VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
Vedic Oasis for Inspiration,
Culture & Education
(VOICE)
Preachers Guide
Contents
1. ‘Youth Preaching flourishes at Pune’ an article by Caitanyacharan das 2. BACE become VOICE
3. VOICE – Motto and Objectives
4. Specialised training for different age groups 5. Children VOICE
6. Teenage Boys VOICE 7. Boys VOICE
8. Teenage Girls VOICE 9. Girls VOICE
10.Corporate VOICE 11.VOICE Publications
12.Preaching Strategies – One time program 13.DYS Course - Six session program 14.On Scientific Preaching and DYS Course
15.Five short-term Courses on ‘Essence of Bhagavad gita’ thru Weekly Study circle 16.How does a student evolve in our training program
17.Mantra Meditation Circle (MMC) – a tool to keep our students intact 18.VOICE Youth Hostel or Youth Centres
19.Group Discussion Camps (GDC) for Spiritual picnic outing experience 20.Public Speaking and Discussion (PSD) for training to become a Preacher 21.Additional Training Programs
22.Week End Meeting topics for Juniors and Seniors
23.Principle Centered Leadership (PCL) training for Leaders and Managers 24.Vaishnava Training Workshop (VTW) during summer vacation
25.Gauranga Sabha (GS) – training for would be Celibates 26.Nityananda Sabha (NS) – training for would be Grihastas 27.Friends of Lord Krishna (FOLK) – training for young couples
28.Vrinda Camps (VC) – relationship building program for devotees beyond 3 years 29.The Spiritual Scientist (TSS) – a free ezine
30.Fund raising for Preaching – EASY (Enlighten Aimless Suffering Youth) scheme 31.Counseling system
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
Youth Preaching Flourishes In Pune
An article published by the ‘Congregation Preaching Journal’, written by Caitanya Charan das, ISKCON, Pune is reproduced below :
Situated near the West coast of India, Pune, known by many as ‘the Oxford of the East’ has been celebrated since medieval times as a high seat of learning. Multitudes of academic institutions dot this city of over four million even today. But over the centuries, with the political and cultural subjugation of India by the British, the focus of learning has shifted from the spiritual to the mundane.
Intelligent students with a traditional and religious upbringing come to Pune hoping for a good education and a bright career. Some succeed, some don’t; but almost all of them lose whatever spiritual inclinations they may have had. The freedom resulting from living away from their parents, the godlessness engendered by the mechanistic scientific education and the free mixing opportunities offered by the campus environment combine to propel the students into a life of sensuality and sin. When they graduate, they carry, along with their degrees, a disdain for religion, an infatuation with materialism and a host of vices – meat eating, promiscuity, smoking, alcoholism, gambling and even drug addiction. In short, they are "spiritually slaughtered".
THE HISTORY
During his preaching in India, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta swami Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON, often decried the mis-education that was stripping Indians of their priceless heritage of Vedic culture and wisdom. He very much desired that educated and intelligent Indians study, practice and preach Krishna consciousness. During a brief visit to Pune, he remarked that this city would be a good venue for an effective preaching center.
With this in mind, a transcendental rescue operation was launched to flood Pune with Srila Prabhupada’ mercy. In 1996, His Holiness Radhanath Swami, co-GBC for Pune, deputed his brahmacari disciple, Radheshyam Das, a post-graduate from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai, to start college preaching in Pune.
Equipped with nothing except the instruction of his spiritual master and the blessings of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Gosvami, GBC for Pune and His Holiness Loknath Swami, Radheshyam Das arrived alone in this city with over fifty thousand students to try to persuade some of them to accept a culture that they were determined to reject. Just seven years later, several hundred engineering students have started practicing spiritual life seriously. Over a hundred student-leaders, all chanting 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna
maha-mantra, are receiving systematic training in scrutinizing study and effective preaching of Krishna consciousness philosophy through spiritual study groups. And most importantly, thirty young graduates, six of them with masters' degrees and seventeen of them engineers, have dedicated their lives to preach Krishna consciousness, determined to spearhead a spiritual revival among the misled youth of Pune and India.
BHAKTIVEDANTA ACADEMY FOR CULTURE AND EDUCATION (BACE)
A comprehensive spiritual education forum, BACE (Bhaktivedanta Academy for Culture and Education) offers systematic courses in the essential teachings of the Vedic scriptures to hundreds of youths. BACE has separate wings catering to the needs of university students, children and corporate executives. The central unit of BACE, which is within the Pune ISKCON premises, has a computer room with publishing facilities and a library with hundreds of books and thousands of audio and video tapes. The teenage wing of BACE, the ISKCON Junior Youth Forum (IJYF), helps members to learn and present Krishna consciousness through dramas and variety shows. The corporate wing, Friends of Lord Krishna (FOLK), preaches to corporate executives through group discussions centered on a spiritual theme. BACE runs three free cyber magazines – The Spiritual
Scientist, Bhagyavan Jiva and Suhrt. BACE also has eight youth preaching centers near
the major colleges of Pune.
YOUTH PREACHING CENTERS
….BACE has five youth preaching centers near the major engineering colleges of Pune. Each center is like a mini-ISKCON temple, complete with altar, morning program, kitchen, prasadam distribution, book distribution, reading room, well-equipped library of books and audio and video tapes and, most importantly, vigorous preaching. The preachers from the temple come several times a week for conducting preaching programs and the devotee students residing in the center call their friends for the program. The extension center thus serves as both a safe shelter for the devotee students and a strategic outpost for the youth preachers.
"We encourage and guide students to continue and excel in their college studies so that they can attract other students to Krishna consciousness by their academic performance…..," says Radheshyam Das.
BOOKS FOR YOUTH
"Educated Indian youth generally see religion to be nothing more than dogmatic ritualism and so it has no appeal for them. But when Krishna consciousness is presented as a spiritual science with logical, coherent and cogent answers to the fundamental questions of life, intelligent students are amazed; they see the very same spirituality which they had turned their backs to, in an entirely new light and they take to it wholeheartedly," says Radheshyam Das who has compiled a series of five books entitled Spirituality for
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
Modern Youth. These books, which present the basic Vedic concepts taught by Srila
Prabhupada in a systematic and scientific way, serve as the curriculum for the dozens of weekly classes that are held in and near the various youth preaching centers. Radheshyam Das has also written several pocket books, which serve as an introduction to Krishna consciousness for newcomers as well as interesting subjects for introductory programs in colleges. Special color slide shows have also been prepared to supplement the presentations in colleges. A comprehensive youth preaching manual provides valuable guidance to a prospective college preacher about how to most effectively preach to youth. THE BRAHMACHARI ASHRAM
Externals are often misleading. The modest bungalow, that houses Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari, the presiding deities of Pune, reveals little of the spiritual energy that permeates the atmosphere. Within that bungalow, every morning at 4:30 am, around sixty devotees - forty-three brahmacharis and remaining trainees - dance and sing jubilantly in front of the deities as they begin a new day of Krishna conscious adventures in their service to Srila Prabhupada. The brahmacharis follow a strict sadhana (spiritual practice) program in the early morning hours. During the day, special classes are held to train them in understanding and preaching Krishna consciousness. And in the evenings they go to over fifty congregation and college programs to distribute the wealth of spiritual wisdom that Srila Prabhupada has gifted to the world.
