Sathya Sai Parenting by Rita Bruce (Excerpts from the book)

TELEVISION OR TELEPOISON (Chapter 13)

TV rots the senses in the head!

It kills the imagination dead!

It clogs and clutters up the mind!

It makes a child so dull and blind.

He can no longer understand a fantasy. A fairyland!

His brain becomes as soft as cheese! His powers of thinking rust and freeze!

An excerpt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, By Roald Dahl., 1964

Outside influence comes from persons, places and things. This too is a vast subject that has many different aspects. The first of these subjects and the most damaging in my generation has been the irresponsible use and programming of the television. The present generation has the Computer, Internet and Video Games to add to the perplexity of parenting.

We all feared, in the sixties, that the Atomic Bomb would destroy our world. Unaware, blindly unaware we slept, only to awaken two generations later to discover that television, movies, and internet, in their ultra-sophisticated style, were shrewdly destroying the home of our morality.

When I was young, we lived one block from the Catholic Church, and most of my activities centered around the church. I attended daily mass, school, sports after school, and music lessons from the nuns. It was so peaceful compared to our present day lifestyle.

The community was small, even though it was in the countryside of St. Louis. My parents were raised in this same community. Their parents, and their brothers and sisters lived near our home. School friends of my parents, married each other, and many of their children were my friends. The community formed an extended family of shared values. Mom and dad basically had a controlled environment in which to raise us. No one in this environment disagreed with their lifestyle, morality or religious beliefs. They were the primary influence in our home, and their teaching was rarely challenged by the culture at large.

It is the same in Swami's Schools. He too has a controlled environment for the students. This is the very best of worlds for a child because it avoids the confusing clamor of divergent and conflicting moral values and beliefs. Swami tells the students when they go home to be careful and practice what He taught them. He tells them that their mothers will have them sleeping late and stuffing their mouths with food in front of the television.

Swami said, “As long as the children are in our ashram, they behave well, and do everything well. The moment they go home for a short holiday to their parents, the children change their behavior. The fault is not with children. The parents are responsible, because of the so called love that parents normally exclaim."

Swami's talks to the Students. Swami knows the enormous influence the students face from the contemporary culture. He knows that until the child is spiritually mature these outside influences can undermine all the work that He has inspired. This is the. dilemma that we parents face. We ·are no longer the primary influence even within our own homes! The outside world creeps electronically into our living room and into our childrens' bedrooms to insinuate the advertising industry's value system into our family's values. Although we don't have a controlled environment as did our parents, we can and must strive to make it as controlled as possible.

Let's examine the subject of the largest, most powerful, and most insidious influence in our homes: TELEVISION!

Sai says, “From the moment television made its appearance, the mind of man has been polluted. Before the advent of television, men's minds were not so much polluted. Acts of violence were not so' rampant previously." – SS January 15, 1996

The above statement is profound. Just think about the reality of this statement. He says that television is largely responsible for "mind pollution". Why do we allow this pollution to continue? Why do we contaminate our own minds and those of our children with this instrument of so­called pleasure? This invention creates chaotic, violent, untrue images in our mind which most times are anything but pleasing to our· emotions. How ignorant and irresponsible we are with the good advice that we receive from Swami! We simply bury our head in the sand, and don't take the time to think through and really understand what He is telling us. The entertainment that the "tube" gives our children’s polluting their minds, their emotions and there vulnerable hearts. We would not feed our children spoiled food. Then why are we feeding them rotten, frightening dreadful food for their minds and souls?

Sai says, “Young people should realize that the root. cause of all their bad thoughts and bad actions is the food they consume. The nature of the food determines the state of the mind. Food does· not mean merely what is eaten, but includes all that is received through the senses and stored in the mind." – SS January 15, 1996

We all know that the pure Satwic food that Sai has instructed us to eat, also includes the food we feed to all our senses, seeing, hearing, tasting and smelling. The body is a large video camera which records all the events that we view on the film of our memory.

