By Sachin Mittal
Over the weekend of May 1st to the 3rd, ISKCON Chicago hosted a wonderful seminar on
“Reaching the Hearts and the Minds of the Western Public”
(Effective Models of Western Outreach)
It was an enlivening seminar with many illustrious devotees conducting the seminar, such as HH Romapada Swami, Radhanath Swami, Badrinarayan Swami, Devamrta Swami, Vraj Vihari Prabhu, Gopal Bhatta Prabhu, Kalakantha Prabhu and many more.
The outline of the seminar with the topics presented are listed below and more importantly, the recordings of such are on the Kishore Kishori channel on Youtube.
To access them please go to: https://www.youtube.com/user/kishorekishori/videos
I can’t express how relevant and inspiring this seminar was for anyone who wants to see ISKCON progress in leaps and bounds in the coming years. With ISKCON’s 50th anniversary celebrations coming up, it is imperative we all know where we are as an organization, what steps we need to take collectively and individually to progress to the next level, and educate ourselves on our shortcomings. This seminar did that for many and I hope the greater devotee community has the opportunity to access the videos and do the same.
Friday, May 1
Vraj Vihari Prabhu as a Facilitator will invite thought-provoking discussion regarding key questions which naturally arise when drilling down on this topic
Saturday, May 2
Morning SB Class by Devamrta Swami: Combined Lecture on Nrsimha Caturdasi plus express something on the topic of “Why this Seminar is important”
Gopal Bhatta Prabhu: “Core Spiritual Marketing” (universal principles to be observed whenever considering “How” to market Srila Prabhupada’s and Lord Caitanya’s gift to any chosen target audience)
Devamrita Swami – “The Contemporary Vedic Ashram” [non-temple, supervised residencies for beginners to find their feet and then consciously choose what comes next][/non-temple,];
Canada Leadership: Bhakti Lounge
Radha Krishna das (BBGM): Contact Sankirtan (Following Up those who receive a book &/or explicitly indicate willingness to learn more: step-by-step method used successfully in Hungary; tools; one of the ISKCON50 Petals)
Kalakantha Prabhu: Importance of Ashram Development
Badrinarayan Swami: Presentations of Effective Western Outreach presently going on within his GBC Zone: Maha-tattva Prabhu and Tukaram Prabhu; plus Full Dome Presentation
Kalakantha Prabhu and Romapada Swami: Glories of Lord Nrsimhadev (evening Nrsimhadevb appearance day lecture)
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Radhanath Swami: SB 6.5.18 ~ Srila Prabhupada’s global strategy of focusing on reaching the Westerner audience
Gopal Bhatta Prabhu: Internet Outreach
Radhanath Swami: Effective Models of Western Outreach for North America Today
Kalakantha Prabhu: “Introducing: Starting a Krishna House” [Note: this topic will be previewed/introduced only briefly; during the 4:45-6:45pm Break-Out Session more details will be shared][/Note:] Plus / RasikaManjaridd: “Krishna Lunch in Your City!”
Sunday Feast Program @ the Temple “Krishna Fest” including Badrinaryan Swami’s lecture on “ISKCON World Today”