This is editorial for the Special Issue (available upon request on akrura@gmail.com):
Dear Vaishnavas / Vaishnavis,
Welcome to the special ILS issue of your Devotee Care magazine. As
you are aware, the Devotee Care Committee is creating guidelines,
best practices, and systems to help local agencies get a jump-start on
implementing devotee care at the grass roots level. Subcommittees
have now been established to research the essential needs of different
sectors: Children & Youth, Vaisnavi, Grhastha/ Vanaprastha,
Brahmacari/Sannyasi, Elderly/Health, and Caregivers. They are at
work designing practical solutions that will be easy to employ and
adaptable to the particular demographics of the local yatras.
Some highlights of this edition: Learn how those in leadership
positions may become more spiritually nourished; achieve radiant
health by following the different facets of brahmacari care; and
explore ways of nurturing and strengthening our grhastha and
vanaprastha asramas. Discover some striking parallels between
book distribution and devotee care; see the amazing power of love
and trust through a suspenseful first-hand account; and find but how
the corporate world is using care culture.
We plan to launch pilot programs for interested temples, preaching
centers, congregations, and farm communities, under the guidance of
the divisional director and his team of devotee care regional
representatives. Quality control tools-including a certification
process, monitoring, and star ratings for each provider- will encourage
excellence in our programs and services.
Devotee Care is the best investment we can make for fulfilling the
purposes of our global Vaisnava family, ISKCON.
Tending to our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being will yield
stable marriages and families, protected women-and-children, and a
steadfast renounced order-empowering all asramas to reach their
potential in Krishna consciousness. It will result in happier, healthier
devotees who are inspired to contribute their voluntary services for
the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. As we know, when Krishna is
pleased, all other resources follow in abundance.
Please join us as Devotee Care initiatives begin to take shape for the
pleasure of Srila Prabhupada and the benefit of all Vaisnavas.
Lets carry on the great care legacy that Srila Prabhupada has so kindly
left us with.
Hope this finds you in the best of health and caring blissfully for those
souls Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada have sent you.
Your Servant,
Revati Raman Das
Chairman,
Devotee Care Committee
