PREFACE
Sai devotees who are attracted
to the activities of the Education Wing in the Sai Organisation are poised on
the brink of a great endeavour. All over the world there is a yearning for a system
of value-based education for the young. For nearly sixty years the Sai Organisation
has been laying the foundation for a program of moral development which is applicable
not only in Sai Centres but also in the wider community and in all schools. The
momentum of change is increasing and we must be ready to meet the challenge. Sai
Baba has said:
"Because
of your good fortune, because of your good deeds in your previous lives, you are
able to participate in the propagation of the Human Values. You should fulfil
this in the right way. Never misuse this opportunity."
(Divine Discourse, 13-1-1993)
It
is now agreed world wide that the term Sai Teacher will refer to those members
of the Sathya Sai Organisation who conduct children's classes based on the teachings
of Sathya Sai Baba. A Sai Teacher is not necessarily a schoolteacher; she is the
Sai devotee who can teach Human Values classes both in the Sai Centre and out
in the community.
Since 1982 there
have been a number of handbooks for Sai Teachers published in India and several
other countries. Each one offers something useful and special. Some are written
primarily for those teaching Bal Vikas or Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) classes;
others focus more on Education in Human Values (EHV) in the community and schools.
The
present 'Handbook for Sai Teachers' seeks to bring together the best of what is
available into one publication. Those members of the Sai Organisation who want
to get involved in conducting children's classes based on the teachings of Sathya
Sai Baba are in need of comprehensive guidelines for both training and practice.
With
the increasing number of Sathya Sai Baba Centres being established in the world,
it is no longer sufficient for the guidelines for Sai Teachers to be passed on
by word-of-mouth, brief conference talks and other ad-hoc procedures. The present
Handbook connects Sai Teachers to the worldwide development of this unique form
of teaching universal spiritual and moral values.
In
recent years Sai Baba has given two major discourses which focus on Human Values,
the first on the 13 January 1992 and the second on the 20 November 1993. These
messages are blended in with the guidelines presented throughout the Handbook.
It
is important that the 'Handbook for Sai Teachers' be truly representative of what
is evolving in Australia and throughout the world. As such, we can regard the
present Handbook as a first edition, subject to modification as time goes by.
To effect such changes, experienced Sai Teachers should direct their suggestions
for improvements to the authors.
This
Handbook will be of greatest value to those as devotees who have not been active
as Sai Teachers in the past, and now wish to play a part in this great endeavour.
Experienced Sai Teachers will also
find the Handbook useful, for it serves as a standard up-to-date reference on
all matters relating to the Sri Sathya Sai Human Values Program. In particular
it gives an in-depth exploration of the five Human Values, using many examples
from the Divine Discourses of Sathya Sai Baba. Studying each Value in greater
detail will foster a clearer understanding of facets of our true Self and a greater
commitment to base our lives on them. Let us always remember that, when we are
studying and contemplating on the Human Values, we are merely being reminded of
who we really are; we are training the mind to be receptive to and supportive
of our true nature. It is our duty to awaken to the Values within, and to assist
the children in our care in their natural wish to retain these Values as the foundation
of their developing personality.
"Swami's
view is that Human Values are contained in everyone and these should be preserved.
Those who have forgotten this should be reminded. That duty you should carry
out."
(Divine Discourse, 13-1-1992)
