20210617 : rote teachings

Today was the "Vaikunta Samaradhane" ceremony of my dad. It was performed at his home , which is in the same apartment building, a few floors below ours.

So it was convenient for me to go and be there, some part of it if not fully. I am glad it was performed at his home and I could go.

I can't help but share this small incident I observed... 

When it came to the "Aarati" time, everyone had to offer a flower with some "Akshate" where they did the ceremony and prostrate.

My daughter, who is 10, when her turn came, approached, and she couldn't reach fully, placed it using her left hand. Soon, suddenly, many folks told her not to and use her right hand. She was visibly taken aback by the sudden reaction and reached out, took back the offering and placed it back using her right hand. This met objection from many not to touch the photo. She looked a bit shaken, quickly prostrated and withdrew. She was even told later that my dad ("Taata") and God had seen it and she should be more careful.

Later, she was sitting beside me, staring at both her palms and was saying aloud to herself "what is wrong with this one (referring to her left) , it was just as good as the right hand".

Most times we don't realise when things are indoctrinated, beliefs formed, a conformist mindset created. And we wonder why they don't ask more questions and understand stuff and many resort to rote learning in academics. Nobody took the time to explain to her why certain things were expected of her in one way and not other.

How can they avoid it when there is so much rote teaching all around...

Cheers

-Sreekanth.

Today was the "Vaikunta Samaradhane" ceremony of my dad. It was performed at his home , which is in the same apartment building, a few floors below ours.

So it was convenient for me to go and be there, some part of it if not fully. I am glad it was performed at his home and I could go.

I can't help but share this small incident I observed... 

When it came to the "Aarati" time, everyone had to offer a flower with some "Akshate" where they did the ceremony and prostrate.

My daughter, who is 10, when her turn came, approached, and she couldn't reach fully, placed it using her left hand. Soon, suddenly, many folks told her not to and use her right. She was visibly taken aback by the sudden reaction and reached out, took back the offering and placed it back using her right hand. This met objection from many not to touch the photo. She looked a bit shaken, quickly prostrated and withdrew. She was even told later that my dad ("Taata") and God had seen it and she should be more careful.

Later, she was sitting beside me, staring at both her palms and was saying aloud to herself "what is wrong with this one (referring to her left) , it was just as good as the right hand".

Most times we don't realise when things are indoctrinated, beliefs formed, a conformist mindset created. And we wonder why they don't ask more questions and understand stuff and many resort to rote learning in academics. Nobody took the time to explain to her why certain things were expected of her in one way and not other.

How can they avoid it when there is so much rore teaching all around...