1. I show kindness and consideration towards others.
2. I keep promises and honor commitments.
3. I do not speak negatively of others when they are not present.
4. I am able to maintain an appropriate balance among the various aspects of my life - work, family, friends, and so forth.
5. When working on task, I also keep in mind the concerns and needs of those I am working for.
6. I work hard at the things I do, but not in a manner that causes burnout.
7. I focus my efforts on things I can do something about rather than on things beyond my control.
8. I take responsibility for my moods and actions rather than blame others and circumstances.
9. I know what I want to accomplish in life.
10. I organize and prepare in a way that reduces having to work in a crisis mode.
11. I begin each week with a clear plan of what I desire to accomplish.
12. I am disciplined in carrying out plans (avoiding procrastination, time wasters, and so forth).
13. I do not allow the truly important activities of my life to get lost in the busy activities of my days.
14. The things I do everyday are meaningful and contribute to my overall goals in life.
15. I care about the success of others as well as my own.
16. I cooperate with others.
17. When solving conflicts, I strive to find solutions that benefit all.
18. I am sensitive to the feelings of others.
19. I seek to understand the viewpoints of others.
20. When listening, I try to see things from the other person’s point of view, not just my own.
21. I value, and seek out, the insights of others.
22. I am creative in searching for new and better ideas and solutions.
23. I encourage others to express their opinions.
24. I care for my physical health and well being.
25. I strive to build and improve relationships with others.
26. I take time to find meaning and joy in life.
franklincovey.com
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Sunday, July 31, 2011
MARKETING EDGE
Whether you offer spiritual or material products and services, consider this ...
*
This is the Age Of Oomph, the Era of Snap.
Having an excellent product or service isn’t enough.
Your must deliver your offering to market in a clear, exciting way.
levyinnovation.com
*
This is the Age Of Oomph, the Era of Snap.
Having an excellent product or service isn’t enough.
Your must deliver your offering to market in a clear, exciting way.
levyinnovation.com
Saturday, July 30, 2011
BUILD AN INVENTORY
Build an inventory of fresh ideas, observations and stories, that you can use for your writings (like blog), presentations, speeches, lectures, and courses.
Read them at least once a day to get inspiration and choose the topics of your talks or writings.
Read them at least once a day to get inspiration and choose the topics of your talks or writings.
FRESH MEANING
With the perspective of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is you will see a fresh meaning in what you are observing in life.
Fresh meaning will lead to a much more intelligent behavior and action.
This is how you can get better results and achieve what you want.
Fresh meaning will lead to a much more intelligent behavior and action.
This is how you can get better results and achieve what you want.
GITA AND COACHING
Dear Friends,
The Bhagavad-gita As It Is is a powerful success book that shows you How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.
Gita Coaching brings that book to life and share with you the in-depth knowledge you will need to take action to achieve the life you have always wanted.
By reading that book, you'll walk away with ideas for planning your future and a path to get you there. Here are just a few of the strategies you will learn in the Gita Coaching:
* How to complete past projects and heal past relationships so you can embrace the future.
* How to set clear, defined goals in the seven key areas of your life.
* How to change the outcome of any event, simply by changing your response to it.
* How to maximize your success with your spirituality, your time, your future, your money ... and so much more!
I have spoken to thousands of people all over the world about implementing the Success Principles of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is to change their life, and now is your chance to experience the same powerful process.
Don't miss this opportunity to get powerful instruction on how you can obtain the life of your dreams!
LIST-MAKING EBOOK
Click on title for a free ebook. It's cool.
List-making as a tool of Thought Leadership.
List-making as a tool of Thought Leadership.
ASK!
One of the most powerful success strategies I know can be distilled to a 3-letter word: ASK!
Whether it's asking for advice, asking for help, asking for money, support, time or whether else you need ... asking is the most direct route to get what you want.
Unfortunately, most people are afraid to ask. They're afraid of looking weak, helpless, and vulnerable. They're afraid of hearing "no" ... so they simply don't bother to ask at all.
But the fact is, that by not asking for what you want, you are choosing to reject yourself. You're denying yourself the chance to access the support and resources you need to achieve success.
If you want to achieve your goals, you must be able (and comfortable) to ask for what you want.
Discover:
* Common reasons that people don't ask for what they want
* How to determine what's stopping you from asking
* Tips for overcoming the fear of rejection
* How to reframe asking so that it becomes fun and easy
* Creative ways to ask for what you want
* Simple steps you can take to strengthen your asking muscle
* And much more!
jackcanfield.com
Whether it's asking for advice, asking for help, asking for money, support, time or whether else you need ... asking is the most direct route to get what you want.
Unfortunately, most people are afraid to ask. They're afraid of looking weak, helpless, and vulnerable. They're afraid of hearing "no" ... so they simply don't bother to ask at all.
But the fact is, that by not asking for what you want, you are choosing to reject yourself. You're denying yourself the chance to access the support and resources you need to achieve success.
If you want to achieve your goals, you must be able (and comfortable) to ask for what you want.
Discover:
* Common reasons that people don't ask for what they want
* How to determine what's stopping you from asking
* Tips for overcoming the fear of rejection
* How to reframe asking so that it becomes fun and easy
* Creative ways to ask for what you want
* Simple steps you can take to strengthen your asking muscle
* And much more!
jackcanfield.com
Friday, July 29, 2011
MARRIAGE QUIZ
Marriage Quiz - About You
Your answers to the following series of questions will give us the information to match you with people who are compatible with you. Please make sure your answers are honest and candid. To begin, please answer the following questions about yourself.
1. What is your ethnicity?
Arab
Asian/Pacific Islander
Black
Chinese
Hispanic or Latino
Indian
Japanese
Korean
Native American
Other
White, non-Hispanic
2. What language(s) do you speak?
3. What is your nationality?
4. Choose the category that best describes your highest level of education.
Associate’s
Bachelor’s
Doctorate
High School
Master’s
Did not complete High School
Some college
Marriage Quiz - Roles
These questions ask how you expect to define yours and your partner’s roles in marriage.
Marriage Role Expectations - Whom do you expect to:
Answer with: Mostly Husband, Mostly Wife, Both Equally
1. Start an argument?
2. Pay the bills?
3. Have a paying career that involves regular work outside the home?
4. Stay up with a sick child at night?
5. Decide how many children to have (or whether to have children)?
6. Clean the house or apartment?
7. Clean the toilet bowl?
8. Cook most of the meals?
9. Desire the most time and attention from partner?
10. Discipline the children?
11. Drive the car on joint outings?
12. Handle household finances?
13. Choose furniture for the house or apartment?
14. Decide where you will spend the holidays?
15. Remember important dates such as family members’ birthdays, anniversaries?
16. Initiate intimacy?
17. Invite guests over?
18. Have priority when it comes to one's job?
19. Make the bed?
20. Make most of the money?
21. Make up after an argument?
22. Have the most education?
23. Prepare the grocery list?
24. Do the grocery shopping?
25. Be the spiritual guide of the family?
26. Set the family's spiritual standards?
27. Send thank-you notes for joint gifts?
28. Maintain the care and upkeep of vehicles?
29. Wash the dishes?
30. Determine where you will live?
31. Cut the grass and take care of the yard?
32. Who should have ultimate decision-making authority?
The person most affected in each situation
Husband only
Everything by mutual agreement
Generally by mutual agreement, but husband when they can't agree
Generally by mutual agreement, but wife when they can't agree
Wife only
Marriage Quiz - Nature of Marriage
Please select whether you agree or disagree with each of the following questions.
If you are unsure about a particular question, ask yourself the opposite question. For example, you can change "A successful and happy marriage relationship must be given care and attention." to "A successful and happy marriage relationship does not need care and attention." If you agree with the opposite statement, you can then mark that you disagree with the original one.
Check items that most accurately reflect your feelings about the nature of marriage.
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
1. If, after marriage, people find someone they love more than their spouse, they should rightfully seek happiness with that person.
2. Before they decide to marry, every couple should see a good counselor or take a course in marriage preparation.
3. The major reason couples succeed in marriage is their determination to do so.
4. I strongly agree with the principles of feminism.
5. A successful and happy marriage relationship must be given care and attention.
6. The guru should be the ultimate authority in the family.
7. Family control should be centered around the husband.
8. The purpose of marriage is the partner's individual happiness.
9. A couple who "like each other very much" rather than "being in love" might make a happy and successful marriage.
10. If two people are really in love, they will be able to work out any marital difficulties.
11. In a certain sense, when two people marry they marry each other's families.
12. A childless marriage would be quite unsatisfactory.
13. The main factor in marriage dissatisfaction is usually sexual maladjustment.
14. Studying about marriage tends to take away the romance.
15. Attaining economic security is an unsatisfactory motive for marriage.
16. Parents should have a real voice in the decisions their children make regarding a mate.
17. The secret of successful marriage is having realistic expectations of what two people can do.
18. Marriages would be more successful if the roles of husband and wife were more sharply defined.
19. Marriage symbolizes a turning away from one's self to others.
20. Society itself has a significant input in stable marriages.
21. The most important aspect of compatibility is harmony of spiritual ideals.
22. If both partners are serious about their spiritual practices, they can work out any marital difficulties.
23. Young people today take marriage entirely too casually.
Marriage Quiz - Relations in Marriage
Please select whether you agree or disagree with each of the following questions.
Check items that most accurately reflect your feelings about marital relationships.
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
1. Marriage can supply all our relationship needs.
2. A strong relationship, once broken, becomes very difficult to restore, even if the participants feel they wish to restore it.
3. Relationships must improve over a period of time if they are to remain viable.
4. The qualities basic to a parent-child relationship are very different from those of a love-lover relationship.
5. Really significant relationships are those built on the basis of emotional understanding.
6. Really significant relationships are those built on the basis of intellectual understanding.
7. The idea that relationships "grow" is absurd.
8. A marriage can be good without being intimate emotionally or physically.
9. A person can feel he/she has a significant relationship even with a person that he/she has never met.
10. Practically all our relationship needs can be fulfilled in the nuclear family.
11. In terms of time and energy, there is a limited number of deeply intimate relationships one can support.
12. A good relationship can be developed rather quickly since the process is uncomplicated.
13. Relationships are very important way in achieving individual fulfilment.
14. Similarities in background make it easier to build relationships.
15. Really significant relationships are those built on the basis of spiritual understanding.
16. Termination of a dysfunctional relationship may facilitate personal growth.
17. With time and effort, you can build a meaningful relationship with practically anyone.
Marriage Quiz - Spiritual Standards
The following questions relate to your current spiritual situation and your feeling about spiritual commitment.
1. What is your initiation status?
First-Initiated by disciple of Prabhupada
Second-Initiated by disciple of Prabhupada
Aspiring for initiation by disciple of Prabhupada
Aspiring for initiation by ISKCON guru who is not Prabhupada’s disciple
Not interested in initiation
Not initiated and not aspiring at this time
Initiated by other Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru
Aspiring for initiation from other Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru
First-Initiated by Srila Prabhupada
Second-Initiated by Srila Prabhupada
How often do you do the following activities:
Answer with: Never, Rarely, Occasionally, Regularly
1. Drink alcohol?
2. Drink coffee, tea, or caffeine sodas?
3. Eat food cooked by devotees?
4. Observe Ekadasi?
5. Gamble (slots, casino, poker, etc.)?
6. Eat meat, fish, or eggs?
7. Offer your food to Krishna?
8. Eat vegetarian food containing onions or garlic?
9. Preach about Krishna to non-devotees?
10. Rise early, before sunrise?
11. Chant at least sixteen rounds?
12. Smoke tobacco?
13. Watch movies and television?
14. Observe Vaisnava holidays?
15. Play video games?
16. Visit a temple outside the home?
1. What do you feel should be the spiritual commitment of your partner, in comparison to your own:
My partner and I should be equal in our spiritual commitment and practices.
I'm satisfied to have a spouse who is less committed to spiritual practices than I am.
My partner should be more spiritually advanced than I.
Marriage Quiz - Things
For each of the following items, please choose how important you feel the item is or will be to you in your marriage.
For each of the items, please select: Essential, Preferred, Doesn't Matter
1. A second vehicle
2. Books other than those about krishna consciousness
3. Computer equipment
4. Contemporary furniture
5. Tickets to concerts
6. Cosmetics
7. A dental plan
8. Regular eating in devotee restaurants or take-outs
9. Buying or renting devotional videos/dvds
10. An expensive vehicle
11. Presents for family
12. Eating in fancy restaurants
13. A wardrobe of up-to-date clothing
14. Presents for friends
15. Membership in a health or fitness club
16. A nice holiday every year
17. Home improvement
18. Owning a house
19. House or apartment near iskcon center
20. Household insurance (fire, theft, earthquake, etc.)
21. Completing husband's education
22. Investments in stocks or bonds
23. Landscaping
24. Life insurance
25. A house/apartment in a materially desirable location
26. Personal care services such as manicures or hairstyling
27. Charity to humanitarian/ecological projects
28. Entertainment once a week such as movies
29. Night school courses for job upgrading
30. Buying or renting non-devotional videos/dvds
31. A pet
32. Regular spiritual pilgrimage
33. A retirement plan
34. A savings account
35. Snack food (soft drinks, chips, etc.)
36. Spiritual books
37. Season tickets to favorite sporting events
38. Sports equipment such as a bicycle, skis, skates, etc.
39. Charity to religious/spiritual projects
40. Spiritual magazine subscription
41. An expensive stereo system
42. Mundane newspaper or magazine subscriptions
43. Non-devotee take-out or fast food
44. An expensive video system
45. Computer/video games
46. Completing wife's education
Marriage Quiz - Money
Money is a common area of disagreement between married couples. Please provide your honest assessment for each of the following questions.
