== NEEDS OF MARGII CHILDREN (PART 2) ==
Namaskar,
The whole focus of this mailing is how our margii children can develop into
strong, dedicated A'nanda Ma'rgiis. Whether one is an acarya or family
person, an LFT or a margii parent, this is something we all certainly want
to see: Our margii children becoming strong sadhakas of the Marga.
TRIALS IN THIS MATERIALISTIC ERA
However, in this grossly materialistic era, so many times our tender margii
children drift away and get pulled into the crude waters of capitalism and
materialism.
While there are any number of factors that may contribute to this, but
perhaps first and foremost is that it is simply a numbers issue. Our margii
children get totally lost in the vast sea of the degenerated public.
Surrounded by the pull and allurement of pseudo-culture such as Hollywood &
Bollywod movies as well as mundane newspapers & fashion magazines etc,
margii children see that their parents are part of a tiny, miniscule
minority, whereas the whole entire society is moving in this very enticing
flow. This is the misconception they get.
Another factor that pulls children in that crude direction is that they
often lack a philosophical base and deeper understanding of Ananda Marga
practices. Many times our children may not understand the deeper value of a
sentient diet or the practical value of sadhana and spirituality. Hence
without this philosophical conviction, they just think it is all dogma and
get swayed by the glitter of pseudo-philosophies. In that case our children
get confused and conclude that 'it is not the society that is blind, rather
it is my parents who are blind!'
WHAT STEPS WE CAN TAKE
While we may not be able to change the overwhelming numbers of society
immediately, we can directly affect the quality and degree of our
children's internal understanding of Ananda Marga. This positive step we
can make.
As far as possible we should give our children a margii education. This is
the obvious solution, yet stands as one that is not always available.
Because margii schools are not nearby and often enough we margii parents do
not have time to do this on our won-- as we generally have to work long
hours and are often struggling with more mundane parental issues.
So in this present era, special efforts must be made to impart a margii
education to our children.
Because it is a fact that proper education is the pathway to bring youth
into a particular belief system and way of living. That is why the
Christians put such a huge emphasis on developing their parochial schools.
Because they know that this is the best way to turn their children into
followers of Christ etc.
In out Marga, at present we do not have such a developed formal education
system. But in this intermediary period there are some distinct steps we
can take. And already around the globe there are margii parents and acaryas
who are implementing excellent programs for our margii children. And here
following are also a few ideas.
THE CREATION OF MARGII CAMPS: 1-3 DAYS IN LENGTH
All around but especially in those areas where we do not have qualified AM
schools, we should fill the gap in a positive manner. Let us organise
children's camps-- separate from our main retreats. Let each local unit
make 1-3 day camps throughout the year. These camps can be joyful and
active experiences where margii children come and participate in so many AM
activities and programs from drama and theatre to sports and games to
kiirtan and sadhana to stories and poetry etc. All these components and
more can be highlighted in our children camps which are organised 5-6 times
per year. By this way our margii children will gradually develop an
understanding and appreciation for our AM way of life. This internal and
theoretical understanding will sprout. And side by side they will make new
friends and get satsaunga. All this will aid their safe journey into the
dharma of AM.
Additionally, we should start our children in such camps and AM activities
as early as possible such as at the age of three or four. That is the
critical time. Because if one misses it then and instead waits for the
early teen-age years like 14-15 etc, then it is basically impossible to
bring those children into AM. Already they have their approach that is
usually painted in the color of the general society.
That is why Baba has emphasized that neo-humanistic education should be
imparted in our primary schools and to young children in general. So those
places that have such schools are really fortunate and where those schools
are not yet in place these margii camps can serve as a solid alternative in
this transitional period.
BABA'S TEACHINGS ON EDUCATION
Here are some of Baba's important teachings on education which we should
contemplate and apply to the raising of all our children in the Marga.
Baba says, "Let everyone enjoy as much as they like on the subtle mental
plane. Let everyone possess as much mental and spiritual wealth as
possible. But individual hoarding of mundane resources and wealth must be
stopped, even by force if necessary. Really speaking, both physical and
mental cravings are born of mental hunger. It is certainly possible to
transform the craving for physical enjoyment into intellectual hunger by
channeling it toward a different goal through proper education. Human
society today is badly in need of such education." (HS-1)
Baba says, "What happens in the modern world. The existence of both
individual and collective existence has become one-sided, that is, it has
lost its balance. For this what we require most is a proper system of
education." (PNS-18)
Baba says, "For the purpose of training this turbulent mind, what should be
done? We will have to educate the mind properly, along the lines of
neohumanism. This neohumanist education will impart proper training to the
mind. And at the same time there should be spiritual practice for proper
psychic transformation. This is what we require most. There is no
alternative." (PNS-18)
Baba says, "Education is a part of cultural life. Education should be free,
and education must be based on universalism." (AFPS-7, 'Renaissance in All
Strata of Life')
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace by starting early in life we can bring all our margii
children into the sweet flow of AM.
Baba says, "In our Ananda Marga the seed for a common ideal is sown from
the very beginning of a child's life. At the age of five when children have
acquired only a preliminary understanding of their surroundings, they are
given the idea of Brahma or the Supreme Entity. The entire society of
Ananda Marga is thus founded on a common ideal, the goal of becoming one
with Brahma." (Tattvika Praveshika)
Namaskar,
Karma Rasa
Note 1: WHAT CAN SOMETIMES HAPPEN
AND A POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE
Despite our best intentions and rigorous attempts, sometimes we find that
as parents we get more concerned about the physical health and intellectual
training of our children-- and we forget about or overlook their spiritual
growth. This can sometimes happen. But Baba does not appreciate this and in
fact warns us that even animals impart this much education to their
offspring. They give training about how to survive in the their animal
society but not more than that. Similarly we should not just ensure that
our children can live in this materialistic world. That is not enough. We
must ensure that they grow spiritually as well. In this regard, we should
not just resort to pressure and force children to sit in sadhana for x
amount of minutes. That type of pressure and externally imposed discipline
is not enough. Side by side our children must be patiently given the
logical and rational understanding and explanation about our AM way of
life. This should be done gently and in creative ways to stir their
interest. Then when such an inner understanding is cultivated, they will
surely move along the path of AM-- now and in the future as well.
Note 2: EVERYONE SHOULD SHARE
On this topic there are so many good ideas being carried out by margiis
around the globe so everyone should come forward and share what is working
in their area: How are you successfully bringing our AM children into the
fold of AM.
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Future of Those with A Materialistic Bent of Mind
Baba says, "Allured by the paraphernalia of enjoyment these fools do not
understand nor do they want to understand the Supreme Entity. They cannot
even imagine a subtler world and so they totally deny it. Those who take
the crude as their objective have to come again and endure the crude.
Trudging along a dark path they are gradually transformed into matter."
(SS-3, '92 Edn, p.89)
Note: In the present world so-called advanced people in the general society
suffer from this above described ailment. It is our duty to save them
from their complete crudification.
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