Subject: Journey Guide

The Creeper of Pure Devotion

SWAGATAM - WELCOME

Welcome to your garden of devotional service. This booklet is your owners

manual. It is a practical guide for cultivating your plant of devotion to
Krishna. It will guide you through definitive steps to help you harvest the
ripened fruit of Krishna Prema (full love of Krishna) You will learn more
about yourself, Krishna, your relationship with Him, the process of bhakti
yoga and how to water, feed, cultivate and weed your own personal garden of
devotion. We will help you discern where you are in your growth, to set your
own spiritual goals, and we will be here to walk you through the process that
will attain those goals.

The process of growing love of Krishna is systematic and practical. It is

simple and very easy to follow. As you go through this manual, you will be
asked to make an assessment of where you are and to define where you are
going. Be honest with the response. This will enable us to serve you better.

Carefully review each assignment by yourself. Be sure to write in the answers

so we may review them with you. This will become your journal on the way to
love of Krishna. When you review it in the future you will be able to chart
where you have made advancement and what still needs to be dealt with.

When you have finished every assignment, your sponsor and senapati
(coordinator) will review the material with you. They will help you understand
your realizations and to focus on your goals. From this meeting they will have
learned how best to assist in your growth. Your needs will be unique. This
process will ensure that they are met.

Now let's enter your garden.

Climate Test
This section is to help us to understand the environment of your garden for
the planting of the seed of pure devotion.

Tell us something about your

philosophical background and environment

How long have you been practicing Krishna consciousness ?

______ just started
______ less than six months
______ less than one year
______ more than one year

How did you come to practice Krishna Consciousness ?

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
How do your family and friends feel about your practicing Krishna
consciousness?
____ favorable; They like what I am doing
____ neutral; They are not concerned
____ unsure; They don't understand, but they are supportive
____ They don't know what I am doing
____ unfavorable; They don't like what I am doing
____ other ______________________________

Are any friends/family members practicing Krishna consciousness? ____ yes

____ no
If yes please tell us about them and their practice.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

What attracted you to Krishna consciousness?

______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Have you ever been initiated by a guru ? _______ yes _____ no

If yes What disciplic lineage _____

Tell us something of your religious / philosophical background.

______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________

List 2or 3 people who have significantly influenced your spiritual growth
______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________

How do you feel about sharing your Krishna consciousness with others ?
______ enthusiastic, It is easy to share Krishna with others.
______ hesitant; I am somewhat shy about sharing with others.
______ reluctant; I don't like to share with others.
______ Don't know how to share with others but would like to
______ Don't know how and don't care to learn

What previous devotional service have you done ?

______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________

What previous religious / charitable / civic service have you done

______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________
______________________________________________________________________________
___________

What would you say is your attitude about spiritual life.

_____ It is the most important aspect of my life
_____ It is a major part of my life
_____ It has some small part of my life
_____ It is not very important to me, it is more of a hobby

What would you say are your three most significant spiritual ralizations.
1.____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
2_____________________________________________________________________________
____________
3.____________________________________________________________________________
_____________

______________________________________________________________________________
___________
GENERAL SIKSHA QUESTIONNAIRE

1. How often do you come to the temple (in a month)?

ò ______every day
ò ______ once a week
ò ______ on festivals
ò ______ rarely
ò ______ other

2. How many Sunday programs do you attend every month? ______

3. Do you chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra? ____yes _____ no

If yes How many rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra do you chant on beads
everyday? _______
How long have you been chanting Hare Krishna
ò less than 6 months ____
ò 6 months - 1 year _____ *
ò 1 - 2 years _____ *
ò more than 2 years ____ *
* For those who have been practicing for more than 6 months please also fill
out our Practical Questionaire

If no would you like to begin to chant ? ______

4. Have you read any of Srila Prabhupada's books? ______
If yes list all the books of Srila Prabhupada that you have read cover
to
cover.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

If no, are you willing to read his books? _____

5. Do you accept that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead? _____yes

____ no
If yes why?
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

6. Are you practicing Bhakti Yoga or Krishna Consciousness in your own home?
____ yes ____ no
If yes, please describe your daily practice
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

If no, would you like to practice in your home? _____

7. How much time daily can you put aside for you practice?
15 min ___
30 min ___
45 min ___
1 hour ___
more than 1 hour ___

