Helping Devotees Succeed

About This Presentation

Title:

Helping Devotees Succeed

Description:

Thinks of you, listens to you and speaks to you ... Dictionary definitions: ... What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail? ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:133

Avg rating:3.0/5.0

Slides: 121

Provided by: akrur1

Category:

more less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: Helping Devotees Succeed

1
Helping Devotees Succeed

Spiritual Guidance System

2
Welcome!
3
A Spiritual Guide

Your spiritual success partner who
Thinks of you, listens to you and speaks to you
kindly in all circumstances
Works alongside you with strong faith in you and
your potential
Assists you in making lasting positive changes in
your life
Supports you and encourages your spiritual and
professional growth

4
A Spiritual Guide

Encourages your service, recognises your natural
gifts and talents, so that you can use them as a
basis for your spiritual growth and material
support
Works with you and for you, not on you
Keeps strictly confidential any information about
you
Believes in your inherent potential to be a pure
devotee of the Lord.

5
The Seven Purposes of ISKCON

To bring the members of the Society together with
each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime
entity, thus developing the idea within the
members, and humanity at large, that each soul is
part and parcel of the quality of Godhead
(Krishna).
To bring the members closer together for the
purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way
of life.

Be under the guidance of your elder brother
Janardana and you will progress nicely.
Letter to Sivananda - Los Angeles 21 January,
1968

please act under the guidance of Brahmananda,
so long I am not able to see you
Letter to Robert - Los Angeles 20 February, 1968

I am pleased to note that Girish is progressing
nicely under your guidance.
Letter to Aniruddha - Los Angeles 23 January,
1969

People are going to hell for want of proper
guidance.
Letter to Harer Nama - Los Angeles 15 January,
1970

One who gives personal instruction to each and
everyone does more for others than the platform
speakers do. Generally, whatever platform
speakers say cannot solve the problem of everyone
in the audience, nor can it always benefit every
individual. A person's defects are better
rectified in a private tutorial class or private
coaching than in hearing lectures in a school or
college. Therefore those who instruct particular
persons separately can award them something more
permanent.
- Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Amrta Vani, page
315

11
A Need!

There is a clear need for more systematic and
effective support and guidance of devotees -
based on talking to hundreds of serious devotees
serving in ISKCON.

12
Return On Investment

People who are taken care of well and are guided
well will tend to do the same with others in
return
This will expand our mission and grow our
movement.

13
Top Priority

Local GBCs and temple presidents take it as one
of the top priorities and frequently preach about
it as well as create clear accountability around
it and efficient practical support-and-guidance
systems.

14
Euro GBC Guideline 2008

That all GBCs, temple presidents and project
leaders in ISKCON Europe will encourage a system
of holistic care and guidance of residential and
congregational devotees within their zone, centre
or project in the form of personal spiritual
guidance.

15
Holistic Or Complete Care

Health
Sadhana
Service
Relationships
Etc.

16
This is organization

That is the way of Indian teaching, that
there is one teacher, and how he's managing
hundreds? That means there are groups. One who is
elderly student, he's taking some beginners
"Write a or A like this." That he can teach. What
he has learned, he can teach. Similarly, next
group, next group.
So in this way, one teacher can manage
hundreds of students of different categories.
This is organization. Not that everything I have
to do. I cannot teach anybody to do it. That is
not intelligence.
Room Conversation -- July 31, 1976, New
Mayapur (French farm)

17
This is organization

Intelligence is that employ others to help
you. That is intelligence. Not that "Oh, I was
busy, I could not do it." Why? What about your
assistant? Train assistant so that in your
absence things can be done. So the elderly
students, they could be...
Just Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to do that.
When He was sixteen years old he could argue with
Kesava Kasmiri, because He was practiced. In this
way, stage after stage, everyone should be
expert. Everyone should be teacher and student.
Room Conversation -- July 31, 1976, New
Mayapur (French farm)

18
Purpose

Educate and train devotees to live according to
the Krishna conscious principles of their asrama.
Provide systematic training in Krishna conscious
philosophy, sadhana, Vaisnava behaviour,
lifestyle and attitudes.

