By Jagat Vira das
Devotee Care
“Almost 10 years ago, an unknown face appeared at the Alachua Temple, searching for truth and feeling the pull of Krishna’s love – once he stepped on the sacred ground of ISKCON Alachua, immediately he felt at home. Taken by the loving hands of senior devotees – he felt cared for and warmly welcomed. This level of care opened his heart after many years of feeling lost – and gently welcomed him home to the loving embrace of Krishna’s devotees.” When ones feels cared for, the spark of devotional service is supported and nurtured. This service is a small attempt in giving back to a very loving and supportive community – which always gives Krishna with enthusiasm, kindness and compassion.
From the Mission Statement for Devotee Care: “We strive to care for the spiritual, emotional, physical and social well being of the devotees in order to be enthused to expand Srila Prabhupada’s mission.” From this mission statement one of the primary aims – is “we aim to provide care that includes personal attention to both devotees’ spiritual and material lives.” This is one of the important aims, which facilitates every devotee in feeling cared about and inspired by their respective community, and never left being alone without the care of other devotees. Whether you live close to the temple, far away or you just attend the festivals, it is important to feel a part of a loving and welcoming Vaisnava community.
It is from this aim, that an opportunity to serve devotees through a “bi-monthly email check in” arose, this would serve devotees both close and far away in a personal and supportive manner: Some of the goals of this service would support a committed progress in spiritual life, create real – lasting success as the continued evolution of a happy, loving Vaisnava Community – which has the capacity to interact with all devotees whether they live close to the temple or far away from the association of devotees.
This can provide a caring and personal support twice a month – with a short and simple “check in” to inspire, encourage and enthuse one’s devotional life. One of the unique keys of this service is the “personal check in” with a tremendous amount of information on the internet, few opportunities have been presented which facilitates a personal interaction – this alone can support ones devotional life and in the simplest way offer encouragement just at the right moment.
In the Sri Siksastka Sloka Four “O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to You.”
Srimad – Bhagavatam Canto 11, Ch. 3 Text 30 “One should learn how to associate with the devotees of the Lord by gathering with them to chant the glories of the Lord. This process is most purifying. As devotees thus develop their loving friendship, they feel mutual happiness and satisfaction. And by thus encouraging one another they are able to give up material sense gratification, which is the cause of all suffering.”
This is taken from a talk given by Giriraj Swami “In this effort to serve and care for each other, we will become a very close family, and that is what people want: a sense of family, a sense of belonging. In Kali-yuga now—Kali means, “quarrel,” and Kali-yuga is the Age of Quarrel—quarrel is so prominent that it enters everywhere. It enters families. There is quarrel between husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters—it is everywhere. It can even enter into religious institutions. But we can overcome Kali’s influence by constant, attentive chanting and hearing, and service rendered in the mood of being the servant of the servant of the servants. And then, when we have that beautiful family atmosphere, everyone will want to join, because that’s what everyone is looking for.”
The sign up can be found at the very bottom of the home page of the Alachua Temple website – www.alachuatemple.com at the following link: http://alachuatemple.com/email-check-devotee-devotee-care/