THE MAIN SOURCE OF FEAR

The main source of fear is our sinful activities.
When we stop sining we will become fearless, because we will have Lord's direct protection.
God protects everyone but He especially protects those who are pure, or free from sin.

FREE MUSIC

Download free music here:

Modern
http://www.vedicilluminations.com/gitacoaching/DandaMusic.htm

Traditional
http://www.vedicilluminations.com/gitacoaching/gitakirtan.htm

(Photo: Akrura as 4 years old in Odžaci, Vojvodina, Serbia, at the grandparents house courtyard, just beside the railway.)

KIRTAN IN GREECE

HAPPY AFTER THE KIRTAN

Akrura dasa with the devotees from Greece in Vari, near Athens.

(EXTRA)ORDINARY

We can choose to live ordinary or extraordinary lives. Here are some tools and examples for extraordinary:

EXTRAORDINARY QUESTIONS (EQ)


What extraordinary things I could do:

• to improve my character?
• to improve my competence?
• for devotees/family/colleagues/neighbours?

EXTRAORDINARY THINKING

Thinking how to:

• please Krsna
• give
• help devotees succeed
• benefit others
• inspire others
• invoke people's faith in Krsna
• add value to the lives of others
• help others transform their lives

    
   EXTRAORDINARY GOALS

• Attentive japa every day
• Reading Prabhupada's books every day
• Devotee care system in every ISKCON temple, with hundreds of dedicated and competent Spiritual Guides

EXTRAORDINARY ACTION

• Exceeding expectations
• Pleasant surprises
• Giving in charity what is most dear to us
• Giving until it hurts
• Sacrificing for the welfare of others
• Serving those we do not like
• Going beyond our limits
• Leaving our comfort zone
• Taking risks
• Doing small things with great love

    
   EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS

• Devotee and people care functioning everywhere on this planet
• Collective care (care by more people for one person)
• Excitement with applying Srila Prabhupada's books for success

PROMISE

If you want to become spiritually and mentally strong and confident, make a promise to yourself about some area of your life every day and KEEP IT.

It may be a habit you want to develop, it may be something you want to avoid, it may be focusing on your top priorities, it may be getting up early, it may be being more kind and patient with people. Choose one thing.

This simple technique will help you more than anything else. And pray to Krsna for strength.

GREAT

One who is not grateful is a great fool.

HOW TO BE GRATEFUL?

Every day, make a list of people you want to thank for something they have done for you.
Contact them and thank them (by email, phone, in person, by letter, etc.).

HOW TO PLAN YOUR DAY?

Every day make a list of the most important things you have to do that day.
Do them.

Alternatively, you may plan the day before in the evening.
Whatever suits you.

WE WILL FIND

If we really want to do something, we will find a way.

If we don't, we will find excuses.

COACH

One of the ways to develop leadership character and skills is to have an experienced devotee as a coach. 

Your coach is your spiritual partner who assists you in living the spiritual life you know you can and should live, personally, and related to your family and service. 

He or she is someone you place your trust in to help you hold yourself accountable for your life and to make sure you live up to your full potential. 

By helping you define your varna and asrama, he helps you focus on what's most important in your spiritual advancement and on responsible roles in your family, temple, congregation, team or organization.

See our free questionnaire "Are You Ready For Coaching?" here:
http://www.vedicilluminations.com/gitacoaching/areyoureadyforcoaching.htm

DISCOVERING YOUR HIDDEN TREASURE

DISCOVERING YOUR HIDDEN TREASURE
Workshop at ISKCON Zurich,  28 January 2012, 5-8pm.

Workshop Content
· What the hidden treasure could be?
· Possibility thinking
· Acres Of Diamonds
· Expanding options (What/How/Who else?)
· BG 2.29 ascaryavat / sat cit ananda
· Expand thinking
- Problem-opportunity
· Abundance vs scarcity
· Connect to the Supersoul (inspiration, ideas, intelligence)
· Questions that release potential, increase intelligence
· Gita Cards
· What helps access treasure? Chanting, reading
· E: What you are not taking advantage of?
· E: Hidden treasure of the body, mind, heart, spirit
· E: Best thing you can give to Krsna/others/yourself

E=exercise

"GOODMAN AND COMPANY"

Sometimes they put the signboard, "Goodman and Company," businessmen. The signboard is "Goodman," but he is cheating simply, from business point of view.
That kind of signboard will not help you. If you actually believe in God, then try to understand what is God. Otherwise how you can believe? If you do not know the person in whom you have to trust, how you can trust Him? ...
I say, "Trust in Him," but if I do not know that man, how I can trust? You must explain that "This man is in this way trustworthy." Otherwise what is the meaning of my trust? This science should be understood, what is God and what is trust. That you discuss thoroughly, threadbare. Otherwise how you will be able to preach?
Ask all questions. I will answer. But you must be thoroughly conversant that there is need of God and everyone must trust in God. This is the standard of civilization. God is there. Without God, there cannot be anything existing. This is first point. And we must trust in God.

