For the Love of Children
A Handbook
Concepts & Tools for Guiding Children
Based on the Edgar Cayce Readings

Compiled by the A.R.E. Youth and Family Staff

Introduction | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3
Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7

Chapter 6

The Cayce readings emphasized that the physical body is the house of the soul, a temple of God. As such it must be treated with great care and respect. Caring for the body includes making sure that it receives both sufficient exercise and sufficient rest. Equally as important are attitudes that affect the physical body, such as self-awareness, positive self-image, a desire for balance, and a focus on one’s spiritual ideal.

The following are suggestions to help your child be aware of and care for his/her body for its best purposes.

• Encourage exercises and activities in the open air, to develop muscles and body structure: walking, swimming, stretching (mimicking cat stretching movements), dancing, rhythmic movement, breathing exercises.
• Plan a regular routine of exercise, keeping in mind the child’s level of physical development, the environment in which you live, and your child’s responses, so that you plan activities that are appropriate, invigorating (not exhausting), and pleasant.
• Be sure your child has sufficient rest daily. Teach her or him how to relax the body before sleep or at regular intervals, guiding him/her to visualize the body and relax one body part at a time.
• Realize that natural physical sleep is the body’s way to keep itself coordinated with the mental and spiritual energies of the soul entity. You might discuss energy patterns with your child, including physical energy and rest, mental energy (visualizing or hearing with “inner” senses), and spiritual energy (using a candle as an example of the light within each individual.)
• Go through the following list periodically to be sure your child’s basic needs are being met: exercise, rest, fresh air, warmth, adequate clothing, healthy diet, balance body functioning; love, belongingness, family, friends, self-esteem, new ideas and experiences, balance, routine, reasonable responsibility, choices, opportunities to express self, God-awareness
• Help your child enjoy some of the awareness activities suggested in “The Body Is the Temple of the Living God” (A.R.E. Youth Activities).
• Enable a “health consciousness” for your family through awareness, visualization, suggestion, and application.
• Help your child keep a balanced routine of sleep, work, play, exercise, and relaxation.
• Celebrate personal growth and changes throughout the year by enjoying informal family rituals and celebrations. (See references for possible ideas in these books: Festivals, Family and Food or Why Not Celebrate!)