THE ROOTS OF SPIRITUAL CULTURE
  • Institute
  • Mayapur Courses
  • Registration
  • Course Descriptions
  • Devaki dd
  • Diary
  • Books
  • Recordings
  • Photos
  • Testimonials

First Girls' Mela in Mayapur

2/12/2016

0 Comments

 
On the first weekend in February we conducted our first Girls' Mela in Mayapur. Shaili Mataji and her husband Noam Prabhu, who had participated in several of our courses on spiritual culture had recently started a Parents' Association connected with the International School. ​
Picture
Since they have two teenage girls they felt the great need and inspiration to somehow offer something exciting to the young girls, and thus they requested me to conduct a little weekend seminar, which was packaged with fun activities and a bonfire in the evening. We called it "Fascinating Womanhood", with selected topics from our courses: an introduction to the topic of culture, "Two different kinds of beauty", "What does chastity actually mean?" and "Protection of a young girl in regards to getting married".
​Around 25 girls in the age of 14 to 18 took part. They put on wonderful and creative role plays which almost brought tears to the eyes of those who watched them. And the girls really opened up for questions in regards to what it means to be in a woman's body. The atmosphere was so sweet and personal - at the closing Shaili Mataji was moved to tears when witnessing how eager the girls were for these transformational insights.
Picture
Picture
​The teenage years are very special times, when the umbilical cord between the mother/father and child is meant to be cut. Both sides have to let go in order for the child to grow up and establish him/herself in this world.
Teenagers usually look for heros and role models to follow, and plaster the walls in their room with pictures of them: non-devotee youth takes inspiration from football players, rock stars, actors, etc. We never see  pictures of Mum and Dad on the wall...!
In the same way parents in Krsna consciousness have to connect their teenage children with various role models and inspiring personalities in order to help them grow up and move forward. It is the time when we can mold the character of a person. Just like bamboo - when it is green it is very flexible and can be bent this way or that way. But once it gets older, it loses its flexibility and easily breaks.
As teenagers we want to explore and discover the world and experience excitement. And we have to offer the youth inspiring adventures within Krsna consciousness - otherwise they look for it outside.....
Picture
As a rule the souls who take birth in devotee families continue from previous life's spiritual practice. We have to give them the very best chances to continue on their path back home, back to Godhead.
Picture
Picture
I could clearly perceive how special all these girls are, who took part in our Girls' Mela. They have Krsna consciousness under their skin, and the culture in their blood. All we have to do is scratch a little on the surface and affectionately inspire them into the right direction, and they immediately accept things very naturally.
They are the future of ISKCON, and they will bring Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan Movement further - from generation to generation. I was told that Srila Prabhupada said it will take ten generations for things to be more deeply established. And it is exciting to be part of it all.....

​Wouldn't it be wonderful to conduct a Girls' Mela next year in Ekachakra - for an international group, and not only the Mayapur residents....?!
It would be indeed exciting to offer such excursion to our teenage girls! And the seed to this idea was sewn.....

On the 12th of February I flew off to Dhaka....

Your servant, Devaki dd

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Devaki Devi Dasi's Traveling Diary

    Devaki Devi Dasi is sharing her realizations and adventures in her Traveling Diary. Welcome to relish this nectar!

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    June 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.