02-27-2009, 07:18 PM
I think Carla's advice on dealing with children is spot on.
But also keep in mind that even contentious or even bad parenting can serve as good catalyst to awaken somebody. It doesn't have to be all sweetness and light. I had really bad problems with one of my parents on control issues, and nothing was more catalytic to me. It must be difficult to be a parent and to understand that it is often through discomfort and even suffering that people grow.
I feel like when it comes to spirituality we're all in the dark, child and adult alike. "Parent" and "child" are earthly roles. There's nothing about being spiritually aware that is going to drastically affect those roles; they're going to essentially remain the same responsibilities no matter how you philosophize them. Growing up and raising kids have catalyst baked in - that's why we're here. The catalyst is not the problem, per se - either for the child or for the parent.
But also keep in mind that even contentious or even bad parenting can serve as good catalyst to awaken somebody. It doesn't have to be all sweetness and light. I had really bad problems with one of my parents on control issues, and nothing was more catalytic to me. It must be difficult to be a parent and to understand that it is often through discomfort and even suffering that people grow.
I feel like when it comes to spirituality we're all in the dark, child and adult alike. "Parent" and "child" are earthly roles. There's nothing about being spiritually aware that is going to drastically affect those roles; they're going to essentially remain the same responsibilities no matter how you philosophize them. Growing up and raising kids have catalyst baked in - that's why we're here. The catalyst is not the problem, per se - either for the child or for the parent.