AYUDH Australia

	AYUDH Australia – Youth Retreat update!
	AYUDH Australia Project Launches
	More About AYUDH

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The retreat started on the Friday night with devotees of all ages participating in a Bhagavati Seva Puja led by Brahmachari Shantamritaji. This was an auspicious way to begin and helped us focus our hearts and minds on the weekend ahead. Even more auspicious was the coincidence of the youth retreat with Karthika (Amma's birthstar) and Sri Krishna Jayanti (Krishna's birthday).

Saturday morning began with archana for those who wished to join in, and the day unfolded as if Amma Herself was there journeying with us. After playing games early in the day to warm up and get to know one another, we sat and listen to Swamiji discuss the theme of the retreat - balance - and how we can apply this concept in our everyday lives.

Swamiji talked about the importance of yagna, or sacrifice, in the sense of being selfless in our actions. He explained that the word sacrifice means "to make sacred" and that we should try and follow Amma's example, to be selfless and make our actions sacred in life, especially in regard to our relationship with Nature. Swamiji told a beautiful story from the Bhagavad Gita about needing to "be like the rain" if we want to receive the blessing of the rain, that is, to be like the rain in the way that it  falls from the sky, down to the dirty ground to offer some relief, without expectation of receiving anything in return. In this way, we were  encouraged to follow Amma's example of seeing Nature as our teacher and offer our lives accordingly. We also learnt to try and do one thing each day to show gratitude and respect for Mother Nature, the sages of old and the present, the five elements, our ancestors, and humanity.
 
Over the course of the weekend the youth discussed possible activities for AYUDH groups throughout Australia. Some of the ideas included tree planting activities with local environmental groups and activities which would unify and connect young people from all walks of life. We discussed the importance of becoming educated about ways of achieving balance and sacrifice in the context of Nature, for example through learning about energy efficiency practices, recycling and general environmental sustainability practices. By doing so we will have the knowledge, experience and motivation to implement these practices within our own lives as well as educating others.  

The principles of balance were explored through a variety of means including: a discussion led by Swamiji on Ayurvedic principles for eating and combining foods to achieve balance and harmony; a talk on the importance of keeping a balance between alkaline and acidic foods, and how blood types affect the food we eat by local director Amrita; and the youth's participation in a yoga class taken by another local director, Maheshwari, where we literally "balanced" (or at least tried to), and learnt about the physical and mental balance achieved through yoga asanas (postures), and also the importance of deep relaxation.

The Australian ashram is located on beautiful land with plenty of open space, trees and native flora. We embraced the opportunity of spending as much time as possible outdoors and spent Saturday afternoon in the ashram garden. We started by planting shrubs in the garden in groups of two, under the guidance of the ashram's devoted gardener, Madhumati. In this way we felt we were being given a chance, in our own small way, to be involved in the material development of the ashram, and there was a symbolic meaning to our actions in the planting of roots for AYUDH in Australia.

After gardening, Swamiji taught the youth to play Ultimate Frisbee – and showed he had some skills in this area! After being shown the four techniques for throwing a frisbee, we threw themselves wholeheartedly into this energetic game, and resolved to practice (and improve) before our next retreat. Following on from this it was our turn to teach Swamiji  to play backyard cricket, followed by some soccer.

As the sun set we ate hot potatoes around the campfire in the ashram garden, and soon the harmonium was brought out for bhajans. As night fell we sat huddled around the campfire under a blanket of stars and sung a number of bhajans led by Swamiji and some of the local devotees, and concluded with a stirring "Amma Amma Taye". As we sang our hearts expanded and filled with gratitude. It was a truly moving experience that we will remember for a long time.
 
Later that evening we went inside for Arati, closing prayers and dinner, and listened to some CDs that Swamiji had burned (we bestowed on him the name of "DJ Bhajans"). We listened to English bhajans by devotees from all over the world, from Hawaii to Finland, and felt inspired to form our own Australian group to compose and play music for Amma.
 
The weekend left us feeling inspired to go back to our respective cities and implement in our daily lives the principles of balance and selflessness that had been discussed on retreat. We resolved to stay connected and organise to at least one AYUDH activity in our local cities before the next youth retreat, which we hope to hold in six months at the end of Summer 2009. We hope to see some of you there!
 
Our warmest thanks go to everyone who helped support the youth on this retreat. In particular, we have so much gratitude to Swamiji for all his time, energy and humour, and the inspiration he invokes in those who experience his presence. We hope that he will return to Australia and will be able to lead another youth retreat some time in the future. Hopefully by then we will have practiced our Ultimate Frisbee skills!
 
And finally, our humble thanks to our beloved Amma for creating the opportunity for us to come together, and for planting the seeds of inspiration in each of us to work in Her name. May we each become a vessel for Amma's light in the world.

For more information on AYUDH Australia email ayudh@ammaaustralia.org.au

- Arathi and Amritasri

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AYUDH Australia Project

In 2001 a youth organisation called “AYUDH” was founded as a wing of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math. AYUDH groups have now spread all over the world and are particularly strong in India and Europe.

AYUDH stands for Amrita Yuva Dharma Dhara, a Sanskrit term which can freely be translated as “the youth which perpetuates the wheel of Dharma (Righteousness).”