8. Are you vegetarian? _____ yes ______ no

If yes, I have been a vegetarian, (tick the correct alternative)
a. all my life _____
b. for the past ____ years
c. for the past months _____
d. for the past ____ days
If no, would you like to become a vegetarian? ____

9. Would you like to be a part of our devotee sponsor program? _____ yes ____
no
In the devotee sponsor program a senior devotee will be assigned to take care
of your spiritual needs and answer all your questions. They will contact you
at least once a week to make sure you are peacefully advancing in Krishna
consciousness and will be available for counseling on spiritual matters should
you need them. In return you agree to chant at least one round of Hare Krishna
a day and to sincerely try to make advancement in Krishna consciousness as
described by Srila Prabhupada in his books.

10. Would you be interested in joining a Bhakti Yoga Home Study Course ?
____ Yes _____ no
Basic Philosophy Quiz Part 1& 2
Please describe the following

Part 1
for all members - define the following terms
(if you have been reading Srila Prabhupada's books for more than 6 months, the
please also fill out Part 2)

Krishna
Japa beads
reincarnation
The Maha Mantra
spirit soul

Part 2
Guru
Bhakti Yoga
9 processes of devotional service
4 regulative principles
Srila Prabhupada

Krishna Prema
ISKCON
Prasadam
Ekadasi
The Ultimate Goal
______________________________________________________________________________
___________
Practical Questionaire
For those who have been practicing Krishna Consciousness for more than 6
months

1. Do you have an altar at home? ____ yes ____ no

If yes, which of the following deities/pictures do you worship on your
altar?
(circle those that you have)
ò a. Radha-Krishna
ò b. Krishna-Balarama
ò c. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
ò d. Srila Prabhupada
List others, if any:
ò e. ________________
ò f. ________________
ò g. ________________
ò h._________________

If no, would you like to set up an altar ? _____ yes ___ no

2. Do you offer your foodstuffs to Krishna ? ____ yes ____ no

If yes, describe the process of offering food-stuffs to the Lord.

What mantras do you chant?
If no, would you like to learn how to offer ?

3. What time do you rise in the morning. _____________

4. When and where do you chant most of your rounds everyday? _______________
How long does it take you to chant each round ? __________
All your rounds ?__________

5. Do you chant your promised number of rounds every day ? ____ yes ____ no
If no, what do you perceive to be the problem ?
_____________________________________________________________________________
____

6. Are you able to follow the 4 regulative principles all the time ? ____ yes
____ no
If no, what regulative principle(s) are you having problems with ?
_____________________________________________________________________________
___

7. Do you avoid the following? If not, then explain why not

ò [Link] Yes/No If no,
why:_______________________
ò [Link] Yes/No If no,
why::_______________________
ò [Link] Yes/No If no,
why::_______________________
ò f. Tea Yes/No If no, why:
:_______________________
ò [Link] cooked by materialists Yes/No If no, why:
:_______________________

8. Do you perform some regular service for ISKCON (at your local temple or for
your Nama Hatta sangha ?)
_____ yes ______ no
If yes, describe your service.(list if it is for a local temple or for
a
local sangha)
_____________________________________________________________________________
___
_____________________________________________________________________________
___
_____________________________________________________________________________
___

9. Please describe your daily schedule of Sadhana.

_____________________________________________________________________________
___
_____________________________________________________________________________
___
_____________________________________________________________________________
___

10. Do you read Srila Prabhupada's books daily ? _____yes _____ no

If yes, how much time do you spend on daily reading ?
15 min ___
30 min ___
45 min ___
1 hour ___
more than 1 hour ___

If no, please describe the difficulty.

____________________________________
SOIL TEST
soft or hard heart / weak, medium or strong faith / TAMAS RAJAS OR SATTVA GUNA
/
-As we plant the seed of bhakti, we need to ensure that the soil is well
prepared. These questions will help us to find those things that will slow
down or prevent the growth of our creeper. Please fill out this survey
honestly so we may help you prepare the soil properly.