The brahmacaris follow high standards of simplicity and renunciation. All of them live in three small, simple rooms and have only a locker and its contents as their possessions. Yet their serious spiritual practices keep them absorbed and joyful.
Recently a Bhakti Shastri course was arranged in Pune to help a group of 33 brahmacaris to study deeply the books of Srila Prabhupada. It was the first time in the history of the Vrindavana Institute of Higher Education (VIHE) that the complete course was conducted outside Vrindavan.
PREACHING TO CHILDREN
As the college preaching expanded steadily, the youth preachers diversified into children preaching. BACE now has a separate wing for children - the Bhakta Prahlad School (BPS). BPS holds weekly classes at ten different venues for a total of over two hundred and fifty children. "We want to make learning Krishna consciousness a joyful experience for the children. So we fill the children’s books with games, puzzles, skits, verses, songs and stories along with the philosophy," says Radhika Devi Dasi, who co-authors the twelve children’s books that comprise the curriculum for the children’s classes. Brahmacaris as well as congregation devotees, who are well-versed in philosophy, serve as the teachers for the school. All the children from the different centers come together several times a year for Balotsavas (children’s festivals), a variety-filled program that
helps the children imbibe deep Krishna conscious memories. BPS also teaches ethical and spiritual values to over five hundred children in many of the reputed schools of Pune. COUNSELOR SYSTEM
"Philosophy becomes easier to practice in a loving and caring atmosphere. The counselor, who acts as a philosopher, friend and guide, helps upcoming devotees to feel a part of a spiritual family," says Gaursundar Das, one of the senior youth counselors. The eighteen brahmacari counselors, who are seasoned devotees with specialized training in counseling, conduct inspirational meetings once a fortnight, wherein they train the counselees in the four s’s of spiritual life - siddhanta (philosophical understanding), sadhana (regular spiritual practices), sadacara (proper Vaishnava etiquettes and behavior) and seva (service attitude). Apart from the meetings, students, brahmacaris and congregation devotees all get personal guidance about how to best advance in spiritual life in a swift yet sustainable way.
TEMPLE PREACHING
The successful youth preaching has led to the growth of a vibrant spiritual community of around three hundred initiated devotees and many more committed devotees. The weekly Sunday feast attracts over seven hundred people. On festival days, over twelve hundred people crowd the temple. On Janmashtami over twenty five thousand people visit the temple.
Saturday evening plunges most youth into sensual revelry, but the young devotees at Pune have a better taste; they dive into the ecstasies of Krishna consciousness at the weekend youth meeting. After an enlightening discussion on the importance of Krishna consciousness in the modern world followed by a lively question-answer session, as 400 beaming faces jubilantly sing and dance in a rousing kirtan, Srila Prabupada’s poignant statement about the future of the world comes to mind, "When the scientist, the medical man and the philosopher get an opportunity to study scientifically what is God, then there will be paradise on the earth."
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
BACE becomes VOICE
B.A.C.E. (Bhaktivedanta Academy for Culture
and Education) has been a name we
have been using for all our preaching activities -- mostly youth, but also children,
girls, corporate etc. We have been having different names for each of these wings
under BACE such as ISKCON Youth Forum - boys/girls wing, Bhakta Prahlad
School for children wing etc.
In order to have a simplified name that can be commonly used by all these wings,
we have finalized the name VOICE with the blessings of His Holiness
Gopalakrishna goswami and His Holiness Radhanath swami maharajas.
******************************************************************
V.O.I.C.E = Vedic Oasis for Inspiration Culture and Education
******************************************************************
VOICE represents 'Spiritual Sound of Vedas' 'Shabda brahma' or 'Voicing
concern'.
Modern world is facing great degradation of character, culture and values. For a
sincere human being to live a life of pure principles is a great challenge. The
'Vedic Oasis' conveys the idea that it is 'life-giving' centre in a 'stress-ridden
fast-paced rat race society' that is like a desert. Also 'Oasis' helps to avoid the
'Academy' that comes in BACE; thus the people don't see it just as a education
centre alone but a centre for inspiration, culture and education. Thus VOICE will
provide a facility like an Oasis in the middle of desert to keep oneself charged in
remembrance of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna always. The inspiration is
spiritual inspiration to perform devotional service with full enthusiasm.
We will be calling our different wings as
•
CHILDREN VOICE (for children, Age group 5 yrs to 12 years),
earlier called as Bhakta Prahlad school
•
TEENAGE BOYS VOICE (for teenage boys, Age group 13 to 19),
earlier called as ISKCON Junior Youth Forum
•
TEENAGE GIRLS VOICE (for teenage girls, Age group 13 to 19),
•
BOYS VOICE (for the college students, Age group 19 and above ),
earlier called as ISKCON Youth Forum (IYF) or BACE
•
GIRLS VOICE (for the college girls, Age group 19 and above),
earlier called as IYF – Girls wing
Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE)
VOICE, the Vedic Oasis for the stressed mind of modern age
Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE) touches the hearts and lives of children, teenagers, adolescent youth, corporates, families. Its motto is rekindling wisdom and reviving love.
VOICE represents 'Spiritual Sound of Vedas' 'Shabda brahma' or 'Voicing concern'. Modern world is facing great degradation of character, culture and values. For a sincere human being to live a life of pure principles is a great challenge. The 'Vedic Oasis' conveys the idea that it is 'life-giving' centre in a 'stress-ridden fast-paced rat race society' that is like a desert. Thus VOICE will provide a facility like an Oasis in the middle of desert to keep oneself surcharged in remembrance of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna always. The inspiration is spiritual inspiration to practice devotion to God with full enthusiasm.
We have different wings of VOICE catering to the needs of different sections of society : Children VOICE (for children between 5 yrs to 12 years),
Teenage Boys VOICE (for teenage boys, Age group 13 to 19), Teenage Girls VOICE (for teenage girls, Age group 13 to 19), Boys VOICE (for the college students, Age group 19 and above ), Girls VOICE (for the college girls, Age group 19 and above), Corporate VOICE (for the company-going men and women), Senior Citizens VOICE (for members above 50 years of age)
Our Motto
The motto of VOICE is ‘Rekindling Wisdom, Reviving Love’.
Intellectual education influences the head and value-based education influences the heart. In fact, education that does not train the heart can be dangerous. If we want to build character in our offices, homes and society, we must have the wisdom to live a principle-centered life based on honesty, compassion, courage, responsibility etc. Steven Muller, President, Johns Hopkins University said : “Universities are turning out highly skilled barbarians because we don’t provide a framework of values to young people, who more and more are searching for it.” Winston Churchill said, “The first duty of a university is to teach wisdom, not trade; character, not technicalities.” Educated persons are those
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
who can choose wisely and courageously under any circumstances between good and bad, between virtuousness and vulgarities regardless of the academic degrees they have. The goal of VOICE is to rekindle the innate wisdom about meaning and purpose of life. Peter R.Schemm in his book entitled, ‘Love: Impact on Physical and Mental Health’ explains that people who live in relationships in which they do not feel loved, protected, happy or secure are ten times more susceptible to chronic disease and five time more susceptible to mental illness. Also studies prove that love heals diseases. Community, security, protection, sharing, care and concern for one another – all these are possible only when people learn to lead a selfless God-centered life. Such a life awakens the dormant love in our hearts that manifests as respect for elders, compassion for the youngers, friendliness towards equals, surrender to the laws of God that matures as love for God and towards all.
