Meditation and Down-Syndrom

[Stefan]

Hi there. I posted this topic in the old forum already, and I'm starting it again. I don't expect quick answers cos I found out nobody seems to have experience with that. But we have some years time, and maybe someone will read it in future and give answers I will need then.

So: Last summer my second child was born, a wonderful baby who we love really! A sunshine boy  . The little fellow was born with the "Down-Syndrom" which is no problem with us (after having overcome the initial shock and the pity for this little prince).

Being a meditator I was wondering if anybody ever heard about a Downie-Meditator. When it's time I'd love to introduce him to meditation (and I will try that anyway), but still I'd appreciate the experience of others or even hints where I could read/ hear about experiences from/ about meditating Down-people.

Maybe they don't even need to meditate? From what I've heard and experienced so far they have a high compassion and an extra portion of Metta from the beginning. 

Hoping to hear from you sooner or later.

Metta, Stefan

[anicca]

This is nowhere near the same experience as yours, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

My partner and I own a small Jack Russell cross that was born with cerebral palsy and spasticity - we got him from the pound (dog shelter) when he was about six months old. He nearly always 'sits' with us, either on one of our laps or on a corner of a meditation mat. In fact, he'll often spend time just chilling out on one of our mats even when we're not sitting. Now I'm not saying its just this, but he has made huge improvements and is a very chilled out dog and we like to think that he's picked up on some of our meditation 'vibrations'.

[Stefan]

Thanx Anicca. Yes it's not the same, but I think it fits to the topic. I want to encourage you all to share with me any experience you feel would fit here.
I made the experience that when I enter the "free flow" while bringing my children to bed they go from the "I cannot sleep at all and I am far awake"-state to sleep within two minutes. Especially my Downie-Son (sun): he starts smiling every time I do it.
But of course my main interest stays with the question wether anyone ever heard of a meditating Downie and his/ her experiences.

Metta, Stefan

My partner and I own a small Jack Russell cross [...]

... now one thing I know about dogs: You don't own him ... he owns you! 

[Matthew]

Stefan

Am I imagining it .... I am sure I posted a reply here a long time ago which seems to have disappeared

Me = going mad or Me = forgetful or yes I did and it's disappeared ....

please tell,

Matthew

[Stefan]

you=not mad
you posted the answer in the old forum!
...which is lost in the depth of cyberspace ... 

metta, stefan

(edit: you gave me the link to a group that deals also with Down-People, but I was so confident in the old forum to be there forever that I didn't write it down and now I cannot remember ... it was very interesting, lots of good infos, but nothing about meditation & Downies. Was it something like "L'Arch" ?)

[Matthew]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Stefan,

Thanks - so, me = not so forgetful but definitely a little bit

Yes it was the "community of the arch" homepage here: http://www.larche.org/.en_gb...index.htm

There are three Arch communities in Germany ... don't think any in Austria but if I were you I would telephone or email and start some contact with the German communities. Though they may not make a big thing of it I would be very surprised if they didn't have any experience in this regard. They are Christian communities so they may call it "silent prayer" or something like that. They will certainly be a useful resource for you to have contact with as your son grows.

In the Dhamma,

Matthew