What are your feelings about money management and finances?
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
1. Married people should never have separate bank accounts--they should share their money.
2. It's all right to spend money you don't have--you can always borrow.
3. I often buy things on impulse.
4. Half of the family’s income should be spent for Krishna conscious purposes.
5. Having money is important to me.
6. I'm very organized with my money and keep track of how much I spend.
7. Having no debts is important to me. If I don't have the money, I won't buy.
8. A percentage of the family’s income should be spent for Krishna conscious purposes.
9. Saving money is easy for me.
10. It's important to save money for unforeseen emergencies.
11. Buying on credit helps you to get all the things you want.
12. It would be okay with me to live on unemployment or on welfare.
Marriage Quiz - Family and Children
Please answer the following questions about children, relatives, and your personal history.
Check items that most accurately reflect your feelings about the training of children.
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
1. Children should be educated by devotee teachers who teach Krishna consciousness along with academic subjects, either at home or in a school.
2. Young children should be free to do what they want.
3. Children should receive early training in Vaisnava behaviour.
4. Children should get to have much of what non-devotees have.
5. Children should not be exposed to materialistic media.
6. Children should not attend non-devotee schools.
7. Schools are not important as long as the family is strong.
8. Children should worship with the parents.
Check items that most accurately reflect your feelings about parents and in-laws.
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
9. It's important that both sets of parents agree with our lifestyle.
10. It's important that both sets of parents approve of the marriage.
11. Parents and in-laws should be involved with the family.
12. I would want to live with my parents or in-laws.
13. The couple should live near the husband’s parents, the wife’s parents, or both sets of parents.
14. Parents and in-laws should visit but not interfere.
15. What is your marital/relationship history?
I have children from a previous relationship.
I've had unmarried sexual relationships.
I've been divorced.
I've had no previous marriage or unmarried sexual relationships.
I'm currently separated and planning to divorce.
I've been widowed.
Marriage Quiz - Sex
For the following questions, please select the answer you most agree with.
1. What sexual standards do you expect to follow within marriage?
Sex only within the marriage.
Sex once a month for children, and not during pregnancy or six months after birth. Sex only for children; no contraception.
2. How do you expect to handle sexual disagreements with your spouse?
If we disagree about standards we will work out compromises.
I will give my spouse what he/she needs even if I wish a higher standard.
If my spouse cannot follow my level of renunciation we will get help.
If my spouse cannot follow my level of renunciation it is her/his problem.
3. How did your family treat the discussion of sex?
My family discussed sex in negative and critical ways.
Sexual matters were not discussed in my family.
My family discussed sexual questions openly.
Sex was discussed rarely and with discomfort.
Marriage Quiz - Interests
Please answer how important each of the following items are to you.
What interests are most important to share with your spouse?
Answer with: Essential, Preferred, Doesn't Matter
1. Art and culture
2. Astrology
3. Board games
4. Camping
5. Computers
6. Cooking
7. Having a cow, bull, or ox
8. Deity worship at home
9. Listening to devotional music
10. Gardening
11. Hobbies in general
12. Home maintenance and repair
13. Inviting guests to one's home
14. Music--playing instruments and singing
15. Painting and drawing
16. Pets
17. Politics and history
18. Reading
19. Sadhana, as in Deity worship and chanting
20. Science
21. Sewing
22. Social interactions with friends
23. Solitude
24. Reading transcendental literature
25. Sports and fitness activities
26. Teaching/Coaching
27. Theatre, organizing and acting
28. Travelling
29. Woodworking
30. Work and service
31. Writing
Marriage Quiz - About Your Partner
You've answered many questions about yourself and your feelings about marriage. Please take the time to choose which specific qualities you'd prefer in your partner.
How important is it that your partner has the following habits?
Answer with: Essential, Preferred, Doesn't Matter
1. Eat only food cooked by devotees
2. Observe Ekadasi
3. Offer your food to Krishna
4. Preach about Krishna to non-devotees
5. Rise early, before sunrise
6. Chant at least sixteen rounds
7. Observe Vaisnava holidays
8. Visit a temple outside the home
How important is it that your partner does not have the following habits?
Answer with: Essential, Preferred, Doesn't Matter
9. Drink coffee, tea, or caffeine sodas
10. Gamble (slots, casino, poker, etc.)
11. Eat meat, fish, or eggs
12. Eat vegetarian food containing onions or garlic
13. Smoke tobacco
14. Watch movies and television
15. Play video games
16. Please choose which categories of initiation status you are willing to accept in your partner.
No preference
First-initiated by disciple of Prabhupada
Second-initiated by disciple of Prabhupada
Aspiring for initiation by disciple of Prabhupada
Not interested in initiation
Not initiated and not aspiring at this time
Initiated by other Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru
Aspiring for initiation from other Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru
First-initiated by Srila Prabhupada
Second-initiated by Srila Prabhupada
17. What are your preferences for your partner's situation in regard to previous relationships?
I'm willing to marry someone with children.
I'm willing to marry someone who is divorced.
I'm only willing to marry someone with no previous relationships or children.
I'm willing to marry someone who had previous unmarried relationships.
I'm willing to marry someone who is widowed.
18. What level of education do you want your partner to have (as compared to your own)?
No preference.
Less than mine.
Greater then mine.
The same level as mine.
The same or less.
The same or greater.
19. Which ethnicities would you be willing to accept as matches? (Check all that apply.) No preference
Arab
Asian/Pacific Islander
Black
Chinese
Hispanic or Latino
Indian
Japanese
Korean
Native American
White, non-Hispanic
Other
End
Your answers to the following series of questions will give us the information to match you with people who are compatible with you. Please make sure your answers are honest and candid. To begin, please answer the following questions about yourself.
1. What is your ethnicity?
Arab
Asian/Pacific Islander
Black
Chinese
Hispanic or Latino
Indian
Japanese
Korean
Native American
Other
White, non-Hispanic
2. What language(s) do you speak?
3. What is your nationality?
4. Choose the category that best describes your highest level of education.
Associate’s
Bachelor’s
Doctorate
High School
Master’s
Did not complete High School
Some college
Marriage Quiz - Roles
These questions ask how you expect to define yours and your partner’s roles in marriage.
Marriage Role Expectations - Whom do you expect to:
Answer with: Mostly Husband, Mostly Wife, Both Equally
1. Start an argument?
2. Pay the bills?
3. Have a paying career that involves regular work outside the home?
4. Stay up with a sick child at night?
5. Decide how many children to have (or whether to have children)?
6. Clean the house or apartment?
7. Clean the toilet bowl?
8. Cook most of the meals?
9. Desire the most time and attention from partner?
10. Discipline the children?
11. Drive the car on joint outings?
12. Handle household finances?
13. Choose furniture for the house or apartment?
14. Decide where you will spend the holidays?
15. Remember important dates such as family members’ birthdays, anniversaries?
16. Initiate intimacy?
17. Invite guests over?
18. Have priority when it comes to one's job?
19. Make the bed?
20. Make most of the money?
21. Make up after an argument?
22. Have the most education?
23. Prepare the grocery list?
24. Do the grocery shopping?
25. Be the spiritual guide of the family?
26. Set the family's spiritual standards?
27. Send thank-you notes for joint gifts?
28. Maintain the care and upkeep of vehicles?
29. Wash the dishes?
30. Determine where you will live?
31. Cut the grass and take care of the yard?
32. Who should have ultimate decision-making authority?
The person most affected in each situation
Husband only
Everything by mutual agreement
Generally by mutual agreement, but husband when they can't agree
Generally by mutual agreement, but wife when they can't agree
Wife only
Marriage Quiz - Nature of Marriage
Please select whether you agree or disagree with each of the following questions.
If you are unsure about a particular question, ask yourself the opposite question. For example, you can change "A successful and happy marriage relationship must be given care and attention." to "A successful and happy marriage relationship does not need care and attention." If you agree with the opposite statement, you can then mark that you disagree with the original one.
Check items that most accurately reflect your feelings about the nature of marriage.
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
1. If, after marriage, people find someone they love more than their spouse, they should rightfully seek happiness with that person.
2. Before they decide to marry, every couple should see a good counselor or take a course in marriage preparation.
3. The major reason couples succeed in marriage is their determination to do so.
4. I strongly agree with the principles of feminism.
5. A successful and happy marriage relationship must be given care and attention.
6. The guru should be the ultimate authority in the family.
7. Family control should be centered around the husband.
8. The purpose of marriage is the partner's individual happiness.
9. A couple who "like each other very much" rather than "being in love" might make a happy and successful marriage.
10. If two people are really in love, they will be able to work out any marital difficulties.
11. In a certain sense, when two people marry they marry each other's families.
12. A childless marriage would be quite unsatisfactory.
13. The main factor in marriage dissatisfaction is usually sexual maladjustment.
14. Studying about marriage tends to take away the romance.
15. Attaining economic security is an unsatisfactory motive for marriage.
16. Parents should have a real voice in the decisions their children make regarding a mate.
17. The secret of successful marriage is having realistic expectations of what two people can do.
18. Marriages would be more successful if the roles of husband and wife were more sharply defined.
19. Marriage symbolizes a turning away from one's self to others.
20. Society itself has a significant input in stable marriages.
21. The most important aspect of compatibility is harmony of spiritual ideals.
22. If both partners are serious about their spiritual practices, they can work out any marital difficulties.
23. Young people today take marriage entirely too casually.
Marriage Quiz - Relations in Marriage
Please select whether you agree or disagree with each of the following questions.
Check items that most accurately reflect your feelings about marital relationships.
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
1. Marriage can supply all our relationship needs.
2. A strong relationship, once broken, becomes very difficult to restore, even if the participants feel they wish to restore it.
3. Relationships must improve over a period of time if they are to remain viable.
4. The qualities basic to a parent-child relationship are very different from those of a love-lover relationship.
5. Really significant relationships are those built on the basis of emotional understanding.
6. Really significant relationships are those built on the basis of intellectual understanding.
7. The idea that relationships "grow" is absurd.
8. A marriage can be good without being intimate emotionally or physically.
9. A person can feel he/she has a significant relationship even with a person that he/she has never met.
10. Practically all our relationship needs can be fulfilled in the nuclear family.
11. In terms of time and energy, there is a limited number of deeply intimate relationships one can support.
12. A good relationship can be developed rather quickly since the process is uncomplicated.
13. Relationships are very important way in achieving individual fulfilment.
14. Similarities in background make it easier to build relationships.
15. Really significant relationships are those built on the basis of spiritual understanding.
16. Termination of a dysfunctional relationship may facilitate personal growth.
17. With time and effort, you can build a meaningful relationship with practically anyone.
Marriage Quiz - Spiritual Standards
The following questions relate to your current spiritual situation and your feeling about spiritual commitment.
1. What is your initiation status?
First-Initiated by disciple of Prabhupada
Second-Initiated by disciple of Prabhupada
Aspiring for initiation by disciple of Prabhupada
Aspiring for initiation by ISKCON guru who is not Prabhupada’s disciple
Not interested in initiation
Not initiated and not aspiring at this time
Initiated by other Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru
Aspiring for initiation from other Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru
First-Initiated by Srila Prabhupada
Second-Initiated by Srila Prabhupada
How often do you do the following activities:
Answer with: Never, Rarely, Occasionally, Regularly
1. Drink alcohol?
2. Drink coffee, tea, or caffeine sodas?
3. Eat food cooked by devotees?
4. Observe Ekadasi?
5. Gamble (slots, casino, poker, etc.)?
6. Eat meat, fish, or eggs?
7. Offer your food to Krishna?
8. Eat vegetarian food containing onions or garlic?
9. Preach about Krishna to non-devotees?
10. Rise early, before sunrise?
11. Chant at least sixteen rounds?
12. Smoke tobacco?
13. Watch movies and television?
14. Observe Vaisnava holidays?
15. Play video games?
16. Visit a temple outside the home?
1. What do you feel should be the spiritual commitment of your partner, in comparison to your own:
My partner and I should be equal in our spiritual commitment and practices.
I'm satisfied to have a spouse who is less committed to spiritual practices than I am.
My partner should be more spiritually advanced than I.
Marriage Quiz - Things
For each of the following items, please choose how important you feel the item is or will be to you in your marriage.
