Live Vedanta: Parenting Culture: Recent Episodes

Chinmaya Mission Niagara

A podcast exploring how we can apply Vedanta - the science of happiness - to all our relationships.

🌟 Parenting Culture is a space that encourages us to slow down to focus on that which is important.

Here is a recap of what was shared:

🌿 Ancient Wisdom -
- 😤 Indra, a symbol of arrogance, lost his powers after insulting Rishi Durvasa.
- 🙏 Seeking help from Sri Narayana, he followed His advice.
- 🌊 During the churning of the Milky Ocean, he recovered his strength by obtaining the nectar of immortality. 🍯
- ⏳ Patience and generosity lead to incredible rewards, like the Amrita or fearlessness.🎁
For us as caregivers:
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Reflect on utility as happiness is essential.
- 😔 Worry can dampen joy despite successes.
- 🌟 Define success by utility, not possessions, position or pleasures.
- 📝 Writing about feelings on successes and failures brings clarity about what is truly important.
For those we care:
- 👶 Nurture selflessness or being large-hearted
- 😌 Foster meaningful success by balancing comfort and discomfort.
- 💪 Overemphasizing comfort can lead to selfishness, while exposure to struggle fosters empathy.
- 😔 Endure complaints and tears.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🌟 Caregiving and parenting are opportunities for growth and understanding.

🌱 Ancient wisdom offers solutions by turning challenges into training 🧠, encouraging patience, discipline, and acceptance 🙏, making parenting a journey of personal development 🚀.

🌿 Review of Parenting challenges with a practice for each -
1. Finding Balance - Wake Early 🌅
Sleep early to wake early and be ready for your responsibilities.

2. Self Care - Embrace Discomfort 💪
Embrace discomfort to focus on mental strength over physical comfort.

3. Family Communication - Journal Together 📓
Learn to communicate with yourself before others. Journal together as a family.

4. Sibling Relationships - Give Time ⏳
Spend time with your generation and each child individually through walks, games, or dates.

5. Learning Responsibility - Simplify Part 🧩
Simplify roles within the family. Introduce simple responsibilities to build confidence.

6. Screen Time - Schedule Nature 🌳
Encourage nature activities to balance screen time.

7. Instilling Values - Follow Through 🏅
Demonstrate values through actions, not just words.

8. Life Skills - Analyze Growth 📈
Regularly evaluate the development of your value system.

9. Well Being - Eat Healthy 🥗
Eating healthy promotes overall well-being, including mental and physical health.

10. Peer Pressure - Create Circles 🔄
Form positive peer groups that encourage and uplift.

11. Managing Emotions - Design Routines 📅
Establish routines to maintain emotional balance.

12. Educational Expectations - Set Parameters 🎓
Set clear functional goals for caregivers and minimum time or exposure to fundamentals for children.

13. Defining Success - Remember Ends 😊
True success is being happy.

14. Parenting Styles - Evolve Relationships 🔄
Adapt your relationship style as children grow, from confidence-building to friendship.

15. Time Management - Utilize Planners 📆
Use planners to manage time effectively.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (May 6, 2024)

🌟 Parenting Culture is a space to prepare and center ourselves so our challenges seem less daunting.

🌿 Ancient Wisdom -

📚 In the Narada Bhakti Sutra, Rishi Narada elucidates - “Be patient until you're ready to let go of worldly attachments, material pursuits and don't waste any time in doing so
⏳ For a devoted caregiver, waiting for the perfect time is unproductive, as ideal circumstances rarely arise, leading to wasted time and potential setbacks.
⏰ Remember the principle: "When money is lost, nothing is lost; when time is lost, something is lost."
3 practices on time management so we are ready for the demands on our time:
- 🧹 Unitask routines for efficiency and focus.
- 📅 Utilize planners consistently for organization. Involve children to instill responsibility.
- 🚀 Undertake more activities and service to improve time management and decision-making skills. Time is utilized and prioritization becomes natural.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🌟 Parenting Culture is a space of inspiration and rejuvenation.

Here is a recap of what was shared:

✨Success should be measured by -
- Utility (peace and happiness) and legacy (the lasting impact and impression the child leaves)
- Agility (maintaining balance while moving between responsibilities and relationships ) and not Anxiety due to imbalance

🌿 Ancient Wisdom for Parenting Styles

📚 Kautilya, or Chanakya, born in Takshashila 2500 years ago, authored the Artha Shastra (Economics and Political science) 📚, and mentored Chandragupta, transforming him into a ruler of the Maurya empire 👑.
🧒He advised nurturing children until age 5, providing guidance until they were 15, and treating them as friends after 16 👫.

