BHAKTI WOMANHOOD AND HOME MAKING Session 1: Introduction
Based on the Teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada
Today s Discussion: Introduction to Bhakti Women www.bhaktiwomen.org Seminar: Purpose, Audience and Principles Basis: Bhakti Yoga Our Relationship With Krishna Srila Prabhupada s teachings Narada Muni s Instructions for Society, Men and Women What about training for men? Barriers to a Woman s Pure Service Topics that will be covered in this seminar
The Bhakti Women Project Care For The Whole Person Inspire Empower Point of Connection with Lord Krishna Vehicles Women s Circles ( Sakhi Sangas) Website Youtube Create Association for Women Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Care Work Shops and Tools, Creative Arts
The Bhakti Women Project
Bhakti Womanhood & Home Making Purpose Provide a scriptural and scientific basis for the importance of the various aspects of home making Enable women to develop in themselves a strong vision for their own home environments. Audience Women of All Ages, Cultures, Statuses- ( Working, Home Makers, Single) Principles Open Mindedness From Acceptance Comes Transformation To be of greater service to Krishna I will work only on myself without the expectation that men will change
Basis: Reviving Our Lost Relationship With Krishna We are Eternal Spirit Souls different from the Body Part and Parcels of the Supreme Lord whom we know as Lord Krishna the all attractive one We have an eternal relationship with Him
Basis: Reviving Our Lost Relationship With Krishna We have an eternal relationship with Him We chose to leave His association and enter into this material world to enjoy separately from Him.
Basis: Reviving Our Relationship With Krishna Because of our many desires to enjoy separately from Krishna, our relationship with him is in a dormant stage In spite of trying to have many different ways to enjoy we feel lonely, empty and unhappy Our Actual nature as spirit soul is to always be in bliss
Basis: Reviving Our Lost Relationship With Krishna All the Rules and Regulations of Bhakti Yoga is to rekindle our lost loving relationship with Krishna Processes of Chanting the Holy Names of Lord Krishna, serving Him and spreading His word are some of the methods to revive our loving connection
Basis: Our Relationship With Krishna Direct activities to reconnect ( Spiritual Dharma) Chanting the Holy Names, Reading Spiritual Books, Diet of Sanctified Food Friendship with like minded Devotees Loving Service to Krishna Duties Related to the Body Proper Care of Body, Mind, Society and Spirit needed to attain the Higher Bliss of Serving Krishna Krishna has given a System for that Varnashrama Dharma
Basis: Our Relationship With Krishna Bhakti Vinoda Thakur s Quotes on Varnashrama Dharma Caitanya siksamrita "Though a person situated in the world may accept spiritual dharma, he does not give up the rules of mundane dharma, for the rules of varnasrama still assist him in supporting his body, mind and social environment. Being comfortable as a result of proper body, mind and surroundings, he is able to attain the eternal bliss of worshipping the Lord."
Basis: Our Relationship With Krishna Bhakti Vinoda Thakur s Quotes on Varnashrama Dharma Caitanya Siksamrita 249 " First, it should be said that without taking proper care of body, mind, society and spirit, a person cannot perform the more elevated activities of bhakti. How can the seed of devotion, faith, awaken in the heart if a person dies prematurely, develops mental problems and never learns anything about spirit? And if a person gives up the rules of varnasrama and acts as he pleases, his physical and mental actions will be like those of a madman. He will be engaged in the worst sins. No sign of bhakti will be visible."
What is the reason behind a Seminar on Home Making?
When the Mind becomes peaceful, the heart becomes a suitable place for the Lord to Reside What is the reason behind a Seminar on Home Making?
What About Training For Men?
Narada Muni s Instructions on Varnashrama Dharma Society, Duties for Men and Women. - Srimad Bhagavatam 7 th Canto
Elements of Narada Muni s Instructions for Women Home Duties Behavior Service towards Family Service towards Society Spirituality
Elements of Narada Muni s Instructions for Women Home Duties Service towards Society Behavior Spirituality Service towards Family Similar Across World Cultures and Religions! At one level it defines duties for women. At another level it cuts across gender barriers. Cuts across Gender Barriers, there is a deeper parallel here- how a pure soul related to the Lord Submissive, Pure.
Barriers to a Woman s Pure Service Social Environment Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness Cruelty By Abuse of Rules Working Women, Many Pressures Lack of Examples Monetary Worth valued over Dharma
Seminar Topics Varnashrama Society, Duties for Mena and Women Self Care for a Woman Woman- Navigator for Family Spirituality System, Order, Regulation Prasadam Science (Sanctified Food) Home Arts Life Span Development and Child Raising Family and Community Relationships Support for Dependents Impossible without a woman
Thank You Next Session Varnashrama Dharma Understanding of the Enjoyer(Purusha) and the Enjoyed(Prakriti) Understanding how duties defined according to our psychophysical nature s help us perfect ourselves A Woman s Powerful Role References : Srila Prabhupada s Purports for the SB 7 th Canto Srila Prabhupada s Purports from the Bhagavad Gita HG Kaustabha Prabhu s Lecture: Seeing Dharma in Action and Result HG Caitanya Carana Prabhu s Lecture: Can Women Do Job