Write: 1 for all the time; 2 for most of the time; 3 for some of the time; 4
for never

_____I find it difficult to believe in things I cannot see.

_____I have a strong faith in God and feel that He is always there for me.
_____I find it easy to accept the concept of heaven, reincarnation and things
I cannot see with my eyes.
_____I find it easy to forget and forgive.
_____If I am hurt emotionally, it takes me a long time to get over it.
_____I hold grudges for a very long time and sometimes even try to get even.
_____If I cause someone pain, I apologize and try to repair the damage.
_____If someone is hurt by me, it is usually their fault, so I don't worry
about it.
_____I find it difficult to express my inner feelings.
_____I don't like to see anyone suffering.
_____I like everyone to be nice to each other.
_____I am not concerned with others’ feelings.
_____I get along best by myself.
_____I don't care if others like me.
_____I look back on my past life with gratefulness and contentment
_____If I had my life to live again, I would like to change my past.
_____I feel life is precious. I am doing my best to live it to the fullest.
_____I relate well to other people, including my family and friends.
_____I have no problem resolving conflicts with others.
_____I build intimate relationships, receiving and giving love.
_____I often feel I am not being loved or am unimportant to others.
_____I am generally transparent, not afraid to let others know me.
_____I find it difficult to make close friends and share deeply.
_____Money has been the most important thing in my life.
_____In the area of money, I am a contented person.
_____I find more pleasure in giving than in getting.
_____For the past several months, I have been unconcerned about my spiritual
advancement.
_____My values are a mixture of those picked up from the world and those from Krishna
Consciousness.
_____I have been committed to Krishna for some time, and have a desire to
fully surrender to Him.
_____I have a good understanding about Love of Krishna.
_____I need help in understanding Love of Krishna.
_____I usually reserve time each day to read Srila Prabhupada’s books and
chant.
_____I am ready to learn about the Vedas in depth.
_____I have completely read through the Bhagavad Gita.
_____I want to learn to share my Krishna Consciousness with my friends and
family.
_____I naturally share my Krishna Consciousness when it's appropriate.
_____I have helped another person become a devotee.
_____I would like to be involved in helping totally new people who are
interested to learn Krishna Consciousness.
Learning patterns
Please check the following that apply to you most accurately.

_____Memorizing verses is meaningful to me.

_____I like to learn by reading. It is easy for me to learn from books.
_____I learn by hearing and seeing. I like to learn from cassettes and videos.
_____I learn by watching others and doing things myself. I don't require a lot
of attention.
_____I need some help as I learn. I like to have a teacher there to guide me.
_____I find it difficult to learn new things. I require a lot of help to learn
something.
_____I don't like to learn things. I would rather leave things as they are.

Personality Profile

Look over the activities listed below and rank each of them from 1-5.
1 (One) meaning it describes you most accurately, 5 (five) meaning it is least
accurate. If you think of other qualities to describe yourself, please list
them in the space given below.

_____I like to help others solve their problems

_____I like to go to parties and see friends
_____I am happier working with machines than people
_____I prefer reading to going places or meeting people
_____I like to travel
_____I like to compete in sports and contests
_____I enjoy music more than anything
_____I like to give gifts to my friends and those I love
_____I have a strong relationship with at least one person in my life

other interests
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

______________________
Identifying the weeds and weed seeds

- As your devotional creeper grows, you will find that there are weeds growing
alongside of it. Sometimes these weed may actually appear to be pure devotion.
But they will have a bitter taste and result. The creeper of pure devotion is
always of sweet taste and fragrance. If these weeds are not dug out by the
root, they will gradually absorb all the nutrients given by chanting and
hearing and they will overcome and destroy the creeper of devotional service.
We must from the very start know what they look like and what is their root
cause. Then as we chant and hear, with the help of our sponsor and Krishna we
can pull them out permanently. But once they are out we must also practice
very carefully to make sure they are not planted again. For now, you may
pinpoint those you know you need to work on. In the future you may add to the
list if you perceive the need and share the additions with your coordinator if
you wish to.

Below you will find a list of weeds. Check off each one that you know you have
a problem with. This list will be used to build a plan of action. Each weed
seed has a specific cure. Please be straightforward as this will enable us to
serve you better. Please remember to check the statements that are true or
partially true about you. Your coordinator will go over them with you in
private if you wish. It is not required that you share this with your
coordinator, but it will help if you do so.

This is a list of the weeds . We will go over them is depth later in your
studies.