For children ages 0-5 - Confidence is key! 🔝

As caregivers:

💖 Instill confidence through love.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Stay active with the child, taking turns between parents to ensure engagement.

As the cared:

🏃‍♂️Prioritize love, activity, and confidence-building.
🌱 Embrace play with minimal toys and treats to encourage creativity and independence.

For children ages 6-15 - Give them direction! 👉

As caregivers:

🤗 Be available for the child.
🚶‍♂️Demonstrate through lifestyle how to live.

As the cared:

⚖️ Understand their role in family, home, society, and learn about the law of Karma: privileges come with responsibilities.
📊 Help visualize responsibilities by charting them out.

For children ages 15 and up - Be their friend! 👫

As caregivers:

🌟 Support kids’ passions and encourage their interests by listening more and advising less.
⚔️ Choose battles wisely by prioritizing what truly matters, letting go of minor issues for a more harmonious relationship.

As the cared:

💭 Encourage thoughtfulness in teenagers by prioritizing long-term happiness and positive interactions.
🤝 Practicing unified parenting by adopting PLEA: Praying, Leading, Engaging, and Accepting to maintain consistency between differing styles.
Keep conflicts private for younger kids and expose teens to differences to foster coping skills and understanding.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🌟 Parenting Culture is a space of inspiration and rejuvenation.

Here is a recap of what was shared:

✨Success should be measured by -

Utility (peace and happiness) and legacy (the lasting impact and impression the child leaves)
Agility (maintaining balance while moving between responsibilities and relationships ) and not Anxiety due to imbalance
🌿 Ancient Wisdom -
- 📚 Kautilya, or Chanakya, born in Takshashila 2500 years ago, authored the Artha Shastra (Economics and Political science), and mentored Chandragupta, transforming him into a ruler of the Maurya empire 👑.
- 🧒He advised nurturing children until age 5, providing guidance until they were 15, and treating them as friends after 16 👫.
- For children ages 0-5 - Confidence is key!
  As caregivers:
  💖 Instill confidence through love.
  👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Stay active with the child, taking turns between parents to ensure engagement.
As cared:
🏃‍♂️Prioritize love, activity, and confidence-building.
🌱 Embrace play with minimal toys and treats to encourage creativity and independence. + For children ages 6-15 - Give them direction!
As caregivers:
🤗 Be available for the child.
🚶‍♂️Demonstrate through lifestyle how to live.

As cared:
⚖️ Understand their role in family, home, society, and learn about the law of Karma: privileges come with responsibilities.
📊 Help visualize responsibilities by charting them out.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (April 8, 2024)
🌟 Self-care reflects care for others.

Here is a recap of what was shared:

Reviewing Managing Emotions -
- 💭 Undirected thoughts cause stress, while directed thinking promotes calmness.☀️
- 😌 Manage emotions to avoid becoming moody.
- 🙏 Navigate generational differences with PLEAD: Pray, Lead, Engage, Accept, and Depart if needed to avoid toxic relationships.
Education Expectations -
- 🌿 Ancient Wisdom -
  - 🕉️ In Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Krishna (who is Yogeshwara - Master of Yogas) learns self-love and joy at Rishi Sandeepany’s Gurukula. He embodies joy, setting a precedent for us.
  - 📖 In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna says - "Sattva Sanjayate Jnanam" - from quietude arises knowledge.
  - 📚 Education fosters quietness (sattva); everything else is mere information.
For us as caregivers:
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Prioritize purpose, faith, and joy actively. Distinguish between engaging with fundamentals and being busy with mere information.
- 🛑 Put parameters on the functional to balance between the fundamental and functional.
For those we care:
- 👶 Clarify if you prioritize nurturing goodness or intelligence in your child. Emphasize values and morals for long-term development.
- 📚 Teach children to fulfill responsibilities before recreation without negotiation to avoid compromise.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (April 1, 2024)
🌟 Shift from succumbing to accepting, acknowledging that change is both possible and inevitable.

