When there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character,
When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home,
When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation,
When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.
~ Sathya Sai Baba

In response to the unbridled materialism and individualism that threatens the well-being of society; CISSE believes that "communities of character" are not only desirable but possible through collective practice of human values in schools, families, and community groups.  The practice of universal values such as Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, & Nonviolence is the key for the development of stable families, responsible students, and stronger communities.

Two programs

CISSE’s mission, therefore, is to make character and values based programs available not only to schools but to families and community groups through its Community Programs called SSEHV (Sathya Sai Education in Human Values) for schools and community groups, and Dynamic Parenting for Parents.  For more details see sections: ABOUT CISSE and DYNAMIC PARENTING.

Two methods

SSEHV utilizes two methods to elicit human values from within a person - the (Indirect) Integrated Method and the Direct Method (for details click here). At the Sathya Sai School, character education is implemented through the Direct as well as the Integrated Method where human values are incorporated into the academic curriculum; however in community programs, the human values are taught primarily through the Direct Method.

The Direct Method offers a framework of five teaching components (quotation/prayer, meditation on light, storytelling, group singing and group activities) through which the five human values can be experienced and put into action. 

Training and support for community groups at no charge

CISSE is exploring wider avenues such as daycares, after-school programs, libraries, and community centres where these programs can be delivered to children or adults. To achieve this, CISSE will offer training and continuing support at no charge to interested community groups who wish to implement these programs. 

While SSEHV programs are tailored for young adults to address youth issues and mould them into responsible citizens, the programs also have great value for health and social agencies and other organizations like Chambers of Commerce or Boards of Trade in fostering ethics and values in public and corporate life/administration.

The programs can be offered in two ways:

• By facilitators from CISSE who will run classes for community children or adults

• By volunteers from community groups & organizations trained by CISSE through its Training Programs (See: PROGRAMS - Courses & Training)

CISSE welcomes community participation as these programs are open to everyone for personal and societal transformation. Inquiries from individuals and community groups interested in these community initiatives may be sent to: Director@cisse.ca or parenting@cisse.ca

Presentation of Character Building Community Programs

Before the formal establishment of CISSE in 2009, several character education seminars and workshops for the community as described below were offered successfully by the Sathya Sai School assisted by members of an SSEHV Resource Group:

• A National Symposium and Four-Day Workshop on Character Education was held in Brampton, Ontario on March 23-28, 2005. The Symposium stressed character education as the key to dealing with the decline in moral values, growing violence and drug abuse among students and in society generally. Over 350 educators, parents, trustees from school boards across the Greater Toronto Area, and city councillors listened to a panel of eminent speakers on the subject. There was also an exhibition on Dynamic Parenting.

Following the symposium, one hundred participants from across Canada, most of them educators, attended the four-day Workshop on Character Education conducted by Carole Alderman and her team from the British Institute of Sathya Sai Education (now called ISSE-UK). (See TESTIMONIALS)

• An SSEHV workshop for teachers/facilitators was sponsored by the Sathya Sai School on February 27 - 28, 2010. It was delivered by Dr. Pal Dhall and Dr. (Mrs.) Tehseen Dhall, Directors of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education Australia who have established valuable SSEHV programs in Australia and other countries. Dr. Dhall explained that values education is most effective when values are practised by teachers, parents and community leaders.

• A Character Education Seminar organized at the Sathya Sai School on March 4, 2010, was attended by 100 people in the Greater Toronto Area including Government and school board representatives committed to education and the betterment of children. It provided an opportunity for educationists to learn about Sathya Sai Education in Human Values. Speaking at the seminar were distinguished international guests and local dignitaries like: Dr. Pal Dhall from Australia; Mrs. Carole Alderman from the U.K.; Dr. David Gries from the U.S.A, Zonal Chair and Board Member of CISSE; City Councillor Raymond Cho representing the Toronto Mayor David Miller; Mr. T.R. Pillay, Founding Principal, Sathya Sai School, Canada; and Dr. Revathi Chennabathni, Principal, Sathya Sai School, Canada. All spoke of their experiences and successes in character education.

• A Summer Camp to encourage the practice of values was conducted for the students of Brookview Middle School, Jane Street, Toronto in summer of 2005 by the SSEHV Resource Group. 

