divine guidance

Reflecting on my journey as a pediatrician, parent, and spiritual seeker, I often find myself revisiting a special moment from my early days in medicine. I was caring for a little girl named Ananya, who was battling a chronic illness with a resilience that belied her tender age. Her parents came to me, not just with questions about treatments, but with an earnest desire to imbue Ananya’s life with meaning, joy, and strength beyond her condition. This encounter stirred something deep within me, merging my medical insights with the spiritual paths I had been exploring, particularly those illuminated by the teachings of Sai Baba. This blend of wisdom and experience has shaped my approach to what I now call Sai-centric Parenting.

This approach revolves around nurturing your child’s Four Pillars of Life: Health, Relationships, Financial Values, and Knowledge, all of which can be cultivated through the T.E.A.R. Formula — Thoughts, Emotions, Actions, Results. It’s about a holistic development, interweaving the sacred with the everyday.

Begin with Health. As parents, we are the custodians of our children’s physical well-being, but health is also reflected in their thoughts and emotions. I recall a family who once taught me the profound impact of conscious communication. Their son, Aditya, struggled with anxiety. Rather than dismissing his fears, his parents embraced them, creating an environment where he felt heard and secure. They practiced meditation together, transforming his anxiety into serenity. Every gentle word and caring conversation became a pathway to his healing, reminding us that health flows from mind to body, thought to action.

Relationships are the heartbeats of our existence. Swamy once said, “All are one, be alike to everyone.” As Ananya’s parents demonstrated, relationships thrive on emotional regulation and the capacity to give and receive love with purity. Encouraging children to engage in seva, or selfless service, can cultivate empathy and connection. I encourage families to dedicate time each month to serve others, perhaps by visiting a retirement home or organizing a community clean-up. These acts nourish not only those we serve but bind us to one another in love.

Financial Values form another pillar. It’s essential to guide children in understanding the value of money, not just as a commodity but as a resource for goodness. One practical way is through a gratitude journal, where children reflect on the blessings they have and those they can share. An instance from my own home comes to mind—my daughter saves a portion of her allowance each month, guided by the principle of giving. This simple act instills in her a deep-seated appreciation for both abundance and simplicity.

Knowledge is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance, and Swamy’s teachings emphasize the importance of wisdom over mere information. Inspire your child to seek knowledge with a purpose. Share stories and examples where learning has healed and uplifted. My son was fascinated by the stories of great inventors and how their persistence changed the world. Those bedtime stories sparked a thirst in him, leading him to explore and innovate in his little garage workspace.

Discipline with love is the foundation of a value-based upbringing. Corrective actions should be as compassionate as they are firm, guiding rather than punishing. Creating simple routines reinforces this loving discipline and structure. It’s the consistent, loving guidance that molds a character in the way Swamy envisioned.

As I reflect on the interconnectedness of these pillars, I’m reminded of a quote by Sai Baba: “The end of education is character. What is the point of acquiring degrees, if you have not acquired human values?” These words encapsulate the essence of Sai-centric Parenting.

Please share your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comment box below. I read every comment with love and deep respect.