Japanese Youth Attend Asia Pacific Youth Conference
Japanese youth attended Asia Pacific youth conference held in Malaysia on August 11 and 12, 2017. Six girls and three boys participated in this event from Japan. The theme for this youth conference was “Seva for transformation” and throughout the programme the true spirit of Seva was taught and experienced through Swami`s discourse and various activities organised by Malaysian group and youth which was filled with hospitality and pure love.
Swami teaches that transformation through Seva can happen only when you practice it with selflessness and pure love without expecting anything in return. There is Karmic law in everything done in this world, but Swami says that when you offer all the activities to God with selfless pure love, He will take care of the result and all become free of Karmic result, thus you live above the law of Karma. Through the Seva activities organised by Malaysian group on the second day, the youth were given opportunities to practice such selfless service.
Girls participated in sari distribution and cooking, learning to work together - sisters from all over world in unity despite language barriers. Boys serving in medical treatment as assistants and interacting with people with particular needs was a precious experience.
Brother Isaac talked about his experience and shared Swami`s message that the places they visit are not important, but what they bring back is most important. One of the Japanese sisters had such a lesson to bring back home. She was given a chance to welcome Swami by leading Swami`s car with Vedic chanting. The Vedic chanting group first was leading Swami`s car at the beginning, but later walked behind Him and at the end walked beside Him. She recognised that this was a lesson illustrating His message:
Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Just walk beside me and be my friend."
And “He is not just a friend, but He is our only friend!!”