his body, palms together and bows his head slightly.

Would you like to greet him back?

He asks you to take off your shoes. He will keep them safe.

You follow him through the gate and onto a path lined with colourful flowers and trees bearing fruits. Their leaves dapple in the sunshine.

The path is lined with blossom, the petals are soft on your feet.

You enter the temple.

It smells of perfumed incense (option to light an incense stick or to lightly spritz perfume)

Gold statues line the room.

It is so quiet in the room you can hear yourself breathe.

At the front of the room is a Buddha statue sat on top of wooden platform with two long candles.

You feel very relaxed as you watch the orange flames flicker.

Take a few minutes to relax.

It is almost time to leave.

You turn to leave and next to the door you see a small wooden box.

Would for you to post some coins through the slot in the box?

Listen to the rattle they make as they hit the bottom of the box? (Option to create the atmosphere by dropping coins into a money tin)

There is a gong hanging from the ceiling.

You can gently ring it if you like (option to hit the gong to re-create the sound)

As you leave the gate you take one last bow.

Your magic carpet has returned to take you home.

Climb onto the carpet and make yourself comfortable.

The carpet rises slowly into sky and retraces its journey down the hillside and across the land.

You cross the sea feeling very calm and relaxed as the magic carpet glides over fields and farms, villages, and towns.

You recognise the rooftops of the shops, school, and houses where you live.

Picture the room that we are in now.

The magic carpet gently lands in this room, and you climb off and lie on the floor.

Your journey is over for today but remember, you can take a journey on your magic carpet whenever you like.

When you are ready wiggle your fingers and your toes then gently open your eyes.’