One generally chooses one's profession according to one's aptitude. The experience of the West, especially of America, is that individual expression, creativity and excellence is the function of the passion or the degree of interest in the issue at hand. The 12th grade education in America is virtually an exposure to different streams. Children then ascertain, through examinations and competition, what they are most interested in, and then follow those streams. Theoretically as well practically, it is indeed wonderful for an individual to be given the opportunity to find out what they're designed for, and pursue that particular stream. This is indeed a properly designed system that accords full scope for an individual to excel.
But we also find that in this process of pursuit of individual professional excellence, the family system is disturbed. The single-minded pursuit of one's chosen career is often at the cost of one's family harmony. On the other hand, if we consider the Indian system of studies, profession and family, there are the tendencies based upon the caste system that play a major role in life. Caste in the olden days, to a major extent dictated the profession one would follow in one's life. People generally followed profession their parents followed. To a great extent, this is still the norm today; we see this in the fields of politics, entertainment (notably, the film industry), sport, business, etc. this was a practical system that has worked for thousands of years together.
A system that has worked for so long cannot be superficial. In this, even though a child may not possess the total aptitude or passion for a particular profession, the very fact that he chooses his father is based upon: 1) his likelihood or general tendency for that profession 2) the fact that he finds a worthy mentor right at home 3) his father gradually retires from that business or profession by transferring it to the son; and 4) the son receives a day-day-to learning experience and mentorship right in the family. This way, the family not only can continue living in the same home, but can also retain their ancestral business.
This system has worked for India very well, though it involves a slight sacrifice of the absolute identification of one's passion. But based upon the system of caste, parampara (tradition) and family, it is a balance between individual excellence and the continuity of the family system and other virtues that flow from the family, other than the profession itself. Therefore, even though absolute passion can produce absolute creativity, a general passion that is based upon caste, tendencies and family genealogy or lineage can offer a choice of a profession for a child that is fairly reasonable, unless it is totally opposite to that field of study. Briefly, this is how India's traditional system works.
"Prabhupad priti na samujhi neeki, tinhi katha suni lagi feeki" says the Ramayana. Those who do not have devotion towards the Almighty are also devoid of any interest in listening to his virtues and stories. One must truly be fortunate or blessed to possess such interest. This devotion alone leads to a passion for Him. Practically speaking, what does this mean in one's life? Considered in terms of one's profession, this question is easier to answer. The lack of passion in a particular line of work will automatically translate into lack of excellence in that field. Similar is the case with devotion. One who lacks this devotion will not benefit from the worship of divine, as he is unlikely to develop any interest in this regard. Hanuman is the prime example of supreme Bhakti or devotion to the Supreme One, one who was ever ready to serve Shri Ram and do his bidding, as also to listen to the glories of the Lord. A soul filled with passionate bhakti or devotion never tires of worship or eulogy of the object of that devotion. Such a bond of devotion may also be found between son and father. Those children, who listen to the stories of their ancestors with great interest and also narrate them to their next generations without tiring of them, are able to develop an interest in the virtues of their ancestors and also imbibe those virtues.
Just as a mind devoid of devotion to God will have no attachment to Him, a person who does not like to hear about his forefathers or their deeds also will not develop any respect or affection for them, nor be able to imbibe any of their virtues. It is therefore important that within our own family, we ought to measure whether we have a genuine interest in our ancestors, their virtues, deeds, achievements and manifestations. It is also important that we create this interest in our children. if we are able to achieve this, the entire family for three to four generations will be bonded together in a single bond and can focus itself towards a chosen goal. If the younger generations of the family are not interested in the traditions and achievements of their forefathers, then they shall be truly at a loss, just as one who is devoid of devotion to God is. Of course, we have to monitor whether our children are developing an interest in our ancestors or whether the bonds between father and son are strong.
There are two ways by which we can measure this aspect. One, what is the intensity of the younger members' readiness to carry out any work that elders ask them to do? Do they do it willingly and with enthusiasm and reverence for the elders? Secondly, how often do we describe the deeds and character of our forefathers and how much we listen to their stories with devotion? Possibly one or two children may lack these feeling, but many children wish to inculcate such feelings. These are good yardsticks by which they can measure their progress. The children, for their part must make a sincere effort to do their father or grandfather's bidding willingly and enthusiastically, and also listen to, read about, hear, remember, and if necessary put down in writing about their forefathers' character and accomplishments, discuss about them within the family, so that interest is created.
If we can achieve these two things, i.e. enthusiasm carry out our family elders' bidding and interest in our ancestry, we can easily connect ourselves to the tradition of which we a re a part of. This connection, whether it is to God, tradition, family or our ancestors is the same. This alone will lead to an individual's progress and a firmer foundation of his life.
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