Guest guest Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 Namaste: As a teenager, I could not find the " spirit " , the life force, in Christianity. It was not only that I saw adults not living the Truth, but in my own heart, I did not feel Christ speaking to me. Over time, as I grew older, and experienced a wider range of spiritual techniques and philosophies, I was attracted to certain techniques which resonated with who I was and where I wanted to go. Now, as a parent, I try to help my son find that path which resonates with him. I try to make it easier for him and guide him into Hinduism. But, I cannot mold his life. I cannot force him to live the life I think is perfect for him any more than I can make a tree grow into some odd shape, or a roaring river change its course. Each soul has its own karma. As Maa has said, our children are only lent to us, and we have to remain unattached and give our best,pure unconditional love, and let them live their lives as they see fit. They will make mistakes, and they will fall. Just as we did, and continue to do. So amazing, Maa gives us every chance, every moment, to remain unattached and to trust Her that everything will work out as She wills it. I pray that we may truly trust Her, and surrender to Her will. Jai Ma Jai Swami vishweshwar , " sal. " <salpaulsen wrote: > > Peace, everyone! > > The first question that came to mind, Vish, is that - are the > teenagers unattracted to Hinduism, or is it that they see the spirit > has been taken out of the ritual? Spiritual - spi = ritual. > > I do not think the disenfranchisement of our youth toward organized > religion is exclusive to Hinduism, nor do I think you are suggesting > it. Kids are smart. If they see something that isn't working, they > will question it. If they see their parents worship eight hours a > day and order each other around and fight for the other 16 hours, or > treat their friends and neighbors like dirt, or take communion every > Sunday and go home and cheat on their taxes and curse their > bosses...well, you get my drift. > > Until our children see (us) truly live happily and spiritually 24/7, > they'll always question why (we) would deliberately spend so much > time on something that fails to allow (us) to live (our) heaven on > earth.... > > Instead of asking " how we can help our children " , I would step back > and really, really look hard in the mirror and wonder if I am, in > fact - deep in my heart, walking the walk...and if I am not doing so, > I would hardly expect my children to want to follow my footsteps. > > with great respect, > sal. > > > > > -- In , " inspectionconnection108 " > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > Namaste all family: tonight at the Mandir, a group of devotees > > discussed a familiar problem: our teenage children do not feel > > attracted to Hinduism, and they think that their parents are > abnormal > > worshiping deities, chanting mantras, etc. What can we do to help > our > > children? We love them and want the best for them? > > Swami's recent remarks came to mind. When asked a similar question > he > > responded that we should continue to perform our worship regularly > and > > set an example for our children. Whether they hear us chanting or > > nor, they will feel the influence of the mantras. > > If they see us remaining steadfast in our worship, and observe the > > positive changes taking place within us, someday they will ask about > > our experiences, and desire to understand the methods of worhsip. > > > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > > > vishweshwar > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 Peace, Vish, So then when do " you " still wonder why children do not like Hinduism? Why do you continue to fight with yourself over finding the perfect life for your child? My daughter just went through the life altering decision to pick a college/university. She was offered scholarships at several as well as a full ride at one of the most prestigious research universities in the world. She turned it down. It didn't feel right to her. I bit my tongue for three days before I could sit and have a normal conversation with her. I could have ranted and raved at what a fool she was to turn it down, but the fact of the matter is it is HER decision. Her father burned a huge bridge with her, all in the name of trying to protect her best interest. It is very sad to see. Years ago, I also allowed her to complete religious instruction through confirmation at her Lutheran church. After all, aren't all all good Christian children supposed to go through Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation? Otherwise they all end up in Hell. Isn't that what we were told? She ended up with so many questions regarding the rituals of the faith ( as well as several others), that most of it made no sense. But alas, she was able to make her own decision and found her own desire to search for her own truth. At least she's searching. Whatever makes her happy. Allowing her to make her own decisions also makes her responsible for fruits. Some don't taste too good, some are delicious. I tell her that unless she is completely happy and loves being Who She Is, she will be unable to share her Light with anyone else. What else is there? I'm sorry to see that you are struggling so with this. I do hope you learn to take Mother's advice and stop insisting that " father knows best " . Understand that you are two entirely different charged vessels of energy. Different currents, different volts, different spectrums lights...that is, of course, until we all mix back together into the One. with respect, sal. , " inspectionconnection108 " <inspectionconnection108 wrote: > > Namaste: As a