Srila Prabhupada

HEART AND FAITH

Our faith comes from the mode of goodness. 
As long as our faith is not completely in pure goodness, our faith is subject to contamination by the modes of material nature. 
The three modes of material nature expand to our heart. Therefore according to the position of the heart in contact with a particular mode of material nature, our faith is established. 
If our heart is in the mode of goodness, our faith is also in the mode of goodness. 
If our heart is in the mode of passion, our faith is also in the mode of passion. And if or heart is in the mode of darkness, or ignorance, our faith is also thus contaminated. 
This is why we find different types of faith in this world, and there are different types of religions due to different types of faith. 
The real principle of religious faith is situated in the mode of pure goodness, but because the heart is influenced by the various modes, we find different types of religious principles.

NEVER THE PROBLEM

The problem we face is never the problem.
Our response to the problem is our real problem.

BE CAREFUL

Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words.
Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions.
Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits.
Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character.
Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.

Author unknown

TRUSTWORTHINESS IN ISKCON

"Who are the devotees in ISKCON we trust? Whom do we consider to be worthy of our trust?"

Since ISKCON has such high knowledge and standards, most of the people expect to see at least some excellent examples. Such devotees are trustworthy because they practice what they preach, they live what they teach, they walk their talk. Caitanya Mahaprabhu had pointed out the principle of acar-pracar. Excellent saintly behaviour, both public and private, is necessary for highly effective preaching. That's integrity.

We can ask ourselves and put down on paper the names of devotees we trust. And then write down the reasons why we trust them. Perhaps someone is regularly attending the Temple Morning Program, seriously chanting his rounds, respecting devotees, not criticizing, doing steady service. Or he also has decent behavior, does not lose his temper, talks reasonably, makes thoughtful, sane decisions. And he tries to be a good role model - the change he seeks. 

This is one way to understand how we can become trustworthy - by seeing what induces us to trust others. Srila Prabhupada had given us the principle of love and trust. Trust is only possible between trustworthy individuals.

Action: One question a leaders might ask himself is: Do I consider the trust of the devotees whom I lead important for my service to them and my service to ISKCON?

GITA COACHING FOR DEVOTEES' DEVELOPMENT

Gita Coaching is becoming one of the powerful tools in devotees' development. It is used in temples for temple managers, leaders and teams to improve service and preaching. Also, devotees are using Gita Coaching to help them get a better spiritual life, to be more happy, to have better relationships, to plan their service and career and even to achieve financial success.

What is Gita Coaching and why is it so powerful?

The essence of Gita Coaching is to help a devotee change in the way they want to change and helping them to go in the direction they want to go. Gita Coaching supports a devotee at every level in being the best devotee they can be and in doing what they want to do for Krsna. Gita Coaching is based on the success principles of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

Gita Coaching mainly concentrates on the present and the future. It helps a devotee evaluate their present life in the light of Krsna conscious principles and their desires and actions. They explore the present and then design the future they want.

Gita Coaching helps devotees with what they want to do, or, in other words, to set goals both in the short and long term.

Gita Coaching helps devotees with why they want these things – to connect with their deepest values and become motivated.

 
Gita Coaching helps devotees with how they achieve their goals – to make a powerful action plan.

There are three main reasons why Gita Coaching is significant for devotee development.

First, the devotee owns the result. Devotee and Gita Coach are accountable for the process, but the devotee alone takes responsibility for the result.

Second, Gita Coaching is based on action. Gita Coach and devotee agree how the devotee will think and act differently.

Third, the Gita Coach helps the devotee learn rather than teaching them.

Coaching is different to training or teaching. It is different to mentoring and managing. It is also different to counselling and therapy, because in coaching, the client does not have to focus very much on what's wrong. They focus on what can be improved.

Gita Coaching helps devotees release their highest potential.

Coaching has traditionally been associated with sports. Now, it is becoming quite normal for someone to see a coach to help them achieve their goals in their life and work.

Gita Coaching has many benefits. A devotee will be more productive, more creative. They will have a more balanced life. It is very important to balance service and personal needs.

Leaders and preachers in particular can benefit a great deal from Gita Coaching. When a top leader is more focused and effective, this will make a big difference to the temple or the project. Also, top leaders are sometimes a bit lonely, they have no one with whom to talk things over, they are supposed to know all the answers and they have great responsibilities. So having someone to talk to in confidence could be helpful.

Providing coaching services is also evidence of the temple’s commitment to developing its devotees and contributes to a supportive community culture. Coaching is also an effective way of investing at places and in individuals that need it the most. 

Considering all this benefits, it is no wonder that by Krsna's and devotees' mercy more and more devotees and projects worldwide are taking advantage of Gita Coaching.

IF YOU CANNOT LOVE THEM, LEAVE THEM!

If we cannot lead, organize, coordinate, facilitate, teach, guide, coach or advice people with love and care, it is better to leave them alone.

It is better to work with things than with people.

ENCOURAGING THE HEART

The heart of a leader must be a caring one. Without this heart, his
leadership will be without purpose. This is the premise of James M.
Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner's book, Encouraging the Heart, A
Leader's Guide to Rewarding and Recognizing Others.

Believing that a leader's heart is the one that bridges the connection
between him and his constituents, the authors invite leaders in all
areas of business to live by and practice the principles of
encouraging the heart which they unselfishly share in this new
book.

