FAMILY LIFE
Books and articles on how to be a better partner, parenting skills and all the issues that arise while trying to maintain a healthy and harmonious family life
COURSE
Bhakti Marriage for Women
This course is designed especially for single women, young adults not yet in a relationship. Nonetheless, we believe this course will be very useful and beneficial to you even if you are already in a relationship, engaged or even married.
COURSE
Bhakti Marriage for Men
This course is designed especially for single men, young adults not yet in a relationship. Nonetheless, we believe this course will be very useful and beneficial to you even if you are already in a relationship, engaged or even married.
COURSE
Bhakti Marriage for Women
This course is designed especially for single women, young adults not yet in a relationship. Nonetheless, we believe this course will be very useful and beneficial to you even if you are already in a relationship, engaged or even married.
COURSE
Bhakti Marriage for Men
This course is designed especially for single men, young adults not yet in a relationship. We believe this course will be very useful to you even if you are already in a relationship, engaged or even married. Learn More
WE ARE THE ISKCON CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY DEDICATED TO ENHANCING AND ENLARGING OUR COMMUNITIES.
THE MINISTRY HAS BEEN ACTIVE FOR TWENTY YEARS, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FOR THE FURTHERING OF SRILA PRABHUPADA’S VISION FOR OUR SOCIETY’S COMMUNITIES.
TODAY WE REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT SO THAT WE MAY CONTINUE TO PERFORM THIS VITAL SERVICE. IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT US, PLEASE CLICK HERE
BY ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry
We Believe
We believe in our children – they should be supported and nourished so that ISKCON will have a bright future – this is our goal.
We believe in our youth – being proud to be devotees, connected, creating new approaches – this is our goal.
We believe in our families – being actively integrated, making temples in their homes and sharing Krishna Consciousness in their neighborhoods – this is our goal.
We believe in Srila Prabhupada’s mission – each and every devotee living a happy, satisfied life, feeling supported within ISKCON and considered an important member of Srila Prabhupada’s family, sharing Krishna Consciousness with others – this is our goal.
WE SHOULD MAKE SHORING UP MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES A PRIORITY IN ISKCON!
Marriage Is a Sacrifice
MARRIAGE IS A SACRIFICE
In the Bhagavad-Gita, Srila Prabhupada tells us that marriage is a sacrifice that should not be given up. “There are many purificatory processes for advancement of human society to spiritual life. The marriage ceremony, for example, is one of these sacrifices. The Lord says that any sacrifice, which is meant for human welfare, should never be given up. The marriage ceremony is meant to regulate the human mind to become peaceful for spiritual advancement” (purport, Bhagavad-Gita 18:5).
Marry with caution, save tears
Premarital Tips
His Grace Ganga prabhu, a senior devotee who is also a husband, a father and a grandfather share his experience and tips on how to choose the right life partner
THERAPY IN KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Chanting the holy name and engaging in Bhakti-yoga (Krishna consciousness or devotional service) are the ultimate process of purification and healing in our tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. The process of counseling should be seen as an adjunct to this process of Krishna consciousness, and is not in itself the panacea for all our problems. The reason for bringing this up is that sometimes the question arises: “Why do we need anything other than our spiritual practices to be successful in our spiritual life?” One answer is that we don’t. Only Krishna consciousness, can give Krishna consciousness. However, therapy can create a favorable mental environment for the practice of Bhakti yoga.
TAKE SHELTER AND HELP OTHERS
Devotee Care
Today in ISKCON there are numerous projects and proposals (institutional, group and individual) focused on the care of and counseling of devotees, and also to train you to do the same with others.
We share with you some websites, texts to read and contacts of some of them
DEVOTEE CARE
. VAISHNAVA FAMILY RESOURCES: “Healthy Marriages, Happy Families, Strong ISKCON”
. KARUNA CARE: offer persons in crisis emotional support and spiritual care
. VAISNAVAS CARE: care for sick and dying members
. DEVOTEE CARE – Advantages of the Bhakti-vriksha Approach
. CHOWPATTY DEVOTEE CARE: A community is the shadow of its leaders
BY MAHATMA DAS
Controlling vs understanding each other’s needs
RAISING CHILDREN AND TEENS
How can we transmit Krishna consciousness to children? Should they be encouraged to do certain practices, like chanting the rounds or getting up early?
From a very early age, we must accustom our children to a regulated schedule of devotional activities. To begin with, we can read to them even while they are in the womb. Read to them every day and with enthusiasm: read the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Caitanya-caritamrta
BOOK – Donate $ 3.50
Garbhadhana-Samskara – Science of Vedic Family Planning
A Complete Guide on Garbhadhana-Samskara.
The vedic conception of family planning is the conscious planning of the act of sexual consummation driven by the sole purpose of obtaining a virtuous progeny and not for sense gratification. Therefore, the act of sexual union is considered as a sacred act of yajna or offering to Lord Visnu.
This sacred act is governed by a set of medical, cultural, astrological and spiritual instructions. It is indeed a great science.
There is a great need to train and educate the youth regarding this great science of Garbhadhana-Samskara. This book is a sincere attempt at such an education.