We are now in the process of starting up an AYUDH movement in Australia. This is an exciting venture and we hope to soon see young people from all over Australia come together to share in enriching spiritual and social activities in which they can selflessly serve humanity and the environment, while developing the qualities that Amma encourages such as love, compassion, tolerance and humility.

Here is an excerpt from the Amritapuri web page about AYUDH:

Amrita Yuva Dharma Dhara (AYUDH) heartily invites you to join countless youth from all over the globe to create a new world of courage and dynamism, love and a buoyant humanitarian spirit, spiritual awareness and a burning quest for Truth. Today, when negative elements are threatening the very fabric of our culture, AYUDH provides you the vision, spirit, and opportunity to realise your innate strength and stand up to the challenges of the times.

If you would like to be involved in this exciting movement of inspired young people and you are between the age of 15 – 30, please email your details to ayudh@ammaaustralia.org.au so that we can put you on our contact list and keep you updated on local meetings and events.

We are also looking for people to act as local AYUDH leaders from each city to take a more active role and help organize events. Amma encourages participation in Her organization at all levels so this is a wonderful way to increase your seva and be close to Her.

More detailed information about AYUDH is set out below. We hope to hear from you soon!

In Amma’s love,
Arathi and Amrita Sri
AYUDH Australia

About AYUDH

What is AYUDH?
We are a movement of young people who want to lead a life based on universal values. Starting with ourselves, we want to help in generating a future of hope, peace and social engagement while maintaining an awareness of spiritual principles.

AYUDH in Australia
In May 2008 AYUDH started in Australia and is slowly evolving into a nation-wide movement. For further information, or if you would like to be involved with AYUDH Australia, email ayudh@ammaaustralia.org.au or visit our myspace page at www.myspace.com/ayudhaustralia.

AYUDHs main objectives are:

• Personal Development

Finding out who we are and what we want in life through:

• Spiritual practices like meditation, prayer and singing
• Exchange and discussions with other like minded young people
• Activities that help us discover and develop our creativity and inner potential

• Social Service

Developing compassion and respect through selfless service activities:

• Caring for neglected and needy members of society
• Raising awareness about global issues

• Environmental Protection

We as the future generation have the duty to restore and protect our environment. Global warming challenges us to rethink our ways of behavior and living. Starting with ourselves we wish to set an example to others.

• Planting trees
• Cleaning the environment
• Nature awareness programs
• Ecological way of living
• Sharing cars, using the bicycle, saving water and electricity etc.

Our inspiration: Amma

Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi) is one of the most respected humanitarians and spiritual leaders of this time. Through her tireless acts of love and self-sacrifice, Amma has endeared herself to millions of people around the world.

Leading a life of utter dedication to others, Amma is an inspiration for us to dedicate ourselves to the service of society, while maintaining a spiritual awareness.

Through her own life Amma has consequently adhered to the principles of equality, non-violence and religious tolerance. Through our activities we in turn wish to integrate these principles into our modern lifestyle, in practical and creative ways. Amma's tireless efforts for the past 30 years have created one of the largest charitable organizations of India, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM, NGO with consultative status to the UN).

Links: www.amritapuri.org

Name & Symbol

AYUDH stands for Amrita Yuva Dharma Dhara, a Sanskrit term which can freely be translated as “the youth which perpetuates the wheel of Dharma (Righteousness).” In Sanskrit “Ayudh” also means Peace, which is also symbolized by the dove in our logo.

The dove also reminds one of the following allegory Amma frequently uses: The two wings of a bird represent love and selfless service. The tail stands for the spiritual knowledge and discriminative intellect which are necessary to steer the bird into the right direction. All these qualities help us to fly free in life, be independent and happy.

Biography

AYUDH was founded as the youth wing of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM, NGO with consultative status to the UN) in India in 2001. In the beginning stages confined to India, AYUDH had the wish to expand across the globe, inspiring countless young people to take up good works in the fields of social service and environmental preservation and restoration, while maintaining a spiritual awareness.

AYUDH's activities in India include giving free food and medical aid to the poor and needy, offering free eye-treatment camps, cleaning hospital compounds and public places, planting trees and conducting antidrug, -alcohol and -tabacco campaigns throughout the country.

Starting with a first European Youth Exchange in 2005, AYUDH has stepped onto European ground. The program was well received and inspired many youth to share their interest in personal development and social service with others and slowly small regional youth groups began to emerge throughout Europe. These groups meet regularily to undertake environmental activities such as tree planting, spending time with handicaped and old people and raising money for charity, e.g. for the victims of the Tsunami in South-East Asia. For spiritual practice the young people also gather to sing, pray and meditate together.

An European Peace Concert was organised in Paris, France, in May 2006, which raised money to rebuilt the tin-roofs of a village of Tibetean refugees in Northern India. This common effort and the inspiring music of eight musical groups from across Europe gave AYUDH Europe another chance to grow.

The European Youth Exchanges held yearly at M.A. Center Germany are a great opportuntiy for intercultural exchange and a source of spiritual inspiration to a growing number of young people from all over Europe. In 2007 the exchange was supported by the "Youth in Action" programme of the European Comission DG Education and Culture. The week long programme provoked a lot of enthusiasm amongst the young people to move ahead in the spirit of love, service and compassion.