teenager, I could not find the " spirit " , the life > force, in Christianity. It was not only that I saw adults not living > the Truth, but in my own heart, I did not feel Christ speaking to me. > Over time, as I grew older, and experienced a wider range of > spiritual techniques and philosophies, I was attracted to certain > techniques which resonated with who I was and where I wanted to go. > Now, as a parent, I try to help my son find that path which resonates > with him. I try to make it easier for him and guide him into Hinduism. > But, I cannot mold his life. I cannot force him to live the life I > think is perfect for him any more than I can make a tree grow into > some odd shape, or a roaring river change its course. > Each soul has its own karma. As Maa has said, our children are only > lent to us, and we have to remain unattached and give our best,pure > unconditional love, and let them live their lives as they see fit. > They will make mistakes, and they will fall. Just as we did, and > continue to do. > So amazing, Maa gives us every chance, every moment, to remain > unattached and to trust Her that everything will work out as She wills > it. > I pray that we may truly trust Her, and surrender to Her will. > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > vishweshwar , " sal. " <salpaulsen@> wrote: > > > > Peace, everyone! > > > > The first question that came to mind, Vish, is that - are the > > teenagers unattracted to Hinduism, or is it that they see the spirit > > has been taken out of the ritual? Spiritual - spi = ritual. > > > > I do not think the disenfranchisement of our youth toward organized > > religion is exclusive to Hinduism, nor do I think you are suggesting > > it. Kids are smart. If they see something that isn't working, they > > will question it. If they see their parents worship eight hours a > > day and order each other around and fight for the other 16 hours, or > > treat their friends and neighbors like dirt, or take communion every > > Sunday and go home and cheat on their taxes and curse their > > bosses...well, you get my drift. > > > > Until our children see (us) truly live happily and spiritually 24/7, > > they'll always question why (we) would deliberately spend so much > > time on something that fails to allow (us) to live (our) heaven on > > earth.... > > > > Instead of asking " how we can help our children " , I would step back > > and really, really look hard in the mirror and wonder if I am, in > > fact - deep in my heart, walking the walk...and if I am not doing so, > > I would hardly expect my children to want to follow my footsteps. > > > > with great respect, > > sal. > > > > > > > > > > -- In , " inspectionconnection108 " > > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > > > Namaste all family: tonight at the Mandir, a group of devotees > > > discussed a familiar problem: our teenage children do not feel > > > attracted to Hinduism, and they think that their parents are > > abnormal > > > worshiping deities, chanting mantras, etc. What can we do to help > > our > > > children? We love them and want the best for them? > > > Swami's recent remarks came to mind. When asked a similar question > > he > > > responded that we should continue to perform our worship regularly > > and > > > set an example for our children. Whether they hear us chanting or > > > nor, they will feel the influence of the mantras. > > > If they see us remaining steadfast in our worship, and observe the > > > positive changes taking place within us, someday they will ask about > > > our experiences, and desire to understand the methods of worhsip. > > > > > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 Namaste Sal: I thank you for sharing your story. You and your husband love your daughter and each of you, in your own way, is trying so hard to help her. In the same way, my wife and I are trying to help our son. Just like you, sometimes we are able to remain unattached, and other times-well, we become attached. With Maa's blessings, each time we move through these experiences, we learn and grow. When we fall into attachment, we soon see the error or our ways, and we pick ourselves up and move forward. As Maa says constantly-and I paraphrase: ... " change is the nature of life: Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundia, Vicce. Nothing ever stays the same. " She also says: .... " this world is such a drama. We just have to think of ourselves as actors, and not get caught up in the drama. " As Swami says-and I paraphrase: if you are not struggling, then it is too easy and you are not growing. The struggle makes you stronger. Each and every parent and guardian: Mother, Father, Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle, Aunt, etc, is trying to help their loved ones grow. It is the nature of life. It is the nature of love. And none of us would be where we are today without the love, support, and sacrifice of those who are near and dear to us, in the present, and the past. Oh, how I pray that all of us can remain pure, unattached, filled with love and light, and offer only those pure qualities to our loved ones and our children. God bless you and your family. May the lessons learned bring you all closer together, and may love supreme reign. Jai Ma Jai Swami vishweshwar , " sal. " <salpaulsen wrote: > > Peace, Vish, > > So then when do " you " still wonder why children do not like > Hinduism? Why do you continue to fight with yourself over finding > the perfect life for your child? > > My daughter just went through the life altering decision to pick a > college/university. She was offered scholarships at several as well > as a full ride at one of the most prestigious research universities > in the