Wanderlust Remodeling the World Through the Minds of Youngsters: Odette’s Alphabet

It's a tough time for adults and children alike: the pandemic has not only exacerbated everyday worries, but has also brought a new stressful layer (and sometimes many of them) into family life. Explaining things to children sometimes seems beyond the reach of a parent's daily capacity, which is why we, as parents, have never relied on children's literature to help our little ones demonstrate some of life's greater realizations.

Sandrine Marlier is a Brooklyn-based meditation teacher and Reiki practitioner who wrote a new story for children: Odette's Alphabet. With your support (pre-order before September 11, 2020), this mindfulness story for children could enter into a publishing contract through Publishizer.

Check out the project here and see below what inspired Sandrine to write the book.

WL: When and how did you get into meditation practice? Was there a triggering event that caused you to take up the practice, or was it an awakening to the benefits of a regular practice?

SM: I was sitting in my therapist's office when I had a choice: you can either take medication or meditate. Ha. I remember my opposition to both of them. I've struggled with fear all my life. My relationships were a mess; I didn't trust myself and the world around me. Over-treated as a teenager, my kidneys suffered. Medication was not an option.

I hesitated to try meditation because I thought it was going to be boring. I longed for adventure, not peace! Even so, I followed some online meditations, went to a meditation center in town (Three Jewels) once a week, and also returned to my yoga practice.

In 2013, Oprah & Deepak started a free event: a 21-day meditation challenge. I followed him and noticed changes. I was calmer. I felt like my heart could withstand a greater variation in emotions. One of the teachers on the challenge was Davidji. I went deeper and deeper into practice with him. A year later I enrolled in his 4 month meditation teacher training. I had no intention of teaching, but I really wanted to learn and master meditation.

WL: Which teachers were instrumental in understanding how meditation can be applied to modern life?

Davidji introduced us to many types of meditation, from Vedanta and Buddhism to modern philosophy and emotional healing. He invites his students to try to see what works for themselves before committing to a particular practice. I fell in love with meta and primordial sound meditation and started practicing twice a day for 30 minutes. This practice, as taught by my teacher, has changed my life.

I also studied Reiki with Joanna Crespo and gave Reiki energy to all of my meditations. Other teachers like Elizabeth Jenkins introduced me to Inca mysticism, which nourishes my language and world perception and connects me in a spiritual way with all that is.

Another important lesson was the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) from Marshal Rosenberg and the practice of mindful communication with Oren Jay Sofer (you can follow his course in the 10% Happier app). I combine this with the teachings of Don Miguel Ruiz in his masterpiece The Four Agreements – A Must.

WL: Are there parts of the practice that you have incorporated more into your daily life since the pandemic started? What advice would you give to someone struggling under the unusual and intense pressures of 2020?

With the pandemic, my activity slowed and my stress increased, worried about safety and money. To make up for the fear, I spent as much time with my little girl outdoors as we safely could. I did a lot of grounding in the morning, recording to notice my thought patterns, and under the guidance of Dr. With Joe Dispenza's meditations, I was able to let go of some fears and invite them to the change I wanted in the visualization. Our practice is constantly evolving and we need to create space for it.

For anyone struggling with these new circumstances, it is critical to validate our experience. Give yourself permission to be angry, sad, depressed, stressed out … The fight is super real, so let's not forget about the emotions involved. In fact, stop by often to see how you are feeling. Then move on by assessing what you need. To find peace again, our needs for security and freedom have been challenged. How can we still meet these essential needs?

To help, we may want to look back at times gone by when we had problems and reflect on how we overcame obstacles. I encourage my clients to engage with the best and highest version of themselves. Who are you when you overcome difficulties and thrive in life? We are incredibly resourceful and we sometimes forget that.

In order to bring more abundance into our lives, the practice of gratitude is immensely beneficial. It brings us out of our stuck energies and present circumstances. It elevates us. Gives us more clarity. Things that seemed hopeless lose their intensity and light can penetrate the cracked wall …

Once we are there, we can take it a step further by letting our light shine, no matter how small it feels, and offering our service to others.

WL: Engaging with very young children in a mindfulness practice often involves lifestyle choices rather than direct teaching. When they see parents and family on the meditation cushion or yoga mat, that goes further than telling them to do a down dog. How have you been able to incorporate your own mindfulness lifestyle into your parenting?

This is a great reflection and question! In fact, our teaching is most effective when we live it pressure!

When I am with my daughter, mindfulness is woven into our nature walks, like when we pick our own raspberries in the garden or tomatoes in the community garden we built in front of the house. In this way I share my values ​​of fun and connection, giving and receiving, enjoying the little things and being grateful for all that life has to offer.

At the beginning of the pandemic we started repeating our own mantra: “Be happy with what you have!” What I love is that she tells me when I start to complain!

She also reminds me to breathe when she sees I'm stressed, just like I do with her when she's frustrated. I really appreciate this reciprocity. To get there, I have to give her space to express herself and express her feelings. I also need to let my imperfections see, apologize if what I say or do isn't ideal, and learn to forgive faster. They reflect everything we want to see, which makes mindfulness a never ending and growing practice!

WL: Why is it important to expose children to great ideas like compassion, respect, and discipline in books?

Books are such a magical tool. They work just as much, if not more, outside the realm of reading. Both children and parents and caregivers can refer to the characters and situations in the book to shed light on what is going on in the moment. We don't always have the right words on hand, and books help us articulate thoughts and concepts.

The more we can teach children compassion, respect, and discipline, the more rounded they become. How many of us have had to do the hard work of unlearning and relearning to really take care of ourselves? I wish I had read less about princesses and more about how to develop a strong heart and kind mind, not just for myself but for others as well.

Odette's alphabet is my obligation to contribute to the well-being of our children, to deepen our connection with one another and to promote more peace, which doesn't sound so boring anymore.

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Sandrine Marlier is a mother, meditation teacher, transformation coach and Reiki practitioner Davidji, meditation master, and her approach combines healing and empowerment modalities so that others can develop their full potential from one place of alignment.

She believes in changing the world from the ground up; "Odette's Alphabet" is her first children's book.