Addictions
drugs
alcohol
illicit sex
gambling
meat-eating
stealing
cheating
deceptive behavior
desire for adoration
desire for importance
greed
lust
anger (especially uncontrolled)
pride
prejudice
hatred
eating too much
gossip
envy
_____I find it hard to believe that God truly loves me.
_____I have a hard time forgiving myself for things I've done in the past.
_____I constantly dislike myself.
_____I have been wrongly treated and hurt in the past. I find it hard to be
set free of the inner anger I feel when remembering it.
_____I have a bad habit in my life that controls me. I try hard, but I really
feel like a captive in this situation.
_____I have a hard time with a sexual problem. I have never been able to break
its control and the bad habits that go with it.
_____I have some addictive behavior: e.g., overeating, gambling, exaggerating,
smoking, drugs, alcohol, etc.
_____I sometimes feel that my desire for money and possessions has a powerful
control over me.
_____Sometimes I find that I cannot control my anger, it seems to well up from
within and explodes before I can stop it.
_____I have a problem with anxiety. Sometimes I don't even know why I am so
anxious. I get anxious even about little things.
_____I have many fears in my life. They include fear of the dark and being
alone, fear of sickness and death, etc.
_____I have contemplated suicide on several occasions.
_____I find it hard to concentrate when I am reading . It is as though a
drowsiness comes on me.
_____In the past, I have been involved in some occult practices (e.g.,
seances, witchcraft, etc.) or have been a member of an occult group.
_____I have been abused physically, mentally or emotionally.
_____I cannot give up meat eating.
_____I am being or have been counseled for psychological illness.
_____I believe work is my most important activity.
_____My highest priority is my performance and achievement level.
_____I find myself sleeping more than normal and I have no desire or
motivation to do anything productive.
_____I have a great fear of speaking up or stating my opinion.
_____I have a problem with jealousy or envy of others.
_____I have a tendency to cheat others.
_____I find myself lying so that I can impress other people.
_____I will do whatever it takes to get what I want, even if it hurts someone
else.
_____I want to be important and to be admired by others
_____I feel I am better than others, physically, mentally, or otherwise.
_____I like to hear gossip.
_____I have a strong attachment to mundane sports
_____I like to hear gossip
_____I like to be in control of things. Power is important to me
_____I am very active in pursuing my desires and goals. I have many interests.
_____I procrastinate a lot. I find it difficult to begin things or follow
through with what I've started.
_____I don't like to work very much. I prefer to relax most of the time.
_____I am peaceful in my life and content to remain as I am. I am pretty much
happy.
_____I have a tendency to be self destructive.
_____I am whimsical, I like to do what I want when I want to. I don't like to
follow rules and regulations.
_____I am always working hard to improve my/ my family's condition in life.
_____I sleep
ò _____< 6 hours
ò _____between 6 - 10 hours
ò _____> 10 hours
_____
_____
_____
The Importance of Devotee Association

Sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga sarva sastre kaya

lava-matra sadhu-sanga sarva siddhi haya
The verdict of all the revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's
association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.

The first steps in devotional service are Shraddha (faith) and Sadhu sanga (
association with pure devotees ) Faith gives us the strength to act on what we
hear. The association of devotees gives us a strong desire to attain our goal.
This association is important for us at every step of growth. It keeps us
enthusiastic to continue through hard times and helps us to overcome obstacles
on the path of devotional service. It is so important that much has been
written about sadhu-sanga in the scriptures. For this reason we will deal with
it in great detail in subsequent manuals . For now, we encourage you to seek
out good association with devotees who are sincere, enthusiastic and have a
strong faith in Krishna. This will help you to grow.

Your coordinator will assign you a sponsor. Your sponsor is not your diksa
guru, but a devotee who is further along the growth cycle than you are. They
will have dealt with many things that are new to you and can enliven and
encourage you. If together you are not able to answer a doubt or overcome a
difficulty, then your coordinator and other senior devotees are there to help
you.

The friendships you establish with the devotees will be long-lasting. When
things are most difficult, it will be these strong Krishna consciousness
friendships that will help you to remain steady in your devotional service. As
you grow, you will also be asked to become a sponsor to help another new
devotee. Sri Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita.