For each of the items, please select: Essential, Preferred, Doesn't Matter
1. A second vehicle
2. Books other than those about krishna consciousness
3. Computer equipment
4. Contemporary furniture
5. Tickets to concerts
6. Cosmetics
7. A dental plan
8. Regular eating in devotee restaurants or take-outs
9. Buying or renting devotional videos/dvds
10. An expensive vehicle
11. Presents for family
12. Eating in fancy restaurants
13. A wardrobe of up-to-date clothing
14. Presents for friends
15. Membership in a health or fitness club
16. A nice holiday every year
17. Home improvement
18. Owning a house
19. House or apartment near iskcon center
20. Household insurance (fire, theft, earthquake, etc.)
21. Completing husband's education
22. Investments in stocks or bonds
23. Landscaping
24. Life insurance
25. A house/apartment in a materially desirable location
26. Personal care services such as manicures or hairstyling
27. Charity to humanitarian/ecological projects
28. Entertainment once a week such as movies
29. Night school courses for job upgrading
30. Buying or renting non-devotional videos/dvds
31. A pet
32. Regular spiritual pilgrimage
33. A retirement plan
34. A savings account
35. Snack food (soft drinks, chips, etc.)
36. Spiritual books
37. Season tickets to favorite sporting events
38. Sports equipment such as a bicycle, skis, skates, etc.
39. Charity to religious/spiritual projects
40. Spiritual magazine subscription
41. An expensive stereo system
42. Mundane newspaper or magazine subscriptions
43. Non-devotee take-out or fast food
44. An expensive video system
45. Computer/video games
46. Completing wife's education
Marriage Quiz - Money
Money is a common area of disagreement between married couples. Please provide your honest assessment for each of the following questions.
What are your feelings about money management and finances?
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
1. Married people should never have separate bank accounts--they should share their money.
2. It's all right to spend money you don't have--you can always borrow.
3. I often buy things on impulse.
4. Half of the family’s income should be spent for Krishna conscious purposes.
5. Having money is important to me.
6. I'm very organized with my money and keep track of how much I spend.
7. Having no debts is important to me. If I don't have the money, I won't buy.
8. A percentage of the family’s income should be spent for Krishna conscious purposes.
9. Saving money is easy for me.
10. It's important to save money for unforeseen emergencies.
11. Buying on credit helps you to get all the things you want.
12. It would be okay with me to live on unemployment or on welfare.
Marriage Quiz - Family and Children
Please answer the following questions about children, relatives, and your personal history.
Check items that most accurately reflect your feelings about the training of children.
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
1. Children should be educated by devotee teachers who teach Krishna consciousness along with academic subjects, either at home or in a school.
2. Young children should be free to do what they want.
3. Children should receive early training in Vaisnava behaviour.
4. Children should get to have much of what non-devotees have.
5. Children should not be exposed to materialistic media.
6. Children should not attend non-devotee schools.
7. Schools are not important as long as the family is strong.
8. Children should worship with the parents.
Check items that most accurately reflect your feelings about parents and in-laws.
Answer with: Agree, Disagree, Uncertain
9. It's important that both sets of parents agree with our lifestyle.
10. It's important that both sets of parents approve of the marriage.
11. Parents and in-laws should be involved with the family.
12. I would want to live with my parents or in-laws.
13. The couple should live near the husband’s parents, the wife’s parents, or both sets of parents.
14. Parents and in-laws should visit but not interfere.
15. What is your marital/relationship history?
I have children from a previous relationship.
I've had unmarried sexual relationships.
I've been divorced.
I've had no previous marriage or unmarried sexual relationships.
I'm currently separated and planning to divorce.
I've been widowed.
Marriage Quiz - Sex
For the following questions, please select the answer you most agree with.
1. What sexual standards do you expect to follow within marriage?
Sex only within the marriage.
Sex once a month for children, and not during pregnancy or six months after birth. Sex only for children; no contraception.
2. How do you expect to handle sexual disagreements with your spouse?
If we disagree about standards we will work out compromises.
I will give my spouse what he/she needs even if I wish a higher standard.
If my spouse cannot follow my level of renunciation we will get help.
If my spouse cannot follow my level of renunciation it is her/his problem.
3. How did your family treat the discussion of sex?
My family discussed sex in negative and critical ways.
Sexual matters were not discussed in my family.
My family discussed sexual questions openly.
Sex was discussed rarely and with discomfort.
Marriage Quiz - Interests
Please answer how important each of the following items are to you.
What interests are most important to share with your spouse?
Answer with: Essential, Preferred, Doesn't Matter
1. Art and culture
2. Astrology
3. Board games
4. Camping
5. Computers
6. Cooking
7. Having a cow, bull, or ox
8. Deity worship at home
9. Listening to devotional music
10. Gardening
11. Hobbies in general
12. Home maintenance and repair
13. Inviting guests to one's home
14. Music--playing instruments and singing
15. Painting and drawing
16. Pets
17. Politics and history
18. Reading
19. Sadhana, as in Deity worship and chanting
20. Science
21. Sewing
22. Social interactions with friends
23. Solitude
24. Reading transcendental literature
25. Sports and fitness activities
26. Teaching/Coaching
27. Theatre, organizing and acting
28. Travelling
29. Woodworking
30. Work and service
31. Writing
Marriage Quiz - About Your Partner
You've answered many questions about yourself and your feelings about marriage. Please take the time to choose which specific qualities you'd prefer in your partner.
How important is it that your partner has the following habits?
Answer with: Essential, Preferred, Doesn't Matter
1. Eat only food cooked by devotees
2. Observe Ekadasi
3. Offer your food to Krishna
4. Preach about Krishna to non-devotees
5. Rise early, before sunrise
6. Chant at least sixteen rounds
7. Observe Vaisnava holidays
8. Visit a temple outside the home
How important is it that your partner does not have the following habits?
Answer with: Essential, Preferred, Doesn't Matter
9. Drink coffee, tea, or caffeine sodas
10. Gamble (slots, casino, poker, etc.)
11. Eat meat, fish, or eggs
12. Eat vegetarian food containing onions or garlic
13. Smoke tobacco
14. Watch movies and television
15. Play video games
16. Please choose which categories of initiation status you are willing to accept in your partner.
No preference
First-initiated by disciple of Prabhupada
Second-initiated by disciple of Prabhupada
Aspiring for initiation by disciple of Prabhupada
Not interested in initiation
Not initiated and not aspiring at this time
Initiated by other Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru
Aspiring for initiation from other Gaudiya Vaisnava Guru
First-initiated by Srila Prabhupada
Second-initiated by Srila Prabhupada
17. What are your preferences for your partner's situation in regard to previous relationships?
I'm willing to marry someone with children.
I'm willing to marry someone who is divorced.
I'm only willing to marry someone with no previous relationships or children.
I'm willing to marry someone who had previous unmarried relationships.
I'm willing to marry someone who is widowed.
18. What level of education do you want your partner to have (as compared to your own)?
No preference.
Less than mine.
Greater then mine.
The same level as mine.
The same or less.
The same or greater.
19. Which ethnicities would you be willing to accept as matches? (Check all that apply.) No preference
Arab
Asian/Pacific Islander
Black
Chinese
Hispanic or Latino
Indian
Japanese
Korean
Native American
White, non-Hispanic
Other
End
Thursday, July 28, 2011
TURN DREAMING INTO BEAMING
Start dreaming about your goal, your project, about something wonderful you want to do for Krsna. Dream boldly. Don't be afraid. Don't think there are no resources. There are unlimited resources. Don't limit yourself by thinking like that.
You can ask yourself this question: "If I would have an unlimited time and money, what would I do?"
One of the best remedies for being distracted from Krsna consciousness and getting into various illusory escape activities, is to do something you are excited to do for Krsna and work on it. Even if you start doing it few minutes a day, but you look forward to it, you sit and you meditate on your dream, on something wonderful you want to do for Krsna, you will start making progress and be much more inspired.
That is something very practical and anyone can do it.
One devotee would like to be a trekking guide and preach to people while taking them to various places in nature. He would use all the experiences to show how we are connected with God.
So this is exactly where Gita Coaching can help - to help you achieve what you want to achieve for Krsna. Srila Prabhupada said in many places that everything is possible by Krsna's mercy. If we accept that principle and work together, the limits of what we can achieve expand more and more.
More important than what you achieve in life is who you become by your efforts. And you can become an extremely inspired devotee. You can become someone who is so fired up that your association is contagious. You inspire so many people.
Every devotee should become an extremely inspired person. When people meet him, they think, "Wow! Who was this guy?"
Then they also start to think, "Well, what is my own dream? I am going to die soon, so what I am going to do. I want to be like him."
You can ask yourself this question: "If I would have an unlimited time and money, what would I do?"
One of the best remedies for being distracted from Krsna consciousness and getting into various illusory escape activities, is to do something you are excited to do for Krsna and work on it. Even if you start doing it few minutes a day, but you look forward to it, you sit and you meditate on your dream, on something wonderful you want to do for Krsna, you will start making progress and be much more inspired.
That is something very practical and anyone can do it.
One devotee would like to be a trekking guide and preach to people while taking them to various places in nature. He would use all the experiences to show how we are connected with God.
So this is exactly where Gita Coaching can help - to help you achieve what you want to achieve for Krsna. Srila Prabhupada said in many places that everything is possible by Krsna's mercy. If we accept that principle and work together, the limits of what we can achieve expand more and more.
More important than what you achieve in life is who you become by your efforts. And you can become an extremely inspired devotee. You can become someone who is so fired up that your association is contagious. You inspire so many people.
Every devotee should become an extremely inspired person. When people meet him, they think, "Wow! Who was this guy?"
Then they also start to think, "Well, what is my own dream? I am going to die soon, so what I am going to do. I want to be like him."
GIVING KRSNA IN A WORKPLACE
How can you give Krsna to your co-workers?
You can give them prasadam. You can give them and discuss Srila Prabhupada's books.
You can become friends with people and show that you are genuinely interested in them.
People can see you as a man who is very kind, knowledgeable, who has experience and know a lot about many things, who is a resource for them.
And one day they will ask you, "Where did you get all these things?"
And you can tell them you are getting it from the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, and mantra meditation.
You can give them prasadam. You can give them and discuss Srila Prabhupada's books.
You can become friends with people and show that you are genuinely interested in them.
People can see you as a man who is very kind, knowledgeable, who has experience and know a lot about many things, who is a resource for them.
And one day they will ask you, "Where did you get all these things?"
And you can tell them you are getting it from the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, and mantra meditation.
BEING INSPIRED
Devotees sometimes say, "I am not inspired. I am not inspired by the classes. I am not inspired by the Mangala Arati, by the kirtanas."
I say to them, "It is your responsibility to be inspired every single day. It is your duty to ensure that you are enthusiastic every single day. How are your going to do it? It's your task."
We can find ways to be inspired every day, but we have to become diligent. The mind has to become diligent, and has to want this state. "I want to be inspired every single day." And it's not some artificial hype-up thing.
For example, when you are chanting your rounds in the morning, this can be a wonderful process to become super inspired for the whole day. And if we listen to our rounds, we can be very much inspired. The whole day is amazing.
How can I be inspired, when I had a wonderful morning chanting and dancing with the devotees, or at my home, then I have to go to this stupid work?
Someone who works can be inspired like anything, if he sees his work differently. And if he sees preaching opportunities in his work. If you see that you can do something at your work that will bring people closer to Krsna consciousness, then you are excited to go there and find these opportunities and do something that is very valuable or significant.
I say to them, "It is your responsibility to be inspired every single day. It is your duty to ensure that you are enthusiastic every single day. How are your going to do it? It's your task."
We can find ways to be inspired every day, but we have to become diligent. The mind has to become diligent, and has to want this state. "I want to be inspired every single day." And it's not some artificial hype-up thing.
For example, when you are chanting your rounds in the morning, this can be a wonderful process to become super inspired for the whole day. And if we listen to our rounds, we can be very much inspired. The whole day is amazing.
How can I be inspired, when I had a wonderful morning chanting and dancing with the devotees, or at my home, then I have to go to this stupid work?
Someone who works can be inspired like anything, if he sees his work differently. And if he sees preaching opportunities in his work. If you see that you can do something at your work that will bring people closer to Krsna consciousness, then you are excited to go there and find these opportunities and do something that is very valuable or significant.
BALANCE
There has to be a balance between doing the needful and doing our cherished project or something that you like to do. Sometimes devotees neglect sadhana and do all day long what they like to do. They neglect their family or other important aspects of their lives.
EXPRESS YOUR EMOTIONS AND REALIZATIONS
We have an inclination to work according to our conditioned nature. Under good guidance we should engage this in Krsna's service. And there is our eternal occupation, our eternal relationship with Krsna, which at the moment we don't know - what is our eternal svarupa, our eternal service, our eternal form, and our eternal position in the spiritual world.
These inclinations that are already there can be engaged in a much more effective way. By discussing with our spiritual guides we can find out what is it. How can I serve Krsna according to what He has given me, and also according to my conditioning. This requires guidance and a deeper discussion. Devotee has to explore and find what this is, or try few things to see how it goes. And then choose and focus on one thing.