Objectives
1. Creating a class of people of high character and competence. 2. Saving teenagers from self-destructive habits.
3. Creating communities for counseling 4. Training in Character and Competence
5. Use Arts, Culture, Music and Media to propagate the message of Wisdom literatures. 6. Creating a class of wise people who respect, trust and love each other.
7. Use talents for propagating love of God and love for all, based on word of God. 8. Distributing spiritual literature at subsidized prices.
9. Training in Science of God, etiquettes and behaviour, prayer and practices.
Children, Teenagers, Youths and Corporates
Children VOICE
Advisors : Radheshyam das, Radhika devi dasi, Hemangigopi devi dasi Co-ordinators : Rasasundari devi dasi, Krishnakishore das,
Assistant Co-ordinators : Ramananda das, Yashodarani devi dasi, Parthahari das
Children are trained in story telling, creative exercises, singing, dancing, dramas, painting, sloka recitation, fancy dress competition, etc. There are books exclusively published for these children like ‘Getting to know Krishna’ ‘Wonderful Krishna’ etc that are taught by expertly trained teachers to imbibe good samskars -- character and values in children. There are quarterly ‘Balotsav’ programs where these children get opportunity to display their talents through drama, art, singing, dancing, performances, display booths – that is open for thousands of visitors. During summer vacations, special children camps are organized for fun and learning experience of the children. There are over ten children VOICEs all over Pune that operate once a week for a couple of hours, generally in the week end. Generally about 25 children attend each of these programs. The course registration generally starts from June. Besides the weekend couple of hours programs at different homes, Children VOICE also organizes ‘Value Education’ program at schools to help children imbibe values and character in their school days. The following is the syllabus of ‘Value Education’ as given by Maharashtra Board.
VALUE EDUCATION for School Children
Eighth std : Values and Self Development
Topic Value Sloka
1. Importance cultivation of values Sensitivity ‘tasmat sastra …..’
2. Goal of human life Sense of Duty ‘ahara nidra bhaya….’
3. Being Prayerful Devotion ‘man mana bhava…’
4. No one is useless Self-reliance ‘klaibyam ma sma…’
5. Simplicity Courtesy ‘deva dvija guru….’
6. Confidence Orderliness ‘sauryam tejo dhrtir….’
7. Concentration Orderliness ‘vyavasa yatmika….’
8. Truthfulness Love for Truth ‘ahimsa satyam….’
9. Cleanliness Orderliness ‘shamo dama tapah..’
10. Honesty Humanity ‘shamo dama tapah..’
11. Power of faith Love for Truth ‘asraddha dana…’
12. Forms of devotion National Unity ‘man mana bhava…’
13. India’s contribution to the world Patriotism ‘bharata bhumite..’
14. Nature – Then and now Love for nature ‘etam drstim …’
15. Preparation for Meditation Discipline ‘yatro paramate …..’
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
Ninth std : Personality and Behavior development
Topic Value Sloka
1. Science of soul Scientific attitude ‘dehino smin …’
2. Positive thinking Self-reliance ‘tesham evanu…’
3. Integrity Discipline ‘adveshta sarva …’
4. Punctuality Punctuality ‘ayushah ksana ….’
5. Science of God Scientific attitude ‘bhoktaram yajna …’
6. Love in action Kindness towards all ‘pasyata etan …’
7. Avoid Fault-finding Equality ‘ahimsa ..apashunam…’
8. Freedom from Anger Dignity of labor ‘ahimsa satyam ….’
9. Universal Brotherhood Religious tolerance ‘sarva yonishu …..’
10. True Friendship Fraternity ‘titikshava …….’
11. Happiness vs Suffering Love for Truth ‘mam upetya ….’ 12. Beware of Self-destructive habits Discipline ‘yah sastram …..’
13. Association Cooperation ‘dhyayato vishayan …’
14. Doing our best and leaving the rest Orderliness ‘tasmat sarveshu …’
15. Save Nature Love for Nature ‘maya adhyakshena …’
Tenth std : Character and Competence skills
Topic Value Sloka
1. Can a scientist believe in God? Scientific attitude ‘mattah parataram …..’ 2. Getting the eyes to see God Scientific attitude ‘jnanam teham sa ….’ 3. Are accepting Vedas not blind faith? Patriotism ‘karma brahmod ….’ 4. Self Management & good health Discipline ‘yuktahara …..’ 5. Science of Reincarnation Dignity of labor ‘vidya vinaya ….’
6. All are equal Dignity of labor ‘catur varnyam ….’
7. As you sow, so you reap Discipline ‘karmano hy api….’
8. Non-violence Courtesy ‘ahimsa satyam …..’
9. Humility Courtesy ‘amanitvam ….’
10. Role of women in Vedic society Gender equality ‘adharmabhi bhavat …’ 11. All religions – same message National Unity ‘aham sarvasya ….’
12. Mind your Mind Orderliness ‘bandhuratmat ….’
13. Self Control Sensitivity ‘raga dvesha …..’
14. Honesty Courtesy ‘shamo damas ….’
15. Studying effectively Orderliness ‘abhayam sattva ….’
Each of the above values are taught in two lectures of forty minutes duration each. Although small tests are held after every five topics, the final examination is conducted at the end of the course.
Teenage Boys VOICE
Advisors : Govinda prabhu (Chowpatty), Radheshyam das, Caitanyacharan das Co-ordinators : Tulsi das, Varadaraj das, Srivatschandra das
Modern teenagers are attacked by the money thirsty media programs that impel them to buy costly mobiles, bikes, sports shoes, pants and wears etc. The movies present
perverted themes and cause teenagers to indulge in drugs and drinks, smoking and sex-partners – considering themselves ‘free birds’. But all this craze ends in self-destructive addictions, depression, failure in academics or social responsibilities, psycho-logical traumatic experiences often ending in suicide. Our programs are oriented to train them in patience, maturity, self control, clean habits, tolerance, respect for elders, meditation to calm the raging mind etc. The teenagers perform skits, sing, play instruments, join the spiritual dance, meditate and go for spiritual picnics. They also learn public speaking, studying effectively, developing concentration and avoid bad habits.
Teenage Boys VOICE syllabus
Spirituality
Many of the following topics will be available from our series of books entitled, ‘Spirituality for modern youth’ and ‘The Spiritual Scientist’ issues.
1. Character vs. Competence (Arjuna’s 3 qualities – Character, Competence, Devotion) 2. Transform your worst enemy into your best friend
3. Can a scientist believe in God?
4. Should we grope in the dark or pray for light? (Ses 2, DYS) 5. Glory of Vedic India
6. Meditation for the modern age 7. Is accepting Vedas not blind faith? 8. How is human being superior to animals? 9. Law of Karma – the law of infallible justice
10.No God No peace, Know God Know Peace (Material problems, spiri solns) 11.Four Regulative Principles for freedom
12.Science of Soul 13.From Fear to Love
14.Heroism – Real and Virtual 15.Reincarnation – Fact or Fiction?
