Book Review: The Wisdom Bridge
My first published book review on Medium.com
Book: The Wisdom Bridge
Author: Kamlesh D. Patel (aka Daaji)
In my own parenting experience, there were questions lingering, as I was going through some struggles. Generation #gap existed in past; the gap seems wider now. When group and larger #families, #support systems are absent, how to align oneself with one’s beliefs, spiritual practices, and daily life. While talking of good past may not help, what could be future hope for youth? I had even tweeted this question to Daaji few years ago on twitter. And during some of Daaji’s conversation Daaji has emphasized a lot on creating the environment for bringing up children. In the one below with Kaveeri Bamzai, an independent popular journalist, Daaji talked about ‘The Wisdom Bridge’.
At that time, I felt the current generation (of parents) might need more practical help. When few months back, it was announced Daaji is bringing out a book on the same, I was awaiting eagerly for the same and hoping it help build a lot of bridges across generations, a much-needed ecosystem in every family. In few of his recent videos, he had mentioned about why he wrote this book. One such is here below:
My curiosity only increased much. As I read through first sample chapter provided through the website, — http://www.wisdombridge.in/ — I could connect as a struggling #parent, without support, go through issues like — quality time to spend, receptive hearts to take life’s experience, while giving #children the freedom they need to experiment, learn, grow and evolve.
I was elated when I could get a pre-release copy distributed by Daaji himself on Sept 28th in a recent #Heartfulness #Bhandara at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad, India. As I started reading, it is more than a book to me, and seems to be a hands-on guide, a comfort to have him clearly spell out all such daily problems of current generation parents/care takers which many of us struggle to even talk about, except to vent out. Daaji’s words provide right thinking and correct understanding with what worked from the past and how we could do so in the present eco system. He shares tips in a simple and lucid style for our everyday family challenges.
Key quotes from the book as I am reading them for the benefit of anyone looking out what is in store for them, with new perspectives on each problem and solution -
“This book is for parents. I use the word ‘parent’ as an umbrella term to address anyone caring for a child in some capacity. It includes parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, teachers, and caregivers. Also, I use the word ‘family’, to address the many flavours that families come in — large joint families, nuclear family, families with co-parents, single parent and so on.”
“Families today lack support and are somehow DIY-ing parenting”
“Prepare is the new care”
“Parents are doing what they can. Given their stress and the lack of support, parenting can at times feel like a hopeless effort. Not to mention expensive.”
“Wisdom takes away the anxiety that comes from trying to control everything and helps the parents focus on laying a strong foundation for the child.”
“We all learn on the job”
“The Wisdom Bridge offers a simple framework of principles that are easy to apply.”
Nine principles — Nine sections -
- Raising a child still takes a village
- Be guided by wisdom. Seek it. Cultivate it. Share it.
- Preparation begins long before the children arrive.
- Happy mothers make happy families
- Early childhood is the foundation of wisdom.
- Character builds personality
- Youth are the future. Guide them, don’t break them.
- Lifestyle is an expression of one’s attitudes.
- Disciple your love, not love your discipline
In summary, the takeaway seems to be —
We are not alone. We don’t need to struggle in this process. There is help and support.Helping clearly see the problem, look at the essence and spirit behind what was done and what worked in the past, and using the current technology and means to apply slowly but surely in the process. The book and the author, and reading resources provide the confidence that we can bring about the necessary change with everyone’s support, and support for everyone in the current and future generations.
Hope this helps to help you pick it up when you feel the need on any of the topics or absolute reading pleasure.
Read all my book reviews on goodreads and share your likes/comments.
