Live Vedanta: Parenting Culture

Recap: The less we like ourselves, the more we seek this in our external environment.  The more we like ourselves, the more comfortable we are being alone. To like ourselves, we need to practice sadhana. This will make us more secure and others around us more secure. We stop living to be liked ( Viraga ).  We should immerse ourselves into a space that encourages oneness, with no dependencies. How...

Recap: We identify with things/people close to us, making us feel like we have control. When we ascribe joy to an object/relationship, we become possessive of it. This leads to expectations, jealousy, anger and regret when things change. Just like we don’t control whether the moon shines or not, and don’t get disappointed if the moon doesn’t shine, we should understand that we don’t have control o...

Recap: We identify with things/people close to us, making us feel like we have control. When we ascribe joy to an object/relationship, we become possessive of it. This leads to expectations, jealousy, anger and regret when things change.  Just like we don’t control whether the moon shines or not, and don’t get disappointed if the moon doesn’t shine, we should understand that we don’t have control...

Recap: We identify with things/people close to us, making us feel like we have control. When we ascribe joy to an object/relationship, we become possessive of it. This leads to expectations, jealousy, anger and regret when things change.  Just like we don’t control whether the moon shines or not, and don’t get disappointed if the moon doesn’t shine, we should understand that we don’t have control...

Recap: The body goes through 6 changes: Asti (existence), Jayate (inner to outer world), Vardhate (growth), Vipareenamate (maturity), Apaksheeyate (disease and decay), Vinashyati (death). When we ignore these changes, we fear them. When we reflect on these changes, we adapt.  When we live by dependence (having a reason for happiness), we become addicted, attached and apathetic. How to practice Anu...

Recap: Whatever way we live will be impressed upon our child; so we need to have the right relationship with “stuff”.  Focus on our relationship with our children rather than regulating them.  Contentment is the opposite of Attachment → Fear → Anger/Annoyance  Without likes/dislikes, our mind is quiet  Feeling “I do” is an expression of the Ego. How to practice Vairagya (Contentment) and Anahankar...

Recap: Focus on the ends (to feel light), not the means (e.g. being fixated on cleaning a certain way etc.) When you want to commit to something, reflect on its utility. Once we know the utility, it is easy to commit.  The greatest utility is to be happy (independently joyous). When we are happy, everything seems easier. How to practice Atma Vinigraha (Direction)? Practice pushing back on ego, exp...

Recap: Discipline or cleanliness in our external world (clean body), naturally leads to discipline in our inner world (clean mind). Shaucha can also be described as being Organized. This leads us towards inner purity from outer cleanliness and helps us be more objective about our responsibilities. In our culture, from the age 0-23, we should train ourselves and nurture Vrata Samyama (Commitment)....

Recap: We are more authentic when we are less annoyed with ourselves and others.  Adapt ourselves functionally, not fundamentally, i.e. change how we communicate (i.e. respectful towards parents, careful towards children, casual towards siblings). Acharya is one who leads themselves; they are unique. Upasana is to sit near one who is dedicated in a certain field.  Role models are those we think ab...

Recap: Two qualities that attract us to others are depth and authenticity. When stuck with too many priorities, check that we are working harder and smarter. Reflect on what kind of person we want to be and whether our path is leading us there. Invest in some alone time every day so that we begin to have faith that we are not alone and Bhagavan is always with us. Negative emotions are useful only...

During Week 7, we pursued Virtue #4: Kshanti (Forgiveness) to understand that as children of the Divine, it is natural for us to make mistakes and when we do, forgiveness is the path to growth. Recap: To change behaviour, we should choose education, not shaming. A guru helps us learn how to practice values. If we didn’t make mistakes, we will all be Achutha (one who never makes mistakes) like Shri...

This week, we pursued Virtue #3: Ahimsa (Sensitivity).  Here is the recap from our October 10 satsang: Ahimsa is one of the most important values to convert to a virtue. Typical meanings of Ahimsa are non-violence, non-harming, non-injury. We define Ahimsa as Sensitivity or non-harming. Whatever we don’t identify with, there is a greater chance or propensity to cause or inflict harm there. Example...

Here is the recap from our  September 19  satsang: - We are seekers first, parents second. Let us not be complacent in caregiving. Our context should not make us lose our cheer.  - Our relationships with our children are more important than how they behave; choose battles that are focused on significant matters.  - One who depends on pride ( mana ), is egotistical ( abhimana ). It is easy to offen...

Recap from our October 3 satsang: Only special parents can care for special children, because they are aligned with the needs of those children. We need to reframe our experiences so that we are Seekers first, then parents.  To grow out of pursuing success and into pursuing Joy ( Shreya) , we need to take the path of most resistance. Convert these 20 values into virtues.  Only if we practice being...

Want to attend Parenting Culture live on Zoom? Sign up to join our (free) weekly CommUnity by parents and for parents. The CommUnity includes: Inspiration weeks with discourse by Vivekji, dynamics (group reflection activities), and dialogue (open space for questions and answers) Self-reflection weeks with guided reflection, facilitated with a companion workbook Whatsapp group for sharing and discu...