19
Purpose

Provide a formal framework within which personal
care and attention can be provided to all
devotees to make them feel loved and wanted and
part of a wonderful spiritual family.
Foster warm personal relationships and a spirit
of love and trust amongst devotees based on
Krishna conscious principles.
Provide a forum which facilitates engaging
devotees in service, organization of major
events, communication of important decisions, etc.

20
How Does The System Work?

Certain experienced devotees from the temple and
the congregation are trained and nominated to
provide support and guidance.
Devotees from the temple and the congregation
accept particular spiritual guide.
Train assistant guides.

21
How Does The System Work?

Meet fortnightly at the homes of devotees or
other places.
Keep in touch and meet one-to-one.
New devotees encouraged to join the system,
through announcements at the Sunday Programme, in
personal discussions, etc.
Bring as many devotees as possible under the
umbrella of the system.

22
How Does The System Work?

Form teams for various services and for various
needs of the devotees.
They report to the Team of Spiritual Guides,
which reports to the local Temple Council.
The Temple President attends meetings of the
Guides.

23
How Does The System Work?

No spiritual guide is allotted more than 10
devotees or families to guide to ensure adequate
personal attention to each devotee.
Grhastha guide generally means a
husband-and-wife team.
Ladies are guides to the ladies and men to the
men.

24
How Does The System Work?

The Team of Spiritual Guides recommends the
devotees for first and second initiation based on
ISKCON guidelines.
The Team then considers each candidate and if any
of the other guides have reservations about a
particular candidate, the matter is further
discussed.
After approval of the Team the initiating
spiritual master is asked for final approval.

25
How Is A Spiritual Guide Selected?

Be a devotee who has been in active Krishna
consciousness within ISKCON for a reasonable
length of time.
Demonstrate a solid understanding of the
philosophy and practice of Krishna consciousness.
Demonstrate the ability to give balanced guidance
based on Krishna conscious principles according
to time, place and circumstance.

26
How Is A Spiritual Guide Selected?

Be willing to extend himself/herself to help
others. Has a spirit of sacrifice.
Be compassionate and have genuine concern for the
welfare of devotees.
Be a good listener.

27
How Is A Spiritual Guide Selected?

Be a mature, sober and stable individual.
Demonstrate good standard of sadhana, etiquette,
behaviour, service and commitment to the ISKCONs
mission.
Be properly situated in his/her own asrama.

28
Becoming A Gardener

When a person receives the seed of devotional
service, he should take care of it by becoming a
gardener and sowing the seed in his heart. If he
waters the seed gradually by the process of
sravana and kirtana hearing and chanting, the
seed will begin to sprout.
CC Madhya 19.152

29
Responsibility Of A Spiritual Guide

A spiritual guide is a friend, supporter and
guide in Krsna consciousness.
A spiritual elder brother/sister. Takes personal
care of all devotees in the group.
Inspires and encourages devotees whom he guides
in Krsna consciousness and monitors their
progress.
Provides Krsna conscious training to those
devotees.

30
Responsibility Of A Spiritual Guide

Assists devotees in both spiritual and personal
matters. He looks into the overall welfare of the
devotees.
Conducts fortnightly meetings with devotees.
Recommends qualified candidates for first and
second initiation.
Does not abuse his/her position as a guide

31
Responsibility Of A Spiritual Guide

Provides useful input to the Team of Spiritual
Guides and actively participates in meetings.
Sets a solid standard of sadhana, service and
behaviour.

32
4 Roles Of A Spiritual Guide

Example
Support
Guidance
Challenge

33
Training Of Devotees

How to be ideal brahmacaris and grhasthas by
keeping Krsna in the centre.
How to maintain proper devotional standards at
the temple or at home (regarding behaviour,
sadhana, kitchen, altar, etc.).
How to be proper brahmacari or wife/husband/parent
/child, etc., according to scriptures.