They argue that a leadership filled with values that
encourage the heart speaks directly to people's deeply held
values and beliefs, to something beyond the material and
contributes to creating meaning in the workplace. Through this
book, the authors aim to enrich the discussion of soul and spirit in
the workplace.

Everything starts within you as a leader. Take the journey towards
an organization that nurtures an encouraging heart among its
members and create a workplace that gives new meaning and
purpose to everyone involved.

bizsum.com

THE SECRET OF LIFE

Many people know that the secret and the magic of life is - giving and receiving love.
Although we know it, we do not live it, we do not understand it.
We do not apply it daily.
Therefore our life is not full.
There is always something lacking.

Therefore we live in the land of "if only" and "some day".

We miss the opportunity to appreciate other people's expressions of love for us.

And we miss the opportunity to give and express love.

We do not have to do big things.

We can do small things with great love.

Thus they become big.

GITA COACHING: SOMEONE

GITA COACHING: SOMEONE: Imagine if there is someone to whom your life is so important that he or she: - Prays for your success and protection every single day - Li...

APOLOGY

"If we disturb or offend devotees, we cannot be successful in what we do, no matter how important it is."

When I was serving in Ireland, around year 2000, with few devotees, we went on  a travelling party. Some were selling paintings, some were selling books while some chanted on the street. The leader of the party came to meet two others at a set time in the evening. 

Since the paintings went well, he was in a hurry to go back, but he wanted to bring two somewhat tired devotees to a place where they would spend the night and recover from an intense day.

The leader was somewhat insistent that they hurry up and enter the car and pack things up, etc. They were not disturbed by his rushing mood since he wanted to go back and sell  more paintings. Most of the money of the collections goes to develop the temple projects. 

Next morning he apologized to  the other two devotees for being insensitive. He said that if we disturb or offend devotees we cannot be successful in what we do, no matter how important it is. 

WHAT DO I THINK OF SELF-HELP?

For those of you who thought I am a lover and a follower of self-help books, here is some thoughts about self-help.

Self-help or personal development or success is a new global religion. See my blog about it here:

http://gitacoaching.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-religion.html

Many people try to find shelter in it because religions have become corrupted and people do not trust them.

But they will be left empty-handed.

Why?

Because this is all incomplete knowledge, and it does not free us from our sinful reactions.

It does not free us from our being conditioned by the 3 modes of material nature: goodness, passion and ignorance.

It does not free us from our false ego.

It helps us to be even more conditioned by the mode of goodness, mixed with passion and ignorance.

It helps us to remain attached to this material world and remain in the cycle of birth and death.

All I said so far does not mean ideas from those books cannot be used in devotional service. The Nectar Of Devotion says:

"One should not give up anything which can be utilized in the service of the Lord. That is a secret of devotional service. Anything that can be utilized in advancing Krsna consciousness and devotional service should be accepted." (NoD 14: Devotional Qualifications)

If a good time management system can be used, why not (we don't like to waste time)?
If how to build trust can be used, why not (remember "love and trust")?
If giving up limiting beliefs (thinking big) can be used, why not ?
If stopping self-sabotage can be used, why not (remember the "real self-interest")?

Srila Prabhupada mentions that you must know how to catch a fish without getting wet. So we can use these things with caution, making sure they do not become our new religion.

COOL FRIEND FROM SKOPJE

Here are two cool thoughts from my friend Ishana Chaitanya dasa from Skopje, Macedonia. He is an upcoming inspirational speaker and life coach.

Mystical is what works.

To minimize is to maximize.

QUALITIES AND HABITS OF A LEADER AND A COACH

1. Listens attentively and deeply
2. Asks powerful, relevant questions
3. Believes in people and their potential
4. Has people's best interest at heart

GITA COACHING BLOG AT KRISHNA.COM

Gita Coaching blog is now listed at krishna.com:

http://links.krishna.com/category/Blogs

And here is a direct link:

http://links.krishna.com/gita-coaching-akrura-dasa

SOME BENEFITS OF ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

"Better questions lead to better choices."


Awareness is the key to changing any limiting pattern or behavior.

The power of unconcealing what is truly happening in our lives is a transformational process because as soon as we can admit to what's keeping us stuck or trapped, we are able to allow new possibilities to manifest.

The right questions will increase our awareness of where we are, where we want to be, and what is stopping us.

The right questions will bring us clarity and a power to make the right choices every hour of every day that will bring us closer to our Krsna conscious goals.

YOUR STORY

"You have your set of beliefs and self-imposed limitations."

Your story is what you say and believe about yourself. It's like living inside a clear capsule. Inside that capsule you know who you are. You know what you can and cannot do.

You have your set of beliefs and self-imposed limitations. Your story is about what happened to you, in the past, and why you are the way you are. Your whole family can tell you your story. We have stories about our money, our bodies, our careers, our creativity. Stories limit us.

The problem is, we don't think it's a story. We think it's who we are. It's me. The object is to identify as it not being you. ... I heard everybody telling the same story: “My father left me;” “My boyfriend doesn't love me.”

I wanted to scream, “Don't you get it? It's just a story! That's not who you are!”

The biggest shift people can make is to write it down. What's that story you've been telling yourself?

