Devotees gathered on the evening of Saturday July 3rd at one of Brisbane Chinmaya Mission family’s home to be in Satsang with Br Gopal Chaitanya our Acharyaji and listen to the words of wisdom.

Being a family oriented satsang, Gopalji talked about “How to live a happy family life”. The talk attracted major interest and good laughs from all the
members of the families and made us understand our duties to make happiness in the family, society and the world.

Gopalji explained about the meaning of “family” through Narada Muni's Gnanapalam (fruit of knowledge) story and how Lord Ganesha won in the competition with the argument that if mother and father showed me the world, then mum and dad has to be the world.

Family stands for *F*ather *A*nd *M*other *I* Love *Y*ou. Love integrates the whole family and if love goes away, family unit disintegrates. Ego
(Attitude of Selfishness - Me, Myself and I) creates agitation and restlessness in the family whereas Love makes us to do our duty and there is NO me, myself and I. So the main secret of happy family life is doing your duty with love. Love keeps the family together and happy.

Gopalji also explained the stages of human life and the four values which are the four pillars of a happy and stable family Life.

The four values are

1. Brahmacharya (Self control)
2. Ahimsa (Non Violence at Thought ,word and action level)
3. Satyam (Truthfulness)
4. Austerity / Sacrifice (Give up me, myself and I)

Brahmacharya /Student Life: As children, their duty is to learn and gain life skills when we are young. Life skills are not only studying subjects at
school but also how to run a life and survive. Skillful mind makes us to think outside the box and allows us to think more than what we normally think and
expand ourself in life.

Grahasta /Householder: As a householder, we must work hard not just to look after our family but also to look after the society, promote culture,
provide infrastructure, and create satsangs.

Vanaprasta/ Retiree: As a retiree, we must slowly give up household duties for the next generation to take over and time to do community work.

Sanyasa/ renouncing: Only responsibility is to think of God.

Thus, with ease Gopalji made the children and us adults understand how to live a happy family life and requested us to follow as much as we can and be aware of the pitfalls.