He says, "Hear no evil, hear what is good,

See no evil, see what is good,

Think no evil, think what is good,

Do no evil, do what is good."

Our behavior evolves from our unconscious programming. It is more difficult to think and do good, when we have been programmed with vis􀀄al and audio negativity. It stands to reason that the tape of a child's mind is recording ALL THE TIME, and it is sometimes NOT ERASABLE! This is the part that is frightening and contributing to the present-day horror that is being exhibited in the behavior of mass shootings of both adults and children, the violence and crime witnessed daily on the screens, with no virtual accountability for the movie and television producers. Instead they are rewarded with wealth.

We see shootings, blood baths, murders, profanity, pornography, satanism, violence, screaming, fighting, and arguing on the television, movies, internet, and video games. In a recent interview, movie producers were asked, "Why are the movies more violent today and what is the need for so much foul language?" They replied, "The people are now desensitized, and in order to get their attention, we need to use these methods." It seems that "shock therapy" is needed to attract our attention. Perhaps our senses are numb with media blasting. Greed certainly explains the nature of the beast that influences the producers in every avenue of the multimedia.

Sai says, “There is now what is called 'Star TV'. It is doing great harm to human life. ·The temporary satisfaction given by it is followed by lasting damage. It is like a sword coated with honey. ·As you lick the honey, the sword will cut your tongue." – SS Discourse January 15, 1996

I see children viewing scenes of horror that I cannot watch myself, having protected my senses for so many years. But many children nowadays are so saturated with this daily violence, this garbage, that they cannot distinguish between what is good or bad for them. Their powers of discrimination have not developed and they believe with a certainty that this show or that movie will not have a negative effect on them. But we are the parents and we know better. We must be loving but FIRM.

I was frequently accused of being "old fashioned". My reply: "If old fashioned means good moral values, then yes, I am old fashioned." We cannot be intimidated by their opinions. We are strong; we have the Atmic strength of Sai flowing within us, each and every one of us.

Is it any wonder that children, with their regular diets of television, MTV, films, internet craziness and video killing games, are fearful and restless. And is it any wonder that when they reach their teens they sometimes seek to escape this world of fear, with drugs or alcohol or more violence? There is little peace in their young minds because of the terror they have fed upon for years.

Teenagers believe it's "cool" to be able to view the grossest programs and films. Why have we as a nation generally lost interest in viewing pleasant and good, beautiful, majestic, loving and inspiring art? Why are we being subjected instantly and constantly to so many evils in the world? Why is it we so rarely hear the good? My mother-in-law would have said, "Satan is running loose!". Swami's explanation is that this is the Kali Yuga.

Years ago, local gossip was more or less the extent of “evil". Today, every tragedy that happens locally, nationally or internationally, we soak up on the spot with. the evening news. Then at bedtime we toss and turn, the mind churning with the thousands of pictures that have assaulted us, most of them images that we have not had time to digest. These scenes run through our consciousness seeking understanding.

Sai says, “Concentration on the television affects one's view of the world. The scenes, thoughts and actions displayed on the TV set fill the mind of the viewers. Unknowingly, agitations and ill-feelings enter their minds. In due course they take root and grow in the minds." – SS Discourse January 15, 1996

We cannot trust even the Disney films. I recall a little 8-year old boy saying, "I don't want to see that Pocahontas movie, there is too much kissing stuff in it." Robert and I made a point of viewing this movie after his statement. Sure enough the child of eight was correct. It's a very sensuous, animated children's film. How many millions of hearts and minds in our nation have been programmed with this? There is no eraser.

Sai says, “Television or Telepoison? Do not read trash or see foul films."

Once at a friend's house, I observed a little two-year-old playing in a room with the cartoons playing on the television set. He was not watching them. Suddenly, I heard someone saying, "I hate my daddy, I hate my daddy, I hate my daddy.""Where is this coming from?" I thought. I went into the family room and saw this cartoon character repeatedly yelling and screaming this statement. What a terrible message to be driving into the depths of innocent children's minds.

