1. Devotee Care And Guidance

2. Upadesamrta 4 Purport
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has been
established to facilitate these six kinds of loving exchanges
between devotees:
1. giving charity to the devotees
2. accepting from the devotees whatever they may offer in
return
3. opening one's mind to the devotees
4. inquiring from them about the confidential service of the Lord
5. honoring prasada, or spiritual food, given by the devotees
6. feeding the devotees with prasada.

4. Team Lessons From The Geese
As each bird flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the bird
following. By fyling in a "V" formation the whole flock provides
71% better range than flying alone. There is a power in the
collective work. People who share a common direction and
sense of community can reach their destination quicker and
easier, travelling on the thrust of each other. Whenever a
goose falls out of formation, it immediately feels the drag and
quickly gets back in to the draft of the nearest goose. If we
had as much sense as a goose, we would stay in formation
with those who are heading where we want to go. Sometimes
the leading goose gets tired and rotates back into formation
for another to take over. Take turns in leadership. Share
leadership.

5. Team Lessons From The Geese
Be interpendent on each other's skills, knowledge, and
qualities. Geese in formation honk from behind to encourage
those up front to keep up the speed. Make sure your honking
from behind is encouraging, not discouraging. ENCOURAGE -
coeur means “heart” in French. Whenever a goose gets sick,
wounded or shot, two geese fall out of the formation to go
with one to protect, help it and stay it until it can fly again, or
until it dies. They then launch out to join another formation or
rejoin their original flock

6. PLAN
Community principles
How does it work
One to one assistance

7. SEVEN PURPOSES OF ISKCON
3. 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.
7

8. SAVE
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. The same example. If you want to save
somebody who's drowning you must know that I may not
be washed away. I have to remain strong; then I can save
him.
Conversation on Roof -- February 14, 1977, Mayapura

9. 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
9

10. 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

11. While the men were meeting in that way, the women were also
meeting one another in the same manner. They were embracing each
other in great friendship, smiling very mildly, and looking at one
another with much affection. When they were embracing each other
in their arms, the saffron and kunkuma spread on their breasts was
exchanged from one person to another, and they all felt heavenly
ecstasy. Due to such heart-to-heart embracing, torrents of tears
glided down their cheeks. The juniors were offering obeisances to the
elders, and the elders were offering their blessings to the juniors.
They were thus welcoming one another and asking after each other's
welfare. Ultimately, however, all their talk was only of Krsna. All the
neighbors and relatives were connected with Lord Krsna's pastimes in
this world, and as such Krsna was the center of all their activities.
 Krsna Book - Lord Krsna and Balarama Meet the Inhabitants of Vrndavana

12. CARING COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES
Sarve sukhino bhavantu
6 loving exchanges (dadati ... )
Enlightening each other Bg 10.9
“Your love for me will be shown ...” SP
“Mutual consultation” SP
Doing good to others Bg 17.16 P
Laksmi comes when we don’t fight SB 5.14.24 P
Pracetas SB 4.8.30
Building trust in a community

13. CARING COMMUNITY PRINCIPLES
Prahlada Maharaja: May all living entities become
calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting
devotional service they will think of each other's
welfare. SB 5.18.9
Holistic care (body, mind and soul)
Training is care (“Give a man a fish ...”)
Regular and clear communication
Sentimental or caring?

14. BUILDING TRUST WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY
We keep promises and honor commitments.
We acknowledge and apologize for mistakes.
We are loyal to the absent.
We seek to understand each other’s needs and concerns.
We say what we feel in a way that shows respect for others’
opinions.
We are not defensive when someone offers feedback.
We share information, both positive and negative, with people who
need to have it.
We encourage others to openly contribute ideas and opinions.
We involve people in decisions that affect them.

15. BUILDING TRUST WITHIN
THE COMMUNITY
We give credit where credit is due.
We share decision making with community or team members,
and support collective decisions.
We encourage and support community or team members
taking risks.
We check our information before jumping to conclusions.
We behave and communicate consistently, regardless of the
situation or the person’s authority and influence.
We communicate clear expectations.
We honour confidential and sensitive information.

16. HOW DOES THE SYSTEM
WORK?

17. PURPOSE
Educate devotees in how to live according to the
principles of their asrama
Train them in philosophy, sadhana, Vaisnava
behaviour, etiquette, lifestyle and attitudes
Give 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

18. HOW DOES IT WORK
Some experienced devotees take on the
service
Assistant Guide
Geographical, linguistic, socio-economic
considerations
Preference for a particular Guide
Pesonal touch
Shelter: bring as many as possible
Fothnightly group meetings
One-to-one meetings

19. HOW DOES IT WORK?
Collective recommendations for initiation
Specialized teams
Temple president participates
Guide from the same asrama
Husband-and-wife team
Not too many to care for and guide (5 to 15)

