Sadly, there is no link between “constructive activities” and “sticking with the right path” in terms of values,
Carnatic music, etc are purely performative for many of these kids—something to master & carve out a niche place for oneself in terms of skill and something to serve as a source of fame.
If you define right path in terms of religious & moral values, Carnatic music or traditional dance have hardly an impact. Chess, etc-abysmally less significant.
Parents’ upbringing is the one *external* thing that comes closest in terms of having an impact and even that is not at all determinative. At best, it acts as a dam against bad, innate vāsanas or a force multiplier for good, innate vāsanas. That’s all.
Carnatic music, etc are purely performative for many of these kids—something to master & carve out a niche place for oneself in terms of skill and something to serve as a source of fame.
If you define right path in terms of religious & moral values, Carnatic music or traditional dance have hardly an impact. Chess, etc-abysmally less significant.
Parents’ upbringing is the one *external* thing that comes closest in terms of having an impact and even that is not at all determinative. At best, it acts as a dam against bad, innate vāsanas or a force multiplier for good, innate vāsanas. That’s all.
We see many cases where a child is brought up in a very wholesome, traditional environment (traditional but not autistically absurd/harsh; firm but loving) and yet goes astray.
Problems which arise at the level of Svābhāvika machinery cannot be combatted by a purely empirical/pragmatic approach: parental upbringing, good schools, etc.
A truly potent & “awakened” temple, cleaning up the corrupt practices at temples, ensuring a competent & honest priesthood at every temple. reviving Tīrthakșetras in every nook & corner of the country, revival of Utsavas, mass sponsoring of anāthapreta-samskāras so that no Hindu body ever gets left behind, frequent recitation of Vedas, purāņas & āgamas at every corner of Bhārata, frequent pravacanas by truly learned Vidvāns, dīkșā-s & imparting of ntiyapūjās for eligible ones of all backgrounds—all these will do far more to suppress evil Vāsanas.
It won’t be immediate. May take 2-3 generations to see a truly tangible effect. But this is what I personally feel.
Problems which arise at the level of Svābhāvika machinery cannot be combatted by a purely empirical/pragmatic approach: parental upbringing, good schools, etc.
A truly potent & “awakened” temple, cleaning up the corrupt practices at temples, ensuring a competent & honest priesthood at every temple. reviving Tīrthakșetras in every nook & corner of the country, revival of Utsavas, mass sponsoring of anāthapreta-samskāras so that no Hindu body ever gets left behind, frequent recitation of Vedas, purāņas & āgamas at every corner of Bhārata, frequent pravacanas by truly learned Vidvāns, dīkșā-s & imparting of ntiyapūjās for eligible ones of all backgrounds—all these will do far more to suppress evil Vāsanas.
It won’t be immediate. May take 2-3 generations to see a truly tangible effect. But this is what I personally feel.
You can partake in zero “constructive” or cultural things and instead play sports or read books or watch anime as a child and still turn out alright. The sauce is not in these “constructive hobbies”. You want your kids to do it because you consider them as domains to manifest one’s excellence—that’s fine. But it has zero to do with one’s moral/religious quality.
The mantras and other subtle entities involved in these things below—they can combat svābhāvika evil in a way purely worldly solutions are simply impotent to handle:
https://x.com/ghorangirasa/status/1949747902722764907?s=46
Unless one conflates genuine morality with introversion/shyness/social awkwardness that you think may be enhanced through certain activities and thereby prevent him from going down on some degenerate path, such activities are no solutions.
“Let me get him or her addicted to this insular activity and therefore ensure that he or she will ever remain away from degeneracy”
It’s like saying “let me neuter this one so that there will be no chance of lust gone wrong” or “let me tie up his hands so that he or she won’t ever steal”.
One should be able to be himself or herself in the presence of people contrary to his or her own path and remain unaffected. Silos worked before. They won’t today.
“Let me get him or her addicted to this insular activity and therefore ensure that he or she will ever remain away from degeneracy”
It’s like saying “let me neuter this one so that there will be no chance of lust gone wrong” or “let me tie up his hands so that he or she won’t ever steal”.
One should be able to be himself or herself in the presence of people contrary to his or her own path and remain unaffected. Silos worked before. They won’t today.
One of the things that can be done and I think we can learn from those we consider our enemies or rivals is to better organized in terms of “collective self-spiritual care”, finding inspiration in our religion’s own resources.
For example, we can create societies/groups dedicated to any one of the 63 Nāyanmār (who hail from every walk of life, varņa/jāti, vocation; includes women) and create chapters for them in every district/major city or town. A sense of community/fraternity/sorority rooted in the remembrance of a particular Bhakteśvara and his unique legacy. Like the patron saint societies in Romaka-Pretamata.
Our religion has so much by way of inspiration and resources to root us in the correct path. But these have to be employed skillfully and properly, with some sense of organization.
The idea that I have this permanent circle, support group and a large, divine presence with me all the time is something that keeps people sane and rooted. Nobody forgets the value of a group that has helped shape them up, is wholesome and is kind and caring, unless they are psychopaths. Losing that group by falling away into the “wrong path” will be a great risk for them, compelling them to remain invested in the Dharma, even when things are not looking too bright.
x.com/ghorangirasa/s…
For example, we can create societies/groups dedicated to any one of the 63 Nāyanmār (who hail from every walk of life, varņa/jāti, vocation; includes women) and create chapters for them in every district/major city or town. A sense of community/fraternity/sorority rooted in the remembrance of a particular Bhakteśvara and his unique legacy. Like the patron saint societies in Romaka-Pretamata.
Our religion has so much by way of inspiration and resources to root us in the correct path. But these have to be employed skillfully and properly, with some sense of organization.
The idea that I have this permanent circle, support group and a large, divine presence with me all the time is something that keeps people sane and rooted. Nobody forgets the value of a group that has helped shape them up, is wholesome and is kind and caring, unless they are psychopaths. Losing that group by falling away into the “wrong path” will be a great risk for them, compelling them to remain invested in the Dharma, even when things are not looking too bright.
x.com/ghorangirasa/s…
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