For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional
service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me. There is no
servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more
dear.
BG 18.68-69

The supreme secret is pure devotion to Krishna. Krishna promises complete

success to one who shares the secrets of surrender to Him. So acting as a
sponsor to help another is a wonderful way to assure your success. You may
also be asked to help as a Junior Preacher or Senior Preacher. These will be
explained in more depth later. Your success will depend on many things, but
good association is one strong assurance of success.
ACAR - PRACAR

Many people believe that everything we learn must come from reading books or
listening to lectures. Some believe it is only necessary to read the books and
tell what is in them to another. But Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has revealed
that there is more.
Pracar - means to preach or share Krishna conscious philosophy with others
through chanting, teaching, talking etc. It is important, but only half the
potency.
Acar - means to practice what we preach.
We learn best by watching others and imitating them. This is the ACARYA
system. Srila Prabhupada wanted everyone of his followers to become guru -
acarya - one who teaches by his own pure example.

Think of your own life. Have you ever thought of the people you have used as
a pattern for your own lifestyle?
In the box below, write the names of two people who have filled this special
role for you:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Pure devotional service is not just learned from reading books. To learn how
to practice pure devotion, we must examine the lives of pure devotees and if
they are present watch and learn from them. Books can give us information
about pure devotion, but we must observe the acaryas, the gurus who are doing
what the books talk about! There are two Bhagavatams - the book Srimad
Bhagavatam and the pure devotee - Bhagavatam. The pure devotee is the book in
action. These devotees give us our values. They also set the atmosphere of the
greater community. We need relationships with people we can identify with and
whose actions we can copy.

ISKCON is the association of devotees. In this association, we have many

devotees at different levels of growth. It is not so much the number of years
practicing as the strength of faith and surrender that makes a devotee a pure
devotee. As you associate with devotees, you may see someone who will do
something that creates doubt in your mind. Your sponsor and coordinator are
there to answer these doubts. Ultimately we will be preparing you for the most
important association you will establish. The guru-disciple relationship. This
relationship, if properly prepared for, will be the impetus to return to
Krishna. By proper development of this relationship one can develop full
Krishna Prema, the highest goal of life.

The Siksa program is a practical design to aid in this preparation and growth.
In this modern impersonal world, people often do not understand how to live
peacefully and develop loving relationships based on Krishna as the center.
Perhaps your entry into this Siksa program will be the very first time in your
life to experience true deep relationships.

We learn to relate by relating and not by just observing. Learn to give love
as well as receive it. Learn to be sensitive to others. For example, avoid
dominating discussions. This chokes off sharing by other members. Prepare
yourself beforehand by chanting nicely and properly listening to your rounds
so that you can build up others who need your encouragement.

Enter into the experience with all your heart! There will be more mature
devotees you can select as good patterns for your own life. In time, you will
become a model to those who are younger than you in Krishna Consciousness.

THE TREE OF LORD CHAITANYA - The Guru Parampara - Remaining connected to Guru and
Krishna

Each One Teach One

Every Shiksa member should become a part of a living chain of people who love
and build up one another. Being helped, and being a helper--this is the
pattern of the disciplic lineage, the tree of Lord Chaitanya. Each of us needs
a special person that can give us accountability, encouragement, and challenge
us during the week.

As a new Shiksa member, you will learn much about your own growth in over the
next few months. You will encounter many changes that will prove exciting.
This growth in Krishna consciousness will depend on your being attached to
your Sponsor, who has taken three or four steps ahead of you. Your sponsor,
will show you how to take advantage of the mercy of Lord Caitanya so that you
may grow strong and well.

Your coordinator will be responsible for linking you with your Sponsor.
Together you will develop a relationship by growing through daily struggles

and bearing each other's burdens. Seek your coordinator's guidance to

discover the person with whom you will meet each week.

Keep in touch with your Sponsor.

Meet together weekly. In addition, you will have special needs which may
cause you to spend hours together, as good friends do. Your time together will
also include fun and laughter. Although your coordinator will always be
available to you, your primary helper will be your own Sponsor.

As new members enter the siksa program, they will also need a Sponsor. When
you are ready, your coordinator will ask you to be a Sponsor. Do not overlook
this opportunity to put into practice what you have learned as a Sponsee!

