Raising children in this day and age! Spirituality
Raising children in this day and age! Spirituality
On Parenting in Today’s Era
From a spiritual perspective, parenting today may bring more challenges and concerns compared to the Showa era.
During the Showa era, children tended to play freely outdoors, and parents had the opportunity to observe other children and learn from them. There was also a sense of community through neighborhood interactions, where information and experiences about child-rearing could naturally be shared. This created an environment where parenting guidance and support were more readily available.
In the present day, although the internet allows parents to access a vast amount of information, opinions are often divided. This abundance of information can make it difficult to determine which guidance to follow. Moreover, some parents focus primarily on providing education to their children and may place value solely on academic achievement.
From a spiritual perspective, what is truly important in parenting is fostering an active, engaged mindset. Rather than imposing rules unilaterally, it is essential to encourage children to think for themselves by asking questions and nurturing their ability to act and reflect independently. Such an approach helps children develop their inner sense of presence and supports the growth of their heart and spirit, which is especially vital in today’s world.
Psychologist Sigmund Freud proposed the pleasure principle, suggesting that humans naturally seek pleasure. Whether eating, sleeping, or attending to basic needs, there is always some degree of satisfaction involved.
In extreme terms, one could say a sense of presence = pleasure. When a person feels happiness, they simultaneously experience a strong sense of presence and pleasure.
Not feeling this presence does not only mean a lack of self-awareness; the human body and mind influence each other. When this connection weakens, stress can easily arise as a form of existential threat.
Stress triggers a reaction: either attack or flight, both of which require energy. This response generates physical and mental energy, but if mismanaged, it can manifest as frustration or withdrawal.
For example, giving children overly large goals may backfire. Without experiencing the satisfaction of smaller achievements along the way, stress accumulates, and children may give up before reaching the goal.
Desires like “wanting to become” or “wanting to do” naturally create small moments of pleasure, but these desires alone are not absolute; they may fade quickly, leading to “three-day monk” situations where motivation disappears.
From a spiritual perspective, the growth of the soul—or spiritual rank (reikaku)—is similar to the growth of knowledge. Each moment of awareness is a building block of spiritual development.
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High reikaku means a person has strong spiritual presence, increased creative power to enrich others’ hearts, and broader perspectives. This is not difficult to understand; it is simply spiritual maturity.
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Low reikaku indicates weak spiritual presence. People may prioritize their own satisfaction over the well-being of others, and with fewer moments of awareness, their perspective narrows. This, too, is not difficult to understand; it is spiritually childlike.
Parenting in alignment with spiritual growth is challenging because children have different levels of understanding and awareness. Therefore, a practical approach might include stories from manga or other shared narratives. Sharing stories can serve as a communication tool, encouraging active engagement and curiosity in children.
Children naturally possess instincts to grow into adults. One cause of reluctance toward studying is forced instruction, which can have counterproductive effects.
In contrast, Scandinavian education emphasizes allowing children to choose their learning. This fosters active engagement and naturally leads children to take initiative, explore diverse topics, and enjoy studying.
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