34
Training Of Devotees

How to balance economic and social
responsibilities with spiritual vows.
How women should deal with men, particularly
brahmacharis and sannyasis.
How men should deal with women.
How to have proper attitude towards other
asramas.
A manual of Vaisnava Etiquette and Lifestyle is
discussed in meetings.

35
Meetings Of Spiritual Guides And Devotees

Vaisnava bhajans.
A few pages of one of Srila Prabhupadas books
are discussed. One of the devotees makes a
presentation and a discussion follows.
Sharing realizations.
Discussion on service, sadhana and Vaisnava
etiquette.

36
Meetings Of Spiritual Guides And Devotees

Any challenges or problems.
Personal problems that require confidentiality
are discussed in private with the guide.
Kirtana.
Prasadam.

37
Meetings Of The Team of Spiritual Guides

Discussion on sadhana (japa, waking up early,
etc.).
Reading (philosophy, importance of reading
Prabhupadas books, etc.).
Vaisnava etiquette and behaviour (how to
serve/honour prasadam, personal habits,
discussion on 26 qualities of a Vaisnava, etc.).
Different guides make presentations each time.
Caring for devotees (reports from various teams
formed to care for devotees, if applicable).

38
Meetings Of Spiritual Guides

Sometimes when the discussion flows
spontaneously, more time is required.
At the end, various management matters are
discussed if needed.
Prasadam.

39
Current Examples

Chowpatty Mumbai
Ukraine
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Stockholm
London Soho

40
Benefits

Train more preachers
Increase book distribution
Assist ISKCON gurus
Not lose devotees
Stable families
Train spiritual leaders
Krsna consciousness in the workplace
Less problems and scandals
Expand the mission
Boiling the milk

41
Benefits

Increase support network for devotees
Increase preaching opportunities
Increase congregational involvement
Increase temple maintenance
Ensure that the Temple takes into account the
views of the congregational and temple devotees
when making decisions.
Facilitate loving relationships between
brahmacaris and grhasthas or temple and
congregational devotees.

42
How to start?

Form teams of local devotees who are willing to
be spiritual guides.
Leaders support them in starting and developing a
system by speaking about it in classes and forums
and providing practical help.
Take assistance from the European Team for
Spiritual Guidance.

43
Fan the spark!

Just like people come here with little faith.
That faith is the little spark of fire. Now you
have to fan it, fan it, so that fire may
increase.
Lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.12 Vrndavana,
October 23, 1972

We require many boys and girls like you to spread
this movement. Please do it carefully and help
others to become Krishna conscious.
Letter to Dayananda - Calcutta 8 February,
1971

Every disciple must make his own spiritual
progress positively and help others to do so.
Letter to Nayanabhirama - Bombay 30 April, 1971

So everything is there. Save yourself, save
others. This is our Krsna consciousness movement.
First of all save yourself then try to save
others. Or both things can go on simultaneously.
Conversation on Roof - February 14, 1977,
Mayapura

47
One to One Skills

For Spiritual Guides

48
Outline

Part 1
Introduction
10 Qualities
Goal Setting
Part 2
Relationship
Skills
Practice

49
How can we assist devotees?

In going from where they are to where they want
to be, more quickly and efficiently than they
would do it on their own
Provide a framework for their self-observation,
self-evaluation and improvement

50
How you can assist devotees?

By together highlighting and engaging their
worth, potential, talents and strengths
By together discovering new options,
opportunities, possibilities and advantages for
solving problems and achieving results
By together finding solutions that exactly meet
their needs

51
10 qualities

A genuine desire to help devotees succeed
Genuine interest in devotees
A greater interest in people than in things
The ability to balance your own life and to put
your own issues on hold
Total commitment to devotees success

52
10 qualities

Excellent verbal communication
Strict confidentiality
Being neither judgemental nor critical
Being an explorer and provider of options
Persistence

53
Goal setting

Our goal is Krsna, and we are preaching the
gospel of Krsna, Bhagavad-gita As It Is
- Letter to Jayagovinda, Los Angeles 13 August
1969
Disturbance is due to want of an ultimate
goal, and when one is certain that Krsna is the
enjoyer, proprietor and friend of everyone and
everything, then one can, with a steady mind,
bring about peace.
- Bg 2.66 P

54
Start

If you want to achieve goals youve never
achieved before, you have to start doing things
youve never done before.

