By Radha Bhakti Devi Dasi
To give an idea of how devotees attending the ISKCON Leadership Sanga are feeling, we asked a few of them for their thoughts and experiences after the completion of Day 6 here in Mayapur dham. Here’s what they had to say:
“It’s been really inspiring. It’s good to see ISKCON growing, and in such a structured way. Everyone is collaborating, so we can share, grow, and have one body of knowledge as opposed to working in silos. It’s so great to see that it’s all happening. I’m taking loads home with me! From the simple takeaway of how to improve your Sunday program – little things that we probably know but can do better – those are inspiring. Another thing that is really exciting and interesting for me is the focus on primary education. I’m involved with children’s education so I really appreciate this. Overall, it is just so exciting to be a part of this and great to be amongst all these wonderful vaisnavas!”
– Sudevi devi dasi (Johannesburg)
“This feels like a breath of fresh air! It’s been a great experience and I’m really looking forward to presenting this information when I get back home. We’ve collected the contact information of people here who are presenters and experts in their fields. We look forward to how these things will help move our yatra forward. All the lectures and seminars have been amazing – really touching the younger generation as well. I am most excited about devotee care – it is relevant to me in my role as a Secretary at the Munich temple and also in my outside job. Somehow Krishna has arranged for me to be exposed to this information and I really am excited to concentrate on this when I get home! I also want to help with Communications and Finances in the Munich temple.”
– Anupama (Moscow)
“What a fantastic opportunity to attend ILS. It’s a very nice atmosphere – getting recharged before going back. All the sessions have been great. Most of the things we have learned we are already trying to practice, but we’ve taken lots of suggestions to improve and we’ll try to implement them at home and try to serve Srila Prabhupada better.”
– Citta Hari Candra das (Balarama Desh – Middle East)
“I’m a participant and a presenter here at ILS. I’m feeling elated. I think ILS is a wonderful initiative from the GBC to take this movement forward to the next era. What we’re doing here in this process of strategic planning is enabling leaders to bring out the best in themselves and we’re giving them the tools necessary to do so, as well as to develop their congregations and distribute more books. So I think this is really wonderful. The thinking behind it is very strategic, intelligent, global, ambitious and dynamic. We need people like Gopal Bhatta Prabhu to tell us how to change for the better. He’s inimitable. One thing that inspired me was the seminar by HH Bhakti Caru Swami on “Srila Prabhupada gave us everything, including Raganuga Bhakti.” I’m also a member of the Srila Prabhupada Position Committee so I’m also happy with some of the projects that have come to fruition here, like the position of Prabhupada book by Ravindra Swarup Prabhu!”
Atmarama Krishna das (New Delhi)
The thoughts expressed above are being echoed by countless devotees attending the ILS. The experiences of these devotees will surely create an environment of renewed enthusiasm and vision in their local yatras when they return!