A contemplative discipline for children to regularly pause and honestly assess their emotional inner landscape, naming what they feel without judgment.
The examined heart is central to Mirabai's wisdom—her poetry repeatedly asks: What do I truly feel? What is my heart revealing? For grieving children, developing this capacity is transformative. The examined heart practice invites young people to create regular moments—daily or weekly—where they sit quietly and ask themselves simple questions: What is my heart feeling today? Where does the grief live in my body? What does the love feel like now? This is not therapy in the clinical sense but rather a spiritual practice of honest self-inquiry. Children might journal, draw, or simply sit in silence. The practice teaches them that feelings are not fixed; they shift and change. By examining their hearts regularly, children develop emotional literacy and resilience. They learn that sadness and joy can coexist, that grief has rhythms, and that the examined heart is a source of wisdom rather than a sign of weakness. Mirabai's devotional practice was precisely this: continuous, unflinching honesty about her inner experience. When children adopt this practice, they honor their own depths and develop the psychological tools to navigate loss across their lifetime.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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