It's not always easy to find out what is your calling, your dharma, but with the help of another devotee who is interested in you, you can work to discover it, by going through different questions and thinking about it more deeply, looking into your heart more deeply - you can find out.
Sometimes we need to try different things, until we find something we are excited about. My understanding is that Krsna wants to see that you do something for Him with love. Not just duty, duty, duty!
I encourage devotees to always have something aside, apart from their duty or something they have accepted as their responsibility. Do something that you like to do. One devotees wanted to play mrdanga, so I told him to play daily for half-an-hour and that this will inspire him. This will spill over into other areas where you will be more enthusiastic to do other things.
I also encourage devotees to sing bhajanas, whether they are very talented or not. Because singing is such an amazing transformative activity. I induce them to express themselves. If you don't express yourself gradually you will die emotionally and spiritually. The soul has to express himself. We can express our devotion. We can express our affection fro devotees, etc. When you start expressing yourself, it will also help you find your dharma, find your calling.
Then it becomes natural. Those who like to sing or to write songs, they feel very satisfied when they do something like that. And so many other devotees become inspired by your natural expression.
These inclinations that are already there can be engaged in a much more effective way. By discussing with our spiritual guides we can find out what is it. How can I serve Krsna according to what He has given me, and also according to my conditioning. This requires guidance and a deeper discussion. Devotee has to explore and find what this is, or try few things to see how it goes. And then choose and focus on one thing.
It's not always easy to find out what is your calling, your dharma, but with the help of another devotee who is interested in you, you can work to discover it, by going through different questions and thinking about it more deeply, looking into your heart more deeply - you can find out.
Sometimes we need to try different things, until we find something we are excited about. My understanding is that Krsna wants to see that you do something for Him with love. Not just duty, duty, duty!
I encourage devotees to always have something aside, apart from their duty or something they have accepted as their responsibility. Do something that you like to do. One devotees wanted to play mrdanga, so I told him to play daily for half-an-hour and that this will inspire him. This will spill over into other areas where you will be more enthusiastic to do other things.
I also encourage devotees to sing bhajanas, whether they are very talented or not. Because singing is such an amazing transformative activity. I induce them to express themselves. If you don't express yourself gradually you will die emotionally and spiritually. The soul has to express himself. We can express our devotion. We can express our affection fro devotees, etc. When you start expressing yourself, it will also help you find your dharma, find your calling.
Then it becomes natural. Those who like to sing or to write songs, they feel very satisfied when they do something like that. And so many other devotees become inspired by your natural expression.
WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO
Srila Prabhupada wrote to one uninitiated devotee that he should ask his Temple President to find him an activity that he is inspired to do. Srila Prabhupada says that it is advantageous to do to something we like to do, we are inspired to do, and it even positively affect following the principles.
This principle of doing something that you like to do is very important, but neglected. Because we run the movement, we need to do so many things, and we try to fit people into different projects, but we tend to forget about the people themselves.
When I do coaching I focus on the benefit of the individual. I ask devotees, "What is your dream? What ar you really excited about? Ideally speaking, what would you like to do for Krsna?"
In the beginning they don't always know, but as we go on with sessions something emerges and they really become excited. I keep on asking, "What would you really like to do for Krsna?" And then they come up with something.
Sometimes people are afraid to desire. I encourage them to desire something, even if the desire is not 100 percent pure. Let's say a devotee says, "I want to become a famous book distributor." This is not pure desire. He wants to do service but he also wants some fame. I teell him, "Go for it! If you become too proud, Krsna will sort you out. Don't worry! He will show you what is false and what is real."
This principle of doing something that you like to do is very important, but neglected. Because we run the movement, we need to do so many things, and we try to fit people into different projects, but we tend to forget about the people themselves.
When I do coaching I focus on the benefit of the individual. I ask devotees, "What is your dream? What ar you really excited about? Ideally speaking, what would you like to do for Krsna?"
In the beginning they don't always know, but as we go on with sessions something emerges and they really become excited. I keep on asking, "What would you really like to do for Krsna?" And then they come up with something.
Sometimes people are afraid to desire. I encourage them to desire something, even if the desire is not 100 percent pure. Let's say a devotee says, "I want to become a famous book distributor." This is not pure desire. He wants to do service but he also wants some fame. I teell him, "Go for it! If you become too proud, Krsna will sort you out. Don't worry! He will show you what is false and what is real."
CONNECTING WITH YOUR DHARMA
The word dharma means duty. It means truth. It means occupation.
For us it is important to find something that we are excited about. Something that we want to do for Krsna with love. Something we can put our heart into.
When we join Krsna consciousness, we are taught to do the needful. Srila Prabhupada gave us this principle and it's a very useful principle. But we see that devotees who have lasted in Krsna consciousness - not only survived but thrived - that they specialize in something. They find something they are excited about and they become better and better at it.
So it is important we find something we like to do and become an expert in it. And that we can give a nice contribution. We are creative beings. We want to express ourselves and we can use our talents in Krsna's service.
For us it is important to find something that we are excited about. Something that we want to do for Krsna with love. Something we can put our heart into.
When we join Krsna consciousness, we are taught to do the needful. Srila Prabhupada gave us this principle and it's a very useful principle. But we see that devotees who have lasted in Krsna consciousness - not only survived but thrived - that they specialize in something. They find something they are excited about and they become better and better at it.
So it is important we find something we like to do and become an expert in it. And that we can give a nice contribution. We are creative beings. We want to express ourselves and we can use our talents in Krsna's service.
BROADEN THE FIELD
To cut off all family affection means to broaden the field of activities. Without doing this, no one can be qualified as a brahmana, a king, a public leader or a devotee of the Lord.
The Personality of Godhead, as an ideal king, showed this by example. Sri Ramacandra cut off the tie of affection for His beloved wife to manifest the qualities of an ideal king.
Such personalities as a brahmana, a devotee, a king or a public leader must be very broadminded in discharging their respective duties.
SB 1.8.41 Purport
The Personality of Godhead, as an ideal king, showed this by example. Sri Ramacandra cut off the tie of affection for His beloved wife to manifest the qualities of an ideal king.
Such personalities as a brahmana, a devotee, a king or a public leader must be very broadminded in discharging their respective duties.
SB 1.8.41 Purport
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
WHAT WILL HELP YOU TO TAKE ACTION?
If you want to make sure you take intelligent and dynamic action to solve your problems and achieve your goals, here is what you can do to coach yourself to success:
- Make your goal clear, specific and time-bound
- Pray to Krsna for intelligence and determination
- Make a list of all the benefits from achieving the goal
- Check your motivation and determination on a scale 1 to 5
- Make a detailed plan of action with deadlines for each action
- Think of ways how to do it better and faster
- Make your best effort and be aware that results depend on Krsna
- Send regular daily or weekly reports to your coach or friend
- Pray to Krsna to make you a useful instrument in His hands
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A LEADER IS NOT THE ONLY DOER
The problem comes when a leader thinks he is the only doer or he is the boss. In that case, people get intimidated by his false ego.
If a leader acts as a steward or an instrument of the Lord, people will be more inclined to follow him.
If a leader acts as a steward or an instrument of the Lord, people will be more inclined to follow him.
Monday, July 25, 2011
HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE?
If you look for something that is so inspiring that you're automatically shooting out of your comfort zone, this is one of the best solutions how to get out of the mushy comfort zone. You work to find your mission, to find your voice, to find your dharma, to find your long-term project and focus on it.
Thus you will be more inspired to take more risks, to stretch, to do anything to make it work. Because you want to make it work. Srila Prabhupada wrote in some letters to leaders that it is very advantageous that a devotee does something he likes to do. It is good that first several years in Krsna consciousness we are doing the needful, but later you need to specialize.
If you see any long-term successful devotee, they all specialize at something. With the help of your spiritual guide or spiritual coach or your spiritual master, you can discover what is your nature, what are your your inclinations, what is it that you would like to do, and start doing it. And see if it works for you.
Then become very good at what you do. Become an expert. And learn from the other devotee experts in that area or even outside experts. Perfect the art and the science of what you are doing. And in this way feel satisfied.
In one letter, Srila Prabhupada instructed a devotee who was serving under Jagadisa Maharaja as the temple president, that the president should find him an engagement that is inspiring for him, that he likes to do; and it will be easier to follow the rules and regulations because he is inspired.
If we lose our enthusiasm then everything is finished.
It is your responsibility to be inspired and motivated every single day. It is not something that will fall from the sky. Whether it is first class chanting of your rounds, or hearing the class on a tape or in a temple, having an inspiring coaching session or conversation with a devotee, whatever it takes, you have to be inspired, and then achieve wonderful things for Krsna throughout the day.
Often we become overly dependent on others for inspiration or encouragement. If you want encouragement, encourage yourself. If you want kindness, be kind to yourself. If you want love, love yourself. Be kind to yourself by becoming more Krsna conscious.
Therefore, a greater service for others is to help them help themselves. Not to make them dependent of you, not to take a role of a savior, but you help them become empowered, become strong, determined, and then they can deal with anything.
HOW CAN YOU BENEFIT BY STRETCHING?
I have learned that there are 3 zones: Comfort Zone, Stretch Zone and Panic Zone. I am not asking you to set your goals in the Panic Zone. This is too much at the moment. Stretch Zone is a bit scary but you can still make it. You can still try and you can still take a risk.
We are not being unreasonable here. We are asking people to stretch at least a little bit. And a little bit more. You will feel better about yourself and about how you deal with life and about who you are, if you stretch.
If you just try to avoid confronting what you need to change or taking on new goals or taking risks, you will never feel good. You will feel miserable. Peter Burwash calls the Comfort Zone - a coffin.
If we want to grow, we have to go out of our comfort zone. If there is no growth there is no life and spiritual life becomes mechanical. How can you feel peaceful and secure in a situation where you don't take risks or you don't stretch?
Because you know the philosophy. You know you are this body. You know that Krsna will challenge you. You know that you have to be equal in happiness and distress, and face the dualities of this world. How can you create a situation where everything is nice and think that you are ok?
Krsna asked Arjuna to kill. Krsna is not asking us to kill, but he is asking us to preach. So if we are not preaching, we cannot be alive. If we push ourselves, we will not be pushed, and ultimately destroyed, by maya.
It is better to push ourselves voluntarily than wait for the material energy to really get on our case. We are small. We always depend on either material or spiritual energy.
By pushing ourselves, we align ourselves with the spiritual energy, we align ourselves with Krsna, and we, basically, surrender.
We are not being unreasonable here. We are asking people to stretch at least a little bit. And a little bit more. You will feel better about yourself and about how you deal with life and about who you are, if you stretch.
If you just try to avoid confronting what you need to change or taking on new goals or taking risks, you will never feel good. You will feel miserable. Peter Burwash calls the Comfort Zone - a coffin.
If we want to grow, we have to go out of our comfort zone. If there is no growth there is no life and spiritual life becomes mechanical. How can you feel peaceful and secure in a situation where you don't take risks or you don't stretch?
Because you know the philosophy. You know you are this body. You know that Krsna will challenge you. You know that you have to be equal in happiness and distress, and face the dualities of this world. How can you create a situation where everything is nice and think that you are ok?
Krsna asked Arjuna to kill. Krsna is not asking us to kill, but he is asking us to preach. So if we are not preaching, we cannot be alive. If we push ourselves, we will not be pushed, and ultimately destroyed, by maya.
It is better to push ourselves voluntarily than wait for the material energy to really get on our case. We are small. We always depend on either material or spiritual energy.
By pushing ourselves, we align ourselves with the spiritual energy, we align ourselves with Krsna, and we, basically, surrender.
TEST, TEST, TEST!
Marketing gurus say, "Test, test, test, and see how it works!" Srila Prabhupada also tested how many rounds devotees can chant every day, 64 or 32 or 16. He tested whether Gurukula will work.
Similarly, we can see what works for us. We can start small, and there is no limit to how much you can expand. The most important thing is to somehow work on developing that desire to do something.
We all want to achieve something. We are goal-achieving entities. We want to achieve something, we want to leave a legacy, we want to leave something behind us. We feel happy when we make or create something. We want to do something significant and that's not bad.
If we want to do something significant for Krsna, we should do it. Krsna has given us so much ability, and talents, and skills, and we are just not using them. We are running on 20 percent of our potential.
We should look into it and have a discussion with someone, like a friend or a coach, and see what it is that we are not using. Look around!
Krsna is offering challenges for us in different ways. We can become an expert in avoiding these challenges and justify why we are not taking on things. Taking risks is very much present in Srila Prabhupada's teachings.
Similarly, we can see what works for us. We can start small, and there is no limit to how much you can expand. The most important thing is to somehow work on developing that desire to do something.
We all want to achieve something. We are goal-achieving entities. We want to achieve something, we want to leave a legacy, we want to leave something behind us. We feel happy when we make or create something. We want to do something significant and that's not bad.