55
Goals

A problem to solve or a result to achieve
A minor or major change of direction
Clear destination first
The means and motivation

56
Two steps

Helping a devotee to define where they want to be
(setting their goals)
Helping a devotee to reach that destination
(achieving their goals)

57
SMART goals

Specific
Measurable
Attractive
Realistic
Time-bound

Clearly defined
Tangible, practical, quantifiable
Inspiring
Within your capacity or influence
Have a deadline

58
Writing goals

The act of physically writing goals down (paper
or electronic) reinforces your commitment to
achieving them. A goal that is not written is
likely to be forgotten
Yale University study

59
Working with goals

Write them down
Read them everyday
Do something everyday to move you closer to
achieving them
Evaluate your actions
Create a support structure
Meet deadlines
Etc.

60
Exercise

Choose a goal in one area of your life
(spiritual, career, relationships, health, etc.)
and make it into a SMART goal, write it down and
share it with a devotee next to you or with a
group.

61
Demonstration

Help a volunteer from the audience to set and
achieve a goal in his chosen area.

62
Relationship

Let me become a sincere servant of the
devotees, because by serving them one can achieve
unalloyed devotional service unto the lotus feet
of the Lord.
- Nectar of Devotion, Rendering Service to
Devotees
(SB 3.7.19)

63
Establishing rapport

Dictionary definitions
A close and harmonious relationship in which
there is common understanding
A feeling of understanding and sympathy

64
Rapport

Getting in tune with another person so that your
mutual communications are totally successful.
Make it easy for a devotee to relate to you
Show genuine interest
Listen empathically

65
Rapport

Excellent mutual understanding
Trust
Say what you mean
Mean what you say
Enthusiastic to work together

66
Interrupting

Discussion that is going nowhere
Negative line of comments
Self-pitying, victim attitude

67
Honesty

If one is always acting under these three
facts, knowing Krsna to be the Supreme
Proprietor, Enjoyer, and Friend, then he is truly
honest, and if one is not acting in this
knowledge, then he is always cheating or being
dishonest.
- Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Bhakta dasa, Tokyo
2 May 1972

68
What does it mean?

Being totally honest with yourself
Being totally honest with a devotee
Comply with your spiritual beliefs, ethics and
Vaisnava behaviour
Put on an act for a while
From a true place within

69
Exercise Your Spiritual Ethics

Think of a time where you were not truthful in a
relationship and what were the consequences

70
A servant

Finds pleasure in helping you succeed in your
chosen area. He does this by assisting you in
finding solutions to your problems and strategies
for achieving your goals
Sees you in terms of your potential, not in terms
of your present performance or behaviour

71
A servant

He is like a friend or teacher, leader or adviser
who believes in you when you don't believe in
yourself. One who stays with you regardless. Not
someone who is too soft and permissive with you,
someone who gives in to you, but someone who
would neither give in to you nor give up on you.

72
Exercise

Practice building rapport
Add guidelines
Feedback and discussion

73
BG

It is said that He (Krsna) is the ocean of all
the relationships exchanged between two living
entities ... Bg 11.14 P
One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul,
and who controls his mind and senses is dear to
everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though
always working, such a man is never entangled. Bg
5.7

74
Skills

Listen empathically
Ask effective questions
Turn problems into opportunities
Promote dynamic action

75
Listen

Fully understand the situation of the devotee
Give them the space to understand themselves
Listen first and seek first to understand
Remain as impartial, open and objective as you
possibly can

76
Listen

Interested and concerned
THEY are responsible for their lives
Clear your mind of all personal issues

77
Exercise

Listen to a devotee next to you for 3 minutes.
You must not make any sound, say anything, nod,
shake your head or show any other signs. Repeat
back your understanding of the key points they
made. Ask a devotee whether you understood him or
her well.

