Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (UK) Newsletter October 2005

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Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (UK) NEWSLETTER - October 2005A monthly

e-zine of the British Institute of Sathya Sai Education www.ssehv.org.uk

Dear Readers

Welcome to the October 2005 issue of our monthly e-zine.

This month:

Report from Burnley Holiday SchoolOrganiser, Barbara Edmondson provides an

extremely inspiring account of the Event.

Organising a SSEHV Values Alive Event/Holiday CampJoyce Power, one of the most

experienced SSEHV holiday camp organiser's, provides an overview, and personal

perspective.

Good Values Drama Camp & Competition, held in Frensham, SurreyBahnoon Agnew

reports on another successful event, including details of activities, plus

testimonials from participants.

Poem: 'IF' by Rudyard Kipling This classic poem by Kipling, a Nobel Laureate in

Literature, was written in 1909. The poem's message is still extremely relevant

to today's world and full of good values!

If you have any feedback about this newsletter, or would like to share your

experiences of SSEHV, please write to us.

Kind Regards,The Newsletter TeamUn information

Report from Burnley Holiday School

September Holiday School at ELAC centre, September 12th to 16th, 2005

by Barbara Edmondson

Twenty eight children aged between 5 and 12 attended the second Holiday Day

School run by Peaceful Solutions, in co-ordination with Burnley Play

Association.The children were from Stoops and Griffin Estates.There were three

trained teachers of Education in Human Values and three Peaceful Solutions

volunteers, all having done training with Peaceful Solutions.There was always

at least one Play Association staff in attendance.

Peaceful Solutions uses a well established Human Values Programme called SSEHV

[sathya Sai Education in Human Values]. The Programme was designed to bring out

the inherent goodness in all and to develop self esteem and self

confidence.There are 5 human values, so each day was devoted to one of the

values. On Monday it was Peace; Tuesday, Truth; Wednesday, Non-Violence;

Thursday, Right Conduct and Friday, Love.

Each morning, we started with a Silent Sitting, followed by a story and group

discussion about the Value of the day.The children were given an opportunity to

act out the story.There are songs that stress the value of the day, so each day

a new song was learned. After a short break, the children enjoyed art and

design, all relating to the value of the day.

Staff at the ELAC centre were most surprised and delighted at our lunchtime

activity. After a food prayer, usually said by one of the children, everyone

eats their food in silence! They are invited to think with gratitude about the

people who grow food, those who prepare the food and their parents who had to

pay for it! We sat silently for at least 10 to 15 minutes and sometimes longer,

even when given permission to talk, they remained quiet or whispered!

The afternoons were more active. On Monday there was Tai Chi, and on Tuesday and

Thursday,Yoga. On Wednesday we had a day out at Offshoots at Townely. Phil

Calvert gave a tour and talk about the work they do at Offshoots and invited

the children to learn more about plants and especially herbs, giving them

samples to feel and smell and to see if they could recognise any of them. At

lunch time the children were delighted to have their lunch in the workmens hut!

After lunch, the children presented Phil and Alan, another member of staff with

posters and thank you cards that they had made the day before. The posters were

large posters of the 5 fruits in the SSEHV Programme, that depict the 5 human

values. Phil said he was going to put them up in his office. The children sang

two of their favorite songs, ''I am the way I am and I'm very happy with that''

and "Peace, peace, peace". We finished the afternoon with fun

and games on the field.

Another highlight was on Thursday, when the children were entertained by a

magician! They loved it! There was a lot of laughter and audience

participation, followed by party games and prizes.

On the last day, the children did a concert for the staff.They divided

themselves into 4 groups and decided what they would to do. The older girls did

some dancing, and then, under their guidance, we all joined in. Three younger

girls did a play which they made up, about bullying. Then there were two groups

of younger children who did puppet plays. It ended on a happy note when we all

showed our appreciation of each other. One girl of 12 stood up and asked if she

could give a speech. She said it was the first time she had been to one of our

holiday schools and she was grateful to be allowed to come. She said she didn't

know how, but it had changed her life! What more could we ask?

For further information about Peaceful Solutions (a registered charity), or the

holiday school, contact organiser, Barbara Edmondson.

 

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Organising a SSEHV Values Alive Event/Holiday Camp

by Joyce Power

"Education is Concentration" was an innovative approach to education I had not

encountered, before an interview with Sathya Sai back in December, 1997. The

statement, however, struck a chord with me, as I was then, and still now,

involved in an educational Programme where children learn maths and English,

through a method where concentration skills are developed, and are paramount in

the learning process.

My experience of the first Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Camp [also known

as a 'Values Alive Event'], as a teacher, was profound and challenging. The camp

generated an intense love energy which reflected the love energy of the

headteacher, Stephanie Singh. All the volunteers and children were on a 'love

high' by the end of the 5-day camp.

The challenge for me, when asked to be headteacher of a camp the following year,

was to retain the love energy of my first experience, whilst creating an

atmosphere of peace which I felt could facilitate better learning and retention

of the human values experience - an experience that I hoped would influence the

volunteers, and in particular, the children, for a very long time - perhaps

throughout their lifetimes. As I thought about how I could achieve this, the

view of 'education as concentration' began to take hold of my ideas.