If we want to do something significant for Krsna, we should do it. Krsna has given us so much ability, and talents, and skills, and we are just not using them. We are running on 20 percent of our potential.
We should look into it and have a discussion with someone, like a friend or a coach, and see what it is that we are not using. Look around!
Krsna is offering challenges for us in different ways. We can become an expert in avoiding these challenges and justify why we are not taking on things. Taking risks is very much present in Srila Prabhupada's teachings.
HOW TO ACT IN GOODNESS
If we want to act in the mode of goodness, we first need to think in the mode of goodness.
And if we want to think in the mode of goodness, we need to ask ourselves better questions, questions that will help us think and act in the mode of goodness.
And if we want to think in the mode of goodness, we need to ask ourselves better questions, questions that will help us think and act in the mode of goodness.
COMFORT ZONE
It's natural that people want to remain in their comfort zone, because they feel secure. But this is false security. And even if they know they have to stretch, they stretch a little bit and create another comfort zone.
My recommendation to people is - never remain where you are but always try to go forward, to grow, to develop, to advance. Because this life is meant for elevating our consciousness and for advancing and evolving to a higher level, so if you stay in one place, you will not be able to grow.
Constant and never-ending improvement - that's the principle that we have to follow. And it's in line with Srila Prabhupada's teachings. He would never stand still and he was never satisfied with what has been accomplished. He always wanted more and pushed his disciples to preach more, to expand the mission, to give an opportunity to many more people to take to Krsna consciousness.
He wanted us to shoot for rhinoceros. Although he also gave an example of an ant who was helping Lord Ramacandra to build a bridge to Lanka, with his small effort. And Lord Ramacandra would appreciate it as He would appreciate the work of the monkeys who were able to throw big boulders into the sea.
At the same time, I think we can do much more than we are doing. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita - paurusam nrsu, I am the ability in man. There is no limit how much we can achieve if we want to achieve more for Krsna and if we properly connect to Him, and if we have faith that He can help us.
But if we find some comfortable life and just try to save ourselves, and chant, and be like a "closet devotee", this will not help us. To me, it's actually hellish, to be like a pious person, and go to church or a temple occasionally and just try to save yourself. This is not the mood of Lord Caitanya. This is not the mood of our movement. It's actually a very uncomfortable life.
We always want to extend ourselves to help others and to save others.
Why we should set realistic goals? Set unrealistic goals. But setting realistic goals, you limit what you can achieve. It is in line with Srila Prabhupada's teachings to go for the impossible and see what God allows you to achieve.
Fear of failure is one of the greatest obstacles to success. Sometimes devotees try to cover fear of failure with false humility. "Oh, I am not a big devotee. I'm going to stay in the back and I will just do something little." This just an excuse to not take risks. But actually they are capable of doing much more.
The greatest risk in life is life without risks. The founder of IBM said - fail forward fast. You have to increase the rate of failure in order to get to your success quicker. Srila Prabhupada said that failure is a pillar of success.
My recommendation to people is - never remain where you are but always try to go forward, to grow, to develop, to advance. Because this life is meant for elevating our consciousness and for advancing and evolving to a higher level, so if you stay in one place, you will not be able to grow.
Constant and never-ending improvement - that's the principle that we have to follow. And it's in line with Srila Prabhupada's teachings. He would never stand still and he was never satisfied with what has been accomplished. He always wanted more and pushed his disciples to preach more, to expand the mission, to give an opportunity to many more people to take to Krsna consciousness.
He wanted us to shoot for rhinoceros. Although he also gave an example of an ant who was helping Lord Ramacandra to build a bridge to Lanka, with his small effort. And Lord Ramacandra would appreciate it as He would appreciate the work of the monkeys who were able to throw big boulders into the sea.
At the same time, I think we can do much more than we are doing. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita - paurusam nrsu, I am the ability in man. There is no limit how much we can achieve if we want to achieve more for Krsna and if we properly connect to Him, and if we have faith that He can help us.
But if we find some comfortable life and just try to save ourselves, and chant, and be like a "closet devotee", this will not help us. To me, it's actually hellish, to be like a pious person, and go to church or a temple occasionally and just try to save yourself. This is not the mood of Lord Caitanya. This is not the mood of our movement. It's actually a very uncomfortable life.
We always want to extend ourselves to help others and to save others.
Why we should set realistic goals? Set unrealistic goals. But setting realistic goals, you limit what you can achieve. It is in line with Srila Prabhupada's teachings to go for the impossible and see what God allows you to achieve.
Fear of failure is one of the greatest obstacles to success. Sometimes devotees try to cover fear of failure with false humility. "Oh, I am not a big devotee. I'm going to stay in the back and I will just do something little." This just an excuse to not take risks. But actually they are capable of doing much more.
The greatest risk in life is life without risks. The founder of IBM said - fail forward fast. You have to increase the rate of failure in order to get to your success quicker. Srila Prabhupada said that failure is a pillar of success.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
DEAR FRIENDS,
Things are heating up across the globe, but here in Buenos Aires it's rather cool! I hope you're staying cool while chanting Hare Krsna mantra.
Even though it's summertime, this doesn't mean you should slow down the pursuit of your worthy goals.
We're halfway through 2011, and if you haven't made significant progress toward your goals, it might be time for you to focus on strengthening your determination.
High achievers are incredibly persistent, and what fuels them is a relentless determination to achieve their goals, no matter what it takes.
To reach our goals, we must have the inner fire to overcome obstacles, believe in our Krsna conscious dreams (even when it seems that no one supports us), and be willing to sacrifice some short-term pleasures for long-term success.
This quote from Gandhi pretty much sums it up ...
"Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph: a beginning, a struggle and a victory"
Ready to succeed no matter what? Enjoy the articles on this Gita Coaching blog and over 10 hours of Gita Coaching Courses Worldwide to help YOU cultivate an attitude of relentless determination!
Just like hundreds of others who've been through this Gita Coaching process, I believe you'll discover the focus, enthusiasm, resolve and desire to pursue the spiritual life you want.
ys
Akrura dasa
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW ...
What Would Your Future Look Like if You Spent Some Days Reinventing Your Life?
If you’re looking for a new level of success and achievement in your life… whether it be in your physical, financial, mental, emotional, or spiritual life… Gita Coaching can help you get from where you are to where you want to be!
For more than 10 years, Gita Coaching has been serving temple devotees, congregational devotees, ISKCON leaders, and many other devotees (of all ages, cultures and backgrounds) in how to be happier, more successful and more fulfilled in their lives.
We have helped hundreds of devotees excel beyond their self-imposed limits… succeed after various losses and misfortunes… move beyond dysfunctional relationships and emotionally unhealthy behaviors and create the life and results they desire - and we can do the same for you!
Please take a minute for this quick Quiz:
Do you have a higher, better place you intend to be in your life?
Are there accomplishments left in your life that you’re still aiming for?
Do you want a more dynamic spiritual life?
Could your relationships be deeper, more rewarding, and more meaningful?
Would you like to have the new lifestyle, travel, weekends and high quality time?
You're Invited to Try Gita Coaching!
If you know there’s more out there for you, if you’re ready to wake up every day to a life that inspires and exhilarates you, we invite you to try Gita Coaching!
With the Help of the Gita Coaching and the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, You Can Be, Do, and Have Much More!
During the Gita Coaching process you can:
Take conscious effort to create results. You’re already creating everything in your life, but you’re doing it unconsciously, and the results may be random or chaotic. It’s time to be more conscious.
Discover your life’s purpose so everything you do feels meaningful and worthwhile.
Generate concrete plans that carry the power to change your life.
Free yourself from life-long blocks, crippling emotions and beliefs that hold you back.
Get a clear vision of yourself making a difference in the world. This will actually help you attract the personal prosperity you seek.
Learn how and when to ask for what you want.
Use resources you already have to manifest / realize / get what you want.
With Gita Coaching, you can be changed from the inside-out - emerging with a new mindset, new success skills and a clear path of where you’re going - and how to get there.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
PRINCIPLES
“Knowledge shrinks as wisdom grows: for details are swallowed up in principles. The details of knowledge which are important will be picked up ad hoc in each avocation of life, but the habit of the active utilization of well-understood principles is the final possession of wisdom.”
Alfred North Whitehead
WHAT IS COACHING?
(Click to enlarge.)
Coaching is a deliberate process utilizing focused conversations to create an environment for individual growth, purposeful action, and sustained improvement.
It is designed to help people focus on what they need to do more and less of to achieve their goals.
In addition, coaching is a one-to-one process and a relationship between an individual and a coach, usually via telephone, with specific objectives and goals focused on developing potential, improving relationships, and enhancing performance.
Coaching uses a formal yet personalized approach that integrates proven techniques for change with behavioral knowledge and hands-on practice.
Coaching breaks down barriers to help achieve greater levels of accomplishment.
It is a process of self-leadership that enables people to gain clarity about who they are, what they are doing, why they are doing it, and where they want to go.
coaching.com
Friday, July 22, 2011
SPIRITUAL HERO QUESTIONS
1. Will this choice propel me toward an inspiring Krishna conscious future or will it keep me stuck in the past?
2. Will this choice bring me long-term spiritual advancement or will it bring me short-term gratification?
3. Am I trying to please Krishna, or am I trying to please my false ego?
4. Am I looking for what’s right or for what’s wrong?
5. Will this choice add to my life force or will it rob me of energy?
6. Will I use this situation as a catalyst to grow and evolve, or will I use it to beat myself up or blame others?
7. Does this choice empower me or does it disempower me?
8. Is this an act of self-care or is it an act of self-sabotage?
9. Is this an act of faith in Krishna or is it an act of fear?
10. Am I choosing from my divine nature or am I choosing from my conditioned nature?
MY SERVICE
My service is helping devotees succeed by highlighting their worth and potential so clearly that they can start to discover new possibilities and opportunities for achieving their worthy goals.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
PERSONAL COACHING
Personal coaching is focused one-on-one coaching tailored specifically on the clients most important goals, interests, challenges and needs. Coaching follows a standard process but is customized to each individual client. Because the coach is working one-on-one with the client, personal coaching sessions are much more focused and tailored for each client when compared to group coaching sessions with multiple clients.
Personal Coaching Process
The process begins by clarifying what the client is looking for from coaching. This may involve using assessments, asking questions and helping the client get in touch with what they really want and identify specific goals, objectives and priorities.
An important principle in coaching is that clients are ultimately responsible for their actions and doing the work to achieve the results they want. The coach serves as a facilitator, supporter, or guide, but doesn’t “do the work” for the client.
After helping the client get clear about what they want and what is most important to them, the coach helps the client develop strategies and action plans to achieve those goals.
Once a solid plan is in place, the coach supports, encourages and guides the client in taking the actions necessary to implement their plans and achieve their goals. Personal coaching can be particularly valuable in helping clients take action and overcome challenges.
Personal coaching provides the motivation, accountability, and support structures, to help clients execute and perform their best. This may include monitoring progress and having regular “check in” sessions to deal with obstacles and challenges that come up along the way.
Coaching can also help clients develop new skills, see from new perspectives and gain the knowledge and insights needed to empower and help them achieve their goals.
Overcoming Inner Obstacles Through Personal Coaching
Personal coaching can also help clients become aware of and overcome inner obstacles that may be holding them back. The coach serves as a “mirror” that allows clients to see their own behavior from a new perspective. A coach may help clients see counterproductive patterns, language and actions that need to change in order to achieve goals.
Once these counterproductive patterns are identified, coaching can help clients with the strategies and skills needed to overcome these challenges and develop more positive behaviors, attitudes and mindsets.
Personal Coaching Focus Areas
Depending on the client’s interests, goals and needs, personal coaching can focus on one or more of these areas:
Career coaching – Focused on helping clients advance in their career and/or transition to a new/better career
Professional & executive coaching – Focused on helping clients perform and execute better at work
Health and wellness coaching – Focused on developing healthy lifestyle habits and taking better care of themselves
Relationships coaching – Focused on improving communication, conflict and other important relationship skills
Work/life balance – Focused on establishing healthy boundaries between work and personal life and making time for all important life areas
Business coaching – Focused on helping small business owners grow their business by attracting customers, making more sales and increasing profits
Success coaching – Focused on helping clients develop the skills, mindsets and strategies they need to succeed and achieve their goals
Working one-on-one with a personal coach can be a very rewarding and valuable experience.
www.lifecoachinghq.com
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
RESULTS, BENEFITS AND LINKS
Here are some of the good results and benefits you can get from Gita Coaching if you take the process seriously:
- Powerful ideas for your spiritual and professional success, leadership and management service, and preaching
- Better self discipline and sadhana
- Better relationships
- Excellent time and life management and goal setting skills
- Taking responsibility for your constant motivation and inspiration
- Overcoming internal and external obstacles to success
- Tapping into the power of intuition and a greater ability to listen to your conscience
- A sense of being connected to Krsna more strongly
- Strong connection with timeless success principles or natural laws
- Spiritual support and guidance
- Career ideas
- ... and much more!
