Leaving The Nest

When the young of the birds come out of their egg-shells they make such a big noise that the parent rushes back to calm them down with bits of food.
The young don't understand that making noises could attract unwanted attention from preying enemies who are ever ready to make a meal of the young of birds and animals.

Then a vigilant parent often teaches through demonstration how the young should flex their wings to fly and how to hunt for food. The young ones simply follow whatever their parent does and learn the subtle tricks of survival.

Over a period of time, they are fit and the parent never hesitates to send them out on their own. That's all. The parent gets busy for the next breeding season and has no time for the young ones who have been taught to be independent.
They are karma yogis and do their jobs without a trace of attachment. Yet not long back they would have fought to protect their young at any cost.

Alas! Humans never can forget their young until their last breath.
We have so many ancient texts that show us how to be wise, detached, kind, loving, dutiful, spiritual, etc., etc. Yet we are far from remaining balanced in our good as well as bad times.
We are attached to our children so much that we want absolute control over them or at least want maximum control over their minds.

Most families have one or two children. When they grow up they invariably leave home and usually settle far away. In good time they start their own families.
Mostly busy with work and taking care of their own families, might leave them only with a few days or weeks to visit parents, friends, classmates, relatives, in-laws' side of relatives.
Some families make the most of such vacations while some turn these into nightmares with complaints, accusations, etc.
Parting time is one filled with a lot of emotions either way - happy or sad.
Sadness at parting by both parties.
Happy to part and feel relieved that at last it's 'time' to head 'homewards' to one's own nest.

Can we be like those birds or animals? No. We should not be like them either. Otherwise what will set us apart from those creatures?

I think we have to balance our feelings. Have some activities to keep us busy.
Be there when they need help and stay away when they need to lead their own lives. Just like God is not there but HE is there when we need HIM the most! Sigh!!

Cheers.

Mahalakshmi.