Five Human Values
What does Sathya mean?
Truth - speaking the truth even when it is difficult
What is a Sankalpa?
A personal commitment to practice a value or make a positive change in your thoughts, words, or actions.
What are the three main areas of self-regulation?
Emotions (managing feelings), Thoughts (controlling your thinking), and Actions (making smart choices)
What is Ahimsa?
Non-violence - not hurting others with words, actions, or thoughts
What are the opening practices in a Bal Vikas session?
3 Aum, Vakra Tunda prayer, and Jyoti (light) meditation for silent sitting
Name all 5 Human Values taught in Bal Vikas.
Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti (Peace), Prema (Love), and Ahimsa (Non-violence)
What did Sai Baba say about Sankalpa?
"Where there is a Sankalpa, there will be Siddhi (success)"
In the "Nail in the Fence" story, what did the father give the boy?
A bag of nails and a hammer. He told the boy to hammer a nail into the fence every time he lost his temper, then pull them out when he controlled his anger.
What does "consideration for others" mean in Bal Vikas?
Caring for everyone and everything that is not your own - including all humans, animals, birds, insects, plants, and even objects in the world
Why do we begin with silent sitting and meditation?
To help settle our minds, create a calm and respectful atmosphere, slow down our thoughts, build self-awareness, and prepare us to listen and learn better
What is an example Sankalpa for the value of Prema (Love)?
"I will show love by listening to my parents" or "I will speak kindly to my classmates"
What is the Walk for Peace, and what does it teach us?
A long-distance pilgrimage initiated by Buddhist monks spanning 2,300 miles from October 2025 to February 2026 to promote peace, compassion, and nonviolence. It teaches us about mindful walking, consideration for others, and dedication to peace.
What was the lesson of the holes left in the fence?
Even though the nails were removed, the holes remained. This shows that words spoken in anger leave scars that cannot be undone, just like physical wounds. Saying "I'm sorry" cannot completely erase the hurt caused.
Give three examples of showing consideration for others.
Examples: Sitting quietly in class instead of talking, taking care of animals, keeping your room clean, respecting nature, speaking kindly, helping without being asked, listening to others
What is the significance of the First Nations Acknowledgement in Bal Vikas Winnipeg?
It acknowledges that we are on the original lands of Indigenous peoples (Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anishininew, Dakota, Dene, and Métis Nation). It shows respect for Treaties, acknowledges past harms, and commits to reconciliation, collaboration, and partnership.
Explain what Dharma means and give an example of practicing it.
Dharma means Righteousness - doing what is right, not what is easy. Example: "I will help others without being asked" or "I will do what is right, not what is easy"
Name three things that can help you create peace around you.
Examples: Taking deep breaths, speaking kindly, being patient, helping others, sitting in silence/meditation, avoiding hurtful words, showing consideration for others.
Name three "Uh-oh signals" that tell you it's time to pause and self-regulate.
Examples: Racing thoughts, feeling like crying or shouting, sudden irritation, can't concentrate, yelling/slamming doors, interrupting others, making quick decisions you later regret, emotions going up and down
What is Sai Baba's teaching: "Love all, serve all, _____ ever, _____ never"?
"Help ever, hurt never"
What are the 3 Magic Questions for self-awareness?
1) What am I feeling right now? 2) What do I feel like doing? 3) What would my best self do instead?
Recite the meaning of "Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" and explain why it represents consideration for others.
It means "May everyone be happy; may everyone be free from all diseases. May everyone see goodness in everything, may none be unhappy or distressed. Om peace, peace, peace!" It represents consideration because we are wishing happiness and well-being for EVERYONE and EVERYTHING, not just ourselves.
Explain the meaning of "Aloka" and its connection to the Walk for Peace.
Aloka is a Sanskrit word meaning light, radiance, illumination, vision, or brightness, symbolizing knowledge, clarity, and spiritual enlightenment. It was the name of the famous "Peace Dog" who accompanied the Buddhist monks on their Walk for Peace.
According to Sai Baba, what causes anger and how do we overcome it?
Anger is caused by weakness of the mind (not the body). To overcome it, we must fill our minds with good thoughts, good feelings, and good ideas. Calmness is our protection, while anger is our greatest enemy.
Explain how self-regulation connects to non-violence and consideration for others.
Self-regulation helps us pause before acting or speaking, which prevents us from hurting others with our words or actions. When we control our anger and impulses, we show kindness, patience, and understanding - which demonstrates consideration for others and practices non-violence.
Describe the "superpower of self-regulation" and how you would use it at school or home.
The superpower of self-regulation is the ability to pause, stay calm, and make choices we're proud of even when things get tough. Examples: staying calm during arguments, finishing homework without procrastination, being patient with siblings, thinking before speaking, controlling anger, showing respect even when frustrated.