#64: Respect Your Elders? – The Downfall of Upbringing

It’s hard to overestimate the value of a supportive upbringing. An upbringing that teaches children the essential value of respect. When missing, as generally we see in today’s society, the consequences are disastrous - for generations to come. In this episode we explore the impact of upbringing on a personal and societal level, and reflect on the effect that the technological revolution has had on our kids. Balakhilya looks back at his own childhood, a time when life was simpler, without the constant distraction of cell phones and excessive technology use. With this as an example, we uncover the essential values and principles that guided previous generations, such as how to bring up a child promoting respect for authority and a sense of belonging. Join us as we delve into the various challenges of raising kids in a materialistic society, reflect on the lessons we can learn, and establish the changes needed for a brighter future. Highlights: (6:43) Parents in the past taught values, morals, and spirituality to their children, leading to a more disciplined and spiritually evolved society. The negative impact of modern technology and lack of guidance is evident in the current generation with issues such as disrespect, hopelessness, loneliness, and suicide. (11:45) The core value instilled in Balakhilya during his upbringing was respect. We discuss how to make this a reality. (17:05) Broken homes make it very challenging to raise children. Mother and father play equally important roles. (23:33) Good parents with strong relationships built trust and unity with their children, leading to respect and avoiding conflict. (27:07) The Bhakti teaching promotes respect for all life forms. It includes offering respect to others and expecting none for oneself, respecting animals, plants, and the planet. (35:11) A person just needs to understand that there is a better way to live, a more happier life waiting for us. Even if I’m externally doing good, I need to look at how to improve on the inside. Recorded on June 13, 2023. Watch video version, join our email list or contribute to the podcast here: https://linktr.ee/breakingtrail