On 1st of July, two days after returning to Simhachalam, I left for the Czech farm called Krisnuv Dvur - Krishna's Village. A devotee from Czech Republic came to pick me up by car - it is only a three hours' drive.
It was my third visit to this community - last year I visited two times to give a seminar and a holy name retreat. Now, we had a long weekend with Mo/Tue being a public holiday, so the devotees requested me to give the course on raising children over 4 days, with a 3-hour morning session and 2-and-half-hour afternoon session each day, with translation into Czech language, sentence by sentence. It was rather intense for me, and also for others, but it was well received and also broadcasted over the internet, thus reaching many devotees around Czech Republic.
Since they have 35 children and around 100 grown-ups living in the nearby village, the topic was highly relevant to this community. Here, the devotees arrange for schooling under the umbrella of home-schooling, offering lots of nice activities for the children, including music lessons and fun activities. There is an exceptionally good cooperation and mood amongst the ladies, with the children eating sometimes here, sometimes there, and also staying overnight in their friend's house. Very much like a real village!
Since they have 35 children and around 100 grown-ups living in the nearby village, the topic was highly relevant to this community. Here, the devotees arrange for schooling under the umbrella of home-schooling, offering lots of nice activities for the children, including music lessons and fun activities. There is an exceptionally good cooperation and mood amongst the ladies, with the children eating sometimes here, sometimes there, and also staying overnight in their friend's house. Very much like a real village!
I was invited for lunch at various homes and connected well with the devotees, who were also eager to come for personal talks and consultations. Furthermore we had a nice matajis' sanga which was well attended with also the second generation teenage girls joining the gathering.
One of our topics in our seminar was the highly important role mothers play in raising children. As we all know, she is the first Guru to a human being, planting the seed of religious life and spirituality in the child's heart. It is the mother who makes this most valuable contribution to humanity - not the father...!
A woman's instinct is to be a mother - she is ordained by Krishna for physical and spiritual motherhood and has the spirit of sacrificing herself in love and selfless care. Mothers can be seen as sculptors - shaping the character of the child, which requires deep contemplation and prayer.
One of our topics in our seminar was the highly important role mothers play in raising children. As we all know, she is the first Guru to a human being, planting the seed of religious life and spirituality in the child's heart. It is the mother who makes this most valuable contribution to humanity - not the father...!
A woman's instinct is to be a mother - she is ordained by Krishna for physical and spiritual motherhood and has the spirit of sacrificing herself in love and selfless care. Mothers can be seen as sculptors - shaping the character of the child, which requires deep contemplation and prayer.
A mother is the balancing and harmonizing force - her mood is: "I am last - everybody else is first!" A true mother does not show off - there are no sexual vibrations; otherwise she is not a mother.
Raising a child is part of her sadhana and requires a mature balance between devotional practice and child care, so that neither is neglected. This is only possible if she has regular association with serious devotees. Mothers also need some time out in order to recharge, otherwise she may develop resentment towards the child for not allowing her to sometimes turn towards her sources of inspiration.
A mother creates the atmosphere of the spiritual world around her child, with her sincerity, her devotion, honesty and prayer. The first 6 years of a child are especially crucial; during these years a mother's love and care builds the foundation of the child's character and establishes the personal emotional health and strength which remains for the rest of this life. An affectionate and caring mother produces a self-confident, emotionally strong and secure adult.
Her roles are multifaceted: she is a cook, a confectioner, a nurse, a teacher, a mentor, an event manager, an artist, musician, singer, story teller, designer, masseuse, friend, advocate, researcher, etc. If anyone takes being a mother to be boring, they have no clue what it means to be a good mother! Her service requires creativity and imagination and a tremendous ability of multi-tasking, executed with unconditional love. And Krishna gives us women the perfect abilities so we can execute this important role - that's why women as a rule are great at multi-tasking!
A mother's cooking is of the greatest importance to the entire family. Her love and devotion goes into her cooking and affects the consciousness of the whole family. Whenever the children come home, the first question is: "What's for dinner? And is there a sweet?"
Raising a child is part of her sadhana and requires a mature balance between devotional practice and child care, so that neither is neglected. This is only possible if she has regular association with serious devotees. Mothers also need some time out in order to recharge, otherwise she may develop resentment towards the child for not allowing her to sometimes turn towards her sources of inspiration.
