North America Yuva Program
By Sri Swamiji’s divine grace and blessings, Global Organization for Divinity started the Yuva Bhagavatam program for teenage and young adult youth in USA and Canada in 2021. Youth were encouraged to read one chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam each day. In addition, Sri Ramanujamji, disciple of Sri Swamiji, conducted online zoom sessions once in two weeks where he would take a specific sloka from Srimad Bhagavatam and delve into it in detail, exploring lovely rasAs from Bhagavatam commentaries, and also explaining its relevance and message for our lives today. Over the years, several topics from Sanatana Dharma were discussed in these sessions that gave our youth exposure to higher perspectives. Many of these talks are available as a YouTube playlist and podcast: YouTube.com/playlist
This year, as desired by Sri Swamiji, the Yuva program was expanded to encompass training youth to understand more about our dharma, incorporate daily simple Bhagavata Dharma routines into their schedule, participate in peer discussions on various related topics, and eventually also be able to themselves take forward the vital message of Bhagavata Dharma and Nama kirtan to others.
During Sri Ramanujamji’s recent visit to North America, as part of this Yuva program, he also conducted three youth retreats for youth of varying ages. A retreat for boys between ages of 13-16 was held at Atlanta, and for boys aged 17-27 was held at California Bay Area. Another retreat for girls aged 15-27 was held at Seattle. At these retreats that all youth unanimously found very inspiring, they interacted with Sri Ramanujamji and with peers, sharing personal experiences, discussing the grandness of our dharma, discussing ways to handle emotions and relationships intelligently, learning simple worship, prayer and Mahamantra meditation practices, apart from playing games and bonding with each other.
After the retreats, the North America Yuva program is continuing with biweekly online sessions by Sri Ramanujamji, and periodic smaller group discussions by youth. Many youth have also begun to incorporate regular daily Bhagavata Dharma routines into their schedule.
There are over 70 youth from around USA and Canada who are currently part of this Yuva program.
Global Organization for Divinity in North America also conducts the Kishora Bhagavatam program for younger children where they come together online to learn Srimad Bhagavatam. Sri Poornimaji, disciple of Sri Swamiji, has conducted sessions on Srimad Bhagavatam for these children. Currently Smt. Sharada Srinivasan from Canada teaches Srimad Bhagavata parayanam to these children.
To learn more about these programs, please email gopakuteeram@godivinity.org
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July 5, 2024, 9:36 pm
Radhe Radhe. Pranams and Prostrations to Guruji Maharaj’s Lotus Feet. Fulsome plaudits to Sri Ramanujamji and Sri Poornimaji for their stupendous efforts in propagandizing Bhagavatha Dharma in North America, under the Divine Command of our Revered Guruji Maharaj. It’s enchanting to read the above comprehensive piece – a momentous feat accomplished with Supreme Competence, the dimension of which is beyond the ken of lesser mortals like me. What a tremendous spiritual concourse has commenced in the shores of North America, where droves of children and adult youth have thrown their hats in the ring. The unmitigated enthusiasm of the children, bubbling with energy – a treat to the eyes and feast to the soul! Inner excellence is in touching distance for this clan, who are astute, sagacious and precocious! High quality craft has become a sublime art – succinctly put! Humble Salutations to Guruji Maharaj, the Master Mind who propels such Magnificent and Breathtaking Programs selflessly for the welfare of humanity and blessed indeed we are to stand under His Divine, Protective Umbrella!
