== NEEDS OF MARGII CHILDREN ==
Namaskar,
Everyone wants that our Marga should flourish-- both now in the present and
in the future as well. This earnest desire every sincere A'nanda Ma'rgii has.
Over the course of history each and every society has also realised that
for the successful continuation of their community, the children or youth
of that society must be brought into the fold. That is the common belief
and understanding.
The same is the case with our Marga: It is imperative that our margii
children grow up to be devoted and committed Ananda Margiis. This will be
good for their individual development; it will be good for the society; and
it will be good for the cohesiveness of our AMPS.
Unfortunately, from Ranchi to Kolkata, from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires,
from Bangkok to Tokyo, and from Rome to Johannesburg, our Margii children
are not making it into our Marga-- not at the rate that is necessary. Too
many are falling between the cracks and not growing up to be involved
members of AM society.
However, it is sure that this situation is going to be properly rectified
in the coming days, months, and years. To this end, it is important to both
identify the problems and put forth practical solutions. And everyone
should also write in with their thoughts and suggestions.
As we overcome the present obstacles, more and more margii children will
become strong devotees of Baba and great sadhakas in the society.
DIFFICULTIES IN THIS PRESENT ERA
Perhaps the greatest hurdle of today for margii children is that they are
just plain outnumbered. In India the situation is a bit better in a few of
the village areas, but even then throughout the vast majority of Delhi
sector and certainly across the globe, our margii community is but a tiny,
miniscule number within the greater society. We are basically flooded by
the common masses in each and every region.
In such a scenario our child invariably attend schools where they are the
only Ananda Margiis or at best those margii children are part of a very
small minority. In that case those young impressionable minds are
surrounded by all the crude ways of the common people: From food to dress,
from after-school activities to conversation topics, and from
pseudo-culture to religious dogma.
Naturally then our margii children get affected by seeing what those around
them are doing. That is the reality of what is happening and we cannot
blame them for that. Rather it is up to us to make the situation more
favourable for them. And that is what Ananda Margiis across the globe are
striving for: To create sentient environments in which to raise our
children.
A CASE COMPARISON
Once when I was travelling across Delhi sector I came across a distinct
contrast between two "Margii" families. And that may shed insight into the
direction in which we need to move. Or it may just be a description that is
already quite obvious to you. Here is the scenario.
In one family, the margii parents had six children: Four boys and two
girls. And the father was extremely determined to raise them as true Ananda
Margiis. The mother was basically supportive but not quite so active in
this matter. All in all, despite being surrounded by non-margiis, those
children all grew up in a distinctly margii environment. They were all sent
to Ananda Nagar to receive an Ananda Marga education, when home then
special children's dharma cakras were arranged for them, and from top to
bottom every effort was made to involve and surround the children with AM
activities. And the final outcome is that all six children grew up to
become devotionally inspired sadhakas who are solid participants in today's
AM society.
In contrast, there was another Ananda Margii family where the situation
turned out quite differently. The father was a well-known, vigilant margii
who was stationed all across India for his governmental job yet wherever he
was placed then first and foremost he was doing Baba's work. However in his
home he was quite relaxed and he felt that when the children get older then
he will introduce them into Ananda Marga. Unfortunately his wife was hardly
an Ananda Margii and sure enough as time went by the children hardly knew
of Ananda Marga. And when the time came that the father hoped to bring them
into AM, the children wanted no part of it. Already the damage was done.
Their minds and hearts were elsewhere. And that is why to this very day, in
his own home that father is nearly an alien. He worked hard to build AM
everywhere but there is not even a trace of AM in the very house where he
lives. And indeed his three children have grown and they have not an ounce
of sadhana in their lives and no relation with AM.
These are two case scenarios. Of course there are hundreds of
possibilities. Sometimes the mother is more of a devotee than that father
and various other scenarios exist. But one common factor seems to be that
the children need maximum positive exposure to AM in order to grow up to be
strong Ananda Margiis-- otherwise it is a losing battle.