A mother creates the atmosphere of the spiritual world around her child, with her sincerity, her devotion, honesty and prayer. The first 6 years of a child are especially crucial; during these years a mother's love and care builds the foundation of the child's character and establishes the personal emotional health and strength which remains for the rest of this life. An affectionate and caring mother produces a self-confident, emotionally strong and secure adult.
Her roles are multifaceted: she is a cook, a confectioner, a nurse, a teacher, a mentor, an event manager, an artist, musician, singer, story teller, designer, masseuse, friend, advocate, researcher, etc. If anyone takes being a mother to be boring, they have no clue what it means to be a good mother! Her service requires creativity and imagination and a tremendous ability of multi-tasking, executed with unconditional love. And Krishna gives us women the perfect abilities so we can execute this important role - that's why women as a rule are great at multi-tasking!
A mother's cooking is of the greatest importance to the entire family. Her love and devotion goes into her cooking and affects the consciousness of the whole family. Whenever the children come home, the first question is: "What's for dinner? And is there a sweet?"
The most important role of a mother is to teach by her example how to act as a woman, a perfect wife and mother. She shows her willingness to sacrifice her personal interest and convenience - her happiness lies in the happiness of her family members. She teaches cleanliness - by example, and according to the age of her children by establishing habits of cleanliness (for example leave the place cleaner than you found it!). She also teaches mental cleanliness: how to deal with envious, hateful, selfish and deceitful thoughts. She trains the child in honesty - through her own example, by not lying, breaking the law in front of the children, etc. She shows courage - daring to attempt difficult things which are good, while having the strength not to follow the crowd. She teaches saying no and meaning it, and influencing others by it. She shows how to remain true to one's convictions even if they are unpopular or inconvenient. She also demonstrates tolerance - to accommodate and adjust rather than argue. She inculcates that things will not always go our way; she teaches to tolerate criticism and neglect of others without getting disturbed or provoked. She teaches selflessness and sensitivity by demonstrating a selfless mood of service. Furthermore, she teaches empathy - to understand how others feel. She demonstrates that one should say "I'm sorry", and shares her feelings upon the child's actions, thus teaching kindness and friendliness towards others. She gives the understanding that in order to have a friend we have to be a friend to others.
A mother also teaches the deeper meaning of chastity and submissiveness by demonstrating those important virtues. She shows a healthy respect for her husband, not engaging in arguments or physical violence, not answering back to him but rather being obedient and adjusting, thus allowing him to take charge.
By wearing chaste clothing she already trains a girl at a young age to cover her body nicely. Let us imagine what a wonderful impression it creates on a girl's mind if she grows up without ever showing her legs in public! In this way, a mother teaches the importance of shyness rather than showing off, bringing attention to herself and pushing herself to the forefront. She practically demonstrates how to serve as the auspicious source of energy and inspiration to her husband, by her devoted service and her chaste submission.
A mother also teaches the deeper meaning of chastity and submissiveness by demonstrating those important virtues. She shows a healthy respect for her husband, not engaging in arguments or physical violence, not answering back to him but rather being obedient and adjusting, thus allowing him to take charge.
By wearing chaste clothing she already trains a girl at a young age to cover her body nicely. Let us imagine what a wonderful impression it creates on a girl's mind if she grows up without ever showing her legs in public! In this way, a mother teaches the importance of shyness rather than showing off, bringing attention to herself and pushing herself to the forefront. She practically demonstrates how to serve as the auspicious source of energy and inspiration to her husband, by her devoted service and her chaste submission.
And last but not least, she also teaches verses, stories, songs, philosophy, quiz, etc.
All glories to our mothers....!
After visiting the preaching centre in Prague city and conducting the Saturday program I moved on to the temple in Luzce, around 40 minutes drive from Prague. I spent four days there in wonderful association, offering several SB classes and the Sunday feast lecture, and took a train to Vienna/Austria.
It was a truly enlivening visit to Czech Republic....!
Your servant, Devaki dd
All glories to our mothers....!
After visiting the preaching centre in Prague city and conducting the Saturday program I moved on to the temple in Luzce, around 40 minutes drive from Prague. I spent four days there in wonderful association, offering several SB classes and the Sunday feast lecture, and took a train to Vienna/Austria.
It was a truly enlivening visit to Czech Republic....!
Your servant, Devaki dd
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