Does this affect the children? One year later, we returned to that house. This same child was being reprimanded by his father. The child screamed, "I hate my daddy", over and over again. The father wondered where the child had learned this; definitely not from his parents. The father felt really unhappy that he had to correct his little boy. The child was not aware of what he was saying, and he didn't understand its true meaning. It served as a clear example to me of the direct correlation between television and the child's words. No one in the family had made this kind of statement. Let me assure you, it came from that "innocent" cartoon. This message was programmed into that young mind twelve months earlier.

Sai says, “Films and television have totally demoralized the people.·People have become completely oblivious to Divinity within them." – SS Discourse January 15, 1996

Never trust anyone's opinion of what is good for your child to view. How many times do you hear an adult say this is a "great film" only to find that it is not? We would occasionally go to the movies on the advice of someone; because of our sensitivity, we often had to walk out, because we found it objectionable!

Sai Baba says, “Parents must examine every story or account that you place before the children from the point of view of individual faith and social harmony. Does this lead the child to a better more harmonious, a more God-oriented life? That is the question you should ask yourself." – SSS #9 pg.1

My generation was the first to raise children with television. I could not understand why my parenting skills (which I largely assimilated from my mom and dad) were not working so well? Why were the children not conforming as I did? At the time, we didn't suspect that television was the culprit. It was too new and its long-term impute was yet unknown. There was no negative data about this "miracle" of inventions. Imagine bringing pictures from the wide world into your own home! Imagine having movies, news, vaudeville, theatre, sports, all in your own living room?! Who would ever question this phenomenon except the one who Wisdom itself is, Sri Sathya Sai. He knew it's impact on our soul. How often He warns us and we ignore Him. Sai, the Divine Parent, has problems with us, His adult children, as well!

Sai Baba says, “For years you listen. to Swami's discourses. How many have changed? How many have developed good qualities? Very few indeed. Women change yourself and help to change the men and the children." – SS Ladies Day Nov-Dec pg. 295

Years ago, psychologists would report that television was not harmful. I always wondered why manufacturers would spend millions of dollars on commercials to change our buying habits, if what we see on TV had no effect on us? How is it that it could influence our purchasing behavior but not our moral behavior? Is there a difference? We were assured that the violence that our children were viewing on the screen did not make their behavior aggressive. This is simply a matter of common sense. Even today, rarely are the negative effects of television acknowledged by the marketing establishment. What has happened to common sense?

There is an insightful article by Dr. Susan Johnson, "TV and Our Children's Minds", that supports Sai Baba's teachings with scientific research on the negative influences of television. The following excerpts in this chapter will be from her paper.

She writes, "As a mother and a pediatrician who completed both a three-year residency in Pediatrics and a three-year subspeciality fellowship in Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics, I started to wonder: 'What are we doing to our children's growth and learning potential by allowing them to watch television and videos as well as spend endless hours playing computer games?

"I practiced seven years as the Physician Consultant at the School Health Centre in San Francisco, performing comprehensive assessments on children, ages 4-12, who were having learning and behavioral difficulties in school. I saw hundreds of children who were having difficulties paying attention, focusing on their work, and performing fine and gross motor tasks: Many of these children had a poor self-image and problems relating to adults and peers. As a pediatrician, I had always discouraged television viewing, because of the often violent nature of its content (especially cartoons) and because of all the commercials aimed at children. However, it wasn't until the birth of my own child, 6 years ago, that I came face to face with the real impact of television. It wasn't just the content, for I had carefully screened the programs my child watched. It was the change in my child's behavior (his mood, his motor movements, his . play) before, during and after watching TV that truly frightened me.

"Before watching TV, he would be outside in nature, content to look at bugs, make things with sticks and rocks, and play in the water and sand. He seemed at peace with himself, his body, and his environment. When watching TV, he was so unresponsive to me and to what was happening around him, that he seemed glued to the television set. When I turned off the TV he became anxious, nervous, and irritable and usually cried are presented with visual and auditory stimuli at the same time. What is left for the brain to do? At least with reading a story or having a story read to them, the mind can create its own imaginative pictures.