You will find that this communication throughout the week enhances the weekly
temple meeting. As the program grows and multiplies, usually in six to nine
months, you will develop new relationships and new friends. But you will
always consider the old friendships special!
Understanding the growth process

An important thing for you to know is that Lord Chaitanya has given a specific
growth process for which everyone in the shiksa program has a growth guide.
During your first two years, there is a special "Basic training" which has
been prepared to guide you to finding your spiritual master and preparing you
to take proper shelter of him/her. You will probably consider this special
equipping track, called the "Bhakti Shastri" to be the highlight of your
Krishna conscious growth.

When you set out to accomplish a thing, the first thing you must know is your
specific goal. Many devotees wander aimlessly for years because they have
never considered what they should do to attain this goal. So in the very
beginning it is important to deal with the goal and to understand clearly what
is required to attain it.

The second thing to know is how to prepare to attain the goal. What
preparations have you already made? What are additional areas which need to be
developed? Are your values appropriate for attaining Pure love Of Krishna?
Krishna will only manifest Himself in a pure heart. What old "dirt" are you
still holding in your heart, that prevents you cleaning it completely. How do
you learn to surrender to Krishna and become an instrument in His service?

On the pages which follow, you will be asked to honestly evaluate your
current spiritual condition. For every question you are asked, Nama Hatta
has provided Growth evaluation steps to sharpen your focus. Each "step" of
growth will help you focus for several weeks on areas where you yourself
know you need help and guidance.

Please remember that there is no reason to "bluff" your responses to the

questions you will be asked. Whether you like your answers or not, let them be as true as you can
make them. Now,
pray for Lord Nityananda, the founder of Nama Hatta, to guide your thoughts as
you continue!
Growth Evaluation Form
Shraddhavan
____ Step One: BOLO KRISHNA You know the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, why we
chant, how to chant and have set aside some time each day to chant nicely with
concentration.

Sambhanda
____ Step 2: BHAJO KRISHNA You know who Krishna is and accept Him as the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. You understand why He should be worshipped
with devotion.
____ Step 3: You understand you are not this body or mind (based on the
Vedas).
____ Step 4: You accept that you have and eternal relationship to Krishna in
devotional service to Him and desire to reestablish it.
Abidheya
____ Step 5: You understand and accept the nine process of devotional service
as the means to reestablish this relationship.
____ Step 6: You have learned and understand the outline of the growth process
and symptoms as given by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Rupa Goswami in
Nectar of Devotion
Prayojana
____ Step 7: You understand and accept that the ultimate goal of life is to
develop Krishna Prema - Pure Love for Krishna.
_____ Step 8: You have completed the Owners manual and have discern what areas
you need to work on for purification, weeding your garden.
_____ Step 9: KORO KRISHNA SHIKKHA You have understood the importance of daily
reading of Srila Prabhupadas books, and have set aside time for daily quality
reading.

SEVAKA
_____ Step 10: You accept the importance of proper associtation with Krishnas
pure devotees. You understand the basics of Vaisnava [Link] know what
kind of association to avoid.
____ Step 11: You know the six qualities that aid advancement in devotional
service and the six faults that destroy devotional service.
____ Step 12 You understand the importance of controlling the tongue, belly
and genitals.
____ Step 13: You know how to offer your foodstuffs to Krishna ( the mantras
and proceedures for offering)
____ Step 14: You accept the importance of taking only Foodstuffs offered to
Krishna to help you in your spiritual advancement, and are taking only Krishna
Prasadam.
____ Step 15: You have accepted the importance of sharing KC with others to
please Guru and Krishna. You are regularly helping to share KC with favorable
people. You are certified as a Junior Preacher
____ Step 16: You understand and accept that the secret to spiritual success
is to please Guru and Krishna
_____ Step 17:You know the meaning of Dharma, Sanatana Dharma and the reason
why we follow the 4 regulative principles.
_____Step 18: You know how to apply Tilaka to the twelve places on your body
and the mantras to chant as you apply the Tilaka.
_____Step 19: You know the Pancha Tattva Mantra
_____Step 20:You know The Srila Prabhupada Pranama Mantra
_____ Step 21: You know the three levels of devotees, their symptoms and how
to associate with each level of devotee.
_____ Step 22: You know the importance of Simplicity, straightforwardness and
humility in developing pure devotion
_____ Step 23: You are steady in your chanting and reading program. You chant
and read a set amount each day without fail.

