I live in the USA and am a parent with two teenage children: 18 and 15 years old, and we have been following some basic Hindu practices such as evening prayers as a family, reading something from a spiritual book(s), or biographies of saints in a routine manner. For the past several months, my 18-year-old has been shunning those stating, our practice do not follow the traditional approaches specified by Acharyas of various Vaishnava Sampradayas, or Vedic scriptures etc. He reads materials on commentaries on scriptures etc., from various internet sources, and is very fond of debating or discussing (sometimes those conversations sound rough) with folks on the internet through various online groups, often spending many hours in a day,even ignoring his engineering studies or other normal activities. I suggested him to read Shri Aurobindo or other authentic Hindu Masters such as Vivekananda, or Shri Ramakrsihna if he wants to have a deeper/proper understanding of spirituality; he rejects those suggestions and answers, personalities such as Shri Aurobindo (or the likes) being trained in Europeor being with Western education system do not have the credentials or authority to talk/teach/suggest. Neither does he follow the traditional Hindu practices such as morning bath, Sandhya, etc., religiously.
I really am very confused and frustrated about such behavior. Can you please suggest how to approach and address this situation?
I am really concerned about the attitude, his time-wasting, and distractions from the main academic efforts that he should be engaging in.
At his Age children resist any unasked advice. The fact that he is engaging in discussions, even if to refute indicates that he is open but wants to understand it all by himself. This is quite natural at his age and there is nothing to worry about it. Let him explore freely in his own way. What you can do is to quietly keep some small booklets or books from Sri Aurobindo, The Mother, Swami Vivekananda. Sometimes you can quietly forward a talk or writing on some relevant contemporary subject. These little unexpected exposures work better than a discussion.
Pray for him to The Mother and let the Divine lead him towards the Path destined for him.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
