Lesson four - Family growth and acquisitions ‘Us’ and ‘ours’
Familiarity with the opposite gender brings a feeling of possessiveness. Between the ages of twenty one to twenty eight one gets married and experiences a sense of belonging to another. In the beginning, we know we exist and have a host of possessions that include other people. Now the reverse happens. We realize that we could also be a possession of another. ‘Somebody else belongs to me’ and ‘I also belong to someone’ and ‘something belongs to us’ are the threads of the husband-wife-children relationship that bind the family together. There is an experience of oneness with another being which is a wonderful experience in itself. Later this guides and aids in the realization of the Ultimate Truth.
These years are spent in profession or job enhancement, house building and rearing of children. We learn the invaluable lesson of somebody belonging to us. ‘This is my wife, my husband, my children.’ This lesson, if felt and deeply understood, enables one to identify with the world in a more humane manner. We are able to understand the value of other families, other peoples’ wealth and properties. We begin to see things from another perspective. This applies not only to human beings. Appreciation of the lives of animals and birds also permeates our understanding. We realize that just as we have families, so do animals and birds and others in the natural kingdom. We become sensitive to the presence of other beings. This fourth stage spans the years when people are beginning their careers, seeking stability in their jobs, getting married, nurturing desires to build a house, buy a car and get their children into the best schools. The emphasis is on us, our families consisting of spouses, children, grand parents, relatives, education of children, house, and other personal assets and possessions.
Familiarity with the opposite gender brings a feeling of possessiveness. Between the ages of twenty one to twenty eight one gets married and experiences a sense of belonging to another. In the beginning, we know we exist and have a host of possessions that include other people. Now the reverse happens. We realize that we could also be a possession of another. ‘Somebody else belongs to me’ and ‘I also belong to someone’ and ‘something belongs to us’ are the threads of the husband-wife-children relationship that bind the family together. There is an experience of oneness with another being which is a wonderful experience in itself. Later this guides and aids in the realization of the Ultimate Truth.
These years are spent in profession or job enhancement, house building and rearing of children. We learn the invaluable lesson of somebody belonging to us. ‘This is my wife, my husband, my children.’ This lesson, if felt and deeply understood, enables one to identify with the world in a more humane manner. We are able to understand the value of other families, other peoples’ wealth and properties. We begin to see things from another perspective. This applies not only to human beings. Appreciation of the lives of animals and birds also permeates our understanding. We realize that just as we have families, so do animals and birds and others in the natural kingdom. We become sensitive to the presence of other beings. This fourth stage spans the years when people are beginning their careers, seeking stability in their jobs, getting married, nurturing desires to build a house, buy a car and get their children into the best schools. The emphasis is on us, our families consisting of spouses, children, grand parents, relatives, education of children, house, and other personal assets and possessions.
(To be Contd....)
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