Shiksha Program - spiritual training program

Dear Devotees,

Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

The Siksa program stresses on the same 5 potent forms of devotional service that was emphasized by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Chaitanya is Lord Krishna Himself who came down as His own devotee to taste the sweetness of Krishna Consciousness and to teach us the process. The 5 potent items he taught were –

1) Chanting the Holy Names – I hope you are all able to chant your committed levels of rounds of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Srila Prabhupada instructed all of us to chant a minimum of 16 rounds every day in order to stay in Krishna Consciousness. I pray to Sri Sri Radha Gopinath and Srila Prabhupada to give us the strength and determination to carry out this instruction nicely. If you are not chanting 16 rounds yet, I request you to try and increase your rounds and gradually come up to chanting 16 rounds and more on a daily basis. If you are having difficulty in chanting your rounds then please contact me or any devotee on the mentor list (given below) and they will be happy to help you.

2) Hearing Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita and other Vedic literatures – Good News!!! This year, 2007 we have begun classes specially for you according to the time-table (below) . Basically we will be having classes on various books like Bhagavad Gita, Sri Ishopanishad, Science of Self Realisation, Srimad Bhagavatam etc. Once you study these books you can
start teaching these books and other books. The idea is ‘Each one teach one’. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted everyone to become a teacher – a Guru by first being a good student. This is a very good opportunity to thoroughly
understand the essence of the Vedic literatures. Please see the attached schedule and choose from the various classes and let me know which ones you can attend. The other 3 items of devotional service that Lord Chaitanya emphasized were:

3) Associating with devotees – This will happen automatically when we attend the above classes.

4) Serving the Deity with faith and devotion – More training will be arranged in this area – later in the year – stay tuned for more!

5) Living in a holy place – Again this will be part of the upcoming training events – showing you how you can live in complete harmony with Krishna and His energies.

I would like to request you to consider upgrading your level in the Siksa program. Also if you can invite your friends and family members to also enrol in the Siksa program, you will receive unlimited blessings from Sri Sri Radha Gopinath and Srila Prabhupada and all the devotees. This is the secret of making rapid advancement in Krishna Consciousness! To further help you in your spiritual life you can choose from the following list of mentors who can help you on a personal level. Let me know who your preferred mentor is and I will send you their contact details after getting their
approval. The list of mentors will be growing as more and more devotees take up the solemn responsibility of helping others in their spiritual journey – Krishna Consciousness. I do hope that one day you will also consider becoming a mentor, if you are not already one. This is a very wonderful service to Lord Sri Krishna. As the Lord Himself declares in the Bhagavad
Gita – Chapter 18 Text 68-69 “For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.” And “There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor
will there ever be one more dear.”

The following devotees are available to help you as mentors:
Vara Nayaka Prabhu, Sundara Nanda Gopal Prabhu, Bharat Mana Prabhu, Prananath Prabhu, Vrajanath Prabhu, Radha Krishna Prabhu, Vijay Gauranga Prabhu, Hemang Prabhu, Jitesh Prabhu, Viran Prabhu, Rajib Prabhu, Krush Prabhu, Venugopal Prabhu, Babu Gopal Prabhu, Ghanasyam Prabhu, Raj Sandu Prabhu, and more … to be confirmed.

Now I request you to take this important step in your spiritual life and select a mentor who can help you and guide you - as a friend. Please let me know who you would prefer as your mentor. If you are unable to select your mentor and need help – you can contact me by e-mail or phone – 0419 382 105.

Also I would like to request you to confirm your attendance at the classes being conducted specially for you.

Wishing you all the best in your Krishna Conscious journey!!!

I beg to remain your humble servant,
Vijay Gopikesh Das
Mob: 0419 382 105