Youth Day was celebrated on Sunday, 15 June 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. This coincided with the Sunday morning Satsang. Registration and breakfast commenced at 8.30am. Ganga Arati began at 8.50am followed by Satsang at 9am. The second part of the programme was from 10.30am until 12.30pm. 

The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, readings and a presentation on the Four Yugas by the youth boys. On the latter topic, the presentation focused on the concept of time in Hindu cosmology, where time is cyclical and divided into four Yugas, known collectively as the Chatur Yuga or Maha Yuga. These Yugas represent ages or epochs, each with a progressive decline in virtue, Dharma (righteousness), and spiritual knowledge. In Satya Yuga (also known as Krita Yuga), truth and Dharma reigned supreme and was characterised by the "Golden Age" of truth and perfection. People were spiritually advanced, lived long and were free of suffering. Truth was innate. The Treta Yuga saw a slight decline in virtue, emergence of rituals and sacrifices (Yajnas). The Dvapara Yuga was characterised by further decline in morality and lifespan. There was a rise in disease, suffering and conflict. The Mahabharata and Lord Krishna belong to this Yuga. Kali Yuga, which we are presently in, is the "Dark Age" of ignorance, strife, and materialism. Spirituality is diminished and virtue is at its lowest. 

The presentation highlighted the ills of Kali Yuga, namely humanity’s chaos and loss of moral and spiritual values. By the time Kali Yuga ends, the Vedas will be forgotten completely, and man will be mostly atheistic. The following predictions in the presentation attest to these scenarios, “The leaders will be thieves; the occupation of men will be stealing, lying and needless violence, and all the social classes will be reduced to the lowest level. Cows will be killed, and spiritual institutions will be no different from mundane houses. Family ties will extend no further than the immediate bonds of marriage. Seasons will go awry; homes will be devoid of piety and there will be no morality.

“At that time, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear on earth and rescue the eternal Dharma. It is in this age that Lord Vishnu will incarnate on this earthly plane as the Avatar Kalki. This will be the only descent of supreme consciousness during the Kali Yuga. Riding a white horse named Devadutta with a drawn sword, Kalki will mow down the evil and corrupt and ensure the reign of Dharma. The Kalki Avatar will establish the principles of eternal Dharma once again and the people of earth will turn to the path of righteousness. This will mark the beginning of Satya Yuga, an era of virtue, enlightenment and spirituality”.

The address on Sleep Health, in the second session focused on why we feel sleepy at night, and what happens to the body, mind, emotions and spirit when we are asleep. The following questions were also addressed: What happens if we do not sleep? What prevents us from getting a good night’s sleep? What are the benefits of sleep?  How can we improve the quality and quantity of our sleep without sleeping tablets? Swami Sivananda’s advice on sleep and Yoga techniques for sleep, were also addressed. 

On the topic of sleep, Sri Swami Sivananda said, “Next to breathing, sleep is the greatest biological necessity. If breathing enables life to continue, sleep provides the most essential interval for the life-force to carry out the general repairs to the system. If breathing preserves life, sleep recoups the life's energy spent during the day's activity. If breathing points to the power that pulsates in all creation, sleep gives us a clue to the unmoving tranquil Reality. If breathing manifests the infinite diversity of phenomena, sleep describes to us the essential unity of existence. If breathing draws to us energy, vitality and power from the cosmic Power House (Hiranyagarbha) that surrounds us, sleep derives them from the Atman within. 

“Glory to the Lord! Glory to the Prana Sakti who maintains the universe! Glory to Nidra Devi who lulls you into unconsciousness so that you may be revitalised for the morrow's service! 

“The happiness of sleep is really the bliss of the Soul”.

The second session also had an interesting talk, entitled, Social Media. The presenter alluded to Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s warning of the harmful effects of cell phones and excessive television viewing. Applying Pujya Swamiji’s logic we can conclude that social media has the danger in social interactions, of feeding the ego and weakening our will-power. It robs us of time that could be used for productive activities such as prayer, study or Sadhana. The presenter advised that social media can be used positively, for example, in promoting Dharma., in that before posting, we need to ask ourselves: Is this true? It this kind? Is this necessary? Will this post bring the viewer closer to God or will it bring me closer to my ego? Rather than using our platforms to promote ourselves, we can promote truth, peace, love and wisdom. The presenter advised that one can use platforms to share the messages of Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda. She further advised us to share a message of hope, and advised us to “Make your social media grid a spiritual garden. We can also turn our scroll time into soul time”. The notion of social media fasting (abstinence from indulgence in social media) for a day or more, was also suggested. 

The final item of the day was a game, The Amazing Race, wherein two teams (males and females) competed against each other in a series of challenges and obstacles. Teams were given cues leading to a specific location. Once at the correct location, teams faced a range of challenges. Team building, group dynamics, leadership, speed and efficiency were also tested.  Teams worked together to make strategic decisions to succeed. The Amazing Race was an exciting and spiritually inspiring exercise that gently pushed teams to their limits, testing their physical and mental abilities, teamwork, and strategic thinking.

The youth are complimented on an eventful and stimulating Youth Day Celebration comprising a diverse range of topics, catering to different age groups. The attention to detail in all aspects of organisation and execution of the day’s activities, is highly commendable.

On Saturday, 24 May 2025, Divine Life Society of South Africa participated in the Annual Career Fair hosted by the Nelson Mandela Community and Youth Centre in Chatsworth, from 9am to 1pm. This well-supported event brought together a wide range of educational and vocational organisations, and was attended primarily by learners accompanied by their parents, many of whom were exploring opportunities for skills’ development and personal growth.

Devotees of Divine Life Society of South Africa, including those from its Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre in Chatsworth represented the Society and shared information about its community-based programmes. Among the offerings that drew interest were the Sewing Classes and Computer Skills’ Courses, which provide valuable vocational skills aligned with the Fair’s theme of empowerment and development.

Visitors engaged with devotees, expressing appreciation for the Society’s ongoing contribution to community upliftment. In addition to skills’ training, the Society also offers counselling services to individuals facing emotional, health, or personal challenges further demonstrating its commitment to holistic support and care.

 A range of publications was made available, particularly those focused on youth development, self-discipline, and moral living - messages that resonated with both learners and parents.

Amongst those who visited our stall, were representatives of the South African military services. The participation of the Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre in this Annual Career Fair once again provided a sacred opportunity to foster spiritual and vocational upliftment, promote values-based education, and share the life-transforming teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda with members of the wider community.