16.Break free of bonds (three modes – food, time, action etc) 17.Austerity of Body, Mind and Words
18.Technology – curse or boon? 19.Who is Guru? Who is not? 20.Evolving towards Perfection
21.Did we come from branches to benches? 22.Do demigods really exist?
23.Am I God? Does one become God by meditation? (along with Poem) 24.Caste system – not for chaos, but for harmony
25. Spirit of Bhagavad gita 26.Association – good and bad
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
27.Lifestyle – all you need to know from mobiles to ipods to bikes to fashion 28.Who should be the object of my worship?
29.Deity vs. Idol worship 30.Qualifications of a Disciple 31.Jnani, Yogi and Bhakta
32.The Four Ashramas for real progress
33.Is everything already destined? (slideshow)
34.Quest for Happiness and managing our material desires 35. Krishna’s rasa dance – Can we imitate?
36.Well wishing friend who escorts you (supersoul)
Slokas for Memorisation
• Selected verses from Brahma Samhita
• Siksastakam
• Morning program songs
• Bhagavad gita 108 selected verses
• Bhavad gita chapters 7, 9, 12, 15 memorisation
• Srimad Bhagavatam selected verses
Self Excellence skills
1. Power of Habits
2. Secret of Concentration 3. Art of Self Management 4. Developing study skills 5. Managing the raging mind 6. Overcoming Inferiority Complex 7. Seven types of Intelligences 8. Giving powerful presentations 9. Team Playing and Co-operation 10.Time Management
11.Danger of free mixing, romance, blue film watching, internet and media 12.Positive Mental Attitude
13.Bhagavad gita and Art of Work 14.How to manage Anger?
15.Ambition vs. Overambition
Value Education Syllabus (‘Values for Teenagers’ booklet)
1. Politeness 2. Simplicity
3. Honesty 4. Love in action 5. True Friendship 6. Truthfulness 7. Humility 8. Developing Friendships
9. Developing a Prayerful attitude 10.Confidence
11.Regard for teachers
12.How to visit guests and receive guests 13.Unflincing Faith in God’s protection 14.Doing one’s best and leaving rest 15.Overcoming Envy
16.Learning to Forgive and forget
17.Integrity and Truthfulness – the foundation of spiritual life 18.Be Grateful or else become a great fool
19.Fanaticism vs. Broadmindedness 20.Overcoming False ego
21.Giving up Prajalpa, mundane talk 22.Increasing our Tolerance
23.Life is a mirror
24.All that glitters is not gold 25.Man and nature – then and now 26.On Resisting Temptations
Vaishnava etiquettes
1. Etiquette within the temple 2. Habits and Behaviour 3. Sadhana
4. Four Regulative principles – Truthfulness, Austerity, Cleanliness, Mercy 5. Sense gratification and Bhakti yoga
6. Dress and Appearance 7. Holy Days
8. Missionary activities
9. Dealing with Parents, Friends and relatives 10.Ethics and Morality
11.Position of women in Vedic culture 12.Dealing with Guests
13.Bhakti Yoga at Home or practical application of Bhagavad gita 14. Upadeshamrita – verse 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
Boys VOICE
Director : Radheshyam das, M.Tech. IIT, Powai VOICE Governing Body (VGB):
Acharya Ratna das,B.E.Comp, 9434047299 , Bal Govind das, B.E. Mech., 9325502474
Shyamrupa das, B.E. Mech. 9422079881 Ram Priya das, MBBS, (MD), 9373322501
VOICE Executive Committee (VEC):
Gopal Champu das,B.E., Ankur Gupta,B.Tech. IITKGP,
Rajshekar, M.Tech, IITKGP, Gyanprakash,B.Tech, IITKGP,
Veerayyah,B.Tech, NITK, Sripad, B.Tech, NIT Warrangal and
Chandramouli, B.Tech, IITKGP Dhiraj, M.Tech, IITKGP
Project Managers (PM)
Overall Co-ordinators (OC)
Publications and Sales Manager :
Krishnakishore das, M.E. Comp., Asst Prof, VIT college. 09822451260
Boys VOICE has been preaching to youth community since 1996 and over 10,000 students have participated in different courses. Boys VOICE also has over a dozen youth hostels across the country close to the colleges like IITKGP, ITBHU, NITWarrangal, NITSuratkal, NITJamshedpur, COEP, COEET, BVPCOE, Pune, SIT, Pune etc for offering the following training program to empower the modern youth.
Personality Development and Character Build Up
• Training the students in the application of philosophy, values and principles in their personal life.
• Rising early, sleeping early, morning mantra meditation, GD and interactions
• Training in etiquettes, manners and proper behavior to be followed while living in society.
• Training in dealing with equals, juniors, seniors, elders in the family, parents, teachers.
• Training in integrity, truthfulness, simplicity, trustworthiness, non-envy, maturity, humility etc
• Training in self-excellence skills like giving presentations, conflict resolution, empathic listening etc
Yoga, Meditation and Nutritious Diet
• Vibrant health, peaceful mind, and satisfying loving relationships are essential for a life of quality.
• People poison their digestive tract with meat, alcohol,drugs, sleeping pills and junk-food.
• The purpose of food is to increase the duration of life, purify the mind and aid bodily strength.
At VOICE, the students get Prasadam, sanctified lactovegetarian sanctified diet. It is wholesome, nutritious, satisfying and nourishing to body and soul.
Mantra Meditation
• Modern man filled with fear, tension, anger, defensive attitude etc leading to stress.
• The adrenaline hormone secretion leads to disorders like indigestion, back pain, blood pressure rise etc.
• Mantra Meditation is a powerful tool to alleviate stress and attain peace of mind.
• It provides one inner strength, patience, tolerance, vigor, confidence, power to make decisions etc.
• VOICE Students regularly perform mantra meditation and lead cheerful stress-free lives.
Topping in Academics
• Spirituality and Academics are given equal importance for VOICE students.
• During JAN/FEB/MAR and APR/MAY/JUN, the students study 10-13-16 hours per week.
• They fill Study cards and report to their Counselors for perusal and subsequent instruction.
• The alumni student or professor devotees help the younger students by coaching.
• For a devotee student, his college studies are not material. It is Krishna’s service.
Public Speaking and Discussion (PSD)
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
• They are taught to face challenges from the audience without losing temper.
• They are assessed on the basis of ten criteria and room for improvements are offered to them.
• A seasoned preacher gives clarifies all the lingering misconceptions.
Team Playing and Synergising
• Group Discussion Camps (GDC) teaches the students to work cooperatively in a team.
• They learn to value others opinions, to pool up the talents of many, to be confident etc.
• They prepare one of their team members to give a presentation, make a display, put up a skit etc.
Devotional Qualifications
• They are trained in cooking, cleaning, washing, worshiping, performing arati,
• singing, playing instruments like mridanga, kartals, harmonium,
• purchasing things from market, handling accounts, managing different departments like kitchen, etc.
