Battle with identity
and independence
As a senior secondary teacher of a public school, I realized that the biggest conflict that the adolescents of modern era face today is of “identity crises”. A lot of these adolescents are rejecting their culture as old fashioned ideas and would rather adapt to the ways of the west.
These young adults living in ignorance are mostly misbehaved. The reasons being they go to bed late, awake late, watch violent and sexual movies and are surrounded by lust and fighting.
I observed this very closely in case of Angela. A XIth standard, bright, fashionable girl with a gleam of rebellion in her eyes. Her eyes seemed to challenge everyone and everything. While in class she would deliberately put up questions which were out of context to the lesson being taught and tried to provoke teacher’s anger. Her challenging attitude demanded more than just attention.
Once while teaching ‘circulation if blood through human heart’ I commented in a light mood that how mysterious force guides our life and that one should acknowledge the immense power of supreme who maintains our life.
Immediately a hand went up for a query to be answered. I acknowledged and Angela what was her question.
She said,” ma’am when one can’t see God then it is ridiculous to believe that a human body organ is run by any natural force. And if you insist that what you said is true, then show us all who is supreme and where does he reside?”
Early adolescent period is sensitive time as the child’s intelligence expands to understand the nature of adult society. These children rebel because they see hypocrisy all round such as non spiritual teacher or parent.
They struggle and strive endlessly for their identity and independence and often harbor a false notion of being free and happy when actually they are the slaves of dead habits and misconceptions.
As is stated in the tenth canto of Bagvatam-
Prayanapayush sabha
Kalva asmin yuge janah
Mandah sumanda matayo
Manda-bagya hy upadrutah
We do not know what intelligence and happiness is. Absence of misery is happiness for us. Throughout our lives, deluded we chase the elusive happiness without bothering to refer to the scriptures which are treasure house of all knowledge.
Comments
Enlivening realization ....
u said right and i m really happy for school children those have a devotee teacher like u, it seems that Krishna is already blessing them by gifting a devotee teacher....
hari bol.