We learn about being honest through making choices that are true and right, rather than untrue and wrong.

Time and time again throughout life we are all faced with the dilemma of how honest to be in certain situations.

There are times when honesty should be tempered with wisdom, such as when we would be hurting someone by telling the honest truth. An example would be that you see a bully chasing a boy down the street and know which shop the boy ran in to escape. And then the bully asking you if you saw where the boy went.

In order to spare the boy being chased from possible harm, it is better to be less that absolutely honest to spare the boy from the bully.

Honesty tempered with what is for the best outcome of the situation is the right practical solution.

Guided meditation on being honest

Start by sitting up straight in your meditation place, and begin doing even and natural breathing like this - breathe in 1 count and breathe out 1 count, and repeat this even pattern while sitting still and thinking. You don't need to say the numbers, just keep up the even rhythm of breathing.

If you are sitting on a cushion on the floor, fold in your legs and place your folded hands in your lap. If you are sitting in a chair, place the soles of your feet on the floor and place your hands in your lap. If you like, keep a journal and pen at your side to write about any thoughts that come to you about being honest.

Imagine you are in the grocery store with your mom and you see a lady with an open purse ahead of you in the aisle. Suddenly she reaches up high to take down a box of cereal from the shelf and because her purse is open her wallet falls out onto the floor and she doesn't notice, but instead keeps pushing her cart down the aisle.

No one else notices the wallet on the floor.

You must decide whether to be honest and return her wallet, or pick it up and keep it as it may have money inside.

You know that the wallet is not yours, and you really do not feel good at the thought of keeping it for yourself. But you do feel good, in fact, full of energy at the thought of running down the aisle to return the wallet to the owner.

This story shows that acting honestly fills you with good feelings.

To finish your meditation take a deep breath in and out and stretch out your body. If you have some thoughts about honesty take a few moments to write about them in your journal.

Article by Susan Kramer

"Meditation for all Kids" Ebook or print book. How to teach sitting, walking, dance, relaxation, instant, music, running, swinging, biking and swimming meditations, plus a chapter of guided meditations on virtues, and a chapter of affirmations, inspirations and prayers. For tots to teens of all abilities. 100 pages.