Reviewing Peer pressure -
- 🌿 Ancient Wisdom - 🌟 Story of Ajamila continues with him having a child with the prostitute and a Sadhu bestowing the name Narayana on Ajamila's unnamed child. In his final moments, calling out Narayana’s name rescued him.
- 🙏 Naming articles, beings with divine names fosters remembrance of Bhagavan.
Managing Emotions
- 🌿 Ancient Wisdom - 🤔 Svayambhu Manu, contemplating his origins, faced an attack by the Rakshasas.
  - 🧘‍♂️ He maintained his focus, and was rescued by Sri Krishna who intervened and defeated them.
  - 💪 Mastery over his emotions led to meaning and success
- 💭 Stress is just a thought, leading to exhaustion, frustration, and confusion.
  - Emotions like stress, anger, and fear stem from thoughts
  - ❌😌 If those thoughts are absent, so are the emotions.
For us as caregivers:
- 🕒 Establish a routine to regulate your day and boost physical, mental energy.
- 🚶‍♂️KMF (Keep Moving Forward): Emotions are just thoughts; keep moving forward, despite others projecting their emotions onto you.
For those we care for:
- 🧒 Me Therapy: Teach children self-care practices, prioritizing time for themselves.
- 👵 Mature Therapy: Seek guidance from mature individuals to manage emotions effectively. Trusted friends can provide relief. 🤝

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (March 25, 2024)

🌟 Inclusive and generous people radiate happiness and spread joy.
🌈 Openness ignites this happiness.

Here is a recap of what was shared:

🌿 Ancient Wisdom from the Mahabharatha -
- 📚 The once virtuous and disciplined Ajamila, witnessed a man with a prostitute in the jungle, captivating his attention.
- 🤔 Consumed by thoughts of them, he neglected his rituals and brought her home, leading to his own downfall.
- 📖 This tale emphasizes how negative influences affect choices and behavior.
💪 In modern life where there can be positive or negative peer pressure, negativity often dominates our experiences.
🌟 Our lives and relationships are custom designed for us. What others do is designed for them, not for us.
👥 Avoid negative peer pressure, ignore neutral peer pressure, and seek noble peer pressure.
- 🌱Nobility humbles and inspires, making us aspire to the greatness of such people.
- 💫Creating a "Sattvic Circle" - a supportive social circle promotes independence and quietness. Offer Support to one who lacks this to help prevent them from falling further due to negative peer pressure.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (March 11, 2024)

💖 Care-giving is the original vocation.

🕊️Well-being or Svasti, is symbolized by the Svastika and Bhagavathi Parvati serves as a reminder for engaging in well-being.
🌳 Being in nature promotes a healthy body;
🧘‍♀️ Being natural and healing through solitude is effortless and promotes mental well-being.

Here is a recap of what was shared through the lens of the well-being of those we care for:

🌿 Ancient Wisdom -
- 🍚 Draupadi received the Akshaya Patra during the Pandavas' exile, providing unlimited food until she ate.
- 🙏 Grateful for its sustenance in the jungle, she conversed with Bhagavan Sri Krishna regularly.
- 🍲 Once, after a meal, Krishna visited her. Despite feeling remorse for not having anything to offer Him, Krishna found a single grain of rice stuck to the pot, which he happily consumed.
- 😊 This symbolized contentment even with a small offering resulting in universal happiness.
🍎Prioritize providing healthier food options, like fruits, for those we care for.
💬 Foster discussion-oriented homes for mental well-being.
🗣️ Regular discussions and family meetings strengthen relationships.
🌱 Svasti involves encouraging healthy habits and open communication, even outsourcing discussions when necessary.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (March 4, 2024)

💖 Caring for another connects them to the community; living similarly helps them enhance their contribution positively.
🌱 Parenting Culture is like Community Service - we sow the seeds for the future generations.

Review of Parenting Modern Challenges and their Ancient Wisdom Visualizations -

Screen Time (podcast)
🐟 From the Mahabharata’s Yaksha Prashna - A fish symbolizes what sleeps with its eyes open.
📱 Practice: Implement designated screen time zones.
👨‍👧‍👦Observation: Caregivers often overlook the impact of their casual phone use on those they care for.
Instilling Values (podcast)
📖 From the Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 12, Verse 15 - Nodvijate refers to the one who does not annoy and isn't annoyed by others.
👨‍💼 Practice: Being responsible
👀 Observation: Being responsible prevents annoyance to others.
Life Skills (podcast)
📜 From our scriptures - Viveka (prioritization) , Vairagya (independence), Shat Sampathis which includes Mumukshutva (freedom) are crucial life skills.
🌟 Dhruva's story illustrates the pursuit of freedom guided by his mother, Suneeti, who encouraged him to seek beyond societal expectations.
🙏 Practice: Setting up altars for cultivating these values, fostering a habit of inner reflection and connection with divinity.
🕊️Observation: this practice helps individuals, especially children, internalize the concept of freedom and quieten the mind.
Well-being
🌿 Ancient Wisdom comes from our role model Bhagavati Sati, also known as Bhagavati Aparna, Bhagavati Uma, and Bhagavati Parvati who initially prioritized position over peace, causing profound pain.
🏞️ Reborn as Parvati (the daughter of the mountain), she sought solace with Bhagavan Shiva in the wilderness, symbolizing her commitment to inner peace.
🍃 She was known as Aparna, the one who only ate leaves, and as Uma, for all the pain and suffering she faced but throughout this time, she was at peace, she was happy.
Practice:
- 🌳 Be in nature for the rejuvenation of the Body and Breath.
- 🧘‍♀️ Embrace solitude by dating yourself for the serenity of the mind and intellect
Observation:
- 🕊️ Svastika is a reminder for Well-being. Svasti is the Sanskrit word for Well-being (Su meaning well and asti meaning BEing. Ka is a reminder).
- ☮️ Svastika is a symbol to remind us to be calm and quiet.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (February 5, 12, 2024)