Debbie Ford

NURTURING ISKCON LEADERSHIP

Since in our movement many leaders made many mistakes, we presently have a lot of mistrust and criticism of leaders, but that will not be helpful in gaining excellent spiritual leadership as Srila Prabhupada desired. Whatever we want to develop and improve, the only way is gradual cultivation and nurturing - to gain long-term quality results.

In my understanding, the duty of each ISKCON member is to contribute to the development of good leadership. It's not very hard to criticize, but it's necessary to contribute to a positive change. If we want good leaders in ISKCON we have to nurture them as valuable plants - give them attention, care, nurturing, facilitate their development, skills building, education.

A few ideas how to assist in this endeavour:

- Develop sincere relationship with a leader

- Wish him or her success in his service

- Give and receive feedback, both negative and positive

- Appreciate his/her willingness to accept responsibility

- Induce him/her to develop skills and constantly learn in order to improve

- Be friendly but firm when he/she makes mistakes or is criticized

- Attend to his/her needs or induce others to do so

I am sure devotees could come up with more ideas, but the main point is to start with the understanding that it requires time and cultivation. Leaders must have around them people who will support them and assist them in their leadership service. Assistants should be nonenvious and friendly. 


We may wish success to our leaders. Someone has to be a leader. So if one cannot take up a position of a leader himself, one may help them in some way to serve as leaders - better and better.

EXCELLENCE

EXCELLENCE is a

personal  choice

 … not  an

institutional choice!

    

EXCELLENCE is not 

an “aspiration” —it’s

 the next five minutes!
tompeters.com

I WANNA TALK BUT ...

Devotee said:
I want to talk.
I want to preach.
I want to give advice.
I want to give tips.
I want to give people success tools.
I want to give people ideas.
I want to give people solutions.

Gita Coach said:
That is nice.
But if you really want to help people, you have to SHUT UP.
You have to listen to people first.
You have to understand them first.
Understand what they want.
Understand what they are going through.
Understand what they think.
Understand how they feel.
Understand what they need in order to succeed.
And in order to understand, you have to first LISTEN attentively and deeply.
Not talk.

LISTENING IS THE CORE COMPETENCE

Click on this link:

http://www.tompeters.com/docs/TLBTSynopsis_32_Listening.pdf

THE BEST WAY TO LEARN IS TO TEACH

Source: http://learnthis.ca/2008/03/the-best-way-to-learn-is-to-teach/


If it’s not already obvious by the new site title here at Learn This, I hope this site will be a resource for people to learn from. While I plan to publish a lot of articles on many topics (the planned queue is getting larger every day), I do this primarily to help others learn some of the things I’ve learned myself. Now some I’ve learned by watching others, some by trial and error, some I’ve learned by talking with or reading articles from others, and some I’ve learned just by practice and observation. In doing this over the years, I’ve learned that the best way to really learn something is to teach that same thing to someone else. Anytime you have to teach something, you are forced to plan, think and act on what you learned which really drives it home.


There is a LOT of other personal learning benefits to teaching and sharing what you know. Here are some of the advantages in teaching for the purpose of learning:


- When teaching you review content which refreshes your memory of the content
- You get asked questions so need to understand it in order to respond
- Teaching it often makes you ask questions and research or study things in more depth
- Its wonderful to have others appreciate your help and to see them learn
- Makes you feel great to share with others
- Teaching and learning exercise you memory which keeps the brain healthy longer in life
- Commit things to your long term memory to increase your knowledge
- Helps you give advice or information in various situations (depends what you teach)
- Provides great conversation starters talking about things you teach
- Most people are more interested in a person who can teach them something


Take this site for example, while it does take a lot of time to publish a site like this and I’d love to have people think it is simply generous to do so, its not all for the benefit of others, as you can tell from the list above. What are some other things you get out of teaching?

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

Once one mataji asked her nine year old daughter to bring her a puri from a prasadam room. Since it was cold in the prasadam room, the puri was cold. The girl decided to heat it up in a microwave. Happily she brought it back: "Mummy, I heated the puri for you!"

This is a small example, but here we see an excellent attitude - to voluntarily do more than you are expected.

YOU MATTER

One simple proof that you matter is that both maya and Krsna do a lot of marketing to draw your attention and get you on their side. Krsna (God) cares about you and wants you to be happy. Maya wants to distract you from Krsna and will ultimately leave you empty-handed.

HOW TO EAT?

We should not eat more or less. 
Better eat less than eat more. 
You'll not die by eating less. 
But you may die eating more. 
People die for overeating, not for undereating. 
This should be the principle. 
Here... Medical science always forbids not to eat more than you require. 
Voracious eating is the cause of diabetes, and undernourishment is the cause of tuberculosis. 
This is the medical science. 
So we should not take under, neither more.
- Srila Prabhupada

