Sai Ram!
Welcome to the Region 5 website exclusively setup to provide the latest information from the National and Global Sathya Sai Organizations.
Update on SSS WEC from Dr Michael Goldstein in PDF (15 KB)
Images from SSS WEC Exhibition (opens in a new window)
"Love All, Serve All"
"Help Ever, Hurt Never"
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Sai Ram!
Our Gratitude
The Sri Sathya Sai World Education Conference of 2008 was a resounding success.
In addition to our adoration, let us also express our appreciation to our Beloved Swami for:
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His Grace which was resplendently evident in all of the proceedings.
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His Grace enabling us to experience the exhilaration of unity by permitting us to conduct a truly international conference that included 90 countries, the Sri Sathya Sai Organization of India, the Sri Sathya Sai University, and the Sri Sathya Sai Baba International Centre in New Delhi. A monumental exercise in spiritual unity.
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His Grace in Graciously speaking to us on all 3 days of the conference and even responding publicly and privately to many of the questions that we had collected from Pre-World Education Conferences in 73 countries.
Let us also appreciate:
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The inspired speakers.
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The dedicated workshop leaders and the disciplined participants.
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The extraordinary exhibition and the role of the Sai Youth in its construction.
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The general comportment, discipline, reverence, and earnestness of the delegates.
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The efforts of the Chairman and members of the Education Committee of the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation for their extraordinary contribution.
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The unsung heroes: the Sai Workers, who competently and steadfastly provided all of the logistic support to execute such a magnificent effort.
The Theme
The theme of our conference was: Principles, Authenticity, Accountability, Service.
Whatever we do henceforth, will be directed toward deepening our understanding of Sai Teachings on Education, their undiluted application into our programs, our serious efforts to ensure and perpetuate the purity of our programs, and thus contribute to the spiritual upliftment of our respective societies.
Review
The Global Overview book and the Guidelines sent to you on Institutes, Schools, Syllabus and Accreditation constitute our first serious attempt to establish order and unity in our education programs all over the world. The book and the Guidelines are by no means the last word, but rather a credible effort toward unity. These tools should be used appropriately and we should always retain and rely upon our spiritual perspective. In Sai Education, we strive for spiritual transformation, not transfer of information. In Sai Organization, we strive for spiritual unity not unanimity.
While you will have read the Global Overview book and now you will begin to apply these guidelines, it is essential that you read the book distributed to all delegates to the conference consisting of 27 Divine Discourses on Spiritual Education delivered by our Beloved Swami over the years. In addition, the three Divine Discourses delivered by our Beloved Swami are now in print and are essential reading for all Sai Educators.
Swami’s Words are the beginning and the end of all that we do.
Adoption of Guidelines on Interim Basis
The Guidelines have been presented to Swami and He has approved them on an interim basis. He acknowledged the need for “rules”. He has permitted us to begin application of the guidelines henceforth, with the understanding that they will be reviewed by this forthcoming Birthday, November 2008, and revised and improved as needed by January 1, 2009.
Therefore, all practitioners of Sai Education Programs should carefully review these guidelines, carefully apply them, and carefully evaluate your results. Subsequently, we request a careful report on your experience and your recommendations be submitted to Vijay Desai prior to October 31, 2008. While most of you have received the Guidelines, they are also available on the International Organization website, sathyasai.org.
New Administrative enhancement -- Changes in structure and function of the Education Committee of the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation
The Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation applauds the efforts of its Education Committee as it is presently constituted and acknowledges the need now, in the post world conference environment, to expand our administrative efforts.
We presented this prospect to Swami and He has approved limited expansion in the form of subcommittees. Therefore, we will make some additions to the Education Committee and create subcommittees which will emulate and constitute a continuation of the Workshops convened at the Sri Sathya Sai World Education Conference. Thus, there will be four subcommittees: (1) Sri Sathya Sai Institutes, (2) Sri Sathya Sai Schools, (3) Sai Spiritual Education, and (4) Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values in Public Programs and Public Schools.
Administration of SSE under Sri Sathya Sai Organization
Some Sai education leaders seemed puzzled as to why we left Sai Spiritual Education (formerly Bal Vikas) under the administration of the Sathya Sai Organization with voluntary, not compulsory, participation in SSEHV Training and utilization of materials. Bal Vikas (SSE) has been the source of all Sai Education programs from the beginning. They have amply demonstrated the merit of their programs. SSEHV has come later and is in different stages of development in different areas. Therefore, it is appropriate that the SSEHV Institutes prove themselves as worthy and reliable sources of training, materials, and elucidation of Sai Education. Then all will seek their counsel, assistance, guidance, and support.
New Program for Sai Teenagers 15-18
Swami has approved the expansion of the SSE classes to accommodate the age group 15 to 18 years consisting of teenagers who are too old for Group III SSE and too young for the Sai Youth Group. Several enterprising SSE Teachers have embarked upon innovative approaches and we will review and select the best approach to nurture the young people in this very sensitive time in their lives.
New Sathya Sai School(s) in South America
Swami has approved the establishment of a new Sathya Sai School in South America and tentatively approved the possibility of a second Sathya Sai School, also in South America, contingent upon certain changes in the proposal.
New Sathya Sai Institute in USA
Swami has approved the establishment of a new Sri Sathya Sai Education Institute in USA. He has given Guidance on the structure and function of this new body. We have commenced our efforts to realize this great project.
Conclusion
Let us all take this opportunity to make a quantum leap forward in our efforts to introduce a spiritually based, value based, character based education program inspired by the Living Divinity who lives among us and within us, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Lovingly, in the Service of Sai,
Michael Goldstein, MD
Chairman
Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation
Sri Sathya Sai World Education Conference 2008
Prasanthi Nilayam, India. July 20 - 22, 2008