world. She turned it down. It didn't feel right to her. I > bit my tongue for three days before I could sit and have a normal > conversation with her. I could have ranted and raved at what a fool > she was to turn it down, but the fact of the matter is it is HER > decision. Her father burned a huge bridge with her, all in the name > of trying to protect her best interest. It is very sad to see. > > Years ago, I also allowed her to complete religious instruction > through confirmation at her Lutheran church. After all, aren't all > all good Christian children supposed to go through Baptism, First > Communion, and Confirmation? Otherwise they all end up in Hell. > Isn't that what we were told? She ended up with so many questions > regarding the rituals of the faith ( as well as several others), that > most of it made no sense. But alas, she was able to make her own > decision and found her own desire to search for her own truth. At > least she's searching. Whatever makes her happy. Allowing her to > make her own decisions also makes her responsible for fruits. Some > don't taste too good, some are delicious. > > I tell her that unless she is completely happy and loves being Who > She Is, she will be unable to share her Light with anyone else. What > else is there? > > I'm sorry to see that you are struggling so with this. I do hope you > learn to take Mother's advice and stop insisting that " father knows > best " . Understand that you are two entirely different charged > vessels of energy. Different currents, different volts, different > spectrums lights...that is, of course, until we all mix back together > into the One. > > with respect, > sal. > > > > , " inspectionconnection108 " > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > Namaste: As a teenager, I could not find the " spirit " , the life > > force, in Christianity. It was not only that I saw adults not living > > the Truth, but in my own heart, I did not feel Christ speaking to > me. > > Over time, as I grew older, and experienced a wider range of > > spiritual techniques and philosophies, I was attracted to certain > > techniques which resonated with who I was and where I wanted to > go. > > Now, as a parent, I try to help my son find that path which > resonates > > with him. I try to make it easier for him and guide him into > Hinduism. > > But, I cannot mold his life. I cannot force him to live the life I > > think is perfect for him any more than I can make a tree grow into > > some odd shape, or a roaring river change its course. > > Each soul has its own karma. As Maa has said, our children are only > > lent to us, and we have to remain unattached and give our best,pure > > unconditional love, and let them live their lives as they see fit. > > They will make mistakes, and they will fall. Just as we did, and > > continue to do. > > So amazing, Maa gives us every chance, every moment, to remain > > unattached and to trust Her that everything will work out as She > wills > > it. > > I pray that we may truly trust Her, and surrender to Her will. > > > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > , " sal. " <salpaulsen@> wrote: > > > > > > Peace, everyone! > > > > > > The first question that came to mind, Vish, is that - are the > > > teenagers unattracted to Hinduism, or is it that they see the > spirit > > > has been taken out of the ritual? Spiritual - spi = ritual. > > > > > > I do not think the disenfranchisement of our youth toward > organized > > > religion is exclusive to Hinduism, nor do I think you are > suggesting > > > it. Kids are smart. If they see something that isn't working, > they > > > will question it. If they see their parents worship eight hours > a > > > day and order each other around and fight for the other 16 hours, > or > > > treat their friends and neighbors like dirt, or take communion > every > > > Sunday and go home and cheat on their taxes and curse their > > > bosses...well, you get my drift. > > > > > > Until our children see (us) truly live happily and spiritually > 24/7, > > > they'll always question why (we) would deliberately spend so much > > > time on something that fails to allow (us) to live (our) heaven > on > > > earth.... > > > > > > Instead of asking " how we can help our children " , I would step > back > > > and really, really look hard in the mirror and wonder if I am, in > > > fact - deep in my heart, walking the walk...and if I am not doing > so, > > > I would hardly expect my children to want to follow my footsteps. > > > > > > with great respect, > > > sal. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- In , " inspectionconnection108 " > > > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste all family: tonight at the Mandir, a group of devotees > > > > discussed a familiar problem: our teenage children do not feel > > > > attracted to Hinduism, and they think that their parents are > > > abnormal > > > > worshiping deities, chanting mantras, etc. What can we do to > help > > > our > > > > children? We love them and want the best for them? > > > > Swami's recent remarks came to mind. When asked a similar > question > > > he > > > > responded that we should continue to perform our worship > regularly > > > and > > > > set an example for our children. Whether they hear us chanting > or > > > > nor, they will feel the influence of the mantras. > > > > If they see us remaining steadfast in our worship, and observe > the > > > > positive changes taking place within us, someday they will ask > about > > > > our experiences, and desire to understand the methods of > worhsip. > > > > > > > > Jai Ma Jai Swami > > > > > > > > vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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