First Friday of every month
Narayan Seva
A home-cooked vegetarian meal served at the Austin Street shelter in Dallas.
More about this seva
Seva
Service as a spiritual practice
Service at the Sai Baba Center is primarily a spiritual practice, aimed at elevating us through constant practice to recognise the Divinity in all beings.
What is seva?
As Swami says, “The best way to please me is to see Me in all beings and serve them just as you would like to serve Me.”
Swami also teaches that before engaging in seva — selfless service — one must attain purity of heart. It is important to examine one’s motives, skills, intentions and qualifications, and to be aware of the desire for fame or egoism. To truly serve, one must relinquish pride, status, wealth, scholarship and position, and instead practise humility, obedience, discipline and compassion.
How can we help?
- Help as much as you can.
- Help as efficiently as you can.
- Help as silently as you can.
- Help as lovingly as you can.
Leave the rest to God, who gave you the chance to serve.
Why join a group service project?
Swami says, “What a single individual cannot accomplish, a well-knit group or society can achieve. A man walking alone will feel tired and miserable at the end of five miles, but walking with a group would find the five miles a happy jaunt. He arrives refreshed and strong.”
Our projects are designed to meet the diverse needs and abilities of participants. If none of these projects address your specific areas of interest, please contact the seva coordinator to find a suitable opportunity.
God will not ask you what seva did you do? He will ask, with what motive did you do it? What was the intention that prompted it? You may weigh the seva and boast of its quantity, but God seeks the quality and holiness of the heart and the purity of the mind.
Get involved
Standing seva opportunities
These run on a fixed rhythm through the year. To join any of them, talk to your child’s teacher.
First Saturday of every month, 10 am
Temple Cleaning Seva
The Shirdi Baba temple in Plano has been home to our unit presentations. Children are encouraged to take part as an expression of gratitude.
Every day
Breakfast Seva
A healthy, nutritious breakfast served to the homeless in Dallas, led by one of our own teachers.
Every other month
Sheets & Parking
Volunteers collect our white sheets and return them washed. Parking volunteers could use your help too.
Through the year
Special service projects
October
UNICEF Trick-or-Treat
Bal Vikas students trick-or-treat as UNICEF volunteers to support children’s causes worldwide.
November
Birthday Care Kits
Devotees assemble care kits for the homeless in Dallas to help them through the winter. Distributed by senior Bal Vikas students, they include handmade hats and scarves created by the children themselves.
November
Thanksgiving Meals-on-Wheels
Families deliver meals to the elderly, lonely and homebound on the holiday, in a project organised by the local Visiting Nurses Association.
Regular projects
Austin Street Center
A wholesome, home-cooked vegetarian meal served on the first Friday of every month.
Read more
Park Cleaning
Students clean parks and streams in Plano.
Feed My Starving Children
Children and their families take part in packing meals.
Nursing homes
Children visit elderly residents to play games, sing songs, make crafts and share their love. Holidays and birthdays are specially planned to make our elderly friends feel remembered.