• This foundational training is greatly helpful now and in the future.
Personal Care and Counseling
• Every VOICE student has a Counselor who acts in his life as a Philosopher, Friend and Guide.
• He answers the student’s questions and shares his experiences.
• He helps him tackle physical, mental, and spiritual problems and trains him to face future challenges.
• The counselees fill up a sadhana card that acts as a report card filled up by the candidate.
• The Counselor-counselee meetings are held fortnightly or monthly to bring about a family atmosphere..
• Other committees that extend their help — marriage bureau, placement committee, etc.
Preaching Activities
One-time slide show seminars like ‘Stress Management’ ‘Time Management’ for awareness.
’Bring out THE LEADER in you’ Course trains the youth in Character and
Competence skills. The first pocket book on ‘Stress Management’ is already out. The subsequent titles are likely to be released in a few months. A bulky book with all 20 titles will be published at the end, which can be prescribed as a credit course by any college for grooming their students in values and ethics.
Six-session slide show course called ‘Discover Your Self’ for learning basics of
spirituality.
Weekly Study Circles Three courses each lasting for 4 months are offered for the Boys
VOICE, Girls VOICE and Corporate VOICE members -- ‘Spiritual scientist’, ‘Positive Thinker’, ‘Self Manager’
Advanced courses : Those who complete the above can join ‘Proactive leader’ and
‘Personality Development’ courses. Beyond this one is eligible to join the ‘Bhakti Sastri’ course.
Weekend meeting on Saturday evening is open for all boys between 17 to 30 years of
age. It is a gathering addressed by special speakers on themes relating to modern world and solution from Vedas.
Cultural Activities: Dramas, Nam rock, Debates, Music, Dance and Spiritual Camps and
picnics.
Prerana Youth Festival : The Boys VOICE organizes a monthly special youth festival
for girls called ‘PRERANA’ where over a thousand boys participate in program consisting of a seminar, kirtans, dancing and Prasadam. Special eminent speakers are invited for this program.
* * * * *
(Teenage) Girls VOICE
Advisors : Radhika devi dasi, Vishaka devi dasi , Kishori devi dasi (Mumbai), Radheshyam das, Jaigopal das
Co-ordinators : Anangamohini devi dasi, Vidya patham,
Brajavallabhi devi dasi and Yugalapriya devi dasi.
The teenage boys and girls are trained separately by male and female teachers respectively. As the psychology of boys and girls are different their training programs are also made suitable to their needs. Woman has a vital role to play in any family, in the life of her husband, children, and in laws and others. It is said that the hand that moves the cradle can make or mar the world. Great leaders have had great mothers. Keeping this in view, the girls are trained in various activities to become a ideal wife, a loving
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
mother and a chaste and exemplary house maker to benefit home, nation and all humanity.
Objectives of Teenage Girls VOICE
Training girls to
• Learn Values like politeness, truthfulness, being prayerful, love in action, positive attitude etc
• Learn Self-Excellence skills like Power of Habits etc
• Understand the importance of Dos and Don’ts
• Learn the basic philosophy of KC and develop a taste for chanting, hearing and seva
• Learn the danger of free mixing, glamour, romance, blue film watching, internet and media etc.
• Developing Good habits, behaviour, friendships with fellow devotees etc.
• Sloka recitation from BG chapters 7, 9 and 12
• Assisting in Children VOICE teaching
Objectives of Girls VOICE
Training girls to
• Learn the basic philosophy of KC and develop a taste for chanting, hearing and seva
• Values like Overcoming Greed, Anger, Depression, Fear, Inferiority complex
• Perform devotional activities like offering puja, maintaining deity, making garland, pure habits etc
• Cultural activities like singing, playing instruments, cooking, put rangoli etc.
• Live a life of chastity, character, modesty, simplicity and similar values
• Learn to be a ideal wife, mother, daughter-in-law, -in-law etc
• Dealing with guests, elders, family members and others
• Learn to celebrate festivals at home
• Teaching Children VOICE students
The Girls VOICE organizes a quarterly special youth festival for girls called ‘CHETANA’ where hundreds of girls participate in program consisting of a seminar, kirtans, dancing and Prasadam. Special eminent speakers are invited for this program. Their special activities are :
• Seminars like ‘Role of woman in Vedic society’ by senior ladies
• Group presentations on topic of “Six anarthas”,
• Doing Arati to the Lord,
• Candle making and Pots decoration,
• Garland making
• Cooking recipes,
• Slide show presentations
• Outdoor spiritual picnics and camps
One of the satellite centers of Pune Girls VOICE is at NIT Warrangal run by a devotee professor’s wife.
* * * * *
Corporate VOICE
Corporate Preaching Board members
Chairman - Radheshyam das
Executive Chairman - Vamshi Vadan das
Executive Vice-Chairman (CFP) - Anantashesh das (mobile: 9850881105) Executive Vice-Chairman (CYP) - Gopal Champu das (mobile: 9325070111) Executive Secretary (CFP) - Anant Balaram das
Executive Secretary (CYP) - Revati Pati das
Lead Trainer - Bala Govinda das
In today’s fast paced and competitive corporate world, the executives, managers and team leaders usually have more mental work than physical which gives rise to many stress born diseases like hypertension, etc and thus cause a great loss to their health in personal life and leads to loss of efficiency, cleavage in relationships, etc in professional life.
Corporate VOICE offers seminars and courses to help them learn :
• To bring balance between personal and professional life.
• How to achieve peace of mind to focus on their duties properly.
• Unique techniques to eliminate stress and negativity.
• Simple tips to resolve inner conflicts and improve physical and mental health.
• Changing attitude and outlook to life for converting distress to eustress.
• Meditation techniques to go beyond depression and avoid hypertension
• Developing calm, clear and creative thinking.
• Secret of Happiness and improving performance.
We have three types of programs to cater to the needs of corporate people : 1. Corporate Family Programs (CFP) - Age group : after marriage 2. Corporate Youth Programs (CYP) - Age group 22 to 30 years
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
3. Company Seminars and Workshops (CSW) - organized by the company
1. CFP (Corporate Family Program) – These weekly programs are conducted in the
following areas: Range hills ( Atharva ), Prabhat Road, Wanowrie, Wanowrie (Sacred Heart Town ), Camp, Kalyani Nagar, Koregaon Park, Wakad, Lullanagar, Salisbury Park, Kothrud, Aundh, Magarpatta city, Viman Nagar, Pashan
2. CYP (Corporate Youth Program) – These programs are intended for unmarried
corporate youths. Over 20 such programs are held in the weekends, mostly at the temple.
3. YOGA (Youth Of Gods Abode) are Corporate VOICE youth hostels near Software
Parks where working youths live together and practice Krishna consciousness. More information about YOGA is presented after this article. Contact Gopal Champu prabhu (9325 070111), Overall YOGA Mentor for more details.
4.