STEPPING UP

• The keys to stepping up are accepting personal responsibility
and focusing on what can be changed.
• We must all realize that we have tremendous power to
influence the “five rows” around us. In order to create
change, we must act locally (in our own workplaces,
homes, and communities) with the understanding that
local change is as important—if not more important—
than global change.
• The responsibility ripple is the way our stepping up encourages
others to step up.
• Aggregate influence reminds us that when we act, our
single act combines with those of others to create great
power.
• Be naive and optimistic. A key component to stepping
up is believing you have the ability to make a difference.
• Accept 100 percent responsibility with zero excuses
(the 100/0 principle). Focus on how you are contributing
to the problem instead of what someone else is doing.
When you accept your portion of responsibility in the
matter, the other person will invariably meet you halfway.
• You don’t have to be special to do special things.
• You can’t not lead. That is, we have influence over others
whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.
Leadership is a posture and a choice, not a role that
must be bestowed on you. Step up and be a leader
when no one is watching or expecting you to do so.
• Leadership does not require official authority. As I said
before, many of us are waiting to be in a position of
influence before we influence. The opposite is more representative
of reality. The more we influence, the more
we will get the opportunity to influence.
• Do something, do anything! A perfect plan does not
need to be in place before you take action.
• Take a single step, and the rest will follow.
• People find it easier to stand up when they know they
won’t be alone.
• Focus on what you can control, not whom you can
blame.
• You are the only one you can control.
• Work through setbacks rather than use them as excuses
not to proceed.
• Step up in the moment you are in, using the skills you
have. You do not have to go out looking for ways to
step up; the opportunities are right in front of you.
• Speaking up, without blaming or complaining, is a key
component to stepping up.
• Skill, talent, and resources are overrated compared with
drive, determination, and vision.
• When implementing changes, give all employees/family
members a seat at the table. They will step up when
they feel their input is valued and appreciated.
- Stepping Up, John Izzo

NEW YORK INTERVIEWS

"Exceeding expectations is an exciting paradigm."

Once Bhakti-tirtha Swami had a radio show at WBAI 99.5 FM with Haptse Selassie, radio station located on Wall Street in New York which is the only public station in New York and is supposedly the best public radio station in America.

He discussed many topics from his Leadership book and tried to share several uplifting points. As he was finishing this particular show, Caitanya Priya dasi had caught the attention of one very popular radio host who had interviewed Srila Bhakti-tirtha Swami the previous year. She mentioned to her that he was in the studio and arranged it so that at the completion of his first interview, His Holiness could do a tape interview for her show, to be aired at later time.

Kathy is a very powerful personality in the radio field and her show has millions of listeners.

As Swami was getting ready to leave, Caitanya Priya had talked to another radio host in the same studio who has his own show and convinced him that he should also air Bhakti-tirtha Swami. So he requested that Swami come the next day in the late morning for some live discussion, but as His Holiness's schedule was quite tight, he thought that it would be impractical. However, the host said that Maharaja could call in and he would interview him over the telephone.

So the next day he was able to have some live discussion where he could once again explain things about leadership and some of the topics of his new books.

This is excellence. A preaching assistant doesn't become self-complacent but looks for more and more opportunities for bringing the message across. Caitanya Priya dasi is a shining example of highly effective assistant.

APPRECIATION

"Catch devotees doing things right."

There are many ways to show appreciation for the devotees' services in the temple. Here are some ideas. We can put sticker messages on their door or closet or bed. We could write: "Thank you very much Krishnadas Prabhu for taking care nicely of the temple garden." Or: "Many thanks Srimate Gaurangi dasi for cooking so nicely for our wonderful Deities." 

The message may be decorated according to your imagination and may be anonymous or not. Just imagine how would you feel if here and there you find signs that your service and contribution in a temple or a Yatra is appreciated by 'someone'.

Then we can write something on a bulletin board or in the temple newsletter. We can praise individual devotees on National COM Conferences and on Sunday Feasts. It is good for a leader to glorify devotees, and the devotees will also become inspired. 

We don't have to be afraid they will become puffed-up if we praise them appropriately, according to their contribution and sincere effort. The message of a leader is: "I like you. Just go on. I appreciate your service very much. Your service is valued in this temple or Yatra." 

That may inspire devotees to develop their service to Krishna.

PRABHUPADA CARES

A small but significant incident at New Vrindaban on June 26 1976

illustrates Srila Prabhupada's care for devotees:

"Shortly after eight thirty he [Prabhupada] brought the meeting to an end.

As he prepared to retire to the house, he looked at one of the women,

Gopalasyapriya dasi, who was rather under dressed considering the chill of

the evening. He was concerned and he turned to Kuladri, the temple

president. "Um hmm. This girl? This cloth is sufficient? So you have no

covering? They do not require covering?"

Kuladri was casual about it, trying to explain it away to assuage Srila

Prabhupada's disquiet. "It is warm for us, Srila Prabhupada."

But Srila Prabhupada wouldn't allow it to be passed off lightly. "No, if

they require, they must be supplied. You must ask them what you need, and

provide them. Because they do not say, you'll also keep silent -- that's not

good. Every month they should be asked what they need. Necessities, they

must be supplied. We have already discussed this point. The women, they

require protection, children, women."

Transcendental Diary, Hari-sauri dasa

THAT WILL HELP

Accept complete responsibility for every part of your life.
Refuse to blame others or make excuses.
That will help you succeed.
And that will attract Krsna's attention.

DEVOTEE FITNESS

1. Dance and jump in kirtana
2. Rise early
3. Eat less
4. Eat less sweets
5. Have last meal 3 hours before sleep
6. Visit Krishna conscious farms
7. Chant and be happy

WHY LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE?