Helping devotees succeed is a process, not an event. I call it a "lifetime coaching for devotees" (instead of "life coaching"). It is a developmental process of constant improvement in key areas of your life.
Once you start it, you will not want to stop, as it brings satisfaction of knowing that Krsna is pleased when we make a conscious effort to constantly improve ourselves as devotees and humans, and then also help others do the same.
I wish you success in your sincere efforts and look forward to assisting you and serving you in some way.
Below are some links where you can learn more about Gita Coaching and helping devotees succeed and where you can get ideas and tools for your success. If you are interested in becoming a spiritual coach or using coaching for your own success please contact me on akrura@gmail.com
GITA COACHING LINKS
Blog: http://gitacoaching.blogspot.com
Success dialogues with Mahatma ACBSP:
http://www.krishna.com/reality-check
Topics: Comfort Zone, Connecting With Your Dharma, Do I Need A Coach, Faultfinding, Limiting Beliefs, Mind, Possibility Thinking, Power Of Questions, Responsibility, Self Confidence, Self Discipline, Self Sabotage.
Gita Coaching Course video at krishna.com:
http://www.krishna.com/gita-coaching
Personal Success Magazine article on Gita Coaching (pages 14 and 15)
http://www.theacademyclub.com/downloads/200710.pdf
- Powerful ideas for your spiritual and professional success, leadership and management service, and preaching
- Better self discipline and sadhana
- Better relationships
- Excellent time and life management and goal setting skills
- Taking responsibility for your constant motivation and inspiration
- Overcoming internal and external obstacles to success
- Tapping into the power of intuition and a greater ability to listen to your conscience
- A sense of being connected to Krsna more strongly
- Strong connection with timeless success principles or natural laws
- Spiritual support and guidance
- Career ideas
- ... and much more!
Helping devotees succeed is a process, not an event. I call it a "lifetime coaching for devotees" (instead of "life coaching"). It is a developmental process of constant improvement in key areas of your life.
Once you start it, you will not want to stop, as it brings satisfaction of knowing that Krsna is pleased when we make a conscious effort to constantly improve ourselves as devotees and humans, and then also help others do the same.
I wish you success in your sincere efforts and look forward to assisting you and serving you in some way.
Below are some links where you can learn more about Gita Coaching and helping devotees succeed and where you can get ideas and tools for your success. If you are interested in becoming a spiritual coach or using coaching for your own success please contact me on akrura@gmail.com
GITA COACHING LINKS
Blog: http://gitacoaching.blogspot.com
Success dialogues with Mahatma ACBSP:
http://www.krishna.com/reality-check
Topics: Comfort Zone, Connecting With Your Dharma, Do I Need A Coach, Faultfinding, Limiting Beliefs, Mind, Possibility Thinking, Power Of Questions, Responsibility, Self Confidence, Self Discipline, Self Sabotage.
Gita Coaching Course video at krishna.com:
http://www.krishna.com/gita-coaching
Personal Success Magazine article on Gita Coaching (pages 14 and 15)
http://www.theacademyclub.com/downloads/200710.pdf
BABIES
There is a group of people who have never experienced a health challenge, a financial setback, a troubled relationship, or a personal problem.
They're called babies.
SIX PILLARS OF A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE
1. Putting Krsna (God) in the center of your marriage (helping each other come close to Him)
2. Commitment (no divorce, no matter what happens)
3. Trust (doing deposits, avoiding withdrawals)
4. Gratitude (for having your spouse's association)
5. Patience ("Be patient. I am not perfect yet.")
6. Curiosity (see your partner every day as a new person)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
GITA COACHING MODEL
The most exciting part for me in helping devotees succeed is discovering their worth and potential, and discovering with them new possibilities, advantages, opportunities, options and solutions. Gita Coaching process does not work on a devotee, but works for him and with him.
On a practical side, Gita Coaching is a weekly or a fortnightly, focused conversation (face-to-face or on the phone), that helps you clarify what you want, make an inspiring plan and take dynamic, intelligent action. It is focused on you and your needs, your goals, and your success. A coach will help you see and focus on what you can be rather than what you are.
We use this simple GITA coaching Model as a framework for coaching:
Goals – Ideas – Tests – Action
Goals: we ask you to choose an important area of your life you want to work on and write down goals you want to achieve in that area.
Ideas: we ask you to choose one goal you would like to work on right now and find spiritual instructions and, if needed, professional knowledge that will help you achieve it.
Tests: we ask you to write down what internal and external tests or obstacles you have to pass in order to achieve it.
Action: we ask you to write down a weekly action plan to start moving towards achieving your goal.
On a practical side, Gita Coaching is a weekly or a fortnightly, focused conversation (face-to-face or on the phone), that helps you clarify what you want, make an inspiring plan and take dynamic, intelligent action. It is focused on you and your needs, your goals, and your success. A coach will help you see and focus on what you can be rather than what you are.
We use this simple GITA coaching Model as a framework for coaching:
Goals – Ideas – Tests – Action
Goals: we ask you to choose an important area of your life you want to work on and write down goals you want to achieve in that area.
Ideas: we ask you to choose one goal you would like to work on right now and find spiritual instructions and, if needed, professional knowledge that will help you achieve it.
Tests: we ask you to write down what internal and external tests or obstacles you have to pass in order to achieve it.
Action: we ask you to write down a weekly action plan to start moving towards achieving your goal.
BHAKTIVEDANTA COACHING
Click on the title for the Bhaktivedanta Coaching interview (now Gita Coaching) with uroš Colja, in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
YOU NEED TO PAY - EVERY SINGLE DAY
In working with hundreds of devotees from many parts of the world, I have seen that the real effective change and a positive progress starts when a devotee stops blaming anyone, including Krsna, for his distress or lack of success, and takes full responsibility for his life: past, present and future.
Success starts with clarity about what we want in life and what are our main roles (responsibilities and relationships) and with taking 108 percent responsibility for our behavior, our spiritual practice, our service and work, and especially our relationships. Taking responsibility is another great pillar for devotee’s success and I always look for an opportunity to encourage it.
As Bhagavad-gita is holistic, so is the Gita Coaching. It helps devotees become more effective in the areas of health, sadhana, service, relationships, etc. As all these areas influence each other, it is important to work on enhancing all of them, as far as possible.
We help devotees to look at their life as an indivisible whole and to see how various parts relate to and influence each other. For a peaceful and happy life, balance is an important factor, which is mentioned in the Sixth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita.
In helping devotees succeed, Gita Coaching approach does not create dependency, rather it strives to help devotees to help themselves by becoming spiritually and mentally strong and physically healthy. Success happens on the field, when you are not with your coach.
Your coach will provide powerful questions, principles, strategies and tools, but if you want to make progress you need to practice every day, you need to pay the price of success every single day. Accumulation of these sincere, regular efforts attracts Krsna’s attention and brings strength and momentum.
Success starts with clarity about what we want in life and what are our main roles (responsibilities and relationships) and with taking 108 percent responsibility for our behavior, our spiritual practice, our service and work, and especially our relationships. Taking responsibility is another great pillar for devotee’s success and I always look for an opportunity to encourage it.
As Bhagavad-gita is holistic, so is the Gita Coaching. It helps devotees become more effective in the areas of health, sadhana, service, relationships, etc. As all these areas influence each other, it is important to work on enhancing all of them, as far as possible.
We help devotees to look at their life as an indivisible whole and to see how various parts relate to and influence each other. For a peaceful and happy life, balance is an important factor, which is mentioned in the Sixth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita.
In helping devotees succeed, Gita Coaching approach does not create dependency, rather it strives to help devotees to help themselves by becoming spiritually and mentally strong and physically healthy. Success happens on the field, when you are not with your coach.
Your coach will provide powerful questions, principles, strategies and tools, but if you want to make progress you need to practice every day, you need to pay the price of success every single day. Accumulation of these sincere, regular efforts attracts Krsna’s attention and brings strength and momentum.
Monday, July 18, 2011
SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND CHALLENGE
We help devotees to build strong pillars for their success, like steady and serious chanting of japa every single day. For this we provide a Japa Excellence Tool, a simple one-sheet table to keep track of the daily progress (available upon request). What you measure tends to improve. Some devotees report to me about their japa for years, as it helps them improve their chanting.
Another pillar is regular reading of scriptures or hearing classes, or both. Instead of listening to our mind, we can listen to something spiritually uplifting and enlivening, but in order to bring good results, it needs to become a daily habit of actively seeking new principles, stories and tools that will help us support our spiritual advancement and material sustenance.
Gita Coaching services provide support, guidance and sometimes challenge.
Support is given by sincerely seeking to understand a devotee, a genuine interest in devotee’s life and a sincere desire for them to succeed in all areas. Devotee’s life becomes important to you.
Based on the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, guidance is provided by asking relevant questions and sometimes giving recommendations or directing a devotee where and how he can learn what he needs to learn in order to move forward. We encourage devotees to seek their own solutions and draw their own conclusions about what they want to do with their lives, based on the Bhagavad-gita.
We encourage taking full responsibility for one’s thinking and action.
Challenge is offered only when a devotee has trust that a coach has his best interest at heart. Usually the challenge comes in a form of a question that helps discover devotee’s internal obstacles to progress or highlights the goals that devotee wants to achieve but is procrastinating.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
FRESH PERSPECTIVE
The purpose of Gita Coaching is helping devotees succeed in all areas of their lives. It is based on the Vedic aphorism sarve sukino bhavantu – let everyone become happy, and on the Bhagavad-gita verse from the Second Chapter which says that soul is amazing (Bg 2.29).
Every devotee has much more potential that he is currently using. Gita Coaching helps to discover and engage that potential in Krsna’s service, for the greatest benefit of the devotee.
Helping devotees succeed is like a journey. You become curious what Krsna has in store for a devotee you are assisting. Krsna usually has both roses and thunderbolts for a devotee, and it is wonderful to see how these come about.
It is also an honor to be with and assist someone while they are experiencing Krsna’s support in various ways as well as challenges, both internal and external.
Usually the obstacles devotees face are mainly internal: the way they see people and things, the way they see themselves, the way they are habituated to think and feel, and their desires.
We help them overcome those obstacles by gaining clarity about what they want and the determination to pursue worthy goals. Once they start overcoming internal obstacles they are more capable of dealing with any external obstacles that come their way.
Helping devotees succeed also involves helping them see what happens to them and around them through the eyes of the scriptures, because the significant problems we face cannot be solved on the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.
We need a fresh perspective, a new, uplifted consciousness.
Every devotee has much more potential that he is currently using. Gita Coaching helps to discover and engage that potential in Krsna’s service, for the greatest benefit of the devotee.
Helping devotees succeed is like a journey. You become curious what Krsna has in store for a devotee you are assisting. Krsna usually has both roses and thunderbolts for a devotee, and it is wonderful to see how these come about.
It is also an honor to be with and assist someone while they are experiencing Krsna’s support in various ways as well as challenges, both internal and external.
Usually the obstacles devotees face are mainly internal: the way they see people and things, the way they see themselves, the way they are habituated to think and feel, and their desires.
We help them overcome those obstacles by gaining clarity about what they want and the determination to pursue worthy goals. Once they start overcoming internal obstacles they are more capable of dealing with any external obstacles that come their way.
Helping devotees succeed also involves helping them see what happens to them and around them through the eyes of the scriptures, because the significant problems we face cannot be solved on the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.
We need a fresh perspective, a new, uplifted consciousness.
THE BEST GITA COACHING CLIENTS
We have dedicated our lives to the courageous DEVOTEES who dare to step out of the dominant culture of resignation and mediocrity and endeavor to create the Krsna conscious life of their dreams.
This is what drives and motivates us, and we are looking for those courageous devotees who are truly serious about living the Krsna conscious life they want, doing good in the world, and leaving a positive legacy on this planet. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to try the Gita Coaching process, and hope to work with you.
To qualify as a participant:
You must agree to spend your valuable times with us — immersing yourself in the processes, consulting sessions, transformational work and brainstorming discussions.
You must be practical and open-minded. You must have a burning desire to persevere and to have people listen, read, follow and embrace your message or idea. You must want more for your own life but also wish to make an impact in the lives of others (even if it’s just your own family or personal network).
You must be willing to learn and apply some very powerful — yet disarmingly simple - ideas about building an exciting spiritual life, finding the drive necessary for going forward and creating a great success. These strategies produce results quicker and are more non-traditional than any you've ever been taught in your life, so you must be open to new ways of thinking and unique ways of applying knowledge.
You must be 108% committed to taking action on the ideas we discover together or the advice we’ll give you — including putting into action strategies that have been perfected and refined to a razor-like sharpness over 20 years of real-life implementation and highly precious real-life experience.
If you qualify and will agree to diligently dedicate yourself to the Gita Coaching process, you could achieve results that you never thought were possible.
This is what drives and motivates us, and we are looking for those courageous devotees who are truly serious about living the Krsna conscious life they want, doing good in the world, and leaving a positive legacy on this planet. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to try the Gita Coaching process, and hope to work with you.