Company Seminars and Workshops – Seminars such as ‘Stress Management’‘Time Management’ ‘Self Management’ involving presentations and activities lasting for about three hours are held in various companies in and around Pune. We have already conducted programs in Finolex (170 delegates), Tech Mahindra (Formerly know as MBT for 140 delegates), Concentric (top 12 managers attended), Hotel Sagar Plaza (40 delegates), Cognizant (50 delegates), Zensar (20 delegates), Dastur School (220 teachers) and Electrical Electronics Association (200 delegates).
‘Bring out the LEADER in you’ Seminars on Leadership For Corporates – Overview
VOICE offers seminars (3 hrs each) on topics given below. The pocket books on all these topics is in pipe line and likely to be completed before the end of this year :
1. Stress Management (already released) 2. Time Management
3. Art of Self Management 4. Power of Habits
5. Secret of Concentration 6. Mind your Mind
7. Positive mental attitude
8. Team playing and winning trust of others 9. Overcoming Inferiority complex
10. Constructive criticism – How to give it or take it? 11. Fate and Free will
12. Karma – the Law of Infallible justice 13. Key to Real Happiness
14. Conflict Resolution
15. Eight Qualities of an Effective Leader 16. Managing our Anger
17. Self Development (flowing of consciousness) 18. Personality development and Character buildup
19. Proactive Leadership 20. Art of Living and Leaving
For more details, contact Executive Vice Chairman, Mr.Anant (mobile: 9881401814).
Y.O.G.A. (Youth Of God’s Abode)
Director : Radheshyam das, M.Tech. IIT, Powai YOGA Governing Body (YGB):
Gopal Champu das, B.E. Comp, 9325070111 Acharya Ratna das,B.E.Comp, 9434047299 , Bal Govind das, B.E. Mech., 9325502474
Shyamrupa das, B.E. Mech. 9422079881
Overall YOGA Mentor : Gopal Champu das, B.E. Comp, 9325070111
Project Managers (PM)
Viman Nagar (Vrindavan) - Shyama rupa das, Premanivas das Aundh (Atmanivedan) - Sundershyam das, Sundervar das Magarpatta (Mithila) - Keshavananda das, Varadaraja das Kothrud (Karunasindhu) - Acharyaratna das, Satyapriya das Bangalore (Bhishma) - Balagovinda das
Hyderabad (Hrishikesh) - Shyamarupa das
Overall Co-ordinators (OC) and Assistants of YOGA centers : Viman Nagar (Vrindavan) - Vikas Singhal, Mrityunjay mahapatra Aundh (Atmanivedan) - Anil Timbe, Ramesh
Magarpatta (Mithila) - Srikant, Mayur
Kothrud (Karunasindhu) - Chandraprakash, Rohit Bangalore (Bhishma) - Kuldeep, Sachin khade Hyderabad (Hrishikesh) - Anand Babu
Differences between Student BOYS VOICE centers and Y.O.G.A. centers :
BOYS VOICE YOGA
Occupied by college student devotees Occupied by working devotees mostly software
Amenities supported by temple Amenities managed by inmates
VOICE PREACHERS GUIDE 18
Inmates are raw from preaching field to be trained Inmates mostly passout from VOICEs, so seasoned
Managed by BOYS VOICE Managed by YOGA, Corporate VOICE
Arranges preaching in Colleges and hostels Arranges preaching in Companies and local centers
VOICE Publications
One may raise a question that when there are so many books published by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, what is the need of publishing so many new books for youth, children and corporates; why not teach Srila Prabhupada’s books directly. We have given a few reasons below :
1. Easy readability of pocket books:
Srila Prabhupada has written over 70 authoritative books in such a simple and lucid language that any common man can understand the philosophy of Krishna consciousness. His books are the law-books for the next 10,000 years. VOICE publications are intended to bring one to the point of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books. Many people buy big books like Bhagavad gita, but worship it as a very holy scripture by offering flowers everyday. But because it is a bulky book, they never read it.
Therefore at VOICE, we are publishing pocket books, which are based on the essence of Srila Prabhupada's books. Since these books are very small, people can read them quickly as soon as they purchase them. Follow up of those who have taken these books is also easier. After distributing these books intensively in a locality where a future program is to be conducted, a one-time program can be conducted on the same topic. Since most of the students have already read or seen or at least heard about the book, we get a good turnout for the one-time program. And when they appreciate the philosophy and get a taste for Krishna consciousness, we encourage them to purchase and read Srila Prabhupada's books.
Pocket book distribution is the strategy adopted by the Christians to preach the message of the Bible. Due to their vigorous book publication and distribution, Christianity is rapidly spreading everywhere like a wildfire. At VOICE, we adopt the same policy to expand preaching Krishna consciousness.
2. Preaching aid for systematic presentation of important themes:
Srila Prabhupada's books are comprehensive and contain profound philosophy presented in such a lucid way that anyone who reads them can easily understand it. Still it is observed that many times devotees within ISKCON, even full-fledged, full-time senior preachers, have difficulty in giving a presentation on a specific topic, especially in a way suitable for the youth. For example, if a theme such as 'The three modes of material
nature' is to be explained, profuse information is available in the fourteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth chapters of Bhagavad-gita and examples can be found scattered throughout Shrimad Bhagavatam and other books of Srila Prabhupada. But to present it all as a cohesive lecture is often a daunting task.
Understanding this difficulty, His Grace Radheshyam Das, Director, VOICE, Pune, prepared notes on twenty-five important themes from Bhagavad-gita based on the books of Srila Prabhupada, articles from 'Back To Godhead' magazines and lectures by senior ISKCON devotees especially His Grace Devamrita Das.
3. Blend of philosophy and science:
Srila Prabhupada presented devotional philosophy in a pure, undiluted form in his books. But he also desired that the philosophy of Krishna consciousness be presented in scientific terms for those who are so inclined. The books published from VOICE, Pune are a humble attempt to fulfill this desire of Srila Prabhupada. These books present Krishna conscious philosophy in a systematic way using scientific facts, figures and findings to present it in a more convincing and appealing way for young students with scientific and analytical minds. These books are especially meant for youths of Engineering, Medical and Chartered Accountants. Of course there could be others who are philosophically inclined who can also appreciate these books.
Youth VOICE Publications - Spirituality for the Modern Youth
This Five volume series explains systematically and scientifically how spiritual life is for the truly intelligent - those who want the best in life. An eye opener for those who think that spirituality is the resort of sentimentalists, escapists and oldies.
Discover Your Self: Make the one discovery that can fill your life with happiness
forever: Who am I?
57 pictures, soft bound, 192 pages.
(For preachers who want to use Discover Your Self as a course book for youth, we also have l84 attractive color slides - both hard & soft copies
l Audio tapes for all sessions)
Your Best Friend: Can you understand and develop a relation with the one Supreme
Truth that stands eternally beyond all barriers of caste, creed, color, nationality and religion? Your Best Friend is the key to a scientific understanding of God. 62 pictures, soft bound, 336 pages
Your Secret Journey: Modern scientists, humbled in their attempts to create a humanoid
robot, are wondering how a human being is different from a robot. Is there a spiritual paradigm to explain the mystery of life? Scientific proof of past life memories shows that
we survive after death. In fact, we go through a journey from one body to another until we attain perfection. Your Secret Journey explains the secret of action that can free us from all problems. 86 pictures, soft bound, 322 pages
Victory Over Death: Everyone has to face death one day. Although you cannot avoid
death, you can conquer it. Victory Over Death explains how to cultivate life so that you can die triumphantly.
