Meryl's Book

Aloha (Alo = presence, front, face) + (hâ = breath) “The presence of (Divine) Breath.” -definition fromThe Hawaiian Language website

Copyright © 2019 by Meryl Best Lowell www.merylbestlowell.com

All rights reserved.This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. Cover and interior layout by Samuel Abiodun (Crystal Studios) Printed in the United States of America ISBN:978-0-578-21442-9 First Printing, 2019

The Dolphin’s Secret

A Meditational Journey For Children

Written By Meryl Best Lowell Illustrations by Polina Hyrtskova

Amrit Yoga Institute

Kamini Desai

Gurudev Shri Amritji

Kristine Valentine-Miller

Maia Robin & Kira Jasmine

Eric Walrabenstein

With love and gratitude for the teachers and the teachings.

deAr reAder, This is a unique kind of book. It requires a partnership between you, the story, and the listener. I ask that each and every time, before you read this book to your child or students, you take a minute or two to get calm and relaxed. As you prepare to read it, take the time to cycle through three deep breaths, breathing in through the nose, holding for a count of five, and exhaling slowly through the mouth. Keep your attention focused on your breath. Then, think of something that makes you feel happy and turn your attention to your heart. Tune in to the feelings of happiness and love in your heart. As you read, embody the feelings of peace and love. To create an optimal experience, take your time reading and feel the impact of the words in your own body. Throughout the story, read at a slow pace, to allow the listener enough time to relax deeply and experience how the body feels. You are introducing children to invaluable skills that will help them learn to calm and relax themselves and observe their thoughts. As the reader, you will also benefit and feel the positive effects on your mind and body. Meryl

My name is Meri, and I’m a mermaid. Have you ever felt upset and couldn’t calm down? Or has your head felt like it was full of too many thoughts? Me too! My best friend, Aloha the dolphin, taught me some neat tricks to help me to calm down and feel better whenever I want. I want to share a special kind of story with you, that asks you to listen carefully and follow the directions. Can you do that? Good, let’s give it a go!

Lay down on your back with your legs out straight. Make yourself as comfortable as possible. Cover yourself with a blanket. Place your arms out to the sides of your body. Now close your eyes.

Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, filling up your belly, then your chest. Hold the breath in and feel it in your belly and chest. Now, let it go with a sigh!

Take another slow, deep breath in through your nose, like you are breathing in slow motion, filling up your belly, then your chest. Hold the breath in while you silently count to three, then let the breath out through your mouth with an even bigger sigh.

Now, we are going to help get any last wiggles out of your body. Take a big, slow, deep breath in through your nose and tighten all the muscles in your body! Tighten the muscles in your feet, legs, hips, shoulders, arms and hands. Squeeze your eyes closed and crinkle your nose. Tighten…tighten…hold. Now let go! Feel the energy moving around inside your body.

Again, take a slow, deep breath in through your nose and tighten all the muscles in your whole body! Tighten the muscles in your feet, legs, bottom, shoulders, arms and hands. Tighten…tighten…hold. Now let go! Relax. Feel the energy moving around inside your body.

From now on, be very still and don’t move a muscle. Pretend you are a statue. Just listen to the sound of my voice and follow the directions. Try not to fall asleep, but if you do, that’s okay. Let your body soften and relax.

I am going to share a magical breath that I was taught by my friend, Aloha. Dolphins are very good at managing their breath so they can stay under water for a long time. Sometimes they use their breath to make bubble rings under water and play with them!

Now, take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, and pretend you are blowing bubbles under the water, just like a dolphin. Keep taking slow, deep breaths in through your nose, and blow out through your mouth very, very slowly. With each breath in, fill yourself with joy. Each time you breathe out, relax just a little more. Imagine bubbles of all sizes floating around you.

Now, imagine a bubble with all the colors of the rainbow landing right between your eyebrows. Focus and see if you can feel the bubble. This spot between your eyebrows is sometimes called the third eye. Keep your attention here and feel stillness and peace.

Now, imagine that you are floating in calm, warmwater. The dolphin swims up to us and begins to blow bubble rings. They are like dolphin kisses being sent to you. First, you feel the bubbles touch your toes. Then bubbles float up and touch your ankles. Next, bubbles float and touch both knees. Lots of bubbles floating and gently touching your tummy…then your chest. The dolphin blows more bubbles and they touch your shoulders. Then, you feel bubbles in the palms of your hands.

Now bring your attention back to the magic spot between your eyebrows. Imagine yourself as a calm, blue ocean. The ocean doesn’t get mad or upset at the waves or things that pass through it.There is a part of you that is just like the ocean. The part that can just let everything come and go. In your ocean, let every wave, every boat, every fish, come and go.

You have the power to become stronger and greater with everything that happens in your life. Notice how you feel calm and peaceful in this place, where you can watch everything come and go. Relax and watch any thoughts float by.

While you are this relaxed, wishes can be fulfilled with ease. Put your attention back on the spot between your eyebrows. Let yourself hear what I say…

I have all that I need inside me to be peaceful and happy.

I have all that I need inside me to be peaceful and happy.

I have all that I need inside me to be peaceful and happy.

Know that this wish has been heard and felt by your mind, body, and spirit.

Now, imagine that Aloha has a special message for you. Dolphins make a clicking noise to communicate and you can feel the clicks all through your body. Feel the love from Aloha, and hear his message, “You are always loved. You are filled with light and love. Know that you can always tune into this love.”

Now bring your attention back to your body. Notice your chest and belly rise and fall with each breath. Feel your fingers and toes. If you are going to sleep, simply enjoy the relaxed feeling in your body and let yourself drift off to a peaceful sleep. If you need to wake up, take your time, then roll onto your right side, keeping your eyes gently closed. Notice how peaceful you feel. Then quietly make your way back up to a seated position.

For more info: www.merylbestlowell.com www.amrityoga.org