Sri Sathya Sai Young Adults
The Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation (SSSIO) has established the Sai Young Adults (YA) programme for individuals between the age of 18-40 years. The International Young Adult Committee (IYAC), which is comprised of the nine Zone Young Adult Representatives and the International and Deputy International Young Adult Coordinator, function as a committee of the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation. The IYAC coordinates the Sai Young Adults programme in more than 75 countries with thousands of active young adult members. These YAs are fully integrated within the SSSIO, participating in all its activities - devotional, educational, community service and humanitarian relief projects. Furthermore, the YAs currently hold and have the opportunity to serve in leadership positions at all levels within the SSSIO.
Young Adults are engaged in service activities in their respective communities around the world, including serving the needy by providing food, clothes and medical care. They also participate in various disaster relief projects such as tsunami, hurricane and earthquake relief.
In addition to the regular SSSIO activities and events, the Sai Young Adult programme has undertaken several initiatives that further:
a) help develop YA interests and talent and
b) address YA-specific issues in leading a spiritual life.
YAs can connect with like-minded individuals providing an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.
YAs all over the world are involved in activities such as:
- Devotional: prayer, meditation, devotional singing, study of Sai teachings
- Retreats/conference: workshop for personal enrichment, motivational speakers
- Education: computer literacy, education in human values, vocational training, mentoring
- Service: soup kitchen, disaster relief, blood donation, medical camps, Serve the Planet
- Cultural: music concerts, drama, poetry, devotional songs album, radio programmes
- YA development: leadership training
- Miscellaneous: Go - Green initiatives, YA sports day, media training
YAs engage in these activities in their respective communities around the world with the understanding that they are uplifting themselves spiritually by helping their fellow man. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said:
The highest spiritual practice is to transform love into service. Service will lead you to devotion.
World Youth Conference, Prasanthi Nilayam, Nov, 18, 1999
These various activities are thus rendered with love, compassion and a feeling of oneness. The YAs have learned that all of humanity is pervaded by the one and same God, and by serving any part of humanity with love and compassion, they are serving God.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said that youth is the most precious time in one’s life. This is the time when all of one’s faculties and energies are at their peak. Hence, the Sai Young Adult programme has been established to encourage and guide YAs to make the best use of this time and lead a purpose-filled life. These young men and women, motivated by Sri Sathya Sai Baba and His all-encompassing love, are thus a beacon of hope for all.