🛠️ Teaching Life Skills is like equipping children for life's challenges.😊

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 In the first phase of life, Brahmacharya, the focus is on learning skills like conflict management, emotional control, self-reflection, and recognizing weaknesses.🪞

📚 Parents tend to prioritize secular intelligence over moral goodness, though it requires conscious effort for both. 💼
🌱Ancient Wisdom shares Sadhana Chatushtaya: 4 fundamental (expanded to 9) life skills for becoming good students. 📜

🤔 Viveka, or prioritization, involves knowing what's important
- Prioritize activities crucial for long-term growth, even if not urgent.
- Scheduling and executing plans for personal development
🙏 Vairagya, or acceptance, enables moving forward from setbacks by detaching from action outcomes
- It involves acknowledging lack of control, finding positives, and learning lessons.
- Emphasizing positivity and minimizing personal preferences.
- Understanding that the universe is the primary cause, recognizing our minor role in its vast effects.
🏆 Shat Sampathis (which include qualities like focus, discipline and courage) prioritize delayed gratification for long-term peace (Shreyas) over short-term pleasure (Preyas).
- Teaching children delayed gratification involves understanding and practical application through external pressure or responsibility.
- Embracing responsibilities fosters personal growth and meaning, leading to happiness.
- True joy comes from discovering growth and meaning in every experience.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (February 5, 2024)

🛠️ Teaching Life Skills is like equipping children for life's challenges.😊

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 In the first phase of life, Brahmacharya, the focus is on learning skills like conflict management, emotional control, self-reflection, and recognizing weaknesses.🪞

📚 Parents tend to prioritize secular intelligence over moral goodness, though it requires conscious effort for both. 💼

🌱Ancient Wisdom shares Sadhana Chatushtaya: 4 fundamental (expanded to 9) life skills for becoming good students. 📜

🤔 Viveka, or prioritization, involves knowing what's important and planning ahead.
- Prioritize activities crucial for personal growth, even if not urgent.
🙏 Vairagya, or acceptance, enables moving forward from setbacks.
- It involves acknowledging lack of control, finding positives, and learning lessons.
- Emphasizing positivity and minimizing personal preferences fosters acceptance in both children and parents.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (January 22, 2024)

🌺 From a Vedic standpoint: our primary duty as parents is to nurture Dharmic children dedicated to the collective good, instilling selflessness and fostering virtues. 🌱
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Raising virtuous children contributes to society and leaves a positive impact that lasts beyond our lifetime. 🌍

How do we instill values?
👀 Model desired behavior - Actions speak louder than words. For instance, demonstrate generosity and accept new responsibilities willingly. 👏
🚧 Set clear and consistent expectations to maintain boundaries and enforce responsibility.📏
🗣️ Share values verbally within the context of sacred and secular role models.🕉️
🧐 Monitor the content children consume.📱
📘 Cultivate integrity by creating daily routines, promoting intentionality, and boosting confidence through consistent fulfillment of responsibilities. 🕰️

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (January 15, 2024)

What are the root attributes of screen time?

🔄 It revolves around the pervasive need for instant gratification and occupying the mind effortlessly
🤹‍♂️ It involves seeking joy through sensory stimulation and temporary quietude.
❌ It hinders our ability to be absorbed in all activities due to the influence of likes/dislikes and dependence on comfort

How can we manage screen time better?

