Mindfulness and the Multigenerational Household

Growing up in the United States it’s uncommon to find grandparents living at home. Yes, they do exist here and there and out of all my friends, and people I knew, there were only two households that were multigenerational. The rest were all what we would consider a nuclear family, mom and dad and one or two children.

Before I go further, I want to state that all families that are built on love, trust and safety are wonderful.  What I will bring forward here are some of the advantages of living in a multigenerational home.

As I travel in various communities in Asia, I see firsthand that it is very much the opposite. Here the grandparents or even married siblings all live in the same house. Homes are rarely empty during the day, and someone is always present to care for the grandparents. Children and grandchildren, a very common as well.

Weddings and engagement celebrations as well as funerial services also oftentimes occur in the home as well.

What does this have to do with mindfulness?

A lot.

Being around people doesn’t allow for the sense of loneliness or isolation to take hold. It’s not that there isn’t any peace and quiet at home, there is, but a sense of responsibly to caring for relatives and the home doesn’t allow for unhealthy mindsets to take root.

Younger children learn a sense of community and boundaries as well. I all my years and travels I have yet to see a ‘tantrum’. Now, again, I’m not saying tantrums don’t happen, but they must not be as common as one may expect.

My latest travel was to Cambodia where I witnessed and participated in a funeral service. The body, as well as all of the religious traditions, were observed in the home. When the grandfather passed away, the body wasn’t taken away. Instead, it was lovingly prepared at home where it remained for about 5 days until the actual burial.

This situation is an important lesson when it comes to mindfulness and death. It reminds us, and teaches young children, that death is a natural part of life. It will happen to us all.  As we get older, bodies become frailer, and ailments begin to become more prevalent.

In Western society a lot of this is hidden away from young children. As such, when death of a cherished loved one does happen, feelings are not well addressed or handled. Parents often feel the need to ‘protect’ them from natural phenomena not realizing death also comes to the young as well.

This is an important lesson in mindfulness, being aware of and addressing hard feelings appropriately. And the earlier we teach children and young adults how to address these hard feelings with love and compassion instead of with fear and unskillful responses, the better off they will be when they reach adulthood.  

Sathu. Sathu. Sathu.

Buddham Saranam Gacchami

 
**********************************************************************************************
Vladimir warmly and skillfully passes on the Buddhas Dharma to a world in need of loving-kindness, compassion, and empathy for the benefit of all living beings.
 
To learn more about us and for free mindfulness and mediation resources you are warmly invited to visit: www.bluelotusmeditation.us
 
Looking for a way to help guide others? Become a Blue Lotus Aspirant here: https://bluelotusmeditation.us/continue-your-journey
 
US Tax deductible donations may be offered here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88BRNH3K7Y7FQ
 
Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a 501(c)(3) Buddhist society.