(This article was originally published in the Leadership Excellence Journal. All 78 issues of LEJ can be found in the Bhaktivedanta Vedabase 2003 and 2011)

Maybe you were wondering how Leadership Excellence Journal came into being. From 1992 I started to study leadership books and articles, both from devotees and others. I came to realize that leadership is most important for personal and collective success. 


By studying I saw that Srila Prabhupada gave us all principles for effective spiritual leadership in his books, lectures, conversations, articles and letters. Somehow I felt the need to make it more easy for devotee-leaders to focus on these topics and thus become better servants as leaders and also more happy in their devotional life. 

It is not easy to be a leader in a spiritual organization. First one has to be a good example, which is itself a big task. Then one has to develop trusting relationship with devotees. One must respect each devotee and facilitate his service. Then one must know how to listen and deeply understand. That is very demanding.

Knowledge is empowering, especially when applied consistently and with faith. If we know the principles of spiritual leadership and sincerely put them into practice, then we will be better protector and facilitator of the people we lead. The idea with Leadership Excellence was to facilitate leaders' service. 

Leadership Excellence Journal is concise and focused on higher principles. It is meant to recharge your batteries weekly and give you new impetus and ideas on how to perform better for Lord Krishna. If after reading Leadership Excellence weekly you come a step closer to becoming like a patient, loving father of devotees you lead, then Leadership Excellence is accomplishing its mission.

Leadership Excellence's main message is that leadership means you are constantly working on your heart and your motives and striving to gain the mercy of the devotees by serving them as a leader. My hope is that Leadership Excellence will also give you solace, so you can persist to lead in spite of all challenges. 

Leadership Excellence should give you a sense that Lord Krishna and his representatives know what you are going through as a leader and that they appreciate your struggle. We wish you all the best in your leadership journey. Please never exploit your position but always serve and facilitate. That will bring you greater rewards.

MAHA COACH

Lord, make me a channel of your peace, that

   where there is hatred, I may bring love;
   where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
   where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
   where there is error, I may bring truth;
   where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
   where there is despair, I may bring hope;
   where there are shadows, I may bring light;
   where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather
   to comfort than to be comforted;
   to understand than to be understood;
   to love than to be loved;
   for it is by forgetting self that one finds;
   it is by forgiving that one is forgiven;
   it is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.

- St. Francis of Assisi

MUMMY'S BOY/GIRL TO SPIRITUAL HERO

Is it possible?
Can mummy's boy or girl become a spiritual hero?
What would it take? How long would it take?
Are you interested to explore these questions?
If you are, let us look where are we on a scale of - mummy's boy to spiritual hero. Here are 4 ways to measure:
1. MB whines ................................................................. SH shines
2. MB waits ................................................................... SH creates
3. MB is depressed ......................................................... SH is impressed
4. MB is a great fool ....................................................... SH is grateful

A POEM FOR A FRIEND

When I close my eyes
And look at you I see
A little child who wants to play

If I could
I would give you
All the toys you want

But I know
These toys
Will not make you happy

If I could
I would give you
All the love you want

But I am too selfish
A conditioned soul
Just like you

If I could
I would give you
All the protection you want

But my arms are weak
And my mind
Is restless

If I could
I would give you
All the fame you want

But what is the use
When people will forget
Very shortly

So what can I give you
That will stay with you
And benefit you eternally

I know what it is
It benefited me and many
Since the beginning of time

It is
The holy name
Of the Lord

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

May God's love reach you
In the sound of His name
As the ocean reaches the shore - always

His name is His love for us
In the form of a pure
Blissful sound

Chant as much as you can
And you'll be happy
More and more and more

It is simple
And it is true
Krsna loves you!

NO TIME TO LOVE

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

― Mother Teresa

DO NOT WAIT FOR LEADERS

Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person.

- Mother Teresa

PREREQUISITE

"Without controlling the mind, without the mind being not disturbed, nobody can make any spiritual progress ..."

- "Bhajahu Re Mana", composed by the pure devotee and poet Govinda Dasa

A PERFECT GENTLEMAN

Srila Prabhupada was once asked by a TV interviewer, "How would I be able to tell a devotee of Krsna?" Prabhupada replied, "He would be a perfect gentleman."

"A devotee is perfect gentleman. Why? Now, because he has developed all good qualities. That is bhadra. A devotee cannot be abhadra. He must be bhadra. That is perfection. Therefore a devotee is never rude to anyone."

Interviewer: How would I recognize a true follower of the Krsna consciousness movement by his behavior? What would his traits be? What would his outward expressions be?
Prabhupada: Yes. His behavior, he's a perfect gentleman. That's all. You cannot find any fault in him.

"Brahmana means perfect gentleman. A rogue, thief, cannot become brahmana. Brahmana is perfect gentleman. Who feels for others, that is gentleman."

WHAT THEY HEAR

It is not what you say but what people hear that counts for them.

