Ed Schein, now retired from the MIT School of Management, taught that a group’s culture can be studied in three ways: by looking at its “artifacts,” such as physical space and behaviors; by surveying the beliefs and values espoused by group members; or by digging deeper into the underlying assumptions behind those values.
This works as much for a company, as it does for a family, or society.
The artifacts – our family heirlooms, the old furniture, the small (and big) things handed over from generation to generation, the ancestral house…
The beliefs and values – kula devta, the ways we celebrate our festivals, the daily prayers, the way we approach life from a family teachings point of view (samskaras), the way we treat incoming family members, such as those who are married into the family, the way we take care of young kids in the family…
The underlying assumptions behind those values – the sampradaya (living traditions of both teaching and practice within Sanatana Dharma), the core belief (Vaishnava, Shaivite, Sai Baba, Buddhism, Jain etc. etc.)…
This is why preserving and continuing tradition is important. And it starts from your kids. start with simple things – prayer, greetings, respect towards elders, knowledge of scriptures- add a bit of each into daily routines so that they don’t seem exotic – like the ‘traditional day’ in offices. Make it commonplace and part of everyday life. That way, it comes naturally to them. And to you as well.
How do you preserve tradition? Do let me know:)
See you tomorrow!