Upload
meredith-banks
View
233
Download
2
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Devotee Care And Guidance System
ISKCON Ljubljana 20 and 22 March 2010
SEVEN PURPOSES OF ISKCON3. To bring the members of the Society together
with each other and nearer to Krsna, the prime entity, thus to develop the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krsna).
6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
3
SRILA PRABHUPADA
Srila Prabhupada was first and foremost someone who truly cared, who completely sacrificed his own comfort to work for the good of others.
- Mukunda Goswami
4
HELPING EACH OTHERPrabhupada 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
“I AM ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU”Once we see that “somebody’s willing to make a sacrifice
for me,” that in itself gives us some shelter. Because we think, “Oh, this person is actually thinking of
me. Thinking of my benefit.”Niranjana Swami
GOPAL BHATTA“I can see! You love each
other! You have so much affection for each other! And it is not pretentious. It is so obvious that even I can see it”.
Gopal Bhatta ACBSP
PRACETAS The Supreme Personality of
Godhead said: My dear sons of the King, I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you.
All of you are engaged in one occupation - devotional service.
I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune.
Now you may ask a benediction of Me.
SB 4.30.8
TRAINING IS CAREAdipurusa
Community Principles Responsible communication Reliability Mutual support Mutual accountability Taking initiative Mutual benefit (win-win) Seek first to understand Creative cooperation (third
alternative) Clarity of purpose Varna and asrama
PURPOSE Educate in how to live according to the principles of
their asrama Train in philosophy, sadhana, Vaisnava behaviour,
etiquette, lifestyle and attitudes Care and attention for all devotees to make them feel
loved, wanted and part of a wonderful spiritual family Foster warm personal relationships and a spirit of love
and trust based on Krsna conscious principles Facilitate allocation of service, organization of major
events, communication of important decisions Train spiritual leaders and preachers
HOW DOES IT WORKSome experienced devotees take on the
serviceAssistant GuideGeographical, linguistic, socio-economic
considerations Preference for a particular GuidePesonal touchShelter: bring as many as possibleFothnightly group meetingsOne-to-one meetings
HOWCollective recommendations for initiationSpecialized teamsTemple president participatesGuide from the same asramaHusband-and-wife teamNot too many to care for and guide
CHOOSING SPIRITUAL GUIDESIn active Krsna consciousness within
ISKCON for a fair length of timeGood understanding of the philosophy
and practice of Krsna consciousnessAble to give balanced counsel based
on Krsna conscious principles according to person, time, place and circumstance
Not inclined to extreme or controversial positions on issues
CHOOSINGWilling to extend to help and sacrifice for othersCompassionate, genuine concern for the welfare of
devoteesA good listenerMature, sober, stableGood standard of sadhana, etiquette, behavior, service
and commitment to the missionProperly situated in own asrama
DUTY OF A GUIDEA friend and guide in Krsna
consciousness Spiritual elder brother/sister, takes
personal care of all devotees in the group
Inspires and encourages them in Krsna consciousness, monitors their progress
Provides Krsna conscious and general life skills training
Counsels in spiritual and other mattersOverall welfare of the devotees
DUTYFortnightly group meetingsRecommends for first and second initiationActively participates in meetings of the Spiritual GuidesA good standard of sadhana, behavior and serviceSarve sukhino bhavantuCaution: personal ambition, misuse ...
TRAINING DEVOTEES Ideal brahmacaris and grhasthas Proper devotional standards at
the temple or at home (kitchen, altar, behavior, sadhana)
Proper wife/husband/parent/child, according to scriptures
Balance economic and social responsibilities with spiritual vows
TRAINING DEVOTEES Women dealing with men, particularly
brahmacharis and sannyasis; men dealing with women
Proper dealings between asramas Dealing with other devotees, family, public Manual of Vaisnava Etiquette and Lifestyle
GROUP MEETING Vaisnava bhajans One of devotees presents a text
from Srila Prabhupada’s books, discussion
Sharing realizations Discussion on service, sadhana,
Vaisnava etiquette/behavior Issues not too personal
(personal discussed in private with the Guide)
Practical committments Kirtana, prasadam
WHAT KEEPS THE GROUP MEMBERS TOGETHER?Guide’s genuine care and loveGuide takes initiative, reaches outAn environment of love, appreciation and
challengeBenefits for those who takes care of othersCommitment to quality relationships
THE "GLUE"There is an inherentt value in good Vaisnava
relationships. Not just a means to an end. Good Vaisnava relationships please Krsna already (other things need to also be in place)
Six symptoms of love (Upadesamrta)See the needs of others first and try to serve them
GUIDES MEETINGS
Discussion on the holy name and: Sadhana (japa, waking early, morning
program, etc.) Reading (importance of philosophy and
reading Prabhupada’s books) Vaisnava Etiquette (respect to
everyone, how to serve/honour prasadam, personal habits, etc.)
