Vaisnava Life Counseling - ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry

Vaisnava Life Counseling

A Practical framework to support individuals and congregations

Those who are devoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead live only for the welfare, development and happiness of others. They do not live for any selfish interest… (SB 1.4.12)

Course Description

Background. – This course for Vaisnavas has been created by the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry (CDM)) with a Krsna Conscious approach to counseling in line with Srila Prabhupada’s instructions. It presents a theoretical and practical framework to better support devotees, families and congregations that may be facing different issues.

Format. – Interactive lessons ranging from the tradition of care in our Vaisnava line and other religious groups to the practical application of standard principles of communication, counseling, conflict resolution and community building.

Objectives.– To prepare participants to offer support, and positive alternatives in line with our Vaisnava principles to those in need of personal assistance. Devotees in the role of teachers, managers, carers, etc., will be better equipped with more knowledge and skills in their service of helping others to lead a more fulfilling and productive life, especially when faced with complications of different kinds.

Scope.– Areas that will be covered: Definitions of Care and types of Counseling; Vaisnava Qualities of a Counselor; Generic and Specialized Counseling; Communication Skills; Conflict Resolution; Counseling Step-by-Step; Goal Setting; Community Support; Ethical frameworks and Self-Care. The areas of application are personal, marital, youth, emotional, parenting, crisis, vocational, spiritual, etc. Participants will be provided with resources (work-sheets, diagrams, Srila Prabhupada’s quotes, etc.) to aid their practice.

Modality. – A Three-day course with morning and afternoon sessions with practical assessment and certification of attendance.

*DISCLAIMER: This course is not intended to replace professional training in the area of counseling, or to provide professional specialized counseling. It is neither a course in psychotherapy whereby the therapist seeks to radically remold the personality of individuals. Rather, it is tailored for preparing devotees having a strong counseling vocation or in a given position of support, to render ready, sensible and tangible help to those in need.

Facilitator. – Iksvaku dasa. He holds a degree of Social Work from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia. He has 15 years of experience in human services and is a professionally trained counselor with several years of practice in general counseling, domestic violence, youth at risk, suicide prevention, crisis intervention and acute mental health. His last position (4 yrs) was as the center manager and team leader of a Mental Health support program (PHaMS) in Uniting Care West in Perth, Australia. Currently he is residing in Sridham Mayapur as a full time Coordinator of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry.

Contact Us

For more information or if you would like to run the program at your temple or congregation please contact us.

2 thoughts on “Vaisnava Life Counseling”

  1. HARE KRISHNA
    IF SOMEONE IS POOR IN PREACHING IN 5 MEMBERS GROUP. THE GROUP HAS DECIDED ROTATION PREACHING EVERY SUNDAY WITH BHAKTI VRIKSH DEVOTEE MEMBERS HOUSE.
    WHAT IS BETTER PREACHER DUTY IN THIS CONNECTION?

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