Of course this is a vast topic with so many perspectives and viewpoints so
here following are but a few of the innumerable positive solutions which
exist.
A FEW SOLUTIONS
These following are some possible ways to help make our children into good
sadhakas and established Ananda Margiis. These are things which we have
inculcated into the lives of our own children in our home as well as things
we hope to bring into their lives in the near future:
1. Bring them into AM life as early as possible. Their food habits and
bed-time stories should all be sentient based and flavoured with the
sweetness of devotion and neo-humanism.
2. By the age of three or four, try to make their formal education immersed
in AM ways of doing and thinking. Songs and games should be universal in
nature and kiirtan should be incorporated into their daily life. One minute
or two minutes before their various activities.
3. Margii children should be encouraged to play and interact with other
margii children. If there are no other margii families in the local school
district then try and make arrangements for margii children to play
together after-school or on the weekends. This is what we have done and it
has had a big effect.
4. On Sundays, it is very good to have two dharmackras: either one after
another or going on simultaneous. The latter may be better. In either
scenario it is needed for there to be a weekly children's dharmacakra that
is perfectly AM based yet also suited to the needs and interests of the
children. The DC should be age appropriate where games, puzzles, song,
dance, meditation, stories, and philosophical tales are all merged into one.
5. The celebration of AM festivals is also a great way to bring children
into the flow of our Marga. Instead of them thinking that various dogmatic
religious holidays are the best time of year. Rather may we educate our
children about our AM festivals and in our own house those days should be
treated with a wonderfully festive and holiday atmosphere. By Baba's grace
this suggestion which was told to us by our Didi has worked to a high
degree in our own home as well as with other local margiis.
6. Attending the sectorial retreats on an annual basis are also an
important aspect. The children should meet all our acaryas and be
comfortable with our AM way of life. Going twice a year to big AM retreats
throughout their childhood will help them establish the base that AM is
their home and family. Then even if they are not able to attend an AM
school, there remains a distinct memory of AM in their childhood.
7. Perhaps the golden rule is to bring AM more and more into the child's
life from the very outset of their existence and to increase those
activities as the child grows. The content of their activities, the friends
they have, and the emphasis that we as parents place on AM all help to
establish our children onto the proper path.
No doubt this era is a difficult one but by Baba's grace we can create that
special environment wherein we raise true Ananda Margiis. And indeed this
is Baba's Supreme Command: "It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii
to endeavour to bring all to the path of bliss. Verily is it a part and
parcel of sadhana to lead others along the path of righteousness."
BABA'S DIVINE TEACHING
As margiis, as mothers and fathers, as acaryas, and as sadhakas, it is our
combined and collective responsibility to bring each and every child of our
Marga into a spiritually inspired and devotionally way of living. All
should come into our AM society and become the pillars of the future
humanity.
Baba says, "Children will become assets of society in the future to the
extent that their parents or guardians discharge their duties properly."
(HS-1)
BABA'S GRACE
By Baba's grace as we follow His universal ideas our Marga will be flooded
with the grand participation of more and more of our children. May this
moment come at the earliest.
Baba says, "Move along the Path of Righteousness with the spirit of
Universal Fraternity, victory is yours. The blessing of Parama Purus'a is
always with you. [Athens, 11.9.79]
Namaskar,
Tarini
Note: WORKING TOGETHER
This is a vast and open topic-- as well as a most important one. All are
highly encouraged to write in with their own successes and ideas on this.
There is no one answer, rather all have great contributions and suggestions
to make on the ways to best bring our children into the joyful, moral,
spiritual, and devotional light of Ananda Marga.
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LONGEVITY
Baba says, "Spiritual practice makes the mind calm and quiet, and maintains
the nerves in a state of equipoise; and thus spiritual practice increases
longevity. Those Vaishnavites who are vegetarians, who regularly sing
spiritual songs, do meditation, perform virtuous deeds and think pure
thoughts, live longer than ninety years." (AV-33, p.113)
Note: By following the devotional cult of AM and abiding by general health
rules every sadhaka is ensured a long and healthy life. That is Baba's
guarantee.
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