Welcome to North Dallas Sai Center

Swami’s 100th Birthday Celebrations

A generous parent purchased the needed supplies and the project kicked off as a service project by 3rd graders and 8th graders last unit. Students chanted the “Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu” prayer and started to learn. One of their classmates taught them the design. The project will continue until 1000 cranes are folded and offered to Swami.

Every kid jumped into the activity with great zeal. Few had basic origami skills. Few had no experience and were learning it anew. Few were confident. Few got frustrated. Watching the kids through the hour gave us good insight into the child’s personality. Few kids offered tips to the child leading the initiative by offering a slightly different, but easier way of folding a pattern in one of the steps. Three or four of them took on leadership roles quite naturally and started assisting those that were struggling. With Swami’s grace, the teachers observing the kids will use the insights gained on each student to help them to blossom. Swami has said that this is the duty of a teacher, to pull every child up from whatever level the child is.

One of the teachers who is a newbie to origami, watched with fascination as the children meticulously made folds and creases. And how a flat sheet of paper transformed into a three dimensional crane.

As she tried one herself, she was reminded of what she had heard from many of Swami’s students and devotees. Swami led by example when it came to paying attention to detail. Every fold had to be precise, and the steps needed to be followed in an orderly manner to make a final product Swami would approve of. The process fosters concentration and is calming and meditative!

With prayers to Swami that He instills confidence in those engaged in the task that He is there to help at every instant and will see us through to completion. As we perform the task with prayer for world peace, let us remember this message from Swami.

“The dawn of peace can be brought about only by learning, practicing and teaching the art of living together in peace and amity in homes. Then, peace in the world can be established, without delay and travail.”

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, February 1, 1970

“All service should be regarded as an offering to God, and every opportunity to serve should be welcomed as a gift from God.”

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Love in Action: Our Children’s Seva Stories

Kindergarten

2nd, 3rd and 4th Grades

Our 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade Bal Vikas children shared their love through a heartwarming Valentine's Day seva activity. They brightened the day of our local heroes by visiting neighborhood fire stations with handmade thank-you cards, fresh donuts, chocolates, and hot chocolate, expressing their heartfelt gratitude to our firefighters.

Each child poured their creativity and appreciation into making colorful cards, writing sincere messages of thanks for the firefighters' bravery and dedicated service to our community. Through this experience, our children learned the precious values of gratitude and the importance of acknowledging those who work tirelessly to keep us safe.

While the Frisco fire stations often receive thoughtful donations of water bottles and Gatorade during summer, the firefighters were especially moved by the personal touch of children's handmade cards and their bright, cheerful presence. This beautiful gesture exemplified the core values we nurture in Bal Vikas - showing genuine care, respect, and appreciation for those who serve our community.

The joy was mutual - seeing the smiles light up on both the children's and firefighters' faces created a meaningful connection between our Bal Vikas family and these community heroes. These precious moments remind us how simple acts of love can touch hearts and build lasting bonds in our community.

5th Grade - Seva at Heritage Manor

Our 5th grade children brought warmth and joy to the residents of Heritage Manor in Plano on February 9th through a heartwarming Valentine's Day seva.  The children began by singing Valentine's songs and then broke into small groups to engage with the residents through various activities like coloring, playing balloon games and participating in ball-tossing challenges with stacked cups. 

It was good to see the natural leadership of 4 of our 10th grade students, who helped organize and coordinate these activities. 

The impact of our children's presence was so positive that the activity coordinator invited them to return for future visits. This beautiful experience showed how simple acts of love and attention can bring immense joy to others, while teaching our children the true spirit of seva.

Upcoming Events

Get ready for Easwaramma Day!

May 6th every year is celebrated as Easwaramma Day, commemorating the anniversary of the passing away of the saintly lady who was blessed to be mother to Swami. Bal Vikas children present a spiritual program on a Sunday close to that date every year. 

The program offers an opportunity for kids to learn about our spiritual heritage and collaborate to make an offering to Swami. It will include music, dance, costume, and all the theater staples! It teaches them valuable skills - self-confidence, patience, teamwork, communication skills and more! We have heard from many alumni who look back on their Easwaramma day rehearsal experiences with fondness and nostalgia!

It requires commitment to attend rehearsals every Saturday afternoon and on Sundays for a longer duration for 4 to 5 weeks prior to the program date. Plus a full rehearsal on the Friday evening before the program. 

Only children who can make the commitment will be able to participate!

Interested? Check your child’s schedule and talk to your child’s teacher.

"Bhojan for the body ; Bhajan for the soul.”

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The Divine Power of Group Devotional Singing

Swami has repeatedly emphasized the profound significance of group

devotional singing.

His words beautifully capture its essence : "Realize that there is nothing greater than bhajan. What bliss is there in bhajans! What a demonstration of oneness is it when myriad voices join in uttering the name of God! The vibrations emanating from them make the heart vibrant. If you sing alone in your shrine, the vibrations return to you as a reaction. But in group devotional singing, what you have is not a reaction but a wave of vibrations. They enter into the atmosphere and purify the polluted air. The atmosphere today is polluted by bad thoughts and feelings. When you sing the glory of God, the bad germs in the air are destroyed and the air gets purified by a treatment of antibiotics, as it were." (Sri Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. 27/Ch. 29, Oct. 23, 1994)

Our center holds bhajans from 11:20 AM to 12 noon on Bal Vikas class days, and we warmly encourage all students and parents to participate.

Opportunities for parents and children

Did you know that Bal Vikas offers electives too?

And that too for both parents and kids!

Veda Classes

Another parent of one of our alumni, Mahendraji, has been teaching Vedas to

Bal Vikas children for over a decade. Kids in 4th grade and above can participate.

Classes are held such that they can attend during the time when their classes are not in session. Swami has emphasized the importance of Veda Samrakshanam in many discourses as well as by being an exemplar. Even now, Ati Rudra Maha Yagnam is ongoing at Prashanti Nilayam. Our Veda Classes are inspired by Swami as an effort to sustain our ancient scriptures by training our kids to chant them with discipline while spreading positive vibrations even as they learn and practice.

Additional Seva Opportunities

1. Our Narayan seva at the Austin street shelter in Dallas every first

   Friday of a month.

   
   

2. On the first Saturday of every month from 10 am, the Shirdi Baba temple in Plano organizes a Cleaning Seva. The temple has been home for our unit presentations. Kids are encouraged to participate as an expression of gratitude.

   
   

3. Breakfast Seva serving healthy and nutritious breakfast to the homeless in Dallas everyday led by one of our own teachers.

   
   

4. Volunteers can also collect our white sheets once every other month and return them washed. Parking volunteers could also use your help!

   
   

   Want to get involved? Talk to your child’s teacher.