🌱 Engage in selfless actions (seva) to develop purity of mind 🤝
🔥 Embrace intentional discomfort (Tapas) to break free from likes and dislikes, enhancing absorption in activities 🤸‍♂️
💪 Exercise willpower for positive screen time changes📱
🌅 Create morning routines focused on meaningful actions without the use of devices ☕
🚫 Set boundaries on device usage during meals and bedtime for better mental well-being 🍽️
🎯 Frame challenges as purposeful training🏋️‍♂️

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (December 18, 2023)

Being a seeker

📚 Veda is about spiritual knowledge, not IQ but SQ; Veda-anta is understanding oneself. Exploring within leads to Advaita—Oneness in all. 🧘‍♂️
👥 Differences breed fear; oneness brings fearlessness, courage, and tranquility. Seeking means feeling oneness, fearlessness, and having less dejection, anxiety, and stress. 🕊️
🔄 Generosity begets reciprocity: the more you give, the more you receive. 🌱

Review of Parenting Modern Challenges and their Ancient Wisdom Visualizations

Finding Balance (podcast)
🐒 Hanumanji observed that Vibhishana was the sole early riser in Lanka.
🕉️ As the Master, Bhagavan Krishna led a disciplined life, engaging in contemplation in the early morning hours.
Self Care - longevity of utility (podcast)
🐵Sugreeva recovered following a conflict with his brother Vali.
🏹Bhagavan Rama waited for the weather to improve before embarking on the search for Devi Sita.
Family Communication (podcast, review-podcast)
🧘‍♂️ Rishika Maitreyi questioned Rishi Yajnavalka about why he was relinquishing IQ and EQ while embracing SQ without extending the same to her. She pondered thoughtfully on how his choices might not contribute to her happiness.
🤔Shri Bharata returned Bhagavan Rama's Padukas to Ayodhya and placed them on the throne, contemplating actively on what the wise would do (WWW).
Sibling Relationships (podcast, review-podcast)
💔During Vali's conflict with Sugreeva, Sugreeva expressed gratitude to Vali for introducing him to Bhagavan Rama.
🌟 Shree Balarama chose to abstain and embarked on a Yatra during the Mahabharatha war instead of creating conflict when he disagreed with others' actions.
Learning Responsibility (podcast, review-podcast)
👑Raja Dasharatha commanded Bhagavan Rama to neither be the king nor stay in Ayodhya, and Bhagavan Rama obeyed the leader.
☝️Bhagavan Krishna corrected his own family when they were mistaken.
Screen time
🐟 In the Mahabharata's Yaksha Prashna, the question is about what sleeps with its eyes open. The answer is a fish. This relates to our screen-heavy habits, suggesting a break from devices an hour before sleep, favoring traditional alarm clocks.
🌳 In Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavan Krishna encourages a natural lifestyle, advocating outdoor activities and connecting with nature, including hugging trees and cultivating plants.
🍔 Childhood obesity has surged due to targeted marketing, making children more susceptible to processed foods and reduced physical activity.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 As parents, our screen habits influence our children, emphasizing the need for mindful screen use in parenting.
(Bonus) Happiness Series
🔄 Elevate your purpose - 3R’s - revisit purpose, revolve around passionate individuals, reverse - lift purpose. Passion fuels philanthropy.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (November 27, 2023)

Through our lens as caregivers:

🏹 From the Ramayana - King Dasharatha bestows kingship to Bhagavan Sri Rama, but followed this with an unexpected exile. Sri Rama, responding with a smile, affirms his commitment to follow the leader's words and prioritize long-term goals.🕊️
🌟 Our primary responsibility in life is self-love. By loving ourselves, we can help others love themselves. 💖
💓Love that doesn't grow is not love. Once we love ourselves, it naturally expands to family, community, society, humanity, and Divinity. 🫶
🌈 Feel Acceptance - don't think or speak negatively. 🙅‍♂️

From the perspective of those we care for:

🏹In the Ramayana - Constructing the Rama Setu (Dharma Setu) or the bridge of responsibility involved animals with diverse strengths – strong bears, agile monkeys, and even squirrels, each contributing according to their abilities.🐿️
🤗 Each child is unique and deserving of care. Recognize their individual strengths to make them feel valued. 🌟
📝Simplify responsibilities: prioritize being happy, being kind, and being part of the whole. 👶👧

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (November 20, 2023)

🔄 Cultivate a daily routine by emphasizing effort over completion. 🏋️‍♂️
📅 Prioritize consistent routines, set clear expectations for success. 🌟
🎯 Break big goals into achievable milestones for steady progress. 🚀
😊 Foster a positive connection with the concept of responsibility. 🤝
🌱 Frame pursuits as opportunities to cultivate virtues. 💪
📓 Adopt habits for personal growth, reshape views on success/failure. 🔄
⏰ Limit time on addictive devices for improved focus and responsibility.📱

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (November 13, 2023)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Our parents' expression of affection, functionality, or fostering closeness among their siblings significantly influences how we parent and navigate our relationships.

