Bal Vikas

Bal Vikas is one of the three main wings of the Sathya Sai Medford Center. The other two wings are the Spiritual and Service (seva) Wing.

The purpose of Bal Vikas is the ‘blossoming; (vikas) of children’s innate spirituality . The teachers attempt to achieve this by following some of the instructions that Swami himself has given at various times. Swami says, “The Bal Vikas teacher should say the children they teach are theirs. Do not separate yours and those you teach”.

Swami has declared that the ‘end of education is character’. Accordingly, the gurus (teachers) teach the stories of noble souls and saints. They become the ideals for the children to emulate. The aim is not to burden the child with mere information but to encourage development of high ideals.

Swami has also said that parents have to be respected. Children are taught to honor, obey and love their parents. This ideal runs throughout the time the children are present in the center.

Swami, as is well known, emphasizes service to fellow man. The children are encouraged to develop a sense of service to those in need through practical projects. Children and young adults take part in seva activities arranged by the center as appropriate.

Children participate in enacting plays and skits which embody the values taught by Swami. While this gives the children a chance to ‘perform;, the real intention is to have them internalize the values embodied as they practice and rehearse to put on their ‘performance’.

Above all, teachers and parents need to work toward living an exemplary life as children are influenced by our actions than by our words Swami says, “ To instill in the minds of the young the values of prayer and of humility and loving service to others, homes where they grow have to be the first schools.”