North Dallas Sai Center

Core Values

Our spiritual education program for children is based on the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The program is designed to impart values and principles that align with his teachings, helping children grow spiritually and ethically.

Daiva Preeti: Love for God
Papa Bheeti: Fear of wrong-doing
Sangha Neeti: Morality in society

General Objectives

To help the child discern divine providence behind every event.
To inculcate an integrated personality and to enable them to incorporate into this the five human values of Truth, Right Action, Peace, Love, and Non-Violence.

"Children’s minds are innocent and pure. Each child is a white marble for the teacher and the parents to mould into an image of God, a bud to be helped to blossom in all its Divine glory so that it becomes a worthy offering to God."
-Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Specific Objectives

To inculcate respect for parents and elders.
To promote obedience at home and outside.
To instill faith and devotion in God through good devotional practices.
To sow the seeds for love and honesty.
To enable students to practice kindness, compassion, and tolerance at home and outside.
To awaken intuition.
To awaken awareness of one's own consciousness.
To inculcate self-reliance and leadership.

Admission

Parents need to attend an orientation meeting to understand the program and their role in their child's moral & spiritual growth.
Parent commitment includes the need to participate in “parents-as-partners” once every unit.
Every unit includes a service project as a part of the program and we welcome parents to help conduct them.

Teachers

A group of dedicated volunteers serve as our teachers. They are devotees who love children and are committed to their emotional, moral & spiritual well-being.

Balvikas Venue and Timings

All classes meet at the Alpha Montessori House (Frisco) on Sunday mornings, in two sessions.

Group 1: KG - 3rd Grade
Group 2: 4th - 7th Grade
Group 3: 8th - 10th Grade

Timings:

9:30am - 10:45am: 5th to 10th Grade
11:15am - 12:30pm: KG to 4th Grade

Balvikas calendar follows the PISD School calendar.

Kindergarten (Group 1)

First Steps to God
Introduction to the five human values through simple stories
Memorize simple prayers, sing Bhajans, five human values: truth, right action, peace, love, and non-violence
Introduction to community service
Skills: recitation, Bhajan singing, and storytelling

1st Grade (Group 1)

Living with Values

Stories reinforce values
Memorize simple prayers, sing Bhajans, five human values: truth, right action, peace, love, and non-violence
Introduction to community service
Skills: recitation, Bhajan singing, and storytelling

2nd Grade (Group 1)

Living With God

Stories reflect everyday events in a child's life and the need to seek guidance from God 'within'
Memorize simple prayers, sing Bhajans, five human values: truth, right action, peace, love, and non-violence
Introduction to community service
Skills: recitation, Bhajan singing, and storytelling

3rd Grade (Group 1)

Cradle Tales Of Hinduism

Stories taken from the Ancient Hindu scriptures to illustrate human values and instill respect toward their spiritual heritage
Memorize simple prayers, sing Bhajans, five human values: truth, right action, peace, love, and non-violence
Introduction to community service
Skills: recitation, Bhajan singing, and storytelling

4th Grade (Group 2)

W.A.T.C.H

W A T C H (Words, Actions, Thoughts, Character, Heart)
Practical curriculum based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teaching...watch your words, actions, thoughts, character, heart through inspiring stories with special emphasis on practice
Memorize Sri Hanuman Chalisa
Skills: sing bhajans, community service, self-expression through art, writing, and public speaking

5th Grade (Group 2)

Ramayana for Everyday Life

Learning with devotion and reverence the story of Lord Rama's life with special emphasis on lessons to practice in one's daily life
Memorize the Nama Ramayana
Skills: sing bhajans, community service, self-expression through art, writing, and public speaking

6th Grade (Group 2)

I to We (Love is Expansion)

Curriculum-based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teaching that LOVE is expansion! From individual self to importance of family, service to society, love for Motherland, and love for all creation. A hands-on course to impact young minds to grow in self-confidence and embrace universal good
Memorize Guru Paduka Stotram
Skills: sing bhajans, community service, self-expression through art, writing, and public speaking

7th Grade (Group 2)

Unity in Diversity (Fatherhood of God, Brotherhood of Man)

Curriculum-based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teaching that ALL faith leads to the One
To instill love for one's own faith and respect and tolerance to all other faiths
Students will visit different places of worship to broaden their understanding
Memorize: Sri Sathya Sai Suprabhatam
Skills: sing bhajans, community service, self-expression through art, writing, and public speaking

8th Grade (Group 3)

Ceiling On Desires

Curriculum-based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teaching: Do not waste money, food, time, energy, information
Putting a ceiling on our desires and use the savings in the service of others
A practical course where teens discuss the areas of wastage in their lives and how to bring about a transformation in personal life
Memorize: Aditya Hrudayam
Responsibility for one's own actions, time management, self-control (social media usage, etc), seeking guidance from within to resist negative peer pressure
Self-expression through art, writing, discussions, and public speaking, taking initiatives and leadership roles both within the class and the larger group