To qualify as a participant:
You must agree to spend your valuable times with us — immersing yourself in the processes, consulting sessions, transformational work and brainstorming discussions.
You must be practical and open-minded. You must have a burning desire to persevere and to have people listen, read, follow and embrace your message or idea. You must want more for your own life but also wish to make an impact in the lives of others (even if it’s just your own family or personal network).
You must be willing to learn and apply some very powerful — yet disarmingly simple - ideas about building an exciting spiritual life, finding the drive necessary for going forward and creating a great success. These strategies produce results quicker and are more non-traditional than any you've ever been taught in your life, so you must be open to new ways of thinking and unique ways of applying knowledge.
You must be 108% committed to taking action on the ideas we discover together or the advice we’ll give you — including putting into action strategies that have been perfected and refined to a razor-like sharpness over 20 years of real-life implementation and highly precious real-life experience.
If you qualify and will agree to diligently dedicate yourself to the Gita Coaching process, you could achieve results that you never thought were possible.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
EFFORT TO IMPROVE OURSELVES
Gita Coaching is a regular, focused conversation that helps clarify what we want, make an inspiring plan and take decisive action.
It helps us focus on what we can be rather than what we are.
Helping Devotees Succeed is not an event, but an ongoing process of improvement in key areas.
Krsna is pleased when we make a conscious effort to improve ourselves as devotees and humans, and help others do the same.
It helps us focus on what we can be rather than what we are.
Helping Devotees Succeed is not an event, but an ongoing process of improvement in key areas.
Krsna is pleased when we make a conscious effort to improve ourselves as devotees and humans, and help others do the same.
Friday, July 15, 2011
HOW GITA COACHING HELPS?
Coaching helps devotees become more effective in areas of health, sadhana, service, relationships, etc. These areas influence each other, so it’s important to work on all of them. Therefore, Bhagavad-gita points out the importance of balance.
Coaching helps devotees to become spiritually, mentally and physically strong. It provides relevant questions, principles, strategies and tools, but progress requires our daily action. Sincere effort attracts Krsna’s attention and brings strength and momentum.
Here are some of the benefits of coaching:
- Ideas for spiritual and professional success
- Self discipline and sadhana
- Better relationships
- Life management skills
- Inspiration
- Overcoming internal and external obstacles
- Greater sense of intuition and conscience
- Stronger connection to Krsna’s principles
- Fresh perspectives by seeing through the eyes of the scriptures
THE CONSCIOUS ART AS DEVOTIONAL SERVICE IN A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY
Photo: Lila Avatara dasa (right) and Akrura dasa at ISKCON Santiago, Chile
THE CONSCIOUS ART AS DEVOTIONAL SERVICE IN A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY
By Lila Avatar das (Dr. Miguel Córdova)
Indoamerica Corporation, will manage the intercultural movement of the Arts, Applied to the Transmission of transcendent message of Vedic and Originary sources, and it is shaping with various professionals in complementary areas, including Amara Gauranga dasa (President of ISKCON Chile). One goal of this new institution will be to provide the framework that allows to develop the Ayurveda Today Program, as a real deal for the Promotion of Health for the society in Chile and Latin America.
We have friends interested in studying Ayurveda with us, others are studying Ayurveda with Lubrano, and everyone wants to partner with us to practice it properly. Prof. Arcangelo Lubrano also expressed interest in seeing how to collaborate with us.
Ayurveda Doctors in India have been working with us for free so far, as seen in "About us" section of our website, but with the legal constitution of the Corporation, we must formalize our relationship in economic terms.
We are exploring the methodology of the Service Learning (SL), in which the University of Santiago de Chile is interested in collaborating. Lila Avatar is completing a Diploma in Education for Sustainable Development, which is taught in this university.
We have chosen a development strategy for the Ayurveda, which will bring this knowledge to the population level, through Community Health Centers of Ayurveda. The project is based in the current Community Offices, which will be implemented with services in the areas of education, agriculture and energy-water efficiency. We are in discussions with Peñalolén municipality to formulate a pilot project based on the USACH Diploma.
In the agricultural area family and community Urban Gardens will be held (with organically grown vegetables, flowers and medicinal plants) as the pilot in La Reina, together with a program of education in values (with school impact). Both actions will facilitate the mainstreaming of Ayurvedic worldview, then develop the Program for the Promotion of Health, in which we will insert the Vedic wisdom. In the Ayurveda area I am in talks with Dhanvantari Swami.
In the field of education and Vedic wisdom, we have an educational plan for parents of school to train children as the elderly, using El MaderÃn for teaching Vedic values to children in the school environment. Elderly training includes the development of videoconferencing, which is based in the Bhakti Sastri course, that Lila Avatar is ending with Param Padam dasa. This system is under construction and requires improvements in the area of video production, to make them attractive to people who do not know Krishna Consciousness.
To support the Vedic education we have begun talks with Hanumatpresaka Swami, Founder and General Secretary of NIOS, North American Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies, whose orientation has many similarities to Indoamerica Movement, which facilitate exploring a collaborative Vaishnava relationship between both entities, with common objectives to be defined.
All these activities are described briefly as Sustainable Development Program, which administers the Indoamerica Corporation, an institution whose legal process of incorporation is ready to start, to conclude that we can open discussions with municipalities in which live low-income people, beginning in Peñalolén, Santiago.
The role of these programs must be carefully analyzed through performance coaching for the care of devotees in formation, a topic that is being addressed with the assistance of the Building a Caring Community Seminar, held Akrura dasa in Santiago.
With the launch of the Indoamerica Movement and its services for a sustainable society, the expansion of Krishna consciousness will have instrumental in the formation of new devotees, motivated in devotional service, through the Conscious Art celebrating the Environmental Care of Mother Earth, as a vehicle for expression and communication between human beings and the Supreme Personality of God.
THE PURPOSE OF GITA COACHING
The purpose of Gita Coaching is helping devotees succeed in all areas by:
1. Highlighting their worth and potential
2. Discovering new possibilities and solutions
3. Helping them re-connect with Krsna
It is based on the Bhagavad-gita’s statement that soul is amazing (Bg 2.29). Devotees have much more potential that they use. Gita Coaching helps to discover and engage that potential in Krsna’s service, for their great benefit.
It helps devotees to build strong pillars of success, like serious chanting of japa, regular reading of scriptures and hearing classes with the intention to find principles, stories and tools that will help their progress.
Coaching provides support, guidance and challenge.
Support is given by sincere understanding and a genuine interest in devotee’s well-being.
Guidance is provided by asking relevant questions, giving suggestions, and encouraging devotees to clarify what they want to be, do and have. It induces taking responsibility for what we are thinking and doing.
And challenge is offered when a devotee trusts that a coach has his best interest at heart. It comes in a form of questioning devotee’s assumptions or highlighting goals he is procrastinating on.
1. Highlighting their worth and potential
2. Discovering new possibilities and solutions
3. Helping them re-connect with Krsna
It is based on the Bhagavad-gita’s statement that soul is amazing (Bg 2.29). Devotees have much more potential that they use. Gita Coaching helps to discover and engage that potential in Krsna’s service, for their great benefit.
It helps devotees to build strong pillars of success, like serious chanting of japa, regular reading of scriptures and hearing classes with the intention to find principles, stories and tools that will help their progress.
Coaching provides support, guidance and challenge.
Support is given by sincere understanding and a genuine interest in devotee’s well-being.
Guidance is provided by asking relevant questions, giving suggestions, and encouraging devotees to clarify what they want to be, do and have. It induces taking responsibility for what we are thinking and doing.
And challenge is offered when a devotee trusts that a coach has his best interest at heart. It comes in a form of questioning devotee’s assumptions or highlighting goals he is procrastinating on.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
BUTTERFLY
Click the title or this link:
http://instructor.mstc.edu/instructor/swallerm/Struggle%20-%20Butterfly.htm
HELPING DEVOTEES SUCCEED FORUM
http://www.krishna.com/forums/general-discussion/helping-devotees-succeed
PROCESS FOR SUCCESS
Here is a snap-shot of the 4-Part Process for your success:
Step 1: Getting Clear, Grounded, and Focused
Using powerful mantra meditation and visualization, you will get yourself into the state that is needed to truly get in touch with your life’s purpose, and what’s actually of the most importance to you. You will learn to get in touch with the part of you that provides the clarity you need to get what you want out of life.
Step 2: Life Purpose and Passions
Once you are in this powerful state of clarity and peace, you can then move forward to discovering your true life purpose and passions. Identifying, acknowledging, and honoring this purpose is perhaps one of the greatest actions steps successful people take. You will learn to identify what you are truly meant to do, and then pursue that purpose with passion, enthusiasm, and integrity.
Step 3: Strategy, Mastermind, Plan
During Step 3, you will work in small groups to strategize your goals, align them with your purpose and passions, and take part in powerful mastermind sessions. These mastermind sessions will help you garner new ideas, actions strategies, and a plan to achieve the goals you have set for yourself. Whether it’s creating more balance in your life, traveling the world as a vagabond entrepreneur, funding a new start-up company, bringing an idea to market — or any other goal — we’ll deliver with rapid-fire enthusiasm the information, advice and know-how you’ll need to get going immediately.
Step 4: Master the Art of Action and Perseverance
Last but not least, we will help you transform into the person who can confidently create, pursue, and maximize your goals. You will learn where you have gotten stuck in the past (you might not even realize you’ve been stuck), and how to strategically release these so-called brakes that have been holding you back. You’ll also learn how to master the art of taking action and persevering in the face of anything that gets in your way of achieving what you want. We’re not going to lie, we all come up against barriers – it’s part of life. It’s knowing how to deal with these obstacles, and how to rise above them that really sets you apart from the rest, which you will learn how to do during the upcoming courses.
Our goal is to give you the tools to achieve what you want to achieve.
This unique life experience is exploratory, transformative, and fun.
Step 1: Getting Clear, Grounded, and Focused
Using powerful mantra meditation and visualization, you will get yourself into the state that is needed to truly get in touch with your life’s purpose, and what’s actually of the most importance to you. You will learn to get in touch with the part of you that provides the clarity you need to get what you want out of life.
Step 2: Life Purpose and Passions
Once you are in this powerful state of clarity and peace, you can then move forward to discovering your true life purpose and passions. Identifying, acknowledging, and honoring this purpose is perhaps one of the greatest actions steps successful people take. You will learn to identify what you are truly meant to do, and then pursue that purpose with passion, enthusiasm, and integrity.
Step 3: Strategy, Mastermind, Plan
During Step 3, you will work in small groups to strategize your goals, align them with your purpose and passions, and take part in powerful mastermind sessions. These mastermind sessions will help you garner new ideas, actions strategies, and a plan to achieve the goals you have set for yourself. Whether it’s creating more balance in your life, traveling the world as a vagabond entrepreneur, funding a new start-up company, bringing an idea to market — or any other goal — we’ll deliver with rapid-fire enthusiasm the information, advice and know-how you’ll need to get going immediately.
Step 4: Master the Art of Action and Perseverance
Last but not least, we will help you transform into the person who can confidently create, pursue, and maximize your goals. You will learn where you have gotten stuck in the past (you might not even realize you’ve been stuck), and how to strategically release these so-called brakes that have been holding you back. You’ll also learn how to master the art of taking action and persevering in the face of anything that gets in your way of achieving what you want. We’re not going to lie, we all come up against barriers – it’s part of life. It’s knowing how to deal with these obstacles, and how to rise above them that really sets you apart from the rest, which you will learn how to do during the upcoming courses.
Our goal is to give you the tools to achieve what you want to achieve.
This unique life experience is exploratory, transformative, and fun.
Monday, July 11, 2011
PREPARATION BRINGS INSPIRATION
The more I learn from the scriptures and professional resources various ideas and tools to help devotees succeed, the more I am able to say the right thing in a coaching session that will help devotee who is in front of me to succeed.
IF YOU JUST COULD
If You Just Could Live the Second Half of Your Life Differently From The First, What Would You Do With It?
Take Up the Process of Gita Coaching to Create the Meaningful, Fulfilling and Exciting Life You Deserve.
Dear Prospective Devotee Client,
If you’ve been wondering what should you to to be more happy and more productive in Krsna consciousness ... if you've been downsized from a corporate job where you’ve spent the last 20 years of your life … if you’ve recently taken early retirement to pursue your dream lifestyle… if you’ve been thinking of making a drastic career change because it just doesn’t deliver the passion and satisfaction it used to … or if you’re just not satisfied with your life at the moment — I have an invitation that could help you create a completely different life for yourself … the life you’ve been secretly dreaming about.
It’s no surprise that, late in life, most people’s greatest lament is that they failed to live a life with meaning. They didn’t take that “Chance”, they didn’t make a contribution, leave a legacy, do anything important, or even pursue the one thing that was truly significant to them.
They worry that they’ll leave this Earth without having seen very much of it — because they were too busy getting ahead, being cautious, and planning for the future. I have seen this regret time and time again in the faces of my students. When they first arrive at their seminars, they’re timid, cautious — perhaps not believing they can create the rich and rewarding lifestyle or passionate pursuits they’ve been thinking about for years.
