What is Best for Our Children

You probably remember the story that Buddha was raised in a worry-free palast and that his father even tried to keep old age and death from his sight. Well, it took one trip into the real world and one look at the sick and struggling poor people and Buddha was out on a mission to discover how to end suffering for the world.

We used to raise our children in the same way. Childhood should be a glimpse at what is ours to have we thought, perfect health, love and a carefree, joyful and playful life. But as a Tao traveler we have also come to appreciate the little psychological cuts, the little inconveniences, and even some illnesses. Everything that comes our way is meaningful and sets us up perfectly for our mission in life. A spiritual path is not about wishing for Heaven on earth it is about discovering Heaven on earth in whatever comes our way. We have become what we are because of our respective backgrounds, our life experiences and the assets and unresolved issues that our parents left for us. We know that one day our children will continue our mission, but we hope that their way will be smoother and easier still, like every parent does.

The German poet Goethe once said, only the inadequate is productive. Do not wish away your problems, challenges or perceived short-comings. God has a plan for you. As they say, if life deals you lemons you can serve delicious lemon juice. We cannot really control what is going to happen to us, but what we can do is to adjust our attitude to what is happening, to recognize the beauty in the seemingly ugly situation, to recognize the divinity in friend as well as foe and to recognize peace and security in an apparent turbulent situation. 

We want to teach our children that life is a magnificent virtual reality show that helps us to discover the Self in ourselves. We hope  that one day our children are in for the same eye-opening experience. We may be good in what we do but we are humble enough to realize that we at best can only have glimpses at the mission our children are likely to have. Life will make them the giants they are born to be, we are just care-takers to launch their magnificent journey.

By Christian and Su Zhen