For Youth

युवावर्गा साठी

“My hope of the future lies in the youths of character – intelligent, renouncing all for the service of others, and obedient – who can sacrifice their lives in working out my ideas and thereby do good to themselves and the country at large.”

-Swami Vivekananda

It was Swamiji’s desire that the youth should have life-building, man-making, character-building education, and that they should stand up on their own feet and take up the responsibility. He has reposed great faith in the coming generations.

With the aim to impart Swamiji’s ideas of Human Excellence, however a small measure it be, various activities are designed especially for the youth.

Youth Convention

We periodically arrange youth retreats and youth conventions for the benefit of youth. Youth from local colleges are invited to attend these camps, which are conducted by monks of the Ramakrishna Order and key personalities from the education field. Topics such as personality development, positive thinking etc. are discussed in these camps. Each camp is differently set up so that the participants have a different focus in each particular camp. For example, a particular camp may focus on leadership skills and how to tackle problems with a team. We put them through group-discussions which force participation from the participants as well as test their abilities to frame ideas into words as quickly as possible.

Vyassa : Vivekananda Youth Association for Spiritual and Social Awareness

Program Overview

Swami Vivekananda placed forth the twin ideals of ‘Realization of the Self and Service of the World’ (आत्मनोमोक्षार्थं जगद्धिताय च). In accordance with these twin ideals, we have formed a program called VYASSA, to help you, the youth, become enlightened and worthy citizens by providing healthy and wholesome food for your intellect, infused with moral and spiritual values and virtues.

Course Details

Eligibility	Age 18 to 30 years
Time	5:00 pm to 6:15 pm on Sundays
Location	Swami Shivananda Hall, Ramakrishna Math, Pune
Composition	Prayer – guided meditation – reading from inspiring and motivational passage – discourse or activity– Q and A – prayer. See the syllabus outline for topics covered in the course.
Fees	Rs. 150 per quarter (3 months), to be paid on a quarterly basis.
Registration	At Swami Vivekananda office. Registration is mandatory.

Course Syllabus

VYASSA course includes lectures and activities on topics such as the following. The actual course content may vary.

Spiritual Awareness (basics)

Values and virtues such as Truth, Purity, Unselfishness, Continence and Character, Renunciation and Service, Discrimination and so on
Concentration, Control of the Mind, Meditation
Divinity of Man
The need for Spiritual Growth
Spirituality: The science of Inner Life

Ideology in Practice

Life, work and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and other disciples

Learning from Scriptures such as the Upanishads and the Gita
Learning from our rich Heritage

Learnings from epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata
Life, work and teachings of great Saints and Seers

Social Awareness and Enlightened Citizenship

Patriotism
Rural Development– Serve Man as God
Work to bring a change in areas of health, hygiene and education to transform India
Entrepreneurship, ethical work-culture, work as worship, inter-personal skills

Activities

Group discussions, elocution competitions, and Q&A sessions
Project work on topics discussed

The course is conducted under the blessed guidance of revered monks of the Ramakrishna Order. You will also benefit from interacting with eminent figures from industry, education and other such fields.

Yuva Vedh

Through this program, lectures on Swami Vivekananda’s Life and Message are organized in different schools and colleges in Pune city and nearby rural areas, and books at affordable prices are also exhibited for students. The main objectives of this program are: