Generation Gap

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Dada Bhagwan Foundation

Page 21

Dadashri: Should they at least not strive to acquire some of these qualities? But instead because of the current era of this time cycle, people have become pleasure seeking, and selfgratifying. (P.76)
Questioner: What sort of a character should a father possess?
Dadashri: When children say that they would rather be with their father than be anyone else, it reflects on the father's character.
Questioner: Nowadays it is just the opposite. When the father is at home his children are out and vice-versa.
Dadashri: The character of the father should be such that his children would not like him to be away from them.
Questioner: So, what should a father do to become like that?
Dadashri: Once people meet me, whether they are children, elderly or even teenagers, they do not want to stay away from
me.
Questioner: We all want to be just like you Dada!
Dadashri: You can, if you just observe me and act the way I do. If I ask for a Pepsi and if they say there is none, I settle for
water instead. But you, on the other hand, would become irate. Even if nothing is prepared for me by lunchtime, I will adjust and drink water instead, whereas you would become demanding. (P.76)
(5) CHILDREN IMPROVE WITH UNDERSTANDING
Instead of nagging all the time, it is better to maintain your silence. Your attempts to improve your children by persistent nagging, only makes them worse. Instead it would be better not to say anything at all. If they become spoilt, the responsibility is yours. Do you understand this? (P.84)
If we tell children not to do something, they will insist on doing it nevertheless and be worse off than before, so we will end up losing them altogether. These fathers have no clue about how to live their lives. They do not know the first thing about fatherhood and yet they become fathers. I have to explain everything to them using every possible means available. Those who have received this Gnan are able to raise their children well. They sit with their children and explain to them in a loving manner what the consequences of their mistakes will be. (P.87)
Generally when one parent rebukes the child, the other parent will stand up for him, so any hope of improving the child is ruined. The child will develop a fondness for the parent that takes his side and he will feel antagonism towards the parent who seeks to discipline. And when that child grows up, he