20. CHOOSING
SPIRITUAL GUIDES
In active Krsna consciousness within
ISKCON for a fair length of time
Good understanding of the philosophy
and practice of Krsna consciousness
Able 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

21. CHOOSING SPIRITUAL GIUDES
Willing to extend to help and sacrifice for others
Compassionate, genuine concern for the welfare of
devotees
A good listener
Mature, sober, stable
Good standard of sadhana, etiquette, behavior, service
and commitment to the mission
Properly situated in own asrama

22. DUTY OF A GUIDE
Provides care, guidance and challenge 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 matters
Overall welfare of the devotees
Not a full time service

23. DUTY OF A GUIDE
Fortnightly group meetings
Recommends for first and second initiation
Actively participates in meetings of the Spiritual Guides
A good standard of sadhana, behavior and service
Sarve sukhino bhavantu
Caution: personal ambition, misuse ...

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. WHAT KEEPS THE GROUP
MEMBERS TOGETHER?
Guide’s genuine care and love
Guide takes initiative, reaches out
An environment of love, appreciation and
challenge
Commitment to quality relationships
Six symptoms of love (Upadesamrta)
Benefits for those who take care of others
Interesting or exciting meetings

28. INTERESTING MEETINGS
Induce creativity and innovation
Create fresh challenges
Consider personal interests
Birthdays, marriages, anniversaries
Regular, specific personal appreciation
Catch them doing things right
Fun: games, quizzes, role plays
Do personal things for them
Dynamic action after the session

29. GUIDES MEETINGS
 Different Guide presents each time
 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
 Management (if needed)
 Prasadam

30. SUPPORT FOR GUIDES
Mentoring
Training
Sanga
Countinuous learning (skills, ideas ...)

31. DEMONSTRATION
Facilitating group discussion

32. BENEFITS OF DEVOTEE CARE
Devotees ISKCON
Support Prabhupada’s mercy
Better know each other Examplary community
Accountability Manpower
Strong devotees Resources

33. DEVOTEES’ NEEDS
Krsna Guidance
Body Challenge
Mind Change
Heart Faith in Krsna
Soul Appreciation
Care Contribution
Support

34. ONE-TO-ONE SKILLS
Listening
Questions
Problems into opportunities
Expanding options
Challenge
Promoting action

35. 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

36. ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS
Communication skills
Discovering devotee’s needs, interests and
concerns
Confidential
Supportive (believes in)
Focused on a devotee being guided
Personal issues
Sharing realizations and successes
Not a lecture
Working together to find solutions
Enlightening

37. 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
Interested and concerned
THEY are responsible for their lives
Clear your mind of all personal issues

38. 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.

39. ASKING EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS
The purpose of asking questions is to:
1. Understand the devotee well
2. Help them understand themselves
3. Clarify what they want
4. Discover new options, opportunities, possibilities and
advantages
5. Identify obstacles
6. Make an action plan

40. EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS
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)

41. EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS
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?
Are you ready to pay the price?

42. NON-EFFECTIVE 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?

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

44. POWER OF A RIGHT QUESTION
The question that saved concentration camp prisoner’s
life.

45. 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 devotee
2. Paraphrase back to the devotee to determine whether
he has successfully understood him. The devotee
should confirm it.

46. 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

47. 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.

48. 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?

49. 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.).

50. EXERCISE
Choose one problem and turn it into an opportunity
together.

51. EXPANDING OPTIONS
Gita Cards
Mindstorming
Brainstorming
Asking others
What else could I do?

52. 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

53. ACTION
Chosen area
Clarifying what they want (clear written goals)
Exploring options, opportunities, possibilities and
advantages
Overcoming obstacles
Making a written action plan
Holding them accountable by requesting weekly reports

54. HOLISTIC OR COMPLETE CARE
Health
Sadhana
Service
Relationships
Self-renewal/Balance
Etc.

55. SPIRITUAL GUIDE SESSION
1. Inquire
2. Listen attentively
3. Reflect back
4. Discover possibilities and solutions together
5. Plan action together

56. RESULTS
To change their results, devotee sneed 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.

57. ACTION 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

58. PRACTICE
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

59. SUMMARY
Attentive to devotee’s needs, interests and concerns
Confidential
Supportive
Focused on a devotee being guided
Personal issues
Sharing realizations and successes
Not a lecture
Working together to find solutions
Enlightening

60. MUTUAL COACHING
Weekly questions
Feedforward
GITA Model
Goals
Instructions
Tests
Action

61. EXERCISE
Choose an important goal and tell partner
Parner asks you: What are the three ways I can help you
succeed in this?
Partner chooses one he can help you with and committs
to do it next week

62. DEMONSTRATION
One-to-one meeting/session with a GITA
Model
Goals
Instructions
Tests
Action

63. ISKCON DEVOTEE
CARE
Devotee Care Journal
http://devoteecareiskcon.com/en
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