Came a Divine couple
Toronto, Ontario
From Cleveland came a divine couple. They came to conduct a seminar at our seminary (ashram) on family life. Krishna Nandini is a Krishna devotee who married Tariq, a Muslim gentleman. They both parent a large group of kids, their kids. They demonstrate with their own lifestyle and also talk it up about wholesome family life.
Now, what do family matters have to do with people who are in a monastic order, and why does our ashram accommodate lessons in domestic concerns? Why do our monks want to bother with the subject?
For our younger men there is the option to consider family life for the future. Frankly, most of them will be married down the road. The course entitled, “Strengthening The Bonds That Free Us”, is an eye opening seminar that Krishna Nandini and Tariq facilitate throughout North America. I sat in for their first of three days seminar during their stay in Canada. Now, you must all know that I raise my right hand in the air declaring my single status for life. I was curious about the lessons offered so I sat to listen. So what did I hear?
The word ‘negotiation’ is key in establishing healthy relationships that are going to last. I particularly like the slogan used, ‘practice makes improvement’. And then there was that attitude expressed, ‘why can’t you be perfect like me?’ which is a sure recipe for disaster as far as building trust and confidence is concerned. A fun exercise is on gender differences. The interesting question presented was, ‘what are you expecting of the other person in their gender role?’ We wish life could be simple and it’s not possible to backtrack to 60 or 70 years ago. The world has changed for better or worse. But one thing is for sure, life has to have a spiritual center and then a relationship has a better chance to survive.
6 KM
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