3 suggestions to nurture healthy sibling relationships -

💖Care specifically - Give Space - Feeling loved makes people easier to relate to and care for, enhancing their ability to connect with others.🌌
🤝Care generally - Build Synergy - Foster a caring environment through shared activities (outings, projects, activities) where older siblings take on a parental role with the younger ones. 👶👧
🤔 Care independently - Focus Solution - Encourage self-sufficiency, allowing siblings to focus on finding solutions without constant presence.💡

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (November 7, 2023)

🤝 Strengthen your own sibling bond before tending to your child's relationships with their siblings, acknowledging the influence of there are numerous external factors that impact those relationships.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
🕊️From the Ramayana: Vali and Sugreeva, were siblings who initially deeply cared for one another and fulfilled their responsibilities. Vali's arrogance led him to project negativity onto Sugreeva due to his personal desires for power, creating intense resentment that strained their bond, despite the love they shared.💔

Practices for this week -

📅 Schedule time: Establish a regular schedule for sibling bonding, prioritizing conversations, gatherings, and celebrations. Practice over communication to minimize misunderstandings and avoid projecting negativity.📞
🤝 Give more: Be willing to offer more in terms of readiness and resources, to decrease negativity between siblings. 💼
👂Take less: Practice active listening, over being opinionated and taking things personally. Stay objective, remembering your foundational connection with your parents. Set a positive example in your own sibling relationship to serve as a model to guide healthy sibling connections for your kids.👨‍👧‍👦

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (October 30, 2023)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting Culture is a space for perpetual self-improvement.
Reviewing the challenges and possible solutions -
- Finding Balance: Use "Minute to Mind Management" to analyze our organization of time during the day.⏰
- Self Care: Engage in Systematic Study through a study group 📚
- Family Communication: Understand that true peace is not in pleasure, possessions, or position.
3 Practices for healthy communication include -
- 📓 Journaling for self-therapy
- 🗣 Check-ins with family
- 📅 Meets through partner date nights and one-on-one time with children
📖 From the Ramayana - Shri Bharatha, who was a humble leader, executed Bhagavan Rama's plan with dedication by placing Bhagavan's padukas on the throne.

Practices from this week -

🤔 WWW - What would the Wise Do for clarity on actions and thoughts, like Sri Bharatha.
💬 Non-verbal family communication: Show affection, be attentive, and acknowledge your children.
📋 Share your likes and dislikes with a fellow caregiver or partner to foster better understanding.

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (October 23, 2023)

🕊️From ancient wisdom: In a conversation between Rishika Maitreyi and Rishi Yajnavalkhya, he offers her everything he possesses. However, she, with love and discernment, asserts that pursuits that don’t bring peace have no value to her. This exchange showcases their collective quest for peace, with her actively engaged and him patiently sharing. 💬
Practices to foster healthy family communication -
- 🧐Svadhyaaya: Daily self-study through journaling to reflect on experiences, learning, and questions. 📝
- 👂Check-Ins: Daily checkins to connect with family on an emotional level by showing empathy, support, and active listening, strengthening emotional bonds. ❤️
- 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦Regular meetings: Weekly family gatherings, date nights, or road trips to prioritize fundamental aspects of family life over functional matters, fostering deeper family connections.🚗

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (October 2 & 9, 2023)

🌱 Self care, often confused with indulgence or escape, requires a shift from short-term to long-term practices for true nourishment.❤️
🌟 Genuine self care involves small habits for inner peace; prioritizing long-term, mind-oriented care as you can only share what you possess.🕊️
🏹 From the Ramayana : Sri Raama's understanding of Sugriva's exhaustion and advice for some comfort during fatigue highlight the importance of preventing burnout. Sri Raama and Sri Lakshmana prioritized recovery during a four-month Chaturmaasya period, even amidst the distress of Devi Sita's abduction.🧘‍♂️
🎯 Clarity of purpose sets boundaries for self care, preventing aimless comfort.
🔍 You were a seeker first before becoming a caregiver. Gandhi's journey began with religion (studying the Bhagavad Gita) before embracing culture and politics.
🌼 Self care involves long-term practices guided by your purpose, defining boundaries for comfort and recovery. 🤗

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (September 25, 2023)

🚸 Love Yourself, Love your Neighbor, Love your Mother. In terms of Parenting Culture, prioritize self-love, then love for your loved ones, and ultimately embrace unity and oneness.❤️
🔄 Change yourself; don't expect others to change. Always remember that you are a seeker first. 🧘‍♂️
🕊️ From Bhagavan Sri Krishna's perspective: Practice the four D's - Dhyana (contemplation), Dama (calm body through karma and asana), Dana (daily generosity), and Dharma (fulfilling daily responsibilities). Follow Bhagavan’s example of waking up at 4am. 📅
⏰ From a relative perspective: Sleep early, Wake early, Study early, Walk early, Sync (Forgive) early. Embrace the Five earlies for a balanced life.
🧹 From a tactile perspective: Practice COP (Shaucha): Clean, Organize, Plan. 📂