9th Grade (Group 3)

Saints of India

Saints of India (glimpses into the lives of saints and their love for God)
Continue chanting the Aditya Hrudayam
Responsibility for one's own actions, time management, self-control (social media usage, etc), seeking guidance from within to resist negative peer pressure
Self-expression through art, writing, discussions, and public speaking, taking initiatives and leadership roles both within the class and the larger group

10th Grade (Group 3)

Bhaja Govindam

Selected verses from Adi Shankara's Bhaja Govindam
Task of maintaining the NDSAI webpage
Responsibility for one's own actions, time management, self-control (social media usage, etc), seeking guidance from within to resist negative peer pressure
Self-expression through art, writing, discussions, and public speaking, taking initiatives and leadership roles both within the class and the larger group

Grades KG - 3

The theme for this unit is Non-violence, taught through engaging stories.

Students will understand the broader meaning of non-violence through Swami’s teachings:

Non-violence means not causing harm to people, animals, or nature in any form.
Being mindful by not wasting food, water, or money.
Speaking only kind and uplifting words.
Choosing only positive books and TV shows.
Practicing friendliness and harmony with others.

4th Grade

In this unit, students focus on watching their heart. Through short stories, they learn about prayer, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

"One who cultivates the crop of Love in the field of his Heart is a true Christian, a true Hindu, a true Sikh, a true Muslim, and he alone is a true Human Being."

5th Grade

Throughout the year, students have been learning about the Ramayana. In this unit, they focus on Hanuman’s leap across the ocean to deliver Lord Rama’s message to Sita Mata.

They will explore:

Hanuman’s strength, devotion, and intelligence in overcoming obstacles.
His encounter with Ravana and the burning of Lanka.
The great battle between Lord Rama and Ravana.
Vibhishana’s coronation and Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.

6th Grade

The theme of this unit is "I to We"—expanding one’s love beyond oneself to include family, community, nation, and the universe.

Key discussions include:

The importance of caring for the world and the universe.
The concept of sustainability (5 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse, Repurpose).
Appreciating the beauty of nature and our responsibility to protect it.
Lessons from mountains, rivers, trees, and other elements of nature.

7th Grade

Content for this grade will be added soon.

8th Grade

This unit focuses on Swami’s Ceiling on Desires program, which teaches students to set limits on their desire for food, money, time, energy, and information.

With the rise of social media, Swami emphasized limiting unnecessary information consumption to cultivate inner peace. Students will discuss:

The meaning of controlling information consumption.
Practical techniques to implement self-discipline.
How this practice leads to greater focus and inner tranquility.

9th Grade

Students will explore various pathways to God such as faith, namasmarana (chanting the divine name), satsang (spiritual gatherings), and service.

This unit follows a study circle model where students will:

Study Swami’s discourses on humility, charity, and character.
Watch Swami’s lectures and videos.
Engage in discussions based on personal experiences from senior students.

10th Grade

Content for this grade will be added soon.

Healing Rhythms: Understanding Music's Power in Memory Care Service

What power does music have on the human mind? Does it just help people with dementia?

Music has an immense effect on the human mind; its ability to soothe and transform emotions is particularly beneficial for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It helps individuals reconnect with emotions that might otherwise remain inaccessible, evoking joy, nostalgia, and comfort.

Music also enhances cognitive functions such as focus, attention, and problem-solving by stimulating neural connections. It reduces stress, anxiety, and pain while promoting social engagement, creativity, and better sleep. Even for those without dementia, music offers immense therapeutic benefits. For example, while memorizing the 8th stanza of the Guru Paduka Stotram, I initially saw it as a task, but as I immersed myself in the melody, my stress faded away, replaced by the soothing rhythm of the music.

What opinion does the doctor in the video (Alive Inside Documentary) have about American Culture?

In the documentary Alive Inside, Dr. Oliver Sacks critiques American culture for neglecting the elderly, especially those with cognitive impairments. He argues that modern society marginalizes older adults, treating dementia as a "silent death" and failing to recognize their continued capacity for meaningful experiences.

Dr. Sacks condemns the impersonal, one-size-fits-all approach to dementia care, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment. He highlights the power of music therapy to restore dignity, memory, and emotional connections for these individuals.

Will you do anything differently at your next visit to the memory care center?

On my last visit to the memory care center, I noticed that many patients sat silently, disengaged. However, when music played, they instinctively tapped along to the beat. One patient shared her love for country music, recalling her favorite songs from childhood.

Next time, I plan to create personalized playlists for each resident based on their favorite genres and songs. Additionally, I want to introduce rhythmic activities like clapping or gentle dancing to encourage movement and engagement. Ultimately, beyond physical care, we must offer emotional support, recognizing these individuals as more than their conditions—they are human beings who deserve dignity and connection.