78
Asking Effective Questions

The purpose of asking questions is to
Understand your devotee well
Help them understand themselves
Clarify what they want
Discover new options, opportunities,
possibilities and advantages
Identify obstacles
Make an action plan

79
EQ

What are your strengths, talents, skills, good
qualities?
What do you want?
What one great thing would you dare to dream if
you knew you could not fail? (question about an
exciting goal)

80
EQ

What one thing, if you would do superbly well
everyday, would make the greatest positive
difference in your life? (question about personal
habits / best practices)
What can you learn from this?
How can you turn this problem into an
opportunity?
What and who inspires you the most?

81
EQ

What do you want?
Are you ready to pay the price?

82
Disempowering questions

Why are you so bad?
Why you dont understand whats good for you?
When are you going to change / shape up / grow
up?
How could you do such a thing?

83
Tip

After asking questions and listening, summarize
what you have heard to be sure you have
understand your devotee well.

84
Power of questions

The question that saved concentration camp
prisoners life.

85
Exercise

Pair up as and take turn to speak about an
issue.
Ask relevant and empowering questions until he is
certain to have understood the devotee
Paraphrase back to the devotee to determine
whether he has successfully understood him. The
devotee should confirm it.

86
Turning Problems Into Opportunities

O Partha, happy are the ksatriyas to whom such
fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for
them the doors of the heavenly planets.
Bg 2.32

87
Turning Problems Into Opportunities

The way you see a problem or a task powerfully
influences you action and the results you will
achieve.
Help the devotee to see their problems
differently as a blessing in disguise.

88
A turnaround expert

What is great about this problem?
What can I learn from this problem?
What this problem is an opportunity for?
If you would be a world expert on these issues,
what would you advise?
If you would be super-intelligent, how would you
deal with this problem?
What additional skills do you need to deal with
this problem?

89
A turnaround expert

Use questions as you see fit, in any order
Induce a devotee to see themselves as expert in
solving a particular problem and learn everything
they can about it from various sources
(spiritual, professional, etc.).

90
Exercise

Choose one problem and turn it into an
opportunity together.

91
Promoting Action

Factually, we should be engaged 24 hours in
Krsna's service and everything should be done
very nicely and perfectly.
Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Adi-kesava,
Bombay 2 January 1975

92
Helping devotees succeed

Helps devotees succeed in their chosen area by
assisting them by
Clarifying what they want
Exploring options, opportunities, possibilities
and advantages
Overcoming obstacles
Making a written action plan
Holding them accountable by requesting weekly
reports

93
Holistic Or Complete Care

Health
Sadhana
Service
Relationships
Etc.

94
Change

To change their results, devotee needs to change
their perception, their thinking and their
action.
To achieve things you have never achieved before,
you have to start doing things you have never
done before.

95
Success

Success Personal effort Krsnas mercy
The place of action the body, the performer,
the various senses, the many different kinds of
endeavour, and ultimately the Supersoul these
are the five factors of action. Whatever right or
wrong action a man performs by body, mind or
speech is caused by these five factors. Therefore
one who thinks himself the only doer, not
considering the five factors, is certainly not
very intelligent and cannot see things as they
are.
Bg 18.14-16
O son of Kunti, I am the taste of water, the
light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in
the Vedic mantras I am the sound in ether and
ability in man.
Bg 7.8

96
Practice

Demonstration
Mutual assistance
Share first with your partner and then with a
whole group what you have learned and experienced
both as a guide and guided

97
Helping each other

Prabhupada liked to hear of his disciples helping
each other to follow the instructions of the
spiritual master.
SDG, Prabhupada Meditations 2.2.3 Guru Means
Heavy
I hope we shall very soon meet again and help
each other in the matter of discharging Krishna
consciousness engagements.
Letter to Satsvarupa - Delhi 6 October, 1967
help each other to become better and better
preachers of this Krishna Consciousness movement.
Letter to Madhucara - Nairobi 25 September, 1971