Generation Gap

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

Page 71

parents be considered a religion? (P.569)
In the prime of my youth I took good care of my mother. I was able to do at least that much. For my father, all I managed to do was carry his body over my shoulders at his funeral. I realized later on that such was my karmic account and that I must have had countless fathers like him in my previous lives. What more could I do then? I found the answer and it was to take care of the elders that were living. Those who have departed are gone forever. Take care of the ones who are living. It is better to start now, although late, than never. It is a great blessing to take care of the living parents. The rewards are immediate. They are next to God; although you cannot see God, you can see them. (P.570)
It is the elderly that suffer the most, but to whom can they complain? Their children do not pay any attention to them. The generation gap is too wide between the old and the new. The old people cannot change and adjust to the new pace of life, even if they suffer.
Questioner: Every old person is in the same situation.
Dadashri: Yes it is the same everywhere. What can be done to address this problem? It would be wonderful if there were special living arrangements for the elderly. First and foremost, they should be given this Gnan. After that various public and social services can handle their daily meals and requirements.
But Gnan is of utmost importance because it will give them peace and further their spiritual progress. There is no way for them to find peace otherwise. What do you think? (P.570)
What kind of moral values do your children learn at home? When you bow down to your parents, even at your age, will it not encourage your children to do the same? Would the children then not do the same to you? (P.573)
Questioner: Children today do not bow down to their parents. They seem reluctant or ashamed to do so..
Dadashri: They do not because they do not revere their parents. Too often they see the parents fighting and they see a lot of negative interactions between them, which is why they do not respect their parents. If they perceive good thoughts and see good conduct in their parents, they would bow down to their parents all the time. But today parents fight in front of their children, do they not?
Questioner: Yes.
Dadashri: So how can the parents expect their children to respect them? (P.574)
In this world you must have the highest reverence towards your father, your mother and your guru. You cannot forget the benevolence of those who have guided you to the right path.