Nowadays, there is talk and controversy regarding vedic sex education. We hope that this work will be useful to the teacher or parents to teach, as well for the students to learn. Similarly, we sincerely hope that it will be useful for unmarried youths; useful to those who are just married; and also useful to all those married for long but still desirous of progeny.
It can also be used as a tool for preaching the vedic culture and science. Let there be virtuous progeny all over the world! Let daiva varnasrama culture be re-established in society!
BY MAHATMA DAS
Look at yourself before to look at your partner
RESEARCH ON EFFECTS OF MEDIA
We all have heard Srila Prabhupada warn us that television and media strengthen our materialistic mentality and divert us from service to Krishna—our consciousness being formed largely by our association. However, it is often difficult to keep our children away from the influences that are so pervasive in our culture.
Results of Long Term Study Recently Reported: A recent research study tracked the viewing habits and later effects on 329 youth over a 15-year period.
WHAT CAN WE DO DIFFERENTLY ABOUT MARRIAGES IN ISKCON?
Grihasta Vision Team
BY GRIHASTHA VISION TEAM
Culture Crossing: Krishna Kids in the Material World
Source: Vaishnava Family Resources
KRISHNA KIDS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD
Now that the majority of devotee kids attend public schools, or eventually progress from devotee-run schools to regular high schools or college, we might easily find ourselves facing parenting dilemmas. Devotional culture and modern materialistic culture are incompatible in many ways, and living in both or between the two is challenging. It’s not easy for kids, and it’s not easy for parents either. I’ve heard from many second-generation devotees that their first ventures out into mainstream society, often in middle or high school or college, were difficult and stressful, even traumatic.
by Jayapataka Swami
How as Grihasthas can people practice Krishna Consciousness effectively?
ALIGN OR UNDERMINE
We need to encourage devotees to enter a sacred ashram with a culture of devotion, not to unconsciously lead them towards a dark well by propagating negative paradigms. If not, we will be shooting ourselves in the foot and throwing spanners in the works.
Interview with His Grace Kalakantha Prabhu in Mayapur on “Relationships”
What about relationships?
Kalakantha Prabhu haa devotee since 1972, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, he is the president of Krishna House, a recognized student center within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
HARMONIOUS DISCORD IN MARRIAGE
A dramatic paradox of marriage is that qualities which originally attract a couple, in time can become a source of irritation. Is this a hopeless flaw of the creation or an enigma beckoning our understanding?
Scene one, Everything’s Perfect, We’re in Heaven. Rama had become attracted to Manjari, a carefree extroverted life of the party, who brought him out of his shell. Manjari, who also tended to be a bit disorganized, became attracted to the soothing atmosphere of the organized introvert, Rama dasa…
BY PARTHA DAS AND UTTAMA DEVI DASI
Showing Appreciation in Marriage
Source: Vaisnava Family Resources
THE STAY HIGH MARRIAGE
A culture of appreciation can help us stay high forever, what to speak of improve our marriage.
As we devotees would say in the early days of ISKCON, “Chant Hare Krishna and stay high forever!”
Krishna is known as Stavyapriya, one who likes being praised, so it is natural that we also find it uplifting. Srila Prabhupada often replied in letters, “I am very much happy to hear your kind appreciation, and it is very much encouraging to me.”
Interview with His Grace Kalakantha Prabhu in Mayapur on “Misconceptions on Grihasta life” (by Sri Radhe Govinda dd)
Misconceptions on Grihasta life.
Kalakantha Prabhu is a devotee since 1972, disciple of Srila Prabhupada and he is the president of Krishna House, a recognized student centre within the International Society for Krishna.
WOMEN IN VEDIC CULTURE
The respect and honour that vedic traditions had for women needs to be preserved, in order to address the turbulence which exists in modern society
There are many civilizations in the world where respect for women and their role in society are prominent, and others where regard for them and their status should be improved. Yet the level of civility along with moral and spiritual standards in a society can often be perceived by the respect and regard it gives for its women.
CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE FORCED
“Regarding your question should force be used on children, no, there shall be no forcing the children to do anything. Child should not be forced. This is all nonsense. Who has devised these things? If we want them to become great devotees, then we must educate the children with love, not in a negative way.”
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada,
Interview with Ganga Prabhu, by Sri Radhe Govinda dd
The two sided coin is called Marriage
FEMININITY HONORED
A Krishna conscious wife can remind her Krishna conscious husband of the best that is in him. She sees and can show him his own self-worth, as he shows her hers. Her surrender inspires his greatness and his greatness inspires her surrender. As his masculine spirit is evoked, her feminine one is; cared for and cared about, she is his solace and inspiration. Both her emotions and his spirit are honored and gradually husband and wife mature in spiritual realization.
Interview with His Grace Mahatma Prabhu (by Sri Radhe Govinda dd)
Relationship advice for different kinds of disciples
$EX AND THE INTERNET
In the past year the Grihastha Vision Team has been jointly working on a book, Heart and Soul Connection, a Vaisnava Guide to Marriage, Service and Love, which deals will all aspects of family life. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread so I volunteered to write the complex and delicate chapter on affection and intimacy, which also deals with the issue of $ex.