Hare Krishna All,
In my life I am unable to spend enough time with family .My time has been divided as follows:
1. 2.5 hrs chanting
2. 1 hr pooja
3. 1 hr getting ready
4. 3 hrs commuting to office
5. 8 hrs working
6. 1/2 hr freshup
7. 1/2 hr cooking
8. 1/2 hr eating / feeding
I need to sleep enough to work next day.
- No time to spend with kids ( This is the main reason most of the devotee
kids are loosing interest in KC when they grow up). Kids are not allowed to
watch anything, play anything or read anything that is not related to KC.
- If we dont spend time with them now then we shouldn't expect them to spend time
with us in our old age.
- I know one mataji who attends everday mangal arathi who has 2 year old kid. She puts some phone or
some electronic gadjet near the kid so that when he awakes she can go back. Everyone has lot of
praises for this mataji, But I really feel pity for that kid. They are forced by parents to learn slokas to
compete with other devotee kids. These kids have very less choice of food , due to busy parents
and the regulations of ISKCON. People who can survive sleeping 5 or 6 hrs are exceptional. Apart from them
there are many other regulations which are ruining the family life which I dont want to discuss here. My request to
unmarried devotees is to look for devotee spouse for them , then they will have good understanding of the culture.
Please dont marry someone who is confused and not inclined towards the ISKCON practises otherwise you end up
spoiling your life and their life. Thank you.
Regards
Akash
Comments
Hare Krsna
Many things have been mentioned in a mixed manner. Some of them are very genuine problems and some are hypothetical or perceived.
The key is mother and grand parents have to spend the bulk of time. Also elder siblings have to spend time with younger children. Both parents working will have to be questioned. Father has to focus on spending quality time with children. Father cannot give quantity. Quantity can happen on weekend. One can do engaging activities with children. It also depends on many factor like age of children etc
But I really feel pity for that kid. They are forced by parents to learn slokas to
compete with other devotee kids. These kids have very less choice of food , due to busy parents
and the regulations of ISKCON. People who can survive sleeping 5 or 6 hrs are exceptional. Apart from them
there are many other regulations which are ruining the family life which I dont want to discuss here.
All these could be perceived problems. The kids may not be forced, they could be inspired,u never know. Choice of food also almost everything can be made at home. Regulations ruining family life etc are mainly rooted in mis application or misunderstanding. There is a great amount of flexibility in family life. So it needs to be exercised.
The advise is understandable - devotee matches have better understanding of culture.
Hare Krsna
You have 2 options. Move to reduce your commute. 3 hours is a looong time. OR cut back on your practice of devotional service. 16 rounds takes me 1 hour and 45 minutes and my morning puja is 1/2 hour including clean up when I do it which is on weekends. You (and I) have families. We both do not live in the temple. Balance is key for us. Your schedule is fine for a temple devotee but is not conducive to sustainable Krishna Consciousness when you have a spouse and children. Your are right to question all that you have seen. If you cannot raise KC children then you are doing something wrong. We cannot judge or question the mataji that you mentioned. That is a choice she is making for her and her family. Leave her out of YOUR KC. It is YOUR KC. YOUR spiritual practice. (What you are doing now sounds like it is NOT working for you and that you are resenting it as well). Find what works for you. Then do that. And get some devotee association in your schedule too.