Sai Spiritual Education (SSE)
“The end of education is character.” – Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) classes teach Sathya Sai Baba’s universal message and the unity of the world’s major religions. At the core of SSE are the five basic human values: Truth, Right Action, Peace, Love, and Non-Violence. The purpose of the SSE program is to help cultivate a child’s faith in God and his/her individual relationship with God, so that he/she may grow up to become a strong, self confident, selfless, and loving individual. The SSE “triangle” consists of the child, parent, and teacher working together in harmony to foster spiritual development.
Austin Sai Center SSE Program details:
• Sundays at 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm. After the SSE class, students will join their parents at the main hall, for the center’s devotional program at 4:00 pm. Please contact our SSE coordinator, Sister Anjali Mahadevan at sse.sscoa@gmail.com, if you would like to enroll your child in SSE or if you have any SSE related questions.
• We divide the year into quarters – Fall, Winter, Spring, and an informal Summer Quarter with parent-led activities. During Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters, every group (or class) has an age-appropriate service project and a presentation in front of the members of the Sai center.
• Dress code – Clean and modest clothing. No shorts or skirts above the knees. Group 2, 3, & 4 girls are required to wear a dupatta or scarf.
• Students have an opportunity to distribute vibhuthi every Sunday at the center, as well as an opportunity to participate in special-occasion events and monthly children’s devotional singing (4th Sunday), both organized through the center’s Devotional wing.
• During the year, SSE organizes a student Art Exhibition, an End-of-Year Celebration with a Human Values Carnival, and Graduation.
What we do in each of the Groups:
All groups focus on cultivating faith in God and developing a student’s own relationship with God. Activities and discussions are age-specific. Each class has a follow-up Life Application, which is to be practiced at home with the family during the week.
Pre-SSE (age 4 – kindergarten) –
• Introduce students to the 5 Human Values through stories, songs, and fun.
Group 1 (1st grade – 3rd grade) –
• Concepts of truthfulness, right conduct, respect, and love are integral to lessons.
• We teach through stories, silent sitting, activities, games, devotional songs, universal prayers, and Life Applications.
• Topics studied – The 5 Human Values (Truth, Right Action, Love, Peace, Non-violence), The 6 Excellences (Adventure, Courage, Determination, Enthusiasm, Strength, Good Sense)
• Past service projects: Made blankets for the homeless and elderly residents at a local nursing home. Filled bags with toiletries to distribute at a local wellness clinic.
Group 2 (4th grade – 6th grade, boys & girls classes are conducted separately) –
• Concepts of truthfulness, right conduct, respect, gratitude, service, and self-confidence are integral to lessons.
• We teach through stories, silent sitting, activities, games, devotional songs, universal prayers, and Life Applications.
• Topics studied – Spiritual Respect for Our World and Environment, The Nine Forms of Devotion
• Past service project: Helped weed and plant vegetables in a local community garden.
Group 3 (7th grade – 9th grade, boys & girls classes are conducted separately) –
• Concepts of truthfulness, respect, gratitude, service, self-confidence, moral living, self control, and independence are integral to lessons.
• We teach through real-life stories & biographies, silent sitting, activities, games, devotional songs, universal prayers, and Life Applications. We also discuss real-life issues students may face at school, such as time management and peer pressure.
• Topics studied – The Unity of Faiths, The 5 Koshas, Ceiling on Desires
• Past service project: Planned and cooked dinner for 40 people at the Ronald McDonald House.
Group 4 (10th grade – 12th grade, boys & girls classes are conducted separately) –
• Concepts of truthfulness, respect, gratitude, self-confidence, moral living, independence, discrimination, integrity, leadership, and service are integral to lessons.
• We teach through real-life stories & biographies, silent sitting, activities, games, devotional songs, universal prayers, and Life Applications. We also discuss real-life issues students may face at school, such as time management and peer pressure.
• Topics studied – Sai Leadership, Self-Confidence – the Foundation for a Spiritual Life.
• We focus on leadership project-based learning for this Group. Students brainstorm a project for the SSE program, the center, or the community. They are responsible for coordinating, developing, and implementing the project with minimal guidance from teachers. These hands-on, real-life opportunities foster self confidence and give the students an opportunity to put into practice their spiritual teachings thus far.
• Past service/leadership projects: Organized and implemented an SSE Art Exhibition where all students were asked to create 2D and 3D art projects on the theme of “My Dreams for the Future.