97 pictures, Soft bound, 394 pages
Yoga of Love: The highest form of yoga is simultaneously simple, sublime and safe.
Moreover it is full of love and joy. Empower yourself with the Yoga of Love (Coming
soon)Pocket Books.
Pocket Books:
Stress Management: Stress is neither a germ nor a bacteria to be treated by antibiotics. It
is your outlook to life, a problem of the mind that needs a holistic solution at the level of body, mind, intellect and soul. Read this book for practical tips to tackle the stress problem.
Art of Harnessing Mind Power: What is the mind? How does it operate? Can I use it to
my advantage to do positive things in life? Find out in the Art of Mind Control. 19 pictures, 48 pages
Audio tape and color slides (hard and soft copies) also available
Practical Tips to Mind Control: What should you do when the whole world appears to
have come to an end - everyone appears an enemy, providence appears cruel, future appears bleak and life appears not worth living? Open the doors to a new life full of joy by applying the Practical Tips to Mind Control.
10 pictures, 88 pages
Can I Live Forever?: A concise pocket book that gives scientific understanding of life
and death. It also explains an easy and effective way to end all suffering and attain eternal happy life. Read and empower yourself to control your present and determine your future. 12 pictures, 54 pages
Misdirected Love: One out of every three love marriages in the West ends in divorce
within three years of marriage. Why? Love - What exactly it is? Love is an emotion that promises to bring the highest happiness but often brings the greatest pain. Read Misdirected Love and find new direction to your love and life.
Audiotape and color slides (hard and soft copies) also available.
Other Books
Horizon: A compilation of selected Spiritual Scientist articles. Contains scientific findings about spirituality & health, systematic answers to the fundamental questions of life and spiritual solutions to contemporary problems. 100 pages, soft bound
‘Essence of Bhagavad-gita’ Course Series : This is a five volume edition, that
encompasses Five Courses with the following titles. Each of them could be taught in a few months only :
1. Spiritual Scientist (Discover your self) 2. Positive Thinker (Spirit of Bhagavad gita) 3. Self Manager (Basics of Bhagavad gita) 4. Proactive Leader (Secret of BG)
5. Personality development (Essence of BG)
Bhagavad-gita 7-Day Course: Brief point-wise notes for conducting 7 day course on the
Bhagavad-gita. Spiral bound, 100 pages
Youth Preaching Manual: A practical and detailed guidebook on how to present the
wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita to the youth. 13 color photos, spiral bound, 127 pages
Value Education: Vital values for teenagers and children explained lucidly through
Vedic stories, modern anecdotes and everyday examples.
Smiling Faces Crying Hearts: Concise Spiritual Scientist articles exposing superficial
modern civilization & glorifying timeless Vedic wisdom.
Children VOICE Books
These books were conceived to help children understand and appreciate the timeless wisdom and culture of Vedas. You will find stories, songs, scripts for dramas and puppet shows, art and craft activities that thrill the children. The books offer thought-provoking quizzes that relate to their practical day-to-day life.
My first Krishna Book: The child's first introduction to Krishna. Read-aloud rhymes
and attractive pictures to color. 24 pictures, 22 pages
Getting to know Krishna: Children are naturally curious. Their little minds want to
child's interest and help him take his first steps in discovering Krishna Consciousness. 124 pictures, 47 pages
More about Krishna: Lead the child into the amazing world of Krishna 's pastimes.
Enjoyable activities and thought provoking discussions enliven the children and help them to inculcate good values. 187 pictures, 85 pages
Devotees of Krishna: Packed with stories, dramas and poems, this book will appeal to
older children. Many basic concepts are made clear through games, discussions and activities. 86 pictures, 76 pages
Wonderful Krishna: Exciting adventures of Krishna, the protector of His devotees.
Group projects and comprehension exercises suitable for the growing child. Many fun filled activities add to their enjoyment.
82 pictures, 76 pages.
Krishna's Childhood Pastimes: Sweet and simple description of Krishna's childhood
pastimes. Plus exciting activity sheets important Bhagavad-gita verses, prayers, Vaishnava songs and Vaishnava etiquette.113 pictures, 190 pages
Slideshows and Audio CDs
We also have slideshows and audio CD on many topics like ‘Eight practical tips to Positive Thinking’, ‘Glory of Vedic India’, ‘Stress Management’, ‘Art of Self
Management’, ‘Work and be holy, not a workaholic’, ‘Bhagavad gita and Art of Work’ etc. Any of these topics could be used for one-time programs. We also have audio CDs of youth meetings on various topics and Camps.
For any information regarding our publication and ordering, please contact :
Sales Manager: Krishnakishore das, A-102, Bharati Vihar, Katraj,
Pune – 411 046, Phone: +91-020-24306330, [email protected] Web: www.iskconpune.com
* * * * * *
Preaching Strategies
Q : How do we start youth preaching in any college?We can take help of some ‘value education’ club or any other cultural club in the college to launch the ONE-TIME PROGRAM in their seminar hall.
The One Time Programs
What is it?
• a slideshow seminar presentation done either in the college auditorium/seminar hall
• can also be some hall near the college area where students stay in high density.
• strength of students attending could range from 25 to 1000.
Vision of the program
• to create awareness amongst students about VOICE
• a seed-sowing program to offer spiritual side of life to students
• to locate gem-like students who can be later polished into devotees
• to recruit students for the follow up SIX SESSION DYS PROGRAM
Seminar Topics for presentation
You could give presentation on any ONE of the topics :
1. Art of Harnessing Mind power (town, city colleges)
2. Stress Management (city colleges)
3. Art of Self Management (town, city colleges)
4. Power of Habits (town, city colleges)
5. Eight Practical Tips for Positive Thinking (city colleges) For most of the above topics we have the following (to help the Preacher) :
• Color slide show presentation
• Audio lecture CD
• Notes or pocket book (for sale)
• Brief point-wise notes for preacher’s reference
Contact HG Varadaraja prabhu (09226827350) or write to him at [email protected]
You can also contact our sales manager, Krishnakishore prabhu (020-2430 6330 or 09822451260) or write to him at the mail address : [email protected]
Paid Seminars
Some colleges have ‘Value Education center’ (like NITW, NITSurat, NITSuratkal, IITC). They are ready to pay us travel fare and some charge for the seminar presentation. All we need to do is to co-ordinate with the authorities through a grihasta devotee or a pant-shirt student devotee with such clubs.
Venue
1. can be conducted in the college auditorium (capacity 500-1000 students)
2. holding class to class (or department-wise). Will attract smaller audience, better attention of students.
3. if college auditorium is unavailable, fix up a community hall or some student's flat or terrace opposite to the college where we can invite all the students living in the neighbouring hostels/flats.
