Plan of the Complex

1. The Centre will have trained devotees to counsel children on how to keep away from drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, etc. Instructors will also help children deal with depression and suicidal tendencies which are very serious problems in areas such as Chatsworth.

2. They will receive extremely valuable literature written by Sri Swami Sivananda and Sri Swami Sahajananda that will guide them and teach them coping skills. The literature has universal appeal, and the teachings can be followed by adults and Spiritual Darlings of other faiths also, like Islam and Christianity.

3. The booklet, Bringing up Spiritual Darlings gives informative instructions to parents on how to guide and bring up their Spiritual Darlings. The term “Spiritual Darling” was used by the Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, when he addressed children.

4. The booklet, Pathway to Peace & Happiness also contains valuable information on a variety of subjects, like the evils of gambling, liquor habits, how hostile forces create accidents, suicides, calamities, etc.

5. Pathway to Peace & Happiness is having a great impact on bereaved families who come to Sivananda Ghat, next to the Clare Estate Crematorium, to dispose of ashes of their beloved ones. Hundreds of people are turning to God by visiting the Ghat and reading the spiritual literature. A shrine of Christ is installed there because Christians are also resorting to cremation. Any number of tributes are being paid by those visiting the Ghat. They make their comments in writing, praising the Ghat for its divine, serene atmosphere. The comment invariably made is that the Ghat is “heaven on earth”.

6. The most important instruction will be how they should turn to God for protection against bad habits, that God is their Friend, Mother and Father. Daily prayer will be highlighted and emphasised as the most important instruction.

7. Spiritual Darlings will be taught to maintain a diary to monitor their habits.Their diaries will be scrutinised once a fortnight or once a month and suitable awards given to them.

8. Maybe, once every six months or so, a graduation ceremony will be held where all the Spiritual Darlings who have maintained a spiritual diary and successfully overcome their bad habits will receive awards.

9. Spiritual Darlings who have overcome their bad habits and are fully trained will become ambassadors of the Centre and help to protect and advise other Spiritual Darlings on how to triumph over the bad habits mentioned above.

10. Instructions will be given about right diet for Spiritual Darlings and their parents to help combat their problems.

Sunlit Path Programme held at Phoenix Spiritual Darlings bearing certificates after signing plegdes to stay away from bad habits

1. A Peace Centre which will have a Shrine where those afflicted with the above-mentioned problems will learn to pray and turn to God for help. The Peace Centre will be decorated with beautiful pictures of exotic birds, animals, scenic wonders with inspiring and uplifting sayings by Sri Swami Sivananda.

2. Counselling rooms where youth will receive guidance on how to overcome bad habits.

3. A hall where regular Sunlit Path Programmes will be conducted. The hall will also serve as an indoor sports facility, giving youth the opportunity to play sport rather than take to bad habits.

4. A Computer Training Centre to teach computer literacy so that unemployed persons may acquire skills and earn a livelihood.

5. A Sewing School that will teach sewing skills so that unemployed persons can find employment in this field, or even start their own business.

6. Dining room & kitchen.

7. A Library with instructive and inspiring books.

8. Living quarters for resident supervisors.


Apart from the overcoming programmes, all activities at the Centre will be directed towards helping youth. Indoor sports, youth conferences, talks, plays, film shows, documentaries, etc. will be planned with this in mind.

The Centre will be managed entirely by Divine Life Society of South Africa, in the same manner as the Sivananda Ghat is managed. Guidelines for the Centre’s functioning were given by Pujya Swamiji as early as 2006. Strict levels of discipline and conduct will be observed at the Centre, in keeping with the rules observed at the Society’s Ashrams and at the Sivananda Ghat.

The entire project will cost in the region of R10 million. Unlike most other projects undertaken by the Society, there will be no co-funding with a Municipality or Government Department for this project­—it will be wholly funded and built by Divine Life Society of South Africa. As it was Pujya Swamiji’s wish to help the youth and others in Chatsworth, assistance provided to those utilising the Centre will be free. Operating costs will also be borne by the Society.

All work undertaken by the Society is done in the spirit of Sri Swami Sivananda’s words, “To be a cosmic friend and cosmic benefactor, a friend of the poor, the forlorn, the helpless and the fallen, is my creed. It is my sacred creed to serve the sick, to nurse them with care, sympathy and love, to cheer up the depressed, to infuse power and joy in all, to feel oneness with each and everyone, and to treat all with equal vision.

“To live in God, to melt in God, and to dissolve in God, is my creed. To behold the Lord in every being or form, to feel Him everywhere, at all times and in all conditions of life, to see, hear, taste and feel everything as God, is my creed.”