Recently, while I was at one of the wonderful festivals of Srila Gurudeva and the devotees, I became inspired to write something about those who need special care from us all: our children. After all, they are the future of this movement.
Once I heard that the mother is the child's first guru. This means that raising a child is a big responsibility and that the mother has to think carefully about what is good for the child's development. This takes a lot of deep understanding and a lot of real love. It is not for our own benefit that we must be loving and caring, but for our child's. Are our actions in the child's best interests or our own?
Indeed, a mother should try to consider carefully what action most benefits her child and what she wants the child to ultimately attain. If she is clear about the goal, she will act so as to attain it.
If we train our children like this in devotional life, we will simultaneously train ourselves. How can we ever become good servants if we cannot even care properly for our own children? Raising a child is a wonderful chance to train ourselves in proper behavior.
All of us should show care for the children of our society, and develop the skills and qualities needed to do this nicely. If we do so, maybe we will become loving and caring devotees. Are these qualities not helpful in bhakti?
Next time, I would like to discuss how to apply this practically in daily life. Please respond to this article if you feel to do so. I would be very happy to learn from you!
Let's develop together a mood of loving service to Srila Gurudeva.
Kamala devi dasi from Holland