LTRP Note: Recently, we received the following letter from a concerned reader. At the time, we had nothing on our research site about Mind Yeti, but now Lois Putnam has written a great research piece on Mind Yeti (see below the letter to the editor).
Dear Lighthouse Trails:
I read your blog article dated 11/15/17 about mindfulness meditation being promoted in schools, and I am curious if you have ever heard of Mind Yeti? It is a program being sold, and, I might add, bought as if it is the latest and greatest “tool” for schools to use to help their students focus. I am acutely aware of this because I work at a public elementary school in Oregon that has begun implementing it–by a teacher who purports to be a Christian no less! I did not like it the very first time I heard it being used, but could not put my finger on exactly why. Since then, I began doing more research and now realize it is out and out indoctrination! I am literally sickened by it! I plan to talk to the teacher promoting it to the rest of the staff, and to my principal as well. I doubt that my questioning of it will be well-received, but I know I must do what I can to stand in the gap on behalf of our students. I would appreciate your prayers and your help in giving me some talking points and anything else you think might be helpful to me as I address this in my own school. I would also like to ask you to sound the alarm to others about this very dangerous program and encourage people to ask specifically if it is being used in their neighborhood schools.
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“Mind Yeti: The Committee for Children’s Mesmerizing Mindfulness Program”
By Lois Putnam
Have you heard of Mind Yeti, CFC’s mindfulness program with its Yeti cartoon-like character who will help clear hubbubbles from kids and their adults’ minds with its daily meditation practices both in the classroom and at home? Touting its exciting possibilities in an almost half-hour webinar “Get Your Mind Ready with Mind Yeti for Schools” introduces a third grade classroom video where kids “take a moment to find their yeti bodies.” Its teacher too, along side of her pupils, leads the meditation. And its students testify how great Mind Yeti is! http://www.secondstep.org/webinars/mind-yeti-for-schools
Just who is Yeti? Yeti is an ice-blue colored Sesame Street-like character that will help teach kids mindfulness. And what is a yeti? Well, a yeti is an ape-like creature said to reside in the Himalayan mountains. Yes, the Mind Yeti creators have very cleverly used the yeti which some Buddhists worship, and whose costumes Buddhist monks use for religious ceremonies to lure youngsters into mindfulness meditation. http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2016/01/the-yeti-whats-in-a-name/
In its webinar, CFC collaborators comment, while they haven’t yet revealed Yeti’s “back story,” some children are sending in their own ideas. However, the back story is that its origin is connected to Buddhism. Even the YETI company with its drinkware carries a “Sherpa Cooler” named after Tibetan Buddhists who worship the Himalayan peaks and who guide tourists on mountain treks. Click here to continue reading.
Related Material:
Click here to see booklets that Lois Putnam has written about protecting our children.
Mr. Rob, you do not know me. My name is Eddie and I read the question that you asked about mindfulness and what is wrong with it. First of all, I would like to ask you what do you understand about mindfulness without following through with the research behind it and it’s true implications behind it. As a society in whole we have a tendency to accept what is being offered not knowing all that is needed to be revealed. We believe that anything that sounds good can’t be bad, especially when it involves our children and there education. Our children are so special to us, so innocent and precious and we want to provide or do what may seem to be the best for them as a parent. Yes, I am a parent and and a grandparent and believe me as I was raising my children the main thing I wanted too was to make sure that they received the best education. Now back then, this certain program was not in existence, but I must confess that even if it was, I would not have agreed to allow my children to take part in it. You see, I and my family are believers in Jesus Christ and I brought them up knowing who God is and that our beliefs are centered around Him in light of what the rest of the world may teach. I am not replying to your message to condemn you in any way, but I feel in order to shed light on what you seek can only be found in the Word Of God. This mindfulness program is basically geared towards our young children and their complete innocence of their minds because they truly do not understand what they are doing as they yield themselves to open their minds to other influences other than that of the Lord. I do not know if you have a relationship with Jesus Christ Mr. Rob, nor do I know if you even believe in God, but what I do know is that what this program is offering is accepting a false non-religious figure in order to give a false peace and comfort to both the child and the parents that participate in this. Jesus Christ is the answer to any and all our problems no matter how young or how old. I believe that our children need a voice to speak for them in this matter rather than to allow them to be forced to take part in something that will do more harm than good just because others believe in this.
I’m not sure what the problem with it is. What is so scary about mindfulness?
You are very wrong Ruth, and your views are very dangerous for children. We have been explaining this for years. I’m not sure what more we can say to you. It seems you have made up your mind. But we do encourage you to research this issue.
Teaching children mindfulness and meditation will help them connect with the Holy Spirit. It will teach them to connect to God. Studies have shown that children who are taught meditation are less likely to be violent, suffer from anxiety and depression.
Will someone please explain what is the threat in this in a response (and not offer to send a booklet)
Thank you
Kody, would you allow us to send you our booklet on Mindfulness? It will explain our concerns. Please send your mailing address to editors@lighthousetrails.com if you would like to have it.
I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What are they being indoctrinated into? Perhaps a better mascot could have been chosen to limit the connection to religious practice, but mindfulness, meditation, etc., are practices shown to help people with anxiety, depression, addiction, among other things. I’m unsure what negatives you and the OP are referring to. I’m a Registered Behavior Technician and we already teach kids in the third grade to use a lot of the strategies included in Mind Yeti, such as deep-breathing, to cope with challenging situations because research says it helps.
Can someone explain what exactly is wrong with this? Thank you!
Thank you so much for this information. It is such a blessing to have access to ministries like Lighthouse Trails. When I told my husband about this Mind Yeti garbage he responded by saying how happy he is that I homeschool our son. My son has peace through the Spirit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My spirit just grieves over these children that are unknowingly being indoctrinated into the occult through mindfulness, meditation, and yoga (which literally means to yoke with). These children are being lied to, and taught a false sense of peace that is obtained by their own doing, or inner power’s. Parents need to be aware and instilling the Truth of the Word of God in our kid’s lives. How else can our children discern false spirits, and the false teachings that are being taught to them daily.