"I want you to be leaders to protect the world. Leaders like lions, self-reliant, courageous, majestic, and just. Lion is the king of animals and I want you to be king among men."
Summer Showers, 1992
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in a discourse during the World Youth Conference of 1997, revealed the important role of Young Adults in fulfilling a noble mission:
“The youth of today are the future leaders of the nation and the architects of the new society. The future of a nation depends on its youth. The strength of the youth lies in their spirit of patriotism. The primary duty of the youth is to render service to the society. The physical and mental strength of the youth is the foundation on which a nation is built.”
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, vol. 33, 14th January 2000
The guiding principle for Young Adults is self-transformation. Sri Sathya Sai Baba revealed a clear path to achieve this grand mission. He said:
“It is the privilege and duty of the young men and women to promote the welfare, progress and peace of the world. Transform all your actions into sacred duties. Experience the love of the Divine. That is the meaning of Swami's declaration: “My life is My message.” Adhere to the ideals set before you by Swami.
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 30, 16 July 1997
The Sri Sathya Sai Organization has established the Sri Sathya Sai Young Adults (YA) program to address some of the unique needs of devotees between the ages of 18 and 40. The goal of this program is to offer young people the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and to achieve spiritual transformation in the light of the Divine teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The program also acts as a forum in which the YAs may discuss issues they face, leading a spiritual life following Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings, while being active in a world that may lead them in other directions. The program provides the Young Adults with opportunities to serve and to engage in spiritual practices with devotees in their age range.
“Young people should consider the true purpose of life. They should get rid of all the impurities in their hearts. With pure hearts, they should embark on service at all times and everywhere. ‘Hands in society, head in the forest.’ From today develop an unwavering mind and a steady vision. That is the way to divinize the world."
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 30, 16 July 1997
The primary objectives of the YA are:
1. Character Development: Create activities to learn and practice the universal teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
“Money is lost, nothing is lost. Health is lost, something is lost. Character is lost, everything is lost.”
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 32, 30 May 1999
2. Selfless Service: Provide opportunities to contribute to their communities, countries, and the world through selfless service, which are tailored to their Local/Regional/National environments. This helps in self-transformation.
“From today, develop your faith in God. Engage yourselves in dedicated service to society, and make your lives purposeful and helpful to those in distress or need. Remember that whomsoever you may serve, you are serving God.”
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 19, 21 July 1986
3. Self-Realization: Provide a forum to work together to realize the inherent Divinity in all by living and sharing the five universal human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Nonviolence.
“The purpose of all spiritual practices is to discover the nature of the ‘I’ that is experienced in all different states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.”
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 20, 30 March 1987