Let Kids be Kids?

[shvu 1]

I think this mistaken view comes from some recent concepts thrown around in some religious groups of how it is better to live the way Indians were living 5000 years ago compared to the "hedonistic", material way of life which originated in the west and is sweeping the globe.

 

The problem is this view is so far removed from reality. People of this generation are so used to modern conveniences that they would not last 2 minutes in this "utopia" of 5000 year old India. But to understand this, one would have to come in real contact with something or someone that gives them a first hand experience of what it really requires from them. They will never hold such ideas of crossing over to the past. But unless they do a reality check, it will continue to appear appealing and better than what they have.

 

The Amish are one example. Their population is steadily decreasing as they have a chance to compare their way of life with the modern way and choose the latter. The world transitioned from a primitive agricultural society into a modern society as humans prefer this way of life over that. It was a natural move.

 

When we were kids, the great thing in life was to be a detective solving complex crimes and experiencing the thrills. A reality check shows the life of a detective is far from exciting and nothing like in the movies and the novels. People who are in the profession would be glad to get out if they have a chance.

 

Cheers

[LoveroftheBhagavata 0]

 

No doubt 1,000 years of Mughal rule and close to 100 of British rule had nothing to do with the plight of the people there today. Haven't they suffered enough at the hands of the imperialists?quote]

 

Actually, the Mughals reigned between 1526 to 1857, i.e. from Babur's ascension to power up to Bahadur Shah II being deposed by the British following the first war of independence (the so-called mutiny). And in between, in 1540, the rule of the Mughals through Humayun was interrupted by Sher Shah Suri, until its restoration in 1555. Before that, you had the Delhi Sultanate (1206 to 1526), and still earlier, other Islamic conquerors such as Mahmud of Ghazni (979-1030), who specialised in raiding north-western India and succeeded in establishing a base in Punjab. The first Muslim to actually lead an expedition with a view to conquering Bharata was Muhammad bin Qasim of Syria in 712 CE. As for the British, they controlled the subcontinent for some 200 years approximately, not 100.

 

Sure Murali, as an environmentally-conscious person, I can readily sympathise with part of what you're saying regarding the short-sightedness of the money lust of international capitalism and the pit that that ideology is digging for humanity at large at the moment. But I also do think that JN Dasji has it right on in most of what he writes. His philanthropy is to be lauded. As he says, the only hunger that should persist in human life is that for spirituality. As long as the belly remains empty, no poor child or adult for that matter will be able to focus their minds and souls on attaining God.

 

Radhe Radhe

[gHari 0]

Please my friends, don't get carried away here.

 

Perhaps what we are missing is the different picture we each look at. Murali Mohan das sees kids who get so many toys that they mean nothing to them. But I'm sure Murali can remember the joy of the first toy his kids actually appreciated. Jahnava Nitai on the other hand, sees kids who just received the first colourful toy they've ever seen. At last someone cares about me. I am special. The world is a wonderful place.

 

We each have our own little parrish where the norms differ radically. I think we can all accept that each of us is trying our best to serve guru and Gauranga wherever we are.

 

There are kids who are physically and sexually abused daily, or psychologically harrassed their entire lives. The pain out there is unbearable. We can help - happy with nothing but a song in our hearts.

 

Yet, as Jahnava Nitai das would attest to: "You can't preach to someone who has an empty stomach". Or a destroyed self-image for that matter.

[Redsox 0]

We should all agree that it is our dharma to shower all comforts on children and try to provide them with a happy childhood.

Janaka, obviously a great bhakta of Rama and a jnani, showered all the comforts on Sita.

Same with Vishnuchitta, who showered all his love over Andal and tried to provide her with a happy childhood in whatever little he had.

All children need happiness and a playful childhood and what people like JNdas are doing should be appreciated. If possible, emulated.

 

Ofcourse, when talking about children in America, it is only God who could satisfy all their desires, but we can only show the door, it is them who have to walk through it. They should atleast have the opportunity to choose, without it, how can they hope to grow in the spiritual sphere?

[theist 1]

Holy smoly! What a thread. First time I opened it and I am aghast. Murali really goes waaay over the top and then can't ever seem to accept he was wrong and then compensates by becoming personally offensive. That is his MO. But to aim that attitude at JNdas for wanting to ease the lives of some impoverished children is really a new low.

 

Yes children in the west are being victimized (along with their parents) by the toy manufacturers and their henchmen the marketing co.s. It's a valid point and worthy of discussion.

 

But to go from that to telling some of the most impoverished children in the world to be happy with some stick they happen to find on the road....

 

I have always considered the ball to be God's special creation for children. What can a child not do with a ball? The simplest of things. Take a soccer ball for example or football if you live outside the US. One such ball can keep 20 kids entertained and busy in healthy activity for hours at a stretch.

 

Ignorant adults see children at play as so much frivolity when actually so many valuable lessons are being taught them through the medium of play.God speaks to children through play. Play is how they learn and is just as important as learning letters and numbers.

 

Have we forgotten the magic of childhood? Seems many have, but I assure you I haven't.

