Striving for a millennium of love

By Dr. Lilangani de Silva

At the doorstep to the 21st century, respon-sible members of the human family are engaged in finding ways and means to bring about everlasting peace for mankind. In the wake of globalization where information technology has bound mankind into one family, it would be narrowing down of vision if one confines a nation within one social, cultural or religious boundary. It would be unrealistic to consider only the aspirations of the human family disregarding their base, the earth, support elements such as air and water, other forms of fauna and flora conglomerating into the creation of the globe where one is interdependent on another, where absolute harmony is seen as the essential.

To bring an everlasting peace and to make our mother earth a place worthy of living, we must develop an insight into our being on earth. What is the purpose of life? What is the goal of life? Why are we humans? What makes a man different from an animal?

The concept of Sathya Sai Education is 'Blossoming of Human Excellence'. Excellence here has a connotation that is different to what is widely meant. It is not only academic excellence, but an integrated personality who has perfect synthesis of head, heart and hands. This is what Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who is the inventor of this unique educational programme refers to as EHV.

This progamme based on the teachings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, is further enhanced by scientific research done by professionals in various subjects related to life, throughout the world. It aims at elevating the consciousness by inculcating these values via a series of subvalues which are relevant and applicable to a cultured society. It brings about mental transformation of the individual to realize his being on earth visualizing everything around him as one and the same, and shedding malefic qualities along with the selfish and antisocial attitudes within him.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba's mission revealed itself with performance of miracles related to matter, so that human beings who are experiencing the phenomenon of illusion could see, touch, feel and experience them via the five senses. But his greatest miracle is the transforming of minds of human beings based on the five human values, Truth - Sathya, Right Conduct - Dharma, Peace - Shanthi, Love - Prema and Non Violence - Ahimsa.

'Education has to make a person the concrete embodiment of the higher Reality, that is the basic of the material universe, of life in the world, of the expanding dominion of the mind, and of the human community. He is the mirror which reflects the divinity inherent in man, evident in every expression of his character. The process of education has to inspire man to discover the Truth seeking it through the study of the objective world. Fulfilment lies in the awareness of that Truth which, when once known, does not need correction or modification or revision. Education aims at this consummation in a life lived in the atmosphere of unity, devoid of the varied demands of diversity. The educated person knows the interrelation between things that appear as distinct.'
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The Love which is mentioned here is the selfless, unconditional and universal love which transcends all individual, social, cultural and universal barriers. Love is the undercurrent that fosters all other values and the true nature of man is recognized as love. To inculcate this love in the child the teacher has to be a role model radiating love to the child and environment so the process of learning is made a sacred endeavour in an environment vibrating with the power of this love.

My two and a half months stay at the Institute of Sathya Sai Education, Thailand where training in Sathya Sai Education is offered to trainers from many countries of the world was a decisive milestone in my journey through Samsara. The course gives a deep insight to the subject along with training in the art of living the values where sharing, patience, tolerance and perseverance are not limited to words alone. As the Institute runs hand in hand with the Sathya Sai School, which was founded eight years ago, one gets the opportunity to teach the children presently studying in Grades 1 through 8. The school follows the National Curriculum of the country, and the medium of instruction is their mother tongue Thai. Every child is exposed to a lesson on EHV every day. Values are integrated to the subjects that are taught, guided throughout the day by specially trained teachers.

'Today one finds that the virtues exhibited by illiterate villagers and uneducated folk in the tribal areas are not to be seen among the educated urban population. In fact, wherever schools, courts and administrative offices have multiplied, an increase in corruption, injustice and wickedness is witnessed. Educational institutions, which should be havens of peace and serenity, are haunted by fears of insecurity. The true aim of education is to prepare the student for a useful role in society with the help of the knowledge he has got and for leading an ideal life.'
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The US Character Education manifesto states: "Education in its fullest sense is inescapably a moral enterprise - a continuous and conscious effort to guide students to know and pursue what is good and what is worthwhile".

The SSEHV programme recognized this essence some years ago, when the concept of 'love in discipline' or 'love and law' was introduced. The school in Thailand follows an intensive routine, where the day begins at 4.30 in the morning. The children, teachers and the foreign students (trainers) gather in the prayer hall by 5.30 a.m. to participate in group prayers and meditation starting 15 minutes later. Those who break the unwritten laws and principles of the institution are made to understand the necessity in unity and harmony by loving explanation.

Apart from the example set by the teacher, the child's level of consciousness is elevated by meditation and prayers which are integral parts of the techniques in the EHV class. After the story which may illustrate one or more values, the child is exposed to some activities which will help in realizing the value by himself. The child is encouraged to learn by experience sometimes facilitated by harmless experiment, so that the subconscious mind which is the storehouse of all that is learnt and memorized is reprogrammed so that he would develop a positive outlook and not be led by negative emotions.

This programme started initially in India, and later, spread to other parts of the world. There are four SSEHV schools in the world located in Thailand, Zambia, Nepal and Australia.

My earnest prayer for the next millennium is to see a beautiful world where people along with other animals and nature regard one another as friends and live in perfect harmony showing love and respect to each other always everywhere, and every way.

More Plus

Return to Plus Contents