• Walk for Values is another successful community event which has helped raise awareness to build “communities of character” and promote service to society.  [See link - Walk for Values]
  

  Watch this Youtube video about the Walk for Values:

In addition to similar activities, CISSE will foster character and values education through events such as essay competitions, drama festivals and public speaking for schools.

Human Values, the Heart of Dynamic Parenting Programs

“Parents should play a proactive role in forming the heart and mind of a child.” - Dr. Pal Dhall

While children can imbibe human values either through the Direct Method or the Integrated Method, the Institute also has a program for parents. This program is known as Dynamic Parenting.  At these Workshops which are offered free of charge, parents are motivated to set high ideals and moral standards for themselves and their children.

Carole Alderman from the United Kingdom and Dr. Pal Dhall of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education Australia address a Character Education Seminar at the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of the Sathya Sai School in March 2010.

The Dynamic Parenting program, like the SSEHV program, is based on the five human values of Truth, Peace, Love, Right Conduct, and Nonviolence.  Detailed information on the Dynamic Parenting program is provided in a separate section (See DYNAMIC PARENTING).

Through the auspices of the Sathya Sai Organization, Dynamic Parenting workshops were delivered as a public service to parents of the following educational and community groups:

• Parkland Public School, Markham, Ontario
• Cedarwood Public School, Markham, Ontario
• Sathya Sai School, Toronto, Canada
• York Region District Board South Asian Community Network
• Vishnu Mandir, Richmond Hill, Ontario
• Ganesh Temple, Richmond Hill, Ontario
• Scarborough Gurudwara, Toronto

Community Awareness Exhibits on Dynamic Parenting

Exhibits on the Five Human Values and on the Dynamic Parenting program are available for display at community events to create an awareness of the benefits and significance of effective parenting.

Evaluations and Outcomes of the SSEHV and Dynamic Parenting programs

Sathya Sai Education is a worldwide program. Wherever programs like Dynamic Parenting and character based programs in schools have been tried there have been tangible benefits to both children and parents.  Given below are some testimonials from children, parents, and teachers.

A. Testimonials on SSEHV Workshops for the Community
The SSEHV course Carole and Michele conducted was excellent. Both are excellent facilitators.  What I liked best about the course were numerous, but all were around the practical aspects of teaching SSEHV in the community.  The silent sittings and reflections were excellent and very practical. The songs, stories and quotations were very well written and presented. I think that the tools offered at the workshop (silent sitting, stories, songs with books and CDs) allow me to take this program into the community. I also liked the video that you showed on the UK. The SSEHV program presented a great model to follow in other communities. The course was excellent. Both Carole and Michele are doing a great job. Srikanth Venugopal, Calgary, Alberta

From this workshop I was able to gain a lot of practical applications and teaching techniques to implement tin my own classroom. Although I initially lacked the confidence to implement teaching values in a public school classroom, I have now become very confident and eager to carry through.  The workshop was packed with a lot of varied activities to keep the interest and it was all useful information. This was a very valuable workshop. Bahi Rameshkumar

I liked the silent sitting and Awareness exercises because they helped me to get in touch with my inner self. The strategies we learnt to use with children were most helpful and practical and I know for sure that from tomorrow, I will be using them on a more practical basis. I also have seen the importance of being much more selective with my choices of stories for children and how to create a lesson plan around them.
Freng Romer, Grade 3 teacher, Brampton

Firstly, I would like to thank Carole and Michele for sharing with us all the practical ways in which we can incorporate SSEHV into our classrooms. I am an Early Childhood Education teacher and work with toddlers. I liked the lesson plans that you introduced to us. I found that I can easily implement EHV into my practice. This seminar has motivated me to be innovative and creative in the ways I incorporate EHV into my classroom. Hema Morarji, Mississauga, ON

I am a child counselor. I liked best the practice of silent sitting, receptive exercises and songs.Ofelia Leon

The sessions were very informative, stimulating and inspiring.  The learner gets a better understanding of how to correlate the stories and activities either in their classrooms or in their personal life. This knowledge is transferable for use in all walks of life. Kamla Pillay, Edmonton, Alta

