February 16, 2007
Dear Young Adults, Sai Ram!
“Festivals like Shivaratri are intended to make people cultivate auspicious and Godly qualities.”
-Shivaratri Discourse, 1992
On this sacred and auspicious Maha Shivaratri Day, let us offer at His Lotus Feet the Sadhana Program proposed by the World Youth Planning Committee, and continue to foster our spiritual progress as USA Sai Young Adults.
The Sadhana Program highlights 9 Spiritual Disciplines that have been taken from Swami’s discourses to youth. These disciplines are essential for all youth to put into practice at this important time in our lives.
By practicing the spiritual disciplines, we will join in a spirit of love and harmony with Sai youth worldwide. Here in the US, we want to take the opportunity to develop more unity among the Sai youth, and have designed programs to further practice these spiritual disciplines as a group, by helping one another. The following page contains a brief explanation of the initiatives, linking each activity to various aspects of the 9 Spiritual Disciplines of the International Sadhana Program.
At the group level, examples include studying and practicing key disciplines, engaging in workshops, and in service-related activities. At the individual level, suggestions include chanting His name, and participating in on-line study circles of the Prema Vahini.
Further details and suggestions are available on under the link Pre-WYC.
Our sole purpose is to create a supportive environment for young adults where we can cultivate discipline, devotion and dedication to Sai. Let us now seek guidance from within, and work to apply His teachings and spiritual disciplines with enthusiasm, and let Him use us as His instrument of Ideal Sai Youth: Messengers of Sai Love!
Jai Sai Ram!
Sangeeta Lekhi
Daniel Scovill
Int’l Sadhana Program: 9 Spiritual Disciplines
USA Initiatives
1 – Practice Namasmarana - Chanting of The Lord’s Name
q Remembering God's name anytime, such as during a commute to work, while preparing a meal, or taking a shower, brings us in the habit of stopping during our busy day to focus on God.
q Chanting as a group during a particular time brings about unity and greater power in His name.
2 – Read Swami’s Discourses/Books and Conduct Weekly Youth Study Circles
q For individuals, online study circles will be held on Prema Vahini, the internationally suggested text.
q For local YA groups, two study circle templates will be available every month to delve deeper into the five human values that are key to becoming Ideal Sai Youth. During the YA study group sessions, reference will be made to Prema Vahini, and Swami’s discourses given to youth.
q For regional meetings, workshops are designed for self-transformation using valuable practical tools. These ‘tools’ from the retreats will be shared to form a national Spiritual Toolkit.
3 – Engage in Selfless Service Activity as a Group
q Carrying Sai’s Love Into The Community Through Education – proposed theme for national unity
o Young adults can serve within the Sai organization by mentoring & involving SSE Group 3 and Pre-YAs in their activities.
o In consultation with SSEHV leadership, groups can serve in their communities through tutoring, mentoring, computer classes, or other on going related activities.
o Web based password protected forums are available to share resources, questions, experiences with young adults, related to education-based as well as other service initiatives.
q Service Reflections Journal (template). Reflecting and writing after a service project is suggested to deepen our experience during service activities.
q A Needs Assessment workshop using case studies is designed to help better understand local community needs and YA group’s strengths when starting or assessing a service project. It can be administered at the regional level during YA retreats and/or at local group meetings.
4 – Practice of Dietary Discipline
Study circles on understanding and practicing healthy living will be available online.
5 – Learn to Speak Softly and Speak Less
Topic is discussed in the first study circle format, focused on Sense Control.
6 – Take Active Part in Sai Centers
q Each YA local group can initiate communication with its affiliated Sai Center and plan and lead at least one activity (devotion, education, or service), which may be repeated periodically.
q Importance of youth leadership is highlighted and discussed in study circle format.
7 – Improve Communication and Interact Respectfully with Parents
8 – Practice Ceiling on Desires by not Wasting Food, Money, Energy and Time
Focusing on this topic, workshops can be held at regional young adult retreats, and/or at local group meetings, followed up with practical applications.
9 – Practice Daily Meditation and Prayer
q In addition to individual daily meditation and prayer, it is suggested that all local group meetings begin with Swami’s Light Meditation.
q An audio file (mp3) and text version of the Light (Jyothi) Meditation exercise is available online. |
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