"A question arose and I immediately called up my colleague and asked: "Could television itself be causing attention problems and learning difficulties in children?" My colleague laughed and said just about everyone watches TV - even my child does - and she doesn't have Attention Deficit Disorder or a learning disability. I thought to myself: "Are we spending enough time with our children and looking deeply enough into their development and soul to notice the often subtle changes that occur from spending hours in front of the TV set"? Maybe some children are more vulnerable to the effects of television because of a genetic predisposition or poor nutrition or a more chaotic home environment. I wondered about the loss of potential in all our children, because they are exposed to so much television and so many videos and computer games. What are the capacities we are losing or not even developing because of this TV habit? I then started to read, attend lectures, and ask a lot more questions.

"Television has been in existence for the past 80 years, though the broadcasting of entertainment shows didn't begin until the 1940's. In 1950, 10% of American households owned a TV set. By 1954, this percentage had increased to 50%, and by 1960, 80% of American households owned a television.

Since 1970, more than 98% of American households own a TV and currently 66% of households own three or more TV's. Television is on almost 7-hours per day in an average American home. Children of all ages, from preschool through adolescence, watch an average of 4 hours of TV per day (excluding time spent watching videos or playing computer games). A child spends more time watching TV than any other activity except sleeping, and by age 18 a child has spent more time in front of a TV than at school.

"There have been numerous articles looking at the content of television and how commercials influence children's (and adults') desires for certain foods or material goods (e.g., toys), and how violence seen on television  even in cartoons) leads to more aggressive behavior in children (Fischer et. al. 1991, Singer 1989, Zuckerman 1985). Concerns have been raised about who is teaching our children and the developmental appropriateness of what is presented on TV to toddlers, children, and even adolescents. Miles Everett, Ph.D., in his book, How Television Poisons Children's Minds, points out that we don't allow our child to talk to strangers, yet through television we allow strangers into the minds and souls of our children everyday. These "strangers" (advertising agencies), whose motivations are often monetary, are creating the standards for what is "good" or developmentally appropriate for the developing brains of our children.

"More importantly, several investigators (Healy 1990, Pearce 1992, Buzzell 1998, Winn 1985) have drawn attention to the actual act of viewing television as even more insidious and potentially damaging to the brain of the developing child than the actual content of what's on TV. So, what are. we doing to our children's potential by allowing them to watch television?

“Question: What is so harmful to the mind about watching television?

"Watching television has been characterized as multi-level sensory deprivation that may be stunting the growth of our children's brains. Brain size has been shown to decrease 20-30% if a child is not touched, played with or talked to (Healy 1990). In addition, when young animals were placed in an enclosed area where they could only watch other animals play, their brain growth decreased in proportion to the time spent inactively watching (Healy 1990). Television really only presents information to two senses: hearing and sight. In addition, the poor quality of reproduced sound presented to our hearing and flashing, colored, fluorescent over-stimulating images presented to our eyes cause problems in the development and proper function of these two critical sense organs (Poplawski 1998).

"To begin with, a child's visual acuity and full binocular (three-dimensional) vision are not fully developed until 4 years of age, and the picture produced on the television screen is an unfocused (made up of dots of light), two-dimensional image that restricts our field of vision to the TV screen itself. Images on TV are produced by a cathode ray gun that shoots electrons at phosphors (fluorescent substances) on the· TV screen. The phosphors glow and this artificially produced pulsed light projects directly into our eyes and beyond, affecting the secretions of our neuro­endocrine system (Mander 1978). The actual image produced by dots of light is fuzzy and unfocused so that our eyes, and the eyes of our children, have to strain to make the image clear. Television, like any electrical appliance and like power lines, produces invisible waves of electromagnetism. Last June, a panel convened by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences decided there was enough evidence to consider these invisible waves (called electromagnetic fields or EMFs) as possible human carcinogens. In the· article it was recommended that children sit at least 4: feet from TV and 18 inches from the computer screen (Gross 1999).