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓Recap (September 18, 2023)

🚸 Parenting is a path to learn love, starting with self-love. ❤️
🤗 Parenting Culture is synonymous with Caring Culture, centered on the vision of care. 🌟
🤝 Seeking right-minded people is more important than like-minded people. 👥
🌼 This Parenting Culture space is a space for us to feel lighter. ☁️
🔍 The motto of Parenting Culture is to "be a seeker first, before being a parent."🧘‍♂️
⏰ A major stress trigger is the perception of insufficient time, leading to busy-ness and multitasking. The solutions are to prioritize early sleep and engage in that which is meaningful to optimize the limited time we have. 😴
🎯 Engaging in meaningful activities reduces the need for constant entertainment and binge-watching. 📺

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

About Parenting Culture: Season 2023-24

Buckle up, fellow parents! Our Parenting Culture is gearing up for life changing ride in the coming year, and it's all about "Solving Parenting Challenges with Ancient Wisdom.” We look forward to being inspired by Vivekji as our guide with lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and more. Here's the secret sauce: To be better caregivers, we've got to start by tuning up ourselves first. The more we understand ourselves, our life's mission, and spruce up our virtues. the better we can show our mini-me's the ropes to discovering their potential. It's like we're turning into life coaches for our kids! We'll tackle the hurdles of modern parenting with a three-part plan: tweaking what we do, how we feel, and what we think. It's like going from fixing a squeaky door to renovating the whole house, one step at a time. So, get ready to embrace your inner parenting guru and join us for a year of adventure, laughs, and enlightenment!🚀🤩👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Recap:

The more we practice introversion, the deeper we go into our purpose.
When we associate with the right people, i.e. those who are trying to grow out of weaknesses, this helps us focus on presence.

How to practice Arati (Introversion)?

Be in Satsanga: The more satsanga we are in, the more the people we care for are in satsanga also.
Use parameters, when associating with those who are more into pleasure, possession, position. Set parameters for extraversion as follows:
1. Friday nights: Be 100% rajasik
2. Saturday nights: Be 50% rajasik
3. Sunday nights: Be 25% rajasik
4. Rest of the week : Be more energetic / enthusiastic.

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 to practice Bhakti (Devotion)?

Invest time in solitude (not sleeping, not interacting with others), which will lead to healing ourselves:
1. Everyday - 1 hour
2. Every week - ½ day
3. Every month - 1 day
4. Every quarter - 1 weekend

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 over the objects/relationships in our lives.
Duality is the nature of living. Be balanced with what we want and don’t want.
Attitude of “we get what we are supposed to get” will help us do what is right, not easy.
Long term harm and help is hard to gauge.
When we invest in our inner selves, we only get more calmness and peace. When we get this, we are able to give to others.

How to practice Bhakti (Devotion)?

Be devoted to a higher purpose: When we are devoted to a lower purpose, it makes us lower (Sneha). When we are devoted to a higher purpose, it makes us higher (Prema).
Be dedicated: Whatever we are dedicated to, we sacrifice automatically without feeling that we are sacrificing
Be present: Provide quality (not quantity) time, effort and resources to the ones we care for.

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 over the objects/relationships in our lives.
Duality is the nature of living. Be balanced with what we want and don’t want.
Attitude of “we get what we are supposed to get” will help us do what is right, not easy.
Long term harm and help is hard to gauge.
When we invest in our inner selves, we only get more calmness and peace. When we get this, we are able to give to others.

How to practice Sama (Balance)?

Be grateful: When we work hard for what we want and achieve it.
Be faithful: When we work hard and don’t achieve it in the short-term.

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 over the objects/relationships in our lives.
Duality is the nature of living. Be balanced with what we want and don’t want.
Attitude of “we get what we are supposed to get” will help us do what is right, not easy.
Long term harm and help is hard to gauge.
When we invest in our inner selve of s, we only get more calmness and peace. When we get this, we are able to give to others.

How to practice Anabhishvanga (Objectivity)?

Remember: Joy comes from within us. Quietude of mind is the true source of joy.
Be aware of possessiveness: This arises because we think we can control things outside of us. Awareness facilitates our growth.

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 Anudarshana (Reflectiveness) and Asakti (Independence)?

