Pure Thoughts, Pure Words, Pure Life
From April 25th to 27th, 2025 the SSSIO Barbados Young Adults hosted their first-ever Zonal Young Adults Retreat in Barbados. Held as part of the Sai 100 Global Dedication Initiative, the retreat explored this year’s theme — *Purity is Enlightenment*— through the subtopics *Pure Thoughts, Pure Words, Pure Life*.
Young adults from Trinidad and San Francisco joined their Barbadian counterparts for a weekend of inspiring activities centered on the practical application of purity in daily life, all rooted in the teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Organized and hosted by three dedicated young adults from Barbados, the retreat began on Friday with a heartwarming satsang. Brother Ritesh Reddy, the Zonal Young Adult Coordinator, delivered an inspiring address filled with stories of his personal experiences with Swami, setting a powerful tone for the days ahead. This was followed by a dinner where young adults had the opportunity to share & bond over how Swami has influenced their lives
The main retreat day took place on Saturday, at the serene PEG Farm, where the subtopics were explored through lively, thought-provoking mini-sessions moderated by team member Akshata Chugani. In a safe and supportive environment, participants shared openly about their personal perceptions of impurity, and together they reflected on practical ways to cultivate purity in thought, word and action.
One of the highlights of the retreat was a beautiful creative expression meditation led by Juhi Bhojwani Thani. She gently guided the participants to visualize and express both their negative and positive emotions, helping them to better recognize and align with their higher selves.
The retreat concluded on Sunday with a touching seva project organized by team member Amrit Thani. The group lovingly prepared 44 children’s hampers and 6 gift baskets filled with essentials for the children of the Nightingales Children’s Home — a gesture that embodied the retreat’s core values.
Throughout the weekend, attendees were nourished with delicious meals lovingly prepared by devotees, and uplifted by fun-filled Sai stories, spiritual insights, and spontaneous moments of grace. Swami graced the retreat with special surprises, including a powerful Golden Age meditation guided by Brother Jagdesh Lakhan from Trinidad on Maha Samadhi Day, and a breathtaking hike up Chalky Mount, where young adults were awed by the beauty of Swami’s creation.
A total of 16 young adults participated in the retreat, supported by a few coordinators.
The weekend felt less like an event and more like a joyful family journey, where bonds were strengthened and Swami’s love flowed freely.
This retreat planted seeds of inspiration and connection that we hope all young adults will one day experience.