Yet over just a few hours of a Gita Coaching Course, their faces begin to brighten as they discover they can begin creating the life they want — regardless of the confines they find themselves in and despite the setbacks they’ve encountered before.
But aside from the courses in 20 countries, for more than 20 years I have also worked privately with devotees to take them from where they are now to where they want to be. In fact, my greatest enjoyment comes from working directly with people who truly want to make the internal changes and life-changing decisions that will allow them to achieve the goals they want to reach!
The goal of Gita Coaching courses and personal coaching is to feed your mind, body, heart and soul.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
DO ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR?
1) You're midcareer, and you're feeling stuck. You've hit a dead end, and you think there is no way out. Think again. We'll create a rumbling (or even an earthquake) in your world and get things moving again.
2) You're on a never-ending treadmill, and you feel like you can't get off. Oh, you poor workaholic, you. A life of overachievement. You've got enough to be proud of; now it's time to live. We'll adjust your perception to bring a balance to your life.
3) You really want to be doing something else. How long are you going to let it eat at you? We'll help you honor what you long to do, and we'll overcome every reason that you think means you can't make a change.
4) You're stuck in survival mode. Business is stalled. You've underestimated yourself and given up too soon. We'll get you comfortable with pushing the envelope.
5) You're new at entrepreneurship. An exciting new life! So full of promise, so full of pitfalls. We'll shorten your learning curve and get you up to speed.
6) You're at the mercy of the ups and downs of sales. What a miserable existence; no fun at all. If you get out of the trap of needing the sale, many more of them will start rolling in. We'll take you to a new level of awareness about yourself, and we'll show you how this works.
7) You feel overqualified and underutilized. If you want drama in your life, this is one way to get it. Let's get you out in front and shining. You'll get noticed, but not by doing what you think will work. We'll stretch you beyond the limits you think the job has put on you.
8) You think you have to be the Hero. You'reoverwhelmed; there is too much to do. You've probably taken on more than you need to. We'll teach you the skills that will motivate you and your staff to a higher level of performance. As a result, you'll be free to excel, and you'll feel like you have time on your hands.
9) You're having an identity crisis. The times have changed and yet you may not be willing to change with them. Or perhaps the changing roles of men and women in the workplace and at home are making things confusing. Or maybe you have to figure out your next steps and you are stuck. It's time to get out of your stubbornness and respond to the truth about what is going on around you. You have to dig out your heels and become flexible in order to gain a new self-concept, or you'll stay in pain and stuck. We'll usher you through to the real you and get you to the other side of the crisis.
10) You're waiting for a miracle. Hoping will get you nowhere. Taking responsibility will start to get you somewhere closer to reality. If you ignore the signs that you or your business are in trouble, this will only cause you greater trouble down the road. We'll teach you to recognize the signs so you can turn yourself around.
LBFCoach
2) You're on a never-ending treadmill, and you feel like you can't get off. Oh, you poor workaholic, you. A life of overachievement. You've got enough to be proud of; now it's time to live. We'll adjust your perception to bring a balance to your life.
3) You really want to be doing something else. How long are you going to let it eat at you? We'll help you honor what you long to do, and we'll overcome every reason that you think means you can't make a change.
4) You're stuck in survival mode. Business is stalled. You've underestimated yourself and given up too soon. We'll get you comfortable with pushing the envelope.
5) You're new at entrepreneurship. An exciting new life! So full of promise, so full of pitfalls. We'll shorten your learning curve and get you up to speed.
6) You're at the mercy of the ups and downs of sales. What a miserable existence; no fun at all. If you get out of the trap of needing the sale, many more of them will start rolling in. We'll take you to a new level of awareness about yourself, and we'll show you how this works.
7) You feel overqualified and underutilized. If you want drama in your life, this is one way to get it. Let's get you out in front and shining. You'll get noticed, but not by doing what you think will work. We'll stretch you beyond the limits you think the job has put on you.
8) You think you have to be the Hero. You'reoverwhelmed; there is too much to do. You've probably taken on more than you need to. We'll teach you the skills that will motivate you and your staff to a higher level of performance. As a result, you'll be free to excel, and you'll feel like you have time on your hands.
9) You're having an identity crisis. The times have changed and yet you may not be willing to change with them. Or perhaps the changing roles of men and women in the workplace and at home are making things confusing. Or maybe you have to figure out your next steps and you are stuck. It's time to get out of your stubbornness and respond to the truth about what is going on around you. You have to dig out your heels and become flexible in order to gain a new self-concept, or you'll stay in pain and stuck. We'll usher you through to the real you and get you to the other side of the crisis.
10) You're waiting for a miracle. Hoping will get you nowhere. Taking responsibility will start to get you somewhere closer to reality. If you ignore the signs that you or your business are in trouble, this will only cause you greater trouble down the road. We'll teach you to recognize the signs so you can turn yourself around.
LBFCoach
TAKE YOUR LIFE TO A NEXT LEVEL
It's not the way things are, it's the way we are.
Coaching will unlock your potential by helping you grow and investing in your ability to achieve.
Discomfort equals growth. We are being asked to stretch way outside of our comfort zone. My wish is that our stretch will lead to extraordinary innovation and evolution as people and as a global community.
Not everyone is ready for coaching. Are you?
Working weekly with a coach allows you the structure and the time to work on your life instead of just being in it.
You use the coach to get you where you want to go. If you don't show up and you don't do the work, then you'll be doing what you've always done and getting the usual results. To get the most out of coaching, work it, follow up, take action after each session!
Be someone who values him- or herself enough to do so.
When people first find a coach, they often consider their coach their "secret weapon".
Would it be useful having a partner who is 100 percent devoted to your success? Can you do it alone? Absolutely. Can you do it better with someone to hold you accountable, cheer you on, point out pitfalls, build on your strengths, and help you chart out your path? Well ... you may give it a try and see for yourself.
A coach's main job is to help you to take action to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
LBFCoach
Coaching will unlock your potential by helping you grow and investing in your ability to achieve.
Discomfort equals growth. We are being asked to stretch way outside of our comfort zone. My wish is that our stretch will lead to extraordinary innovation and evolution as people and as a global community.
Not everyone is ready for coaching. Are you?
Working weekly with a coach allows you the structure and the time to work on your life instead of just being in it.
You use the coach to get you where you want to go. If you don't show up and you don't do the work, then you'll be doing what you've always done and getting the usual results. To get the most out of coaching, work it, follow up, take action after each session!
Be someone who values him- or herself enough to do so.
When people first find a coach, they often consider their coach their "secret weapon".
Would it be useful having a partner who is 100 percent devoted to your success? Can you do it alone? Absolutely. Can you do it better with someone to hold you accountable, cheer you on, point out pitfalls, build on your strengths, and help you chart out your path? Well ... you may give it a try and see for yourself.
A coach's main job is to help you to take action to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
LBFCoach
Saturday, July 9, 2011
FREEDOM TO CHOOSE WHOM YOU LOVE
You certainly have limited freedom to choose, but if you choose improperly, you have to suffer. Responsibility and freedom go hand in hand. At the same time, there must be discrimination. Without it, our freedom is blind. We cannot understand right from wrong.
People are very fond of claiming to be free, and in the name of freedom they are prepared to have sex in the street. Such illusioned living entities do not know that there is no freedom at all as long as we are under the grip of material nature. One may claim to have freedom, but nature will soon contradict this claim. We are all conditioned, and we are simply thinking that we have freedom, yet this is all illusion.
No one wants to die, and yet no one is free from death. No one wants to become old, yet no one is free from old age unless he dies young. No one wants to be in bondage to sexual desires, but the desires keep up, even in old age, for old men and old women try to remain young by cosmetic help. One would like to be free and to remain good-looking, but where is that freedom? Nature forces one to become old and wrinkled. So actually there is no freedom; freedom in this material world is simply false.
No one wants to die, but death is certain. No one wants to become old, but old age is certain. No one wants to get sick, but disease is certain. At a higher stage, the living entity does not even want to take birth, but according to Bhagavad-gita birth is also certain. One cannot be free to stop death or birth unless he comes to Krsna consciousness.
Unless one comes to the position of love of Krsna, there is no question of freedom. That is nature's law. In our present state of illusion we have forgotten Krsna, and instead of loving Him we have developed a love for the things of material nature.
This is symptomized in love of dog instead of love of God. In America there is a popular saying to the effect that a dog is man's best friend. In Bhagavad-gita Krsna says that He, God, is the friend and well-wisher of all living entities, but those in forgetfulness of Krsna have replaced God's position with the dog's position.
The living entity thinks that he will be free from love of God by embracing material nature, but actually he is trapped into loving a dog. That is nature. Indeed, it is our nature to love something. There is no freedom, therefore. If we do not love Krsna, we will then be forced to love dog. We do have freedom, however, to make the choice, to choose the object of our love.
- Srila Prabhupada
Friday, July 8, 2011
THE INQUIRING LEADER
Click the title for the original article from the Inquiry Institute. And here is the full article too:
The Inquiring Leader
The term “inquiring leader” refers to leaders at any level who are self-aware, curious, solution-oriented, and value asking questions as a core leadership skill. In general, the model and concept of inquiring leadership is meant to complement, supplement, enrich, and operationalize effective leadership thinking and behavior that lead to desired results. Thus, inquiring leaders demonstrate the thinking, communicating, and collaboration skills associated with authentic, strategic, servant, and visionary leadership—all of which are also associated with requisite leadership skills for the 21st century.
Characteristically, inquiring leaders:
1. Understand that the quantity, quality, and intention of people’s questions largely determines their ability to learn, think critically and strategically, build and maintain relationships, gather information, make decisions, solve problems, manage conflict, and drive positive change and effective results.
2. Recognize that “great results begin with great questions” and that “every question missed is a potential crisis waiting to happen.”
3. Ask questions of themselves and others in ways that are constructive rather than critical, that seek to uncover and challenge assumptions, and that promote new thinking and possibility as well as responsibility and accountability.
4. Listen carefully and respectfully (especially when not agreeing with what they hear). This listening is focused by solution-seeking questions such as,” What can I learn?” “What’s useful about this?” and “What are our goals?” They do not listen with problem-oriented, blaming questions such as, “Whose fault is it?”
5. Solicit honest feedback, comprehensive facts, and multiple perspectives.
6. Create an inquiring culture in their organizations and on their teams by encouraging people to ask questions of them, each other, customers, and stakeholders.
7. Accordingly, inquiring leaders: are self-reflective, self-correcting, and committed to learning from mistakes and failures. They value continuous learning, growth, and development for themselves and others.
8. Are comfortable with “not knowing” and “not being right;” they have humility.
9. Have high emotional, social, and moral intelligence, are proactive and responsive rather than reactive, and are skillful with self management.
10. See the “big picture’ and think short-term, long-term, and systemically.
The Inquiring Leader
The term “inquiring leader” refers to leaders at any level who are self-aware, curious, solution-oriented, and value asking questions as a core leadership skill. In general, the model and concept of inquiring leadership is meant to complement, supplement, enrich, and operationalize effective leadership thinking and behavior that lead to desired results. Thus, inquiring leaders demonstrate the thinking, communicating, and collaboration skills associated with authentic, strategic, servant, and visionary leadership—all of which are also associated with requisite leadership skills for the 21st century.
Characteristically, inquiring leaders:
1. Understand that the quantity, quality, and intention of people’s questions largely determines their ability to learn, think critically and strategically, build and maintain relationships, gather information, make decisions, solve problems, manage conflict, and drive positive change and effective results.
2. Recognize that “great results begin with great questions” and that “every question missed is a potential crisis waiting to happen.”
3. Ask questions of themselves and others in ways that are constructive rather than critical, that seek to uncover and challenge assumptions, and that promote new thinking and possibility as well as responsibility and accountability.
4. Listen carefully and respectfully (especially when not agreeing with what they hear). This listening is focused by solution-seeking questions such as,” What can I learn?” “What’s useful about this?” and “What are our goals?” They do not listen with problem-oriented, blaming questions such as, “Whose fault is it?”
5. Solicit honest feedback, comprehensive facts, and multiple perspectives.
6. Create an inquiring culture in their organizations and on their teams by encouraging people to ask questions of them, each other, customers, and stakeholders.
7. Accordingly, inquiring leaders: are self-reflective, self-correcting, and committed to learning from mistakes and failures. They value continuous learning, growth, and development for themselves and others.
8. Are comfortable with “not knowing” and “not being right;” they have humility.
9. Have high emotional, social, and moral intelligence, are proactive and responsive rather than reactive, and are skillful with self management.
10. See the “big picture’ and think short-term, long-term, and systemically.
SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL CONFIDENCE
Spiritual confidence comes from your confidence in Krsna (God), and your confidence in yourself as a spirit soul.
Material confidence comes from the false ego, from identifying with your material body, mind and intelligence.
Material confidence comes from the false ego, from identifying with your material body, mind and intelligence.
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