what is meditation?

A question I have asked countless times and have found countless answers from teachers, friends, strangers and the far-reaching web. Yet, none stuck in my head, and I never really sat down to think if I could sum it up in a simple, short phrase. ​Until my 3-year old son enlightened me.

"Meditation is a boat that takes you home.
​~ Djugas Anand, aged 3

A bright sunny winter morning about a month or so ago, I was sitting on my cushion taking a few breaths to begin my morning yoga practice, when my son came to sit with me and pointed out what I was doing, saying, "Papa doing meditation."

A sight he was familiar with although I did not know what he really understood by it. So I spontaneously asked him "What is meditation?".

He thought for a moment before he began stringing together his sentence. The beautiful long pauses he took to think about the words were a perfect reminder of emotional intelligence and mindfulness.

"Meditation is....... [a long pause] .......
a boat...... [a longer pause] ......
it takes you home."

And with that he jumped up and ran off to play with his toys.

I sat there upon my meditation cushion on the floor in our living room feeling the morning sun on my cheek, quietly absorbing the perfect moment. I was stunned into silence and an overwhelming sensation of being humble.

"Meditation is a boat that takes you home."

My 2 year old son taught me the most beautiful and succinct definition of meditation.

Our children are the greatest teachers we meet and this is something every human being should realise, whether a parent or not. Children bring a new dimension of clarity into our often marred and messy view of the world. Listen to them; they teach us how to be mindful and patient; they show us the joy in simplicity; they encourage our hearts to expand; they bring great knowledge.