Parenting

By Arjun Radhakrishnan

In thine womb for 9 months

Assuming an asana thine Child hath

in silence and in patience sat,

both of which you now have lost!

Eyes tightly shut

supple legs crossed,

it sat completely still,

unflinching.

Pray then, if I ask Thee,

to sit still in a posture for minutes five

Can Thee then 

carry out this task, see?

If I lock Thee up in a room

for an entire 9 months

will you sit still, even though food, 

air and water hath been given? 

Look upon Thine child Great One

Not as insignificant, helpless, and unwise. 

You think of them as having emotions and intellect none. No! They knoweth and feeleth all and more! 

Do not forget! It hath chosen Thee, Great One

and it is most untrue that you chose it. 

It is not like shopping you see, for you cannot choose, try and then decide your child!

Thus I say unto Thee Great One

Be grateful and feel only reverance 

towards the soul

that hath chosen Thee. 

While the speck within Thee

is structured, built and formed,

a soul of similar resonance 

throttles towards you in great urgency. 

The body you gave it, 

is made of you

and thus diseases and vices too

came off you within it. 

Thus it carries your genetics

Really your ancestral curses and patterns

Pray what bad hath this soul done to deserve

but an albatross, around its neck?

Thus ask never thence a child

why he is the way he is, For if thee know not why you are the way you are, 

Pray how would he?

Instead, welcome, respect and accept this guest

that hath chosen to come to you!

For it is a special and magical gift

to bear a child for whole months nine. 

Therefore I pray unto Thee

do not make puppets of them!

Do not make them smaller versions of you!

For they have come with a purpose, a plan!

Your work thus, is to leave them alone,

once they wish to be alone! 

Until them guide them, support them

and take care of them, well. 

They shall need you, to accept them. 

Set expectations then none!

Let them carry out their mission

though you are unsure of yours'!

Aye, most parents seem clueless

about what their path is, what their gifts are!

So, do not be surprised, if your child follows suit, and appears unclear about his path. 

What remained unexpressed, repressed, shut, locked up and hated, feared of, finds expression

within your child, see! Aye it is true- all you hath despised, finds expression through him. 

Thus, keep not things hidden within!

Reject not what rises within!

Express it all, good or bad.

Judge thus never, good and bad! 

Do not thus in any way,

be a boulder in the flow of their life!

All shall happen by itself,

and you shall only watch as a witness. 

If you however, try to influence or set expectations on your child divine,

certain trials and tribulations will appear, so you understand it is time to sit back and let go. 

You will be shown your imperfections

your masks many, your insecurities even!

So you handle them proper, thus giving space and time, for your child to walk a path unique. 

Aye it is true

much to your distaste!

Each child here is unique and gifted 

in his own way. No two can ever be ditto. 

Run thus not after money and success!

Neither for yourself nor for your child!

I pray, you will not make him a robot

as you have made of yourself!

Above all, be not deceived and think you are the Mother sole! Nay! For there is only One as Her and She is the Mother of all, that has ever existed, that is existing, and that ever will exist

By Arjun Radhakrishnan