MIRACLE STORY

Yasoda Mata’s 85-year-old foster father passed away two months ago. During his stay in the hospital, Yasoda Mata prepared a tape recorder and played the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra all day long in his ward. Her foster father was actually in semi-coma, but miraculously when he heard the Maha mantra, gradually he awoke and with closed eyes he appeared to enjoying the music and the sound vibration. He started to follow the tempo by tapping his hand on the edge of his bed. His finger ring made the sound like “don, don don” “don, don don ... ” He looked like he was totally meditating on the Maha mantra.

Suddenly he spoke, “Look! There is a huge 5 clawed man, and his head looks just like a lion’s, he is coming into my ward. Don’t you see him? He is coming ….” The foster father still with eyes closed said “Oh, yes, I forgot you all cannot see him, but he is really here. I do not know who He is?” At that moment Yasoda Mata and her daughters looked at each other in great surprise and answered. “Father, He is Lord Nrsimhadev”. “What dev ??? I don’t know Him. But He is nodding His head to tell me that He is.”

Yashoda mata felt great ecstasy in hearing this for in her house she keeps a model of the Nrsimha Deity from Mayapur and had been offering heart felt prayers to Him so that her father could leave the body without any attachment and that his soul can become Krishna’s devotee in his next birth. Continuously her father said, “Look, He is smiling to me and starting to speak again . Oh, He is telling me that I have to learn to chant what you are chanting now…. what exactly are you chanting ?”

He said. “It is a mantra to call the holy name of Lord” Yasoda Mata replied. ” I don’t know what mantra, but please teach Me.” he said. “All right father, please repeat after me and listen carefully — Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna………” Yasoda Mata taught her foster father word by word patiently. Without taking a long time, he learned and tried to chant…. and chanted so nicely. The next day he passed away with tranquility.

During that weekend, we devotees here congregated together to do the kirtan for Yasoda Mata’s father at the memorial service. Yasoda Mata prepared the prasadam garland, Ganga water, tulasi, and put tilak on her father, which have all been done nicely and properly according to her guru maharaj H. H. Giridhari Swami’s telephone instruction. Her foster father’s face looked so peaceful, his cheeks were a little pink, and his body was soft. After some customary ceremonies the body was sent to the incinerator.

A Few hours later the people who work in the memorial service came to us and exclaimed in amazement - “We have never seen anyone’s ashes look so white and beautiful like jade as your father’s! What happened to him? What were you chanting for him?”

“Could you write it down for us? We want to learn and we think we can also chant while doing our service here.” Why the Lord Himself personally appeared before someone who we consider is not a devotee proves the sastric statement - that if one is always engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, their family members will be benefited as well.

 From Lin Tulip, Taiwan, 20th March 2006

MAKE THE SEX YOUR EX

(message to a friend)

You may have sex with hundreds of people
But it will not fill your heart with joy

And when all is said and done
Your heart will still be empty

And you will lit up another cigarette
And time is passing
And death is coming

And the GEMS of life are just
Slipping through your fingers 

THE POWER OF GIVING 5

Corporate giving
• optimizes customer and client growth
• attracts and helps retain talented employees
• enhances credibility and trust
• makes the company socially responsible
• benefits all stockholders

THE POWER OF GIVING - key points of chapter 5

THE POWER OF GIVING 4

It is better to give than not give. However, how and what
you offer can give your gift a greater impact.
You have enormous capacity to give.
Give wholeheartedly.
Give of yourself, not just your possessions.
Give with respect, humility, and compassion.
Give unconditionally.
Give even in hardship. There are other things to give
besides money.
Consider tithing—money, time, ideas, or intrapersonally.
Consider escalator giving.
Be balanced in your approach to giving and to life.

THE POWER OF GIVING - key points for chapter 4

THE POWER OF GIVING 3

Charity begins at home. Start by loving yourself. It is not
wrong to give to yourself. To look after others, you have to
look after yourself first.
Make a conscious effort to give daily to your family. It
forms the foundation of your giving.
Children hold the power to make our world better and
our future bright and peaceful. The best gift we can give
our children is to teach them to give.
We build heart fiber in our children by giving them the
values and virtues that build a strong character.
Extend your giving to your community.
Give to nonprofit social organizations. There is an
incredible variety of options for giving.
Give to the planet—it has been given to us in trust. We
must take care of our environment to be able to pass on
to our children what our ancestors gave us.

THE POWER OF GIVING - key points of chapter 3

THE POWER OF GIVING 2

Everyone can give something. Even if you can’t give
money or material objects, you can give time, knowledge,
wisdom, skills, leadership, attention, touch, advice, hope,
laughter, or love.
Love is a universal need and spans all countries,
cultures, and faiths.
Those who are blessed with knowledge and wisdom
have a responsibility to share their knowledge and
wisdom.
Time and money are both valuable resources. Give as
much as you can of them both.
If you give people skills, you empower them.
When you give an attentive ear, you are giving utmost
respect.
Give what you need most in order to experience the real
power of giving.
Take a balanced approach to life and to giving.

THE POWER OF GIVING - key points of chapter 2

THE POWER OF GIVING 1

There is much sadness in the world, but there are also
unlimited ways to make a positive difference.
You can gain tremendous benefits from giving. Among
these benefits are new friends, a feeling of security, better
health, happiness, and a sense of pride. You are at your
best when you make a difference and contribute.
Passion for a worthwhile cause helps you tap into your
creativity.
You need only so much as an individual to be happy.
Therefore, to live to your potential and create abundance,
you need to do something larger than yourself—thus the
need to give.
You are a conduit—the more you allow giving to flow
through you, the more abundance flows back into your
life. The more you give, the more you receive.
Giving is a beautiful experience.

