Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj says we need happy families to make the world a better place to live in
Ayam bandhurayam neti ganana laghuchetasam udaracharitanam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam — Maha Upanishad
The above verse puts across a message that we must live our lives by the principle of accepting the whole world as one family while maintaining a sense of non-possessiveness and detachment. The verse also teaches us an important lesson that for those who live their lives magnanimously — above self, the entire world becomes a family.
However, the present milieu poses a different picture of the society which has evolved over the years. Today the definition of family as well as family system has totally changed. On one side we see stifling and oppressive family systems of closed cultures, in clusters, creating barriers, denying the potential and freedom to its members, thereby creating long-term, unmanageable social problems like dowry system etc… bringing incalculable suffering for the women and their families and on another side we see equally damaging family systems in western cultures with high divorce rates, lack of secure, loving, safe and protective environment for the growing children. In both cultures, undoubtedly women suffer the most irrespective of whether they marry or remain single. One would agree with the famous opening lines of 150-year-old opera song Home,Sweet Home that says, “Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home”, truly, a home is considered to be the place of sanctuary for all its members, where the children feel free to express themselves, and are assured of peaceful and firm guidelines for their behaviour, growth and development. A loving home accepts its members unconditionally, without much expectations and provides support to all the members in the daily activities with due care.
Very few of us might have ever heard about something significantly unique called “a sacred home”. Such is the home imbibed in truth where there is no room for fear of punishment or ridicule that provides an ambience of peace, purity and transparency of mind facilitating a quite corner to remain within self in contemplation and devotion, as per convenience. A sacred and disciplined home will appreciate the diversity within the household and allow for the independence and individual aspiration to unfold inner potential and power for better growth, whilst keeping the fabric of the household inline with the culture and heritage. These kind of homes that place high value on quality of life for each member, and see that the well-being of each individual is central to the integrity of the household, will actively foster good feelings, happiness, security and love within the society. The people who run these homes will not feel themselves to be superior to other members of the family, instead they will have an attitude of spirituality, where each member is equally important, no matter how old, young, articulate or talented they are.
In reality, it is these sort of homes that are likely to produce highly effective citizens, who are internally secure and would be able to rise above personal gratification in order to benefit the wider community. They will have an attitude of friendship towards everyone around them.
They will seek to conciliate rather than confront, they will be as concerned about their neighbours as themselves and would have an attitude of caring towards everyone ir-respective of their caste-creed or religion.
If every household becomes secure and free from violence, the world will then become a safe heaven to live in because it is on the basis of peace and purity within each household, that a world free from aggression will come about.