Yours Traditionally...

What is Culture?? What does tradition mean??  Do we actually follow them?? This list goes on!!! And these questions challenge me to find answers. Nevertheless, I fail every time, I at least try each time to seek answers

Prologue - I am not against our culture or traditions and I do respect GOD.

" Just because you are following a culture or being traditional does not give you brownie points to become a good person than who doesn't follow " - Read this till you get it right!! 

This single quote summarizes my thoughts on these customized traditions and cultures ( will explain later how these are customized)

Tradition in a very lamen language is a way of doing something in a particular way that's been drilled deep into our minds by our ancestors. We never bothered or even give a second thought about why these have been done in this particular way, and why not the other way. On the other side, we find convenient ways to make them easier to follow... 

Traditions are created by our ancestors thoughtfully that are applicable/ beneficial during their period of time. Some of them are still relevant to our current system and yeah not all of them. 

My mom was a very typical girl moulded into a beautiful homemaker. She never misses any opportunity that brings good to our family. As part of her traditional journey, she fasted almost every day of the week, satisfying all gods! No partiality! All gods are equal before my Mom!  As per my academics, I know fasting means you eat nothing or just drink water to survive.  But my mom does fasting in a modern way!  As per her law,  we can eat fruits and drink milk during fasting, and God will spare us if we eat anything other than rice.  Technically she is on diet not fasting!! This kind of customization is common in almost everything we follow 'Traditionally'

Cutting long story short - Understand the purpose of tradition before practising/preaching. If we understand the science behind fasting, God might feel happier for us! 

My problem doesn't end here. Anyone can follow a tradition with Or without understanding, but please DO NOT PREACH!  We can tell others to follow some good practices. Nothing wrong with that, provided you are not forcing it on them intentionally or indirectly!! Every one of us has different style of living, a different way of thinking. So please stop looking at those who don't follow tradition as terrorists. Listen to them - they might show you the real purpose of what you follow blindly. 

And last one, Please Don't be so hard on yourself during following certain practices. It is ok if you break fasting if you are feeling really hungry!! It is ok if you miss visiting a temple on an auspicious day! It is ok if you do nothing and just be yourself! It is OK to be normal!!! 

I can write on this for pages with many live examples..which definitely put me in trouble at the end! So singing off here leaving the below thoughts to you!! 

- Your character or any habit you follow should reflect your VALUES/ THOUGHTS rather been governed or manipulated by mere traditional guidelines

- Animal sacrifice,  fire walking on hot coal, polluting pure river water in the name of holy dip, hurting oneself in the name of God and the list goes on- do all these really make sense- think twice before you follow any culture or any tradition 

Follow tradition - 'only when you are convinced' - 'only when you truly believe in it' - 'only when you want to do it' and the thumb rule- don't preach - don't force others or force yourself into it.

Never force kids to follow any tradition without teaching them the real meaning behind it. If the kid still doesn't want to do it,  leave them till they figure out the actual essence of it.  Forcing any kid into any tradition or  culture will have strong negative repulsions

***By practising any tradition or culture by understanding its true origin / scientific reason, we can gift a meaningful society with a good value system to our next generation! ***