Reflect: Relationships are created in time and change. When we appreciate this, we become less attached and nurture appreciation in others.
Practice Sadhana: When we invest in ourselves, then we can live in a dharmic way oriented towards “rightness” without being emotional.

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 Anahankara (Surrender)?

E.A.T: Enjoy Alone Time: Create alone time everyday and enjoy it.
Give more virtues without expecting reciprocation.
Work on deserving less from our actions: When kids are demanding, don’t expect them to obey because we are doing so much for them.
Remember how many others help us in caregiving: reduces the sense of separation - goes from “me and my” to “we” and eventually, “HE”.

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, experiences, equipments so that we are left only with that which is deep (awareness).
Thought level: Remember that we are trying our best, we are also children, with another parent with greater responsibility than us.
Word level: Do not react to words; being quiet helps us respond more thoughtfully.
Action level:. Do not be controlled by comparison; more choices (vacations, homes, jobs etc.) leads to more comparison.

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). From the age 24-47, we should nurture Kriya (Responsibility). From the age 48 onwards, we should train ourselves in Seva (Service)

How to practice Shaucha (Diligence) and Sthairya (Commitment)?

Simplify lifestyle. The less we have to manage, the easier it is to be organized.
Understanding. When we understand our responsibilities, we will be unaffected by likes and dislikes.
Learn/Debrief to learn. Learning from every experience, helps us be committed and keeps one interested in learning from that expereince.

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 about all the time. As you associate, so you think, so you become.

How to practice Acharya Upasana (Dedication)?

Be careful. Care fully about ourselves, how we lead our lives and treat others around us.
Practice living independently. Enjoy our own company more, without depending on other people’s validation.
Label less. Be less judgemental of ourselves, our experiences and others.

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 if they propel us to be better. Think long-term.

How to practice Arjava (Authenticity)?

Follow your own advice in all spaces at all times. If we are not following the path of “rightness” consistently, we are imposters.
Model behaviour we want to see in others.
Share based on practicality. When discussing topics such as death or mental illness, do so in a way that pushes the other person a little bit out of their comfort zone. For example, talk about change instead of death (i.e. if you depend on that which changes, you will not be happy). Be patient.

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 Krishna. We are not there yet, so practice forgiveness as Bhagavan is looking for reasons to forgive us.
The closer we are to someone, the more chance there is for conflict. Hence we need more compassion, forgiveness.

How to practice Kshanti (Forgiveness)?

In the Past: When we forgive, it is a form of nurturing peace so that we can grow.
In the Present: When others make mistakes, focus on their intentions, not implementation. Be less impacted by the implementation if the relationship is important to us.
In the Future: When we forgive, we lead by example. Others will do the same, making life easier for all.

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 - If we don’t identify with animals, there is a greater chance we will use animals for clothing, beauty products, etc. If we identify with animals, we will most likely not harm them.
If we identify only with our bodies (hair, body weight, BMI etc.), then we will only care for the bodies of the people we are caring for.
When we realize that we are more than the body and that we are the mind also, then we can care about another’s mind as well.

How to practice Ahimsa (Sensitivity)?

Practice Swadhyaya: Engage in self-reflection to know oneself and identify with our own minds. This naturally will make us sensitive to the harm we could cause to others.
Offer Quality over quantity: Invest in quality time, quality experiences and quality interactions to become more sensitive.

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 offend/insult such people (apamana).

Being egotistical gives us a strong sense of doership or controllership. Doership leads to deservership (expectation that others must obey us).

Obedience comes from the need for respect (can only be earned, not demanded). The more respect we offer, the more we receive. Respect leads to acceptance.

How to practice Amanitva (Humility)?

Be self-reflective on our own blueprints / vasanas. When we reflect that there are millions of doers in shaping the personality of our children, it makes us feel less controlling.

Be self-forgiving so that we evolve from our mistakes. When we translate our anger or self-loathing into action, only then it is useful.

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 Joyous, we can share this Joy with all those that we care for.
When we accept our own unique personalities and those of others, then we will not waver from this pursuit/practice of Joy (even if we are attacked).

How to practice Adambhitva (Integrity)?

Identify the ideal we want to be governed by: Idealize who we can be, one ideal at a time.
Harmonize our thoughts, words, actions: Not harmonizing makes us hypocrites, so reflect on how we can harmonize towards this ideal.

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 discussing amongst parents

For those on the journey of self-development, Chinmaya Mission Niagara provides a community forum to listen, reflect, and contemplate. This podcast is produced by evolving adults of Chinmaya Mission, an international non-profit organization working to transform individuals through the knowledge of Vedanta.

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