My father-in-law is one such person who is getting all the money and best of sewa from us despite him being well off financially and healthy. Still he is not ready to have any spritual interest but playing victim in front of others and influencing his sons to go against their wives. I know that it is the duty of children to look after parents in old age but what if these people abuse their position.
From last 25 years when he retired he is only taking , taking and taking and interfering in everyone’s life, no work , no study, nothing to do with sprituality and ruining our lives. I feel so pained that nobody is speaking truth about them instead every saint seems to criticize today’s youth. I only have told you a little but the problem is quite grave. I wish things change…..ย ย ย
I understand your point completely. Not sure about the saints who say that one should completely subordinate oneself to parents, family, etc. If they say so it is contrary to the true spiritual teaching which is always about submitting oneself to the truth and not to relatives. There are countless examples of saints who left the family in search of a greater truth. And the Gita even teaches to stand up for the Truth, for the Divine’s Will even if it means opposing the parents and relatives. So too we find in the stories of Ramayana, of the choices made by Vibhishana and Bharata and Sita. In Indian thought it is truth and goodness and love that is valued rather than formal manners, blind adjustments and mechanical togetherness. One should speak up where needed and first and foremost, give primary importance to one’s own inner life and its development. All the rest comes later. It is only through the blossoming of the true individual in us that we can give our best to life as well as to others itself. Follow your deepest urge, your inmost truth with faith and courage.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
