How to follow devotion in an irresponsible family?
If your family members are irresponsible or if you get married in an irresponsible family, you will find that no one knows their responsibilities. Every member of the family leads the life in their own way.
(Krishna does not clear my struggles in life. What to do? READ HERE!)
In such a situation, there is no need to worry.
We can not expect that all people should be responsible in their life.
This world is the mix of variety of people.
Everyone will be unique in their character and activities.
Three gunas determine the nature of every person.
In every person, these three gunas are present in a mix.
Based on the percentage of every guna in that mix, he will act in his life.
Some persons may have Rajo Guna more and other gunas less.
Some persons may have Thamo Guna more and other gunas less.
Some persons may have Satva Guna more and other gunas less.
Some others may have any two gunas more and one guna less.
(Family Problems and Depression while following devotion. What to do? READ HERE!)
That is why, we can find some goodness even in a thief. A thief may steal the things of others because of the domination of Rajo and thamo guna in him, but, he too may be kind to his wife and children and protect them well, because of the presence of some satva guna in him.
If Rajo Guna is dominated in a person, he will act very aggressively in his every action. He can not be advised and controlled. He will act as instructed by his senses.
If Thamo Guna is dominated in a person, he will be lazy, foolish and he will not take any initiative with interest. He will have ‘starting trouble’ in every activity. He will not have any higher goals in his life to elevate himself.
If Satva Guna is dominated in a person, he will act wisely and see the truth in every activity. He will always have higher goals in life. He will be merciful and fearful to commit offences.
(Should a devotee girl live with a torturous non devotee father or husband? READ HERE!)
Thus, there can be different types of people even within a family.
One should understand that the mix of gunas is effectively present in everyone and they may behave according to that.
If you expect all your family members to be similar to you, it will be foolish.
We should learn to live among the persons of contrary nature.
If you like to live among like minded devotees only, you have to settle in a temple as a full time devotee.
Even in a temple, there will be the devotees with different natures. Some will be lazy, some will be active, some may show anger and some may pretend as if he is working or some will be of cmplaining type.
Thus, in any group of persons, the mix of gunas are present.
(My family cooks meat on ekadasi and I am unable to fast . What to do? READ HERE!)
If this is the case even in a devotee community, how can you expect all your family members to be similar to you in nature?
Such a nice devotee Prahalada had his father as a demon.
Lord Rama too was asked by mother herself to go to forest.
Therefore, do not become upset seeing different kinds of people in your family.
See the positives in your life.
Your family members may be ignorant. Let them be.
You are an individual. You can follow devotion in an irresponsible family as an individual.
You can chant in free time, cook some bhoga separately and offer to Krishna and make some worship.
No barrier for that.
You can attend the temple whenever you get some time.
(How can a woman serve Krishna in a non-cooperative family? READ HERE!)
No one can prevent you from thinking of Krishna from within heart. You can do that and keep Krishna always in mind.
Remember, most of the devotees in any sathsangha are following devotion as a member of non cooperative family only.
The devotion to Krishna has no boundaries. Your mind can go to temple even in imagination from your house itself. No one can prevent that.
Therefore, don’t care if others are irresponsible in the family. Learn to practice devotion in an irresponsible family.
You remain as a responsible wife, daughter-in-law, mother or father, son or daughter to your kids and of course a sincere devotee.
If they are fortunate, they too will realize the real goal of life when they advance in their age.
Pray to Krishna for their realization.
That’s all you can do in this situation.
Hope this helps to manage devotion in an irresponsible family.
(I feel shy to follow devotion in front of my family members. What to do? READ HERE!)