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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...
    Swamishri With Youth
    Strangers To Themselves...

A man once said, “When in Rome live as the Romans do.” It may seem to be a fair statement, but the fact remains that even if one lives as the Romans do, he will never be a ‘Roman’. Born and brought up in a foreign land, many Satsangi youths are faced with the perplexing question - ‘Who am I?’ Because they are citizens of another country and are taught to love that country, they naturally feel aloof from India and its way of life. Yet, there is always a deeper calling within them, a realisation that ‘I am different’, that there is more to their identity than just their place of birth and their passport. Knowing virtually nothing about their religion and its principles, they are strangers to themselves. Swamishri explains practical living for today and helps escape the melting pot...

    Question 2
Question

In Shastriji Maharaj’s and Yogiji Maharaj’s presence, you organised many festivals. Did you ever experience frustration?
Answer

Swamishri : There was never a question of becoming frustrated because our guru was present to guide us. We only did our work to please him and so we never experienced any sort of frustration or problem which would upset us. If we are sure that he is pleased by our doing something, then no obstacles can hinder us. Of course, there were difficulties working but we just used to put them behind us and carry on working.
Question

How can we please you?
Answer

Swamishri : ‘Bhaktya anuvrutya...’ One who knows the guru's wishes and acts accordingly earns the guru's pleasure. When we go to work, if we do the job the way the boss likes it, then he will be pleased with us. Similarly on the spiritual path, if we do as the guru likes, he will be pleased with us.
Question

Have you ever been bored with your work?
Answer

Swamishri : Bored with what? We’ve come especially for this mission. If it is the Satpurush’s agna to do this work and we carry it out, we will have no problems. But if our mind is unstable we will become bored. Or if we try to apply our logic or intelligence, we will become bored and we’ll fail. Besides what are we getting bored for? For our redemption! If we are eager to please God and His Saint, we will never be bored.
Question

You have been doing this type of work since Shastriji Maharaj’s time. How do you adjust to work with ‘modern' people like us?
Answer

Swamishri : You cannot be called ‘modern’. A man who has no niyam-dharma is called ‘modern’. You all have dharma, niyams and righteousness so you are not ‘modern’. You are a new generation and so your ideas and methods are different. But there is no problems because all of these new sadhus and youths use these new ideas for the benefit of Satsang whilst remaining within our principles. Basically because we are all working for the expansion of Satsang we do not feel that there is any difference in objectives and there isn’t. Even we get involved, we work using their ideas so there’s never any problems.
Question

What do we do when we fail in seva or in Satsang activities?
Answer

Swamishri : Shastriji Maharaj used to say that there will be obstacles in any work we do, but because it is the Satpurush’s agna we should keep going. Even Shriji Maharaj and Shastriji Maharaj faced difficulties. Even if only two people out of a thousand understand our message, we should feel that we have been successful. Our message is true, so we should never become disheartened. Our work will be done! Sooner or later it will be done!”
Question

What one thought is predominant in your mind during all your activities, each and every day of every month of every year?
Answer

Swamishri : Everything we do is to please Shriji Maharaj, Gunatitanand Swami, Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, and Yogiji Maharaj; not for any personal fame or praise. Maharaj is the all-doer. If our work succeeds, then it’s for the best; if not, then it’s also for the best! It doesn’t matter whether people understand or not. Maharaj tells us that, ‘...we do not demand to explain to prominent men...’ We do not become overjoyed when we are successful and do not become depressed when we fail. We do everything to please them. If we realise God to be the all-doer, we will feel fulfilled.
Question

There have been thousands of incidents of honour and insult in your life, yet you have been able to remain untouched throughout. How?
Answer

Swamishri : We may be honoured or even insulted but our mission is for God, isn’t it? Don’t we get insulted when working for our wives and children? Do we feel offended then? What is honour and insult when we are working to please God? We should believe ourselves to be atma. What’s it to us if someone else says something? If we can bear that in mind, we will never be affected. Basically we need firm knowledge and understanding?
Question

What is your favourite activity?
Answer

Swamishri : [joking] Sitting up here! What you see before you is my favourite activity! It’s been 73 years... My favourite activity is to please God by whatever means He is pleased by.
Question

What is Amrut Mahotsav?
Answer

Swamishri : Amrutasya Putraha... We are all God’s children. To become amrut, Akshar, immortal. To please God and attain enlightenment. Firstly, we should make our life pure. We should do good deeds and act in such a way that the Satpurush is always pleased with us. Of course there will be a festival and many other projects, but how many of our worldly desires have we eradicated? How many bad vices have we removed? We should remain aware of this and try to improve ourselves - that is Amrut Mahotsav. It is not thousands of people coming and being impressed. Everyone will be satisfied, but first how much have we progressed? We should strive to remove our faults. How much ego have we destroyed? What about greed, anger, jealousy...have they gone too? If we acquire knowledge and understanding, that is Amrut Mahotsav; to celebrate and become amrut.
 

(2 July 1994, Atlanta)

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