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‘Young,
free and single’.
These three words best describe
the mentality of today’s youth.
They are at a delicate transition
in their lives, expected by society
to be responsible and yet by that
same society trusted with
sponsibilities or allowed to think
for themselves. It is a period
where they have to leave their
childhood dreams and accept the
realities of life. If we can learn to
trust them, to respect their views,
to treat them as the young adults
they are - and at the same time
still love them as we did when
they were children, then may be
they will be able to accept these
realities and take on the task to
improve the world we live in.
If not, they may rebel against
society and in effect, against us.
We can see Swamishri preparing
yesterday’s children to become
tomorrow’s leaders...
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| Swamishri
With Youth |
| Surviving... |
Every student faces a dilemma. He has to achieve a balance between
the demands made upon him. The tension of exams, the pressure from
the family to excel and of course, the temptations of society. Whatever
he does, right or wrong, is ultimately reflected in his results. Teaching
them the formulae and calculations of life, Swamishri educates them
in how to survive in and out of the classroom...
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| Question
5 |
| During the International
Youth Convention (Vidhyanagar, 1990) TV reporters interviewed Swamishri
on the topic of education... |
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What are your views concerning the current state of education?Question
: What are your views concerning the current state of education?
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Swamishri : We no longer witness the type of mutual affection, care
or bond which used to exist between a student and his teacher. If
we can bring back that original feeling, then we will be able to
produce youths with character. If we taught them the importance
of dharma, niyams and character, our country would benefit greatly.
In today’s education system, teachers are no longer eager to
teach their students. They don’t feel that ‘these are
my students, my children.’ There is so much scope for improvement.
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How can we educate our students to follow dharma?
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Swamishri : By teaching them scriptures such as the Mahabharat,
Ramayan and the Upanishads. The students will be inspired by these
to follow dharma.
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Many youths are drawn towards this Sanstha. What’s the reason
behind that?
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Swamishri : My guru Yogiji Maharaj had a lot of affection for youngsters.
He was a great Saint, a divine person. He never had any sort of
hypocrisy and he never tried to keep up appearances. He was never
egoistic nor did he have any prejudices. He had the qualities of
a true Sadhu. His own life was very pure. His life was his message.
He was an example for us all. Thus children and youths were drawn
to him.
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How would you describe an ideal youth?
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Swamishri : An ideal youth has character, a pure life, a righteous
nature, discipline in niyams and a desire to serve his country.
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Many students become disillusioned in times of failure. What should
they do?
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Swamishri : Those who try to get ahead by their own efforts and
without finding a true guru will become disillusioned in times of
failure. But if they had a guru, a guide, then they would derive
strength and inspiration and find solutions to their problems.
Secondly, people fail because of their immoral nature. Man degenerates
because of his attraction to worldly pleasures. If we can realise
their true form, control our senses and believe ourselves to be
atma, then there won’t be any problems. If we can harness our
senses and seek refuge in a true Saint, then all problems will be
solved.
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What is your message for today’s teachers and students?
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Swamishri : Students should feel that ‘I am Indian; I should
live a life of dharma and serve my country.’ Teachers should
teach their students as if they were their own children. They should
prepare them so that they grow up with high ideals such as to serve
their country.
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(24 May 1990, Vidhyanagar)
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