Lesson two - ‘You’ and ‘yours’
After the age of seven we discover the presence of others around us. We become aware of our siblings and the other children at school. We come to realise that these ‘others’ also have their own identities. We recognize that our parents and siblings, though belonging to us, have their own identities. We learn that some of our toys are also shared by our siblings. In other words, we learn to cognize and accept the presence of others in our lives. Some people, however, don’t learn this important lesson thus remaining egoistic and selfish all their lives.
From birth to seven are the selfish years. Thereafter, we learn of the existence of others. We recognize that other beings exist. Also, we come to understand that certain things belong to them too. These are the years where friendships are developed with girls and boys. The gender difference has not yet entered into our awareness. Just as the concepts of ‘I’ and ‘my’ were present, now ‘you’ and ‘yours’ become apparent. ‘Aham’ and ‘mama’ is the first lesson and ‘tvam’ and ‘tava’ is the second one. Sant Tulsidas says in Ramcharitra Manas “mai aru mor tor tain maya” this is the beginning of maya.
Animals understand this lesson and depict it through their territorial instincts. Even youngsters exhibit this trait of possessiveness towards their belongings. They say, “This is my room”, “This is my dress, or toy or poster”! Parents further encourage this behaviour by making them aware that certain objects belong to them and others to their sibling. This lesson is relevant at this stage of life. Later, it helps in accepting the presence of other beings. It is best learnt during one’s childhood years at school from seven to fourteen years.
After the age of seven we discover the presence of others around us. We become aware of our siblings and the other children at school. We come to realise that these ‘others’ also have their own identities. We recognize that our parents and siblings, though belonging to us, have their own identities. We learn that some of our toys are also shared by our siblings. In other words, we learn to cognize and accept the presence of others in our lives. Some people, however, don’t learn this important lesson thus remaining egoistic and selfish all their lives.
From birth to seven are the selfish years. Thereafter, we learn of the existence of others. We recognize that other beings exist. Also, we come to understand that certain things belong to them too. These are the years where friendships are developed with girls and boys. The gender difference has not yet entered into our awareness. Just as the concepts of ‘I’ and ‘my’ were present, now ‘you’ and ‘yours’ become apparent. ‘Aham’ and ‘mama’ is the first lesson and ‘tvam’ and ‘tava’ is the second one. Sant Tulsidas says in Ramcharitra Manas “mai aru mor tor tain maya” this is the beginning of maya.
Animals understand this lesson and depict it through their territorial instincts. Even youngsters exhibit this trait of possessiveness towards their belongings. They say, “This is my room”, “This is my dress, or toy or poster”! Parents further encourage this behaviour by making them aware that certain objects belong to them and others to their sibling. This lesson is relevant at this stage of life. Later, it helps in accepting the presence of other beings. It is best learnt during one’s childhood years at school from seven to fourteen years.
(tobe contd.....)
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