"The ideal of the Bal Vikas (Sai Spiritual
Education) program is to raise a generation of boys and girls who have
a clean and clear conscience. The actual syllabus is not so important as
the creation of an atmosphere where noble habits and ideals can grow and
fructify."
--- Baba ( at Bal Vikas Teachers
Training Camp, 6/6/78 )
"Above all, realize that children are precious treasures. Yours is the greatest task of rearing them to become devoted servants of God and sincere spiritual aspirants. " - Baba
The SSE (Sai Spiritual Education) program places a strong emphasis on righteous conduct, the Brotherhood of Man and the Unity of Faiths, self-discipline, and a life of selfless service. SSE is a basis where children can learn about the universality and diversity of religion, learn to appreciate each other's cultures and understand what binds us together as a human race.
The five human values of Truth, Right Action, Peace, Love and Nonviolence are the pillars of the Sai Spiritual Education program. Each class is on one particular aspect of the five values, and that topic, for example kindness, should be absorbed into the child's mind in various ways, so that they start or continue to practice it in their daily lives and to recognise it in others.
Each class has five components as follows:
Silent sitting - a few minutes
of silent or guided meditation allows the child to concentrate better
Quotation - from Swami, which
fits in with the theme of the class
Bhajan - Children join together
in learning a bhajan. This instils peace and joy.
Story - this is usually a
time for the children to listen and learn, capturing their imagination
and promoting discussion. The story gives a clear idea of how and why we
should practice the value in question.
Group Activity - An opportunity
for the children to have fun together while reinforcing the theme of the
class.
Life Application -
incorporating their new understandings into their daily life
Some Group I SSE classes are here:
Ganesh
Human
Values
Truth
Right
Action
Peace
Love
Non-violence
Mother
Father
Parents
Guru
Devotion
- Lesson 1
Devotion
- Lesson 2
Lord Rama
Some Group II classes are here:
Om
Devotion
Mother
Right
Speech
Friendship
Harmlessness
Unselfishness
Service
Determination
Here are a few of the programs that some Group 1 children performed
for various occasions:
RamaNavami
Mothers Day
Fathers Day
Swami's Birthday
For comments/suggestions on the class material, please email ssesdsc@yahoo.com