In my class I have already started silent sitting but now I know how to do it properly. Silent sitting and role play has touched my heart so much I am waiting eagerly to go back to my class and to start. I believe giving a firm foundation to the little children is really a good start. Thank you so much for making this course available to us with so much love. H. Cichitra de Pinto, Montessori teacher, Richmond Hill, ON

I liked the practical applications, various different methods/activities for silent sitting; the in-depth analysis of the values; active participation; straightforward answers to questions (diplomatic); resources – songs, books, CDs; DVD of SSEHV in action.I would have liked more time. Rishima Bahadoorsingh, Richmond, BC.

B. What Children say
Responses when asked: What do you think of the SSEHV Program and how has it changed you?
‘I am a lot nicer now,’ Sam, aged 6
‘It’s helped me to be more sensible and do nice things.’ James, aged 7
(from SSEHV Introduction and Lesson Plans Book 1: 6 – 8 years by Carole Alderman)

C. What Parents say
‘My son has stopped lying since he has come to SSEHV Good Values Club.’
‘Delyth is a happier person.  She used to get crossed and frustrated when she was unable to do her work.  Now she is calmer and will say what she finds difficult in her work.  She has a lot more patience and is kinder with her little sister.’

D. What Teachers say
In Canada: Parents report a genuinely positive influence on them by their own children in the Sathya Sai School of Toronto:
“My child is now more responsible and considerate. He is now learning to differentiate between right and wrong. He collects money for poor children by babysitting his little cousin for the weekends. If I happen to raise my voice, he says it is not nice to yell or scream [and that one should] speak softly.”
A staff member of the Sathya Sai School of Toronto, Canada describes the influence of Sathya Sai School children on the surrounding community:
“The local librarian whose library our students have been using for a few months insisted that the school hold one of its parent meetings at the library so that she could tell them herself how different their children are in behaviour from other school children.”
“Their keen sense of engagement, discipline, and public speaking skills endear them to people wherever they go. They have addressed rallies and assemblies about the place of the five human values in their lives. These included an inter-faith prayer meeting; a welcome dinner for a Nobel Peace Prize winner; and various other community forums. The importance of human values was discussed also with law enforcement officers.”

E. Testimonials on Dynamic Parenting

• Dynamic Parenting Workshops have given me a real awakening to maintain quality time in our family. 

• After having gone through fifteen weeks of Dynamic Parenting...not only have I become a more patient person, I have gained a new level of understanding of how to handle conflicts; how to discipline my child; how to communicate effectively with both my child and my husband, and how to listen effectively (and this may be THE MOST IMPORTANT value that I learnt so far).

• Participating in the value parenting sessions was amongst the best decisions we have made.  As we had received no formal education or training in parenting, these fifteen sessions have made us aware of the important changes we need to make in our lifestyle, or habits, to have any significant impact on our family members including parents, friends, spouse and children.  In a nut-shell, value parenting is not just about being good parents; it is also about being a good person.

• Human interaction is not exclusive to family.  So I suggest every man, woman and child take this course to learn to interact in a divine way.

• The workshops gave us an opportunity to see “parenting” in a whole different view, and knowing other parents shared the same concerns and fears gave us strength and courage to face our challenges.  We learnt how to listen rather than hear, we learnt how to speak effectively instead of shouting or yelling, we learnt to express our feelings in a non-threatening but in an effective way.  Above all we learnt the importance of teaching good values to our children. 

• I would like to attend the workshop again if possible, and if I am that fortunate I will do it every year so that I can check myself regularly.  The workshops were life changing.

 

What is the true ornament of man?
Lotuses are the ornaments of lakes. Houses and buildings are the ornaments of villages
and towns. The waves of the ocean are its ornaments. The moon beautifies the sky.
Character is the true ornament of man.
~ Sathya Sai Baba (Sathya Sai Speaks, Volume 33, pp.2-3)

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We, as educators, must find that balance between the world of the mind and that of the heart and soul. It is the mind that preoccupies our time and that will take us to the information age. But it is the heart and soul that will allow us to remain connected to our own humanity that will build that bridge between us…and create a good society.
~ Paul D. Houston

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