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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 |
| 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...
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| Question
2 |
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In Shastriji Maharaj’s and Yogiji Maharaj’s
presence, you organised many festivals. Did you ever experience
frustration?
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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.
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How can we please you?
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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.
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Have you ever been bored with your work?
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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.
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You have been doing this type of work since Shastriji
Maharaj’s time. How do you adjust to work with ‘modern'
people like us?
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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.
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What do we do when we fail in seva or in Satsang activities?
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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!”
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What one thought is predominant in your mind during all
your activities, each and every day of every month of every year?
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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.
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There have been thousands of incidents of honour and
insult in your life, yet you have been able to remain untouched
throughout. How?
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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?
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What is your favourite activity?
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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.
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What is Amrut Mahotsav?
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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.
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(2 July 1994, Atlanta)
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