Option 1 : Best if most of the students stay in the college hostel; hardly any or no localites. Option 2 : Best if most of the students stay in the college hostel; hardly any or no localites. Option 3 : Best if most of the students are staying in flats near the college and very few in hostel. Our target audience is students living in hostels/flats who want to attend our weekly program regularly. The localites are in one sense ‘useless’ from the point of view of our preaching because they :
• are bound by the rules of parents and watched by parents always
• have too many household duties and cannot give enough time for KC
• stay at home and cannot take to spiritual practices seriously
• cannot live with other devotee friends either in the hostel or flat
• cannot attend our morning programs at flat or nearby temple very easily
Rarely do we find serious localite boys becoming devotees. They may be ‘yoga brashtas’ from previous life!
Audience
The following is our confidential observation in our preaching. You have the right to differ.
1. Engineers – have time, thoughtful, organized thinkers, not in so much touch with opp sex, intellectual 2. Doctors – have no time, thoughtful, too much in touch with opp sex, their course is tough, intellectual 3. CAs - have no time, brilliant, not so much touch with opp sex, organized, hardworking, intellectual 4. College of Fine Arts – artists, journalists – similar to Arts college students, but can be v.helpful to us 5. Ayurvedic college – have inferiority complex, future not as bright as MBBS, not very intellectual 6. MBA – have no time, short course…so they fly off, can’t become serious in KC
7. MCA – alright audience, if intelligent can get into software companies easily
8. Arts college students - have ample of time, too much opp sex contact, fun loving, often frivolous 9. Science college students - reasonably intellectual, not confident of future career
10. Polytechnics – they are kids, fun and fight loving, not serious about spiritual life
We generally prefer the first two or three categories of audience in our preaching as our goal is to recruit the top leaders of our society to join our movement. Software engineers from IIT, IIM, NIT are most welcome.
1) Can be conducted during college hours - this will ensure maximum audience, but may be slightly difficult to get permission from college authorities. Also, both hostelites and localites can attend.
2) Immediately after college-hours.
3) For programs arranged outside college, in case students have tuition after college hours, then we can arrange just after dinnertime. E.g. 9.00PM onwards. The late night hours are found to be the most convenient time for the students as they generally don't go to bed before midnight.
4) can also be arranged in the College mess after dinner at 8:30 pm or 9:00 pm
It is best to consult the student leaders about what time would be best to hold our program to get the maximum response from students. Our friendship with the ‘student leader’ can also help us in moulding him into a devotee in future.
When to hold ?
• Varies from college to college, course to course; you have to enquire and find out.
• At Pune, most colleges are functional during JAN-FEB-MAR and JUL-AUG-SEP.
• The best time is to hold our seminar one week after all the students have returned from home and registered for the next semester or year which is generally after 10th JAN or 10th JULY. This may vary from college to college.
• This period is a time when students don’t have much to study and they are looking for some variety program.
How does the Program go ?
5:30 pm – 5:45 pm Introduction to speaker and VOICE 5:45 pm- 7:00 pm Seminar
7:00 pm – 7:15 pm Q & A
7:15 pm – 7:25 pm Short Quiz to be written on the back of Feedback slip 7:25 pm – 7:30 pm Introduce them to DYS Course and Register their name
Follow up
The truth-seeking souls who are genuinely interested in knowing more about spirituality are generally in the following category. You could note down their names and room numbers for later follow up :
• Those who surround the speaker after the seminar
• Those who buy books at the book table
• Those who hang around with prasadam after the program
• Those who ask Questions or like arguing on the topic after the program
• Those who answer the Questions during the seminar
• Those who help us in organizing the seminar in the college
• Those who register for the DYS Six session course
Most of the cream devotees that we get after 2 years of preaching in a college will be mostly from the above. So if you note down their names now, you will save two years of preaching and hard work! Without this follow up, the one-time is as good as useless. This is the main purpose for which we conduct the one-time program. So keep volunteers who will be specially appointed for this.
Tables to be arranged
1. PRASADAM TABLE for distributing prasadam; prasadam should be like sevai sweet not dry to allow time to talk to attendees; also we can give them second and third help and make friends with them.
2. DYS REGISTRATION TABLE to with forms to register them for joining 6-session course; keep charge for the course as some Rs.25/- or Rs.50/- a reasonable amount. 3. SP AND VOICE BOOKS TABLE displaying Bhagavad gita and other VOICE books for sale
4. EXHIBITION SHOW of colorful posters or pictures on soul, God, science etc to hold the audience after the seminar to show them and talk to them
5. Q & A CHAIR CIRCLE we could arrange two or three such circles with each having 5 to 6 chairs
How to approach the College? (if majority of students are in hostel)
1) It is always better to approach not as an organization (VOICE/ISKCON) but as a group of students (from the same college). These students (wonderful if they are devotees) can take help from the local college cultural committee (useful, as the authorities know the cultural committee), who are usually interested in holding such kind of seminars (student development / cultural programs). These students should request the authorities to hold the one-time program conducted by VOICE. Alternatively, if there are no devotee students, we can directly try approaching the cultural committee secretary. 2) Approaching the highest authority (such as principal/director of institute) for permission directly is not advisable (and risky) as if he/she refuses then we have no further entrance into the college. Better to approach the lowest authority first and then his senior, if he so requests or even denies (e.g. the teacher - HOD - vice principal - principal).
3) We also have to take permission for a subsequent 6-session program to be held in the college. We can explain that simply one lecture is not enough to explain this topic properly and many sincere and inquisitive boys demand a proper course.
How to organize outside the College?
(if majority of students are in flats)
Step 1 : Go flat to flat and distribute ‘Discover your self’ ‘Your best friend’ etc or any of the pocket books and note down names of those who buy
Step 2 : When buyers’ list goes beyond hundred, locate one boy who will give his terrace for a program
Step 3 : Make an invitation for a one-time program with his address and distribute it to all buyers.
Step 4 : If you feel the same boy may not agree to give his place for 6 session course, then during the seminar, ask whether anyone would like to volunteer organizing 6-session program in their terrace or room. Those who volunteer for this ask them to stand up and tell their address to all. Whichever boy’s address is most convenient for all, fix up his address as venue for 6 session course. Then tell all those who volunteered to give their place to stand up and let the whole audience give them applause!
Step 5 : The follow up of boys after the program remains the same. Here in the outside college program we can also have the following freedom :
• Altar with Radha Krishna and Srila Prabhupada
• Singing with mridangam and kartals
• Chanting demonstration of one-fourth of a round of Hare Krishna mantra
• Selling malas at book table
Publicity
This should start about 4 days in advance. We have to ensure that practically every student knows about the program, either through charts or announcements.
1) Make attractive charts giving details of 1-time program and put up on college notice boards, mess, college gate, hotels and all other prominent places (at least 25 charts). 2) Announce in all classes at least 2-3 times, especially on the day of the program.
3) Volunteers should "get" students for the program. Class teachers can be requested to personally guide the students to the hall/auditorium to ensure mass attendance. Attendance of students for the program can be made mandatory through authorities. 4) In case program is conducted in a hall, we should print thousands of leaflets and distribute to students while they are going in/out of college.
5) We can distribute pocket books in the students' hostels/flats and note down name and address of anybody who buys the books. These can become future regular candidates of the 6-session / weekly program.
6) Also go around the hostels and flats enrolling candidates for the 6-session course.