Concentration and focusing of the mind would definitely generate a peace

energy. I knew this from my years of practising and teaching yoga. However,

this would be quite a challenge with a hundred children attending from local

state schools, where creating a focused mind was certainly not a key factor in

education. Also, my experience of the modern day child was one with

deteriorating

concentration skills.

Since then, the seven camps I have organised follow a similar pattern. The

emphasis is on creating a focused mind and a heightened awareness, enabling all

the participants to practice and experience more fully, the human values of

truth, love, peace, right action and non-violence.

Each day of the 5-day camps start with volunteers arriving early for a yoga and

silent sitting or meditation session. Concentration is encouraged through

focusing on the breath, physical movements, a relaxation exercise, and the

Guided Light Visualization exercise.

The children arrive soon after, when the first activity of the day involves

focusing on a pencil point as the children colour a picture. This is done

silently. The teacher welcomes and instructs the child on the activity in a

gentle, soft tone, whilst an assistant sets the example, by engaging in the

same activity as the children.

When all the children have arrived, and to a strict time table, the day starts

with an assembly, where children are introduced to the value of the day. This

is followed by various activities which include drama, sports, art and craft,

indoor board games, singing, and a martial art. Each child participates in a

typical SSEHV lesson every day where the value of the day is discussed and

elaborated through stories, songs and discussion. Silent sitting to relaxing

music or the guided light visualization is introduced at the start or end of

each lesson. The simplicity of the activities in which all children, including

those with special needs, can participate, facilitates good concentration. The

day ends with all the children singing SSEHV songs in the hall. After the

children have been dismissed, there is a meeting of volunteers to discuss any

issues that may have arisen during the day. This concludes with a short

relaxation and silent sitting session.The role of the volunteers as good

examples of the values is crucial to the success of the camps, and they are

encouraged to be silent, so that they can be more focused and aware of how they

are thinking, feeling and acting, thus creating a unity in thought, word and

deed.

Feedback from volunteers, children and parents who have participated in the

camps has indicated the value of the camps in sowing the seeds for positive

change both in attitudes and behaviour. Volunteers have expressed a gratitude

for having been given the opportunity to learn and experience the values;

parents have been moved by the ethos of the camps; and the children have loved

the experience. Weekly Good Values Clubs in the schools have resulted as a

consequence of the camps.

As a former school teacher, the experience of the camps has been incredible, not

only in seeing how effective the Programme is, but also in the realization that

trust and surrender can make the impossible happen, and with such little

effort! I am ever grateful that all the skills I have learnt throughout life,

are now being put to use in such a fulfilling manner.

For further information, or any advice about organising similar holiday schools,

contact, Joyce Power.

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Good Values Drama Camp & CompetitionHeld in Frensham, Surrey, 22nd to 24th October 2005

by Bahnoon AgnewWe were a small group of 13, seven children and six adults. A

larger group had been planned - unfortunately, some children and volunteers had

to pull out due to illness. The youngest child was five and the oldest twelve

and a half years old. We do encourage parents or guardians to attend as well,

if they can, and this time we had one mother join us. The camp was

non-residential.Having a smaller group had its advantages - the amount of

personal time, attention and love we can pour upon each child, and we work as

one large extended family, one whole workshop.The children came from diverse

backgrounds and from different schools in Surrey. More than half the

children are undergoing some major emotional crises in their lives at the

moment. Yet by the end of the first day, all the children were well bonded. It

was a surprise and a delight to the volunteers, to feel the kindness and warmth

reaching deep so quickly.Each half-day dealt with one value/story and a game.

Silent sitting was taught and practised each day with the help of the new CD.

Each day we also sang for half an hour. And the afternoon of the final day was

reserved for "Magic Theatre" - the time when the children would perform their

act/play/musical.A copy of the Guidelines for this Human Values-based

Competition was sent out to all participants, before the start of Camp, and

participants were encouraged to plan, think and prepare their act before the

start of camp.Purpose and Function of the 3 day Event1. To impart and

facilitate understanding of the five human values.2. To share Love; to be

living

examples of Love. 3. To develop self-esteem in the children.4. To build self-confidence.

We share below some of the games and exercises:

Each child was given a long length of material (6 yards), a long quilled

feather, and the choice of either a tennis ball or a soft toy. He/she is to

come up to the front and use these three items to tell a story about

himself/herself. NB. No comments at all from the others - children or

volunteers. Only active listening, attention and finally applause permitted.

On the morning of the second day, after the teaching and enacting of the values

of Right Conduct and Truth have been done, the following game was played. Each

person was given three 4" x 4" square sticky labels with instructions to write

messages to give away to people in the group. The message has a) to be truthful

and b) must not hurt a person's feelings.