THE POWER OF GIVING - key points of chapter 1

RESPONSIBLE KING

Rajarsayah. Formerly the king was responsible, responsible king. Responsible government means responsible king.
So what is the responsibility of the king?
The responsibility that all the citizens, all the inhabitants of the state, they should live very comfortably and develop Krsna consciousness. This is the responsibility of the king.
He has to see that everyone is free from anxiety, everyone is feeling secure, everyone has no disease, no mental anxiety, and in peaceful condition they are executing bhagavata-dharma.
It is the responsibility of the king to see that the citizens are happy in every respect.

- Srila Prabhupada

REQUEST EVEN THE DRUNKARDS

When Krsna describes Himself in Bhagavad-gita, He says, raso 'ham apsu kaunteya: [Bg. 7.8] "I am the taste of liquids." So one can remember Krsna by tasting water.

Even if one is drinking liquor, if he thinks, "The taste of this drink is Krsna," he will one day turn out to be a great saintly person. So I can request even drunkards to become Krsna conscious, what to speak of others, because Krsna says, raso 'ham apsu kaunteya: "I am the taste of liquids."

Generally in this context "liquid" is taken to mean water. But liquor is also liquid; it is only sugar and molasses or some other combination fermented and distilled. Of course, it is bad because it creates intoxication. Although in one sense nothing is bad, liquor is bad because it creates bad effects.

In America there are many drunkards. There is no scarcity of them. But I may request even the drunkards, "When drinking wine, kindly remember that the taste of this drink is Krsna. Just begin in this way, and one day you will become a saintly, Krsna conscious person."

Teachings Of Queen Kunti

LITTLE GEMS OF WISDOM

Stop and think.
Listen to your conscience.

LEADERSHIP TIPS

1. Go to bed by 10 pm.

2. Rise by 4 am.

3. Complete 16 rounds before 10 am.

4. Be a bee, not a fly.

5. Dedicate time to listen to devotees' concerns.

6. Be people-oriented and results will come - from the people.

FEARLESSNESS

For a sannyasi , the first qualification should be fearlessness. 

Because a sannyasi has to be alone without any support or guarantee of support, he has simply to depend upon the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 

If he thinks "After leaving my connections who will protect me?", he should not accept the order of renounced life. 

One must be fully convinced that Krsna or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His localized aspect of Paramatma is always within, that He is seeing everything and that He always knows what one intends to do.

One must have firm conviction that Krsna as Paramatma will take care of a soul surrendered to Him. 

"I shall never be alone", one should think. 

"Even if I live in the darkest regions of a forest I shall be accompanied by Krsna, and He will give me all protection."

That conviction is called abhayam , without fear.

This state of mind is necessary for a person in the renounced order of life.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 16.1 Purport

MOTHER VISAKHA AND THE GITA

http://news.iskcon.com/node/4124

HOW DO WE SPEND OUR TIME?

Are you acting on the important, and not only reacting to the urgent?

Are you going for the extraordinary, or you settle for the ordinary?

Are you scheduling "big rocks" (activities that bring extraordinary results, activities that are important but not urgent), instead of sorting gravel (activities that are unimportant or a waste of time)?

Are you sacrificing great for the sake of "good"?

Are you using your gadgets to your best advantage or they are using you and steal your time and energy?

Are you fueling your fire or burning out?

COOL PROJECTS: FREE FOOD RESTAURANT IN SEATTLE

http://news.iskcon.com/node/4123

CHASTISED

It is not desirable that in grown-up ages also you should be chastised.
That is not desirable. That is also difficult, because when the disciple or
the son is grown up, if he is chastised, then he breaks. So before being
chastised, you..., we should be conscious that "This is our rules and
regulation. We must observe." Therefore it is advised by Canakya Pandita,
prapte tu sodase varse putram mitra-vad acaret: "After sixteenth year of
the disciple or the son, he should be treated as friend." Because if you
chastise when he's grown-up, then he'll break up. That is also another
risk. So our request is that instead of chastising, with folded hands I
request you, don't you become hippies again by growing hair. Keep your head
cleansed at least once in a month. That is my request. Neither I can
chastise you. I am also old man; you are young men.

Srila Prabhupada lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.6.3 -- Vrndavana, November 25, 1976

AN AMAZING "WRONG" BIRTHDAY

I just have to share this with you.
I am in Manchester with an Indian devotee family.
These people are so kind to me that they made me a birthday prasadam (raw) cake and celebrated my birthday 8 months in advance.
They said I might not come back before my birthday so they want to make sure I get a cake and a candle.
And this was all orchestrated by their 14 year old daughter. She said they are celebrating my birthday, Christmas, New Year, and my departure from Manchester - all at the same time.
Their 10 year old son is very affectionate to me and wants to be with me all the time.
What can I say?
I know I do not deserve it. It is a pure mercy of the Lord and his devotees, and their children.
I pray that I can serve them for a long time to come and reciprocate in many, many ways.