Sadhaka
_____ Step 24: You are putting what you read and learn to practical use and
asking for an explanation if you do not completely understand an instruction.
_____ Step 25: You understand and accept the importance of Deity worship and
have set up an altar in your home. You understand the significance of the Arca
Vigraha and how to develop a relationship with Him.

_____ Step 26: You know how to perform basic puja such as a simple arotrika.
_____ Step 27: You know the 7 kinds of Deities and when and where they may be
worshipped
_____ Step 28: You have a daily program of basic sadhana in your home with a
simple morning program
_____ Step 29: You are enthusiastically looking for new benedictions and
blessings each day. You are becoming a Nectar Collector.
______ Step 30: You understand and are practicing the basic principles of
cleanliness as listed in the Sadhaka manual.
______ Step 31: You understand the importance of celebrating Vaisnava
festivals and are steady in observing them.
______ Step 32: You practice Ekadasi by fasting from grains and beans
______ Step 33: You understand the significance of the Brahman muhurta and are
rising early in the morning to perform daily sadhana.
______ Step 34: You are steadily trying to pull any weeds out of your garden
by attentive chanting. You are learning to control your mind by focusing on
your chanting.
______ Step 35: You know the offenses against the Holy Name and are careful to
avoid them.
______ Step 36: You have accepted the responsibility of helping another soul
to remember Krishna, you are certified and acting as a Sponsor
______ Step 37: You are regularly performing some specific devotional service
for the Local Temple or Nama Hatta Sangha.

SRILA PRABHUPADA ASRAYA

_____ Step 38: You know what ISKCON is, its objectives, history and
significance is.
_____ Step 39: You know who Srila Prabhupada is and what his relationship to
ISKCON is.
_____ Step 40: You know who the GBC is and what is their position in ISKCON.
_____ Step 41: You understand the qualifications of a bonafide spiritual
master.
_____ Step 42: You know the position of a bonafide spiritual master and how
he/she is to be worshipped.
_____ Step 43: You know how to approach a bonafide spiritual master, how to
inquire from him/her and how to carry out his/her instructions.
_____ Step 44: You understand the level of commitment required to take
initiation, and the danger of rejecting a bonafide spiritual master or
disobeying him/her.
_____ Step 45: You understand what initiation is and the qualifications of a
bonafide disciple. you understand that the relationship is eternal.
_____ Step 46: You understand the proper etiquette when dealing with the
Spiritual Master or his/her god-brothers and god-sisters.
_____ Step 47: You understand the responsibility of the Guru.
_____ Step 48: You understand the responsibility of the disciple.
_____ Step 49: You accept that one must take initiation in order to make
spiritual advancement.
_____ Step 50: You know how the spiritual master is to be worshipped, how his/her orders are to
be obeyed.
_____ Step 51: You know why the spiritual master is to be worshipped.
_____ Step 52: You understand how the spiritual master is empowered by Krishna thru the
disciplic lineage.
_____ Step 53: You are aware of the circumstances under which a spiritual
master may be rejected.
_____ Step 54: You have accepted the responsibility to become an intern group
leader and completed the required training.

SRI GURU CARANA ASRAYA

______ Step 55: You know how to purify offenses and are quick to do so.
______ Step 56: You are careful not to waste time on frivolous sports,
talking, gossip and other materialistic activities
______ Step 57: You have helped bring favorable people to KC and are certified
as a Senior Preacher
_____ Step 58: You understand the importance of offenseless chanting and how
to attain it.
_____ Step 59: You understand the significance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's
Siksastakam
_____ Step 60: You understand and accept the standards of pure devotion as
given in the sastras and are determined to attain the goal of Love of Krishna
_____ Step 61: You have accepted responsibility for helping spread the
sankirtan movement of Lord Caitanya and have accepted His order to spread this
Krishna Consciousness movement everywhere.
_____ Step 62: You have accepted the responsibility to become a group leader
and completed the required training.
______ Step 63: You are careful to respect all living entities as you can
accept that Paramatma is in their hearts.
______ Step 64: You know what the Mad elephant offense is and are careful to
avoid offenses to pure devotees.