Dear Amma & Appa:

Our prayers for your good health and peace of mind. Hope you two are enjoying with Rajee, Hari and the kids. We are settling in with the gurukulam. The kids and us are have great time together learning many things that we have never known existed in the world before. As we work with the kids we are learning so much more about all of us. Therefore they have become our teachers, we their students.

We do sincerely hope that the children will develop good culture based on equality, non-possession, tolerance, non-violence and peace. I herewith reproduce a wonderful article written by Swamiji about fifty years ago:

"It is a great and noble gesture if someone expresses his idea or plan that the whole world of humanity should be brought to equal status in every walk of life, which will definitely bring peace. It is not possible to make adults unite in religion, philosophy of life, case, race, etc. Every one of us would have some experience in this matter. How much effort have you taken in your life to make adults unite? How far have you yourself advanced? You would have achieved very little when comparing with your efforts. If we find a good and practical method to raise the children of the world community in a systematic method beyond the prejudicial concepts of the above differences, such a plan and action will definitely change the world gradually to rational thought.

The peaceful life of man is the sum-total of the rhythmic functions coordinating the physical body, spirit, mind, society and Cosmos. So man's character should be shaped to be purposeful and beneficial to one and all, from his childhood, in thought, word and deed. The sectarian feelings of differences between men in regard to religion, case, race, etc., should not form in the age of childhood. Education from childhood onwards should comprise of teaching how to maintain natural rhythm between body and spirit, spirit and mind, individual and society, and Nature and knowledge. If any imaginary concepts or pain-resulting behaviors are formed in youth, they are very difficult to reform or change after a man is adult. As every thought or deed gets imprinted in the body cells, brain cells, life-force particles and seed cells, we have to be careful that only good imprints are made in childhood. Everyone has hereditary imprints, both good and bad. If we don't give opportunity to the unwanted imprints and allow only good imprints to be re-activated by a systematic method of raising and educating the children, most of the unwanted hereditary imprints will be super-imposed. Therefore any Master Plan for world peace must include proper childhood training and education."

Innumerable mistakes are made unknowingly by parents around the world in bringing up their children. Fear and bribe are constantly used to control them. Toys and televisions are used as baby-sitting tools. Gifts are bought as substitutes for parental attention. Colorful clothes are brought to make the children look good while the purpose of clothing is merely to cover the body. Half their time is spent on pain and pleasure sensations. Mothers prepare taste meal and mistakenly think of it as an expression of their love. You would know better than me that food must be eaten only for the sake of health? Where is such an education? Can we find one family that acts as an university for the future generation? There is rat race everywhere. People who have earned enough money for a secure future still seek more wealth. Such people have forgotten that one can only preach through one's life. Like Gandhiji said one, "The rose does not say, 'come and smell me.'"

We do pray and hope that there is enough peace within our minds that gives us enough strength and wisdom to proceed on the chosen path one step at a time.

Love to all,
be blessed,
murali.