Exemplary Behavior (26 qualities of a Vaisnava, etc.)
Reports from specilized teams Different Guide presents each time Management matters (if needed) Prasadam
KEY QUESTIONSWhat do we want people to
become?What do we want them to do?Where do we want them to go?
Maturing devoteesRelationship with GodRelationship with devoteesRelationship with others
INTERESTING MEETINGSInduce creativity and innovationCreate fresh challengesConsider personal interestsBirthdays, marriages, anniversariesRegular, specific personal appreciationCatch them doing things rightFun: games, quizzes, role playsDo personal things for themDynamic action after the session
BHAKTISIDDHANTA 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
ONE-TO-ONEAttentive to devotee’s needs, interests and
concernsConfidentialSupportive (believes in)Focused on a devotee being guidedPersonal issues Sharing realizations and successesNot a lectureWorking together to find solutionsEnlightening
ONE-TO-ONE SKILLSListeningQuestionsProblems into opportunitiesExpanding optionsPromoting action
LISTENFully 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
LISTENInterested and concerned THEY are responsible for their lives Clear your mind of all personal issues
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.
ASKING EFFECTIVE QUESTIONSThe purpose of asking questions is to:1. Understand your devotee well2. Help them understand themselves3. Clarify what they want4. Discover new options, opportunities, possibilities and
advantages5. Identify obstacles6. Make an action plan
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)
EQWhat 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?
EQWhat do you want?Are you ready to pay the price?
DISEMPOWERING QUESTIONS Why are you so bad?Why you don’t understand what’s good for you?When are you going to change / shape up / grow up?How could you do such a thing?
TIPAfter asking questions and listening, summarize what you
have heard to be sure you have understand your devotee well.
POWER OF QUESTIONSThe question that saved concentration camp prisoner’s
life.
EXERCISE Pair up as and take turn to speak about an issue.1. Ask relevant and empowering questions until he is
certain to have understood the devotee2. Paraphrase back to the devotee to determine whether
he has successfully understood him. The devotee should confirm it.
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
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.
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?
A TURNAROUND EXPERTUse questions as you see fit, in any orderInduce 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.).
EXERCISE Choose one problem and turn it into an opportunity
together.
EXPANDING OPTIONSGita CardsMindstormingBrainstormingAsking othersWhat else could I do?
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
ACTIONClear written goalsPlanAccountability
HELPING DEVOTEES SUCCEEDChosen areaClarifying what they wantExploring options, opportunities, possibilities and
advantagesOvercoming obstaclesMaking a written action planHolding them accountable by requesting weekly reports
HOLISTIC OR COMPLETE CAREHealth SadhanaServiceRelationshipsEtc.
CHANGETo 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.
SUCCESS Success = Personal effort + Krsna’s 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
PRACTICE Demonstration Mutual assistanceShare first with your partner and then with a whole
group what you have learned and experienced both as a guide and guided
SUMMARYAttentive to devotee’s needs, interests and concernsConfidentialSupportiveFocused on a devotee being guidedPersonal issues Sharing realizations and successesNot a lectureWorking together to find solutionsEnlightening
MUTUAL COACHINGWeekly questionsFeedforwardGITA Model
GoalsInstructionsTestsAction
EXERCISEChoose an important goal and tell partnerParner asks you: What are the three ways I can help you
succeed in this? Partner chooses one he think he can help you with and
committs to do it next week
DEMONSTRATIONSTopical group discussionOne-to-one meeting/session with a GITA
ModelGoalsInstructionsTestsAction
REVIEW AND WAY FORWARDSummaryQuestionsCommentsIdeas
Way forward