Each child is given their choice of a long length of cloth (6 yards) and

instructed to dress himself/herself as a King or a Queen. They are given pins

and string to tie with. Volunteers must not dress the children. Volunteers only

help to do what and how the child wishes to be dressed. Hence the creation and

expression of the Queen's/ King's attire is solely the child's.These words were

then given for them to enact:"I am King/Queen of Myself. I am full of Love. I

understand Discipline (or instead...I understand the need for Right Conduct.) I

am kind to all in my Kingdom.... kind to animals, insects, plants and people.I

am King/Queen of Myself."

Fourth game - exploring Non-Violence. We explore the garden and outdoors. We

collect slugs and bugs to observe more closely each animal/insect. We show it

understanding love and kindness, and finally, greater love, by releasing them

back to their habitat, unharmed.

The children gather dry kindling in the woods and garden. We build a small

bonfire in the garden. We write on a piece of paper all our bad feelings, bad

thoughts and past bad behaviour. We go outside, find a stone, and wrap the

paper around the stone. Finally as a group we circle the fire and throw the

stone directly into the fire. NB. To start off with, a discussion on Fire, its

properties, its function and its power was facilitated with the children.

Below are some testimonies from the participants:

>From a parent:

"In the three days, I have learnt how to relax and trust everyone in the room. I

have enjoyed watching the children grow and come out of themselves and making

friends. Deep down I lack confidence and as the days passed I could feel a

growth within me. I love the meditation; it always helps me connect spiritually

with everyone around me. I love the singing and acting and have enjoyed being

part of a truly wonderful experience. I love the simplicity of it all, sitting

around the lovely long wooden table, sharing beautiful food. There has been a

lot of kindness and I would like to thank you for inviting me on this spiritual

journey." - Joanna

 

>From volunteers:

" I enjoyed the Good Values Drama Camp for several reasons.

1. The kids without exception enjoyed the course and had great fun.

2. It was a joy to watch the self-confidence of several of the children grow.

3. I was amazed at how certain children were able to happily plunge into a

spontaneous drama, whereas I, a very mature adult, felt initial shock-horror,

and was usually devoid of any ideas to put into such impromptu acts!" - Don,

Volunteer and qualified school teacher

" I thoroughly enjoyed our small Camp which encapsulated the values in a variety

of ways. It was lovely to see the children gaining in Confidence & Self Esteem,

and accepting each other so readily. The feeling of being respected, loved and

accepted was established very quickly.When asked to contribute on the first

morning, no hands went up. By the end of the three days, everyones hand was up.

The children joined in all of the activities which brought out the values and

their own individual uniqueness. The Camp was fun, thoughtful, bond-creating,

challenging in a gentle way, character-building and stimulating. And I enjoyed

it as much as the children so evidently did." - Sylvia, Volunteer

>From the children:

" This Camp has been a different experience for me. I thought it would be lots

of different drama activities. But I found out that it was much deeper than

that: it was really about human values and what we we all thought and

understood about Truth, Good Conduct, Love, Peace & Non-violence. One of the

activities that I liked most was when we each had a long piece of cloth, a

tennis ball and either a feather or a soft toy. Then we went up to the front in

pairs or individually and told some stories from our lives. Overall I found the

Camp fun and entertaining." - Izzy, 12

" Drama Camp has been really fun and I have met some new friends. All the

helpers and kids have been really friendly and fun. My favourite parts were

"passing the messages" and "bug-finding". I really loved Bahnoon's garden. We

learned human values and lots of other things. I really liked dressing up and

all the other fun activities and cannot wait to show our performance. Silent

sitting was relaxing and not very fun." - Jessica, 10" It was fun and

entertaining. I especially like the activity when we had to pick up the bugs

and put it in a jar. I have learnt a lot about human values. Before I came to

Camp, I was too shy to get up in front of people, but now I am not shy in front

of people, but I still get a bit nervous every now and again." - Ahzlina, 10" I

really liked it, doing drama and bug finding, I

especially liked dressing up as a Queen and saying the poem." - Immy, 7" I have

learned very much at this camp. I have learnt the five values of Non-violence,

love, truth, peace and right conduct. We went to find bugs in the woods at the

bottom of the garden and it was fun. There were six girls at the Camp and one

boy, me. Ahzlina is very pretty. Bahnoon who runs the Camp was very funny and

was always smiling. So was Ahzlina. I have enjoyed my time here. I would like

to come another time." - Mark, 11

For further information on the event, contact organiser, Bahnoon Agnew, or telephone 01252 792063.

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POEM

If

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on

you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for

their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied

about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet

don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not

make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat

those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've

spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave

your life to broken, And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of

pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a

word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve

your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose

the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men

count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With

sixty seconds' worth of distance run - Yours is the Earth and everything that's

in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

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2005 British Institute of Sathya Sai Education (BISSE). BISSE is a

non-profit organisation committed to promoting human values in education.

Registered address: The Glen, Cuckoo Hill, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 2BE United

Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 8429 2677 Email: feedback (AT) ssehv (DOT) org.uk

 

British Institute of Sathya Sai Education www.ssehv.org.uk