The youth team has been an integral part of the Malaysian Mission and each year, a youth camp is conducted with the grace of Swamiji and Babaji to help instill and reinforce the wisdom expounded by our beloved Gurus. As the youths advance in all aspects of their life, these teachings become a guiding beacon to help them navigate the adversities of life, while maintaining them on the path of spirituality and service.
The annual Youth Camp for 2018 was held in the Virgo Resort, in Teluk Batin from the 13th to 15th of July 2018 and was attended by 47 youths from the various centers around Malaysia. The focus of this year’s youth camp was on the concepts of Sadhana, Seva and Sacrifice, and the integration and unification of these concepts in one’s Spirit. The youths were given reading materials prior to attending the camp from various sources such as Viveka Choodamani, Ramayana, Mahabaratha, and various other spiritual texts as well as scientific explanations regarding these concepts to help them understand the true meaning behind these core values of life.
As the sessions were conducted during the camp, the youths were encouraged to truly explore the deeper significance of Sadhana and the practices such as meditation and emotional balance exercises (EME) that are integral to the development and spiritual progression of the Self. Seva that is unconditional and beyond the realm of one’s own self was also emphasized upon and the youths were encouraged to reflect upon the ways that they too can perform Seva, regardless of their age or abilities. Sacrifice, be it in the physical manner and of the ego, was also expanded upon, using the teachings of Shri Swamiji and Shri Babaji, and the youths were able to appreciate greater clarity on a fundamental concept of life. Often these topics are perceived to be of high philosophical knowledge and usually left to scholars or elders, but by stripping these concepts down to the essence of its teaching, these youths were given the opportunity to comprehend and incorporate these values into their daily lives thus motivating them to lead a life that is governed by Sadhana, Seva and Sacrifice.
The Youth Camp was also an opportunity to unite all these youths of different age groups and life experiences, together via various activities such as games and physical activities such as hiking. A sense of kinship and camaraderie was evoked among them as they worked together during both the spiritual and physical activities conducted, thus strengthening and consolidating the bond between them as they strive together in the name of their Gurus for the betterment of the Mission, the community and the Universe.
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