 

The purpose under which this thread was started reeks of the most crass classism and reveals the depth of the chasm that separates the have's from the have nots in this world. It ranks up there was the famous, "They have no bread? Then let them eat cake."

 

"They have no ball to throw? Then let them throw stones."

[indulekhadasi 0]

 

Holy smoly! What a thread. First time I opened it and I am aghast. Murali really goes waaay over the top and then can't ever seem to accept he was wrong and then compensates by becoming personally offensive. That is his MO. But to aim that attitude at JNdas for wanting to ease the lives of some impoverished children is really a new low.

 

Yes children in the west are being victimized (along with their parents) by the toy manufacturers and their henchmen the marketing co.s. It's a valid point and worthy of discussion.

 

But to go from that to telling some of the most impoverished children in the world to be happy with some stick they happen to find on the road....

 

I have always considered the ball to be God's special creation for children. What can a child not do with a ball? The simplest of things. Take a soccer ball for example or football if you live outside the US. One such ball can keep 20 kids entertained and busy in healthy activity for hours at a stretch.

 

Ignorant adults see children at play as so much frivolity when actually so many valuable lessons are being taught them through the medium of play.God speaks to children through play. Play is how they learn and is just as important as learning letters and numbers.

 

Have we forgotten the magic of childhood? Seems many have, but I assure you I haven't.

 

The purpose under which this thread was started reeks of the most crass classism and reveals the depth of the chasm that separates the have's from the have nots in this world. It ranks up there was the famous, "They have no bread? Then let them eat cake."

 

"They have no ball to throw? Then let them throw stones."

 

Yeah, balls help a lot with hand and eye coordination apart from other things.

If you are a girl dolls help you learn how to take care of babies- dress them, feed them etc.

Theist is totally right here, toys can be very instructive (at the least the original types, video games can be destructive if you get hooked on it).

[suchandra 1]

 

Yeah, balls help a lot with hand and eye coordination apart from other things.

 

 

 

In the West children play soccer for hours coz they're manipulated by tv - football is what everyone is watching on tv and soccer players are the great heroes who cash in the big money - are among the richest people. India is different, India is not a soccer nation and soccer not a childhood dream. India's kids don't consider that there's a future when playing football.

[shvu 1]

 

http://i27.tinypic.com/8x6bo5.jpg

 

In the West children play soccer for hours coz they're manipulated by tv - football is what everyone is watching on tv and soccer players are the great heroes who cash in the big money - are among the richest people. India is different, India is not a soccer nation and soccer not a childhood dream. India's kids don't consider that there's a future when playing football.

 

Yes, but Indian kids behave the exact same way with cricket.

 

At least in the US, there are Basketball, hockey and baseball which also enjoy national level importance. But in India nothing comes close to cricket.

 

Cheers

[Jahnava Nitai Das 2]

Football (soccer) seems to be big in West Bengal. As far as health goes, its a better sport than cricket because everyone is constantly running and involved. But it will probably never catch on in India.

[theist 1]

Cricket huh? I thought soccer was big in India like the rest of the world. Cricket being number one is rather worrisome but to each his own I guess.

 

Every child instinctively is drawn to a ball. Ball means play. Ball means fun. Ball is good. God's gift to children.

 

[suchandra 1]

 

Cricket huh? I thought soccer was big in India like the rest of the world. Cricket being number one is rather worrisome but to each his own I guess.

 

Every child instinctively is drawn to a ball. Ball means play. Ball means fun. Ball is good. God's gift to children.

 

Kids are not that stupid, already at the age of 1 they know intuitively who're the big egos on tv and this strongly influences their playing behaviour. A recent broadcast made clear, small boys playing football think of eventually making a carreer as profi footballer and becoming soccer heroes in the football heaven. They also might play ball in India, but it is something different, more a leisure activity to kill time.

[theist 1]

Lol

[Avinash 0]

 

Cricket huh? I thought soccer was big in India like the rest of the world. Cricket being number one is rather worrisome but to each his own I guess.

In India, there is craze for cricket. Nothing comes close to it. In fact, some people are so fanatic about cricket that it looks like some religious fanaticism.

If there is cricket match between India and Pakistan, then the interest in the match can go to any level.

[yogesh 0]

to see Murali prabhu fall of the ball. Yes he may have gone too far. In some of his comments in other threads I was also surprised by his comments on Gopi Bhav which we as fallen persons cannot even comprehend and a subject which is understood only by Liberated personalities like the Goswami's and the Acharaya in disciplic succession.

 

But in the same breath I hope he is at least given a chance to redeem himself.

 

To the Administrator: Is there no other way of putting some one on temporary containment instead of total (slam-dunk) Ban?

 

Hare Krsna/Krishna

 

Jay Sirla Prabhupada

[gHari 0]

Cricket? Soccer? I'll send some hockey sticks - then you'll see some happy kids. Ya'll got ice there at the ashram?

 

I think maybe we were just glad to get away from our domineering parents and relish that independence our soul craved by entering this game of material life.

 

Cooking mud pies for Krsna - now that's a nice engagement. That picture showed a very happy boy. Or a Ratha-yatra cart!

 

Murali talked about his little kids debating whether gurudeva was everywhere. I'd have to say he was doing something right somewhere.