"Our visual system, "the ability to search out, scan, focus, and identify whatever comes in. the visual field" (Buzzell 1998), is impaired by watching TV: These visual skills are also the ones that need to be developed for effective reading. Children watching TV do not dilate their pupils, show little to no movement of their eyes (i.e., stare. at the screen), and lack the normal saccadic movements of the eyes (a jumping from one point to the next) that is critical for reading. The lack of eye movement when watching television is a problem because reading requires the eyes to continually move from left to right across the page. The weakening of eye muscles from lack of use can't help but negatively impact the ability and effort required to read. In addition, our ability to focus and pay attention relies on this visual system. Pupil dilation, tracking and following are all part of the reticular activating system. The RAS is the gateway to the right and left hemispheres. It determines what we pay attention to and is related to the child's ability to concentrate and focus. The RAS is not operating well when a child watches television. A poorly integrated lower brain can't properly access the higher brain.

"In addition, the rapid-fire change of television images, which occurs every 5 to 6 seconds in many programs and 2 to 3 seconds in commercials (even less on MTV), does not give the higher thought brain a chance. to even process the image. It reportedly takes the neocortex anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds to engage after a stimulus (Scheidler 1994). The neocortex is our higher brain, but also needs a greater processing time to become involved.

"Reading a book, walking in nature, or having a conversation with another human being, where one takes the time to ponder and think, are far more educational than watching TV. The television - and computer· games – are replacing these invaluable experiences of human conversations, storytelling, reading books, playing "pretend", and exploring nature. Viewing television represents an endless, purposeless, physically unfulfilling activity for a child. Unlike eating until one is full or sleeping until one is no longer tired, watching television has no built􀀅in endpoint. It makes a child want more and more without ever being satisfied (Buzzell 1998).

"Maybe the most critical argument against watching television is that it affects the three characteristics that distinguish us as human beings. In the first 3 years of life, a child learns to walk, to talk, and to think. Television keeps us sitting, leaves little room for meaningful conversations and seriously impairs our ability to think."

But haven't we been told that television is educational and entertaining? There are some worthwhile programs that are educational, but this is the exception not the rule. Entertaining, yes, but at what cost?

Swami says, "Avoid films, for they may be advertised as very educative and inspiring. The producers in their greed for profit smuggle in low debasing scenes in order to please raw untrained minds."

Dr. Johnson writes:

Question: What's wrong with using television as just entertainment? I enjoy watching Disney films like Snow White.

"Television seems to have a profound effect on our feeling life and therefore, one could argue, on our soul. As human beings, we become detached from the real world by watching television. We sit in a comfortable chair, in a warm room, with plenty to eat and watch a show about people who are homeless, cold, and hungry. Our hearts go out to them, but we do nothing. One could argue that reading a book could promote the same sense of unreality without action. The phrases "tum off the TV" or "get your nose out of your book" and "go do something" have meaning. Nevertheless, while reading a book (that doesn't have a lot of pictures) the child's mind creates its own pictures and has time to think about them. These thoughts could actually lead to ideas that inspire a child or adult.to action. TV does not give time for this higher level of thinking that inspires deeds."

Sai Baba says, "To earn real respect, you should do what you say. First ''Be", second "Do", and third "Tell". Without the first "Be" and the second "Do", you cannot merely "Tell".

How often, in countless ways our Dear Swami has taught us the principle of doing good deeds. And now we are learning that television inhibits the "thinking that inspires deeds”. Did you ever imagine that television had such an extensive influence on our children's development?

He says, "People may wonder why one should do meditation and devotional songs. Those are good actions. They are all good actions meant to sanctify the time, but God is not interested in them. What is it that you should do to make God happy? You should involve your body in good deeds." – Discourse, September 29, 1998

Dr. Johnson continues, "Television projects images that go directly into our emotional brain. It is said that the words we hear go into knowledge while the images we see go into our soul. Pictures that elicit emotion are processed by the limbic system and the right hemisphere of the neocortex. If no time is given to think about these emotional pictures, then the left hemisphere is not involved. Watching television often eliminates the part of our brain that can make sense of, analyze and rationalize what we are seeing.

"We don't forget what we see. The limbic brain is connected to our memory, and the pictures we see on TV are remembered - either consciously, unconsciously, or subconsciously. For example, it is almost impossible to create your own pictures of Snow White from reading a story if you have seen the movie. It is also true that often one is disappointed when one sees a movie after reading the book.

"The problem with television is that children get used to not using their imaginative thinking at all, and they don't exercise that part of the brain (the neocortex) that creates the pictures. Children are not reading enough, and we aren't reading or telling them enough stories to help their minds create pictures. Creating pictures is not just entertaining, but the foundation of our dreams and higher thoughts (intuitions, inspirations and imaginations)."

Sai says, “Parents should foster in the children love for truth and righteousness and tell them stories about the lives of great men and women. In the olden times, the elders used to tell the young children all about the nation's heroes and saints. Where are such elders today?" – SS December 1996 pg. 335

Dr. Johnson reports, "Finally, the heart is now seen as an organ of perception that can respond to a stimulus and release a hormone-like substance that influences brain activity. This phenomenon is referred to as our heart intelligence (Pearce 1992). Interacting with human beings is essential for the development of this intelligence. When we stand face to face and look into another person's eyes, we meet soul to soul and we get a sense of who they really are (Soesman). We get a sense of whether they mean what they say - in other words, whether they are enthusiastic and passionate about their subject. We experience their non-verbal language such as how they move, the tone of their voice, and whether their gaze shifts around when they talk. This is how we learn to discern consistency between verbal and non­verbal cues and, therefore, truth."

Swami says,“Truth implies more than the correct reporting of what was seen. It involves the coordination of thought, word, and deed, and the recognition of the Eternal Witnessof all these. The Witness is the Self, a sport of the Omniself." –SS February 1985 pg. 37

The final excerpt from Dr. Johnsons article is alarming, as well as insightful. It concerns the apathy that exists· regarding the lack of empathy towards our fellow-men.

"Television can't give us this intelligence of the heart. It can shock our emotions and we can cry, laugh or get angry, but these emotions are just reactions. When human beings speak on TV, children are often doing homework, playing games, and talking to friends while watching TV. These activities help save their visual system from the effects of TV, but the underlying message is that you don't need to listen when another person speaks or comfort anyone if you hear crying. If the heart, like the brain and probably the rest of our body, gives off electromagnetic waves (Pearce 1992, Tiller 1999), then there is a form of subtle energy that only can be experienced between human beings by relating to each other in the same physical space. This subtle energy can't be experienced by watching human beings on television. Just as we must use all our senses to construct higher level thoughts or pictures of an object, empathy and love for others does not develop from seeing human beings as objects on TV, but by actively relating, face to face, with each other." Susan R. Johnson, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics, UCSF /Stanford Health Care and Graduate of San Francisco Waldorf Teacher Training Program of Rudolf Steiner College. This paper was presented at the Waldorf School of San, Francisco on May 1, 1999.

Swami says, "Buddha did penance for six years. He approached elders and listened to their teachings, but he could not get any benefit from them. Ultimately, he inquired within and found truth. He said that sacred vision (samyak drishti) leads to sacred feelings (samyak, bhaavam), which in turn leads to sacred speech (samyak vaak). Sacred speech leads to sacred action (samyak karma). Spiritual practice (sadhana) does not mean doing meditation or repeating the name of God (japa). Undertaking sacred actions is true spiritual activity. Human society is bound by action, undertake good actions." – Discourse given September 30, 1998

Buddha long ago arrived at this ultimate truth. Now, we have the scientific explanation of his words! To recapitulate the wisdom of Buddha and the scientific approach:

Sacred vision, (electromagnetic waves form a subtle energy from the heart when we meet soul to soul) leads to sacred feelings, (heart releases a hormone-like substance... heart intelligence) which turns to sacred speech (we get a sense whether they mean what they say) which leads to sacred action ("empathy and love for others does not develop from seeing human beings as objects on TV, but by actively relating, face to face, with each other.")

Swami says, "Have good feelings in your heart, speak good words and do good actions. This is called, 'unity of heart, word and deed'. Understand that this is the purpose of human life." – Sathya Sai Newsletter USA, Fall 1999 pg. 7

The message is clear. Morns and dads, turn off the television! Ask your children, "what can we do instead of watching television?"

Make the activities home bound. Don't reduce television, and increase your driving load. Children need to learn to entertain themselves. If they don't know how, teach and encourage them b)'_ giving them activities that develop their thinking, imagination, and intuition. Cover the television with a scarf or table cloth and put Swami's picture on top! Or place a large picture of Sai Baba covering the television screen, it serves as a constant reminder to "mind the mind."

OTHER IDEAS FOR DEVELOPING A NON-TELEVISION MIND SET:

*   Create your favorite bhajan, or devotional song.

*   Create a play with a value.

*   Make up a story.

*   Dress up as your favorite holy person.

*   Have a quiz show:

*   Talent show.

*   Have a cooking contest.

*   Sports outside for the family.

*   Scavenger hunts inside during the cold months. Let them select a theme and hide items that represent the theme.

*   Read good stories.

*   Tell good stories.

One parent told me they turned off the television. "No TV under any circumstances." I asked him, "What happened?" He answered, At first it was difficult because there were issues, family issues that we had not dealt with for a long time, which surfaced. We no longer had television to use as an escape; now we had to confront our problems. But we did, and the children eventually learned that they were not going to watch television in our house. They soon became interested in finding other ways to entertain themselves. Our children are no longer interested in watching television. Having mercifully broken the habit, they learned to enjoy reading, playing, and talking with each other." But learning new behavior and adjustment take time. Don't get anxious and expect too much, too soon.

When TV entered my household in the .1950's it was valued as a· tool for entertainment and information. The television in those days had programs of a more wholesome nature, with spiritual content, good role models, talent shows, and quiz shows. The television industry censored the programs then, but today this self-discipline has long been tossed aside.

We must not ignore what is now proven. If you look at the studies and the dates in Dr. Johnson's article, you will observe most of this research has been done within this' decade. Parents are fortunate to have this information.

I remember doing a small workshop with the young Sai adults. It was another wake-up call for Robert and me. We asked them, "What are the negative and positive effects of television?" They simply could not see the negative effects!

When I asked them, "Why don't you see the negative effects?"

They replied, "We've been 'rug rats' (laid on the rug watching TV) since we were toddlers. We don't know anything different!"

I then realized that they had no "before and after" experience to compare. My generation, when gone, will be the last to have a comparison between life with and without TV.

I remember as a child, the quiet evenings of sitting on the porch with my grandmother, mother, aunt and sisters, sitting and watching the sunset while they knitted, sewed, and talked. On a summer evening you could hear the crickets and smell the flowers. Dad, hoping to catch a breeze, would stretch out on the floor in front of the open door.

I remember the excitement we felt when treated to a drive in the country and an ice cream cone on a hot summer evening. It did not happen frequently, but when it did, it was a moment to treasure. My play time consisted of using my imagination to create games for myself and my sisters and friends. I could spend hours alone playing dress-up, acting on the stage of make-believe, never realizing that this. era was soon to pass.

Sai says, “If television is used for teaching good things, it can serve a worthy purpose. But this is not the case. The younger generation is being ruined by undesirable films and television programs. Their minds are being poisoned. It is not a sign of parental love to let children be ruined in this manner. Even parents should avoid going to cinemas. All the crimes and violence we witness today are largely the result of the evil influence of films on young minds."