Provides students with
detailed knowledge of the structure of the
Ramayan and the
Mahabharata and the main stories and characters presented therein. It invites
students to consider their theistic ideas, their characters as role
models, their ethical teachings, and the moral dilemmas they explore.
Teacher:
Anuradha Dasi
Acquaints students with a
range of modern interpretations of the
Bhagavada-gitaand the reasons for these divergent
understandings. Aims to allow
students to consider the relevance of these interpretations to the Hindu
tradition today.
Teacher: Anuradha Dasi
Deepens and challenges
the students’ knowledge and understanding of the
Caitanya-caritamrta
by
providing a detailed analysis of its historical context, structure, and
content. The module also aims to nurture a reflective approach to the
message and teachings of the text in light of personal and
institutional practice.
Teacher: Krsna Ksetra Dasa
Topics include:
strategic planning; public speaking; listening skills; devotee
relations; internal communications; media relations and training; and
networking with academics, interfaith people, and government leaders.
Teacher:
Anuttama Dasa
An invitation letter from
Sacinandana Swami:
Dear devotees and friends,
It is with
great happiness that I am inviting you to Bhaktivedanta College Japa
& Kirtan Retreat 2010, which will take place in Radhadesh from
Saturday, May 1 (17 hrs) until Friday morning, May 7, 2010.
The
idea of organizing Japa & Kirtan retreats emerged from a realization
we had during our many Japa retreats. Simply put, we became aware that
the dharma for the Age of Kali is sankirtana: singing the holy names
with devotion, in the association of others. It is primarily through
this process that the realization of Krishna can take place.
Srila
Krishna das Kaviraja Goswami writes:
tattva-vastu-krishna, krishna-bhakti, prema-rupanama-sankirtana-saba
ananda-svarupa"The Absolute Truth is Shri Krishna, and
devotion to Krishna in pure love is achieved through congregational
chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all bliss." (CC Adi
1.96)
Our Vaishnava scriptures contain a wealth
of information on kirtana. When I began to research the subject, I was
overwhelmed by the nectarean information on the proper moods, proper
styles, and proper skills of doing kirtana. My enthusiasm to share all
this information has grown unlimitedly. Now I am dedicating a good part
of my service to research this exiting subject matter even further and
systematically give training in the art of kirtan.
As the
research on kirtan deepened I felt like a spiritual archeologist who had
just found a lost treasure and now wanted to share it with the world.
So I decided to develop the Japa & Kirtan Retreats.
The Japa
& Kirtan retreats will summarize the insights of the Japa retreats
and then go into explaining and doing kirtan. Good kirtan improves japa,
and good japa also brings about improved kirtan. Both of them
complement each other, because they are based on the same thing:
Krishna's most merciful form, the holy name.
The holy name is so
merciful that devotees have even glorified Kali-yuga as the best yuga,
since the yuga-dharma of this age is chanting!
"I am most satisfied
by this particular yuga, Kali-yuga, because the result of all spiritual
processes (meditation, sacrifices, and Deity worship) can be obtained in
Kali-yuga simply by chanting the holy names of Lord Keshava. O great
sages, a small effort in Kali-yuga is the cause of the greatest good
fortune for mankind. No doubt, I am most satisfied by this particular
yuga." (Visnu Purana 6.2.15-17)
I am unlimitedly grateful to
Srila Prabhupada and the previous acharyas of our glorious parampara,
who reveal this deepest knowledge to us. This gratitude will manifest
during the seminar in lectures, workshops, and lila-katha, all focused
on becoming deeply absorbed in the holy name and, of course, in
soul-uplifting kirtanas. These retreats are open to anyone sincerely
interested in practicing Krishna consciousness. I am most
enthusiastic
to receive and serve all of you.
*** Booking ***
The Japa & Kirtan Retreat starts Saturday evening (May 1) at 17
hrs and ends on Friday morning (May 7). A confirmation of your
attendance is required. Please contact the Radhadesh Guesthouse:
or email: <Radhadesh.Guesthouse@pamho.net>.
We
will have the following categories of accommodation in the Radhadesh
Guesthouse,
which include accommodation, prasadam and seminar fee:
1. Shared
room (3 - 5 beds) - € 150
2. Dormitory (for this option own bedding
or sleeping bag is needed) - € 125
These are the price packages
for six days per person (from Saturday, 17 hrs until Friday, 11 hrs).
Extra nights will be charged. This offering is valid until April 1,
2010, one month before the Japa & Kirtan Retreat starts.
Those
who are not staying in the Radhadesh Guesthouse
should register with the College Secretary at +32(0)86323277 or email:
<
College@pamho.net>. Price
only for seminar without prasadam and
accomodation is € 50.
*** Travel ***
When you are in Belgium, how to
travel to Radhadesh?
Radhadesh Guesthouse
Petite Somme 5
6940 SEPTON DURBUY
BELGIUM
0032(0)86.387131
Radhadesh.Guesthouse@pamho.net
*** Taxi service from Airports ***
To reach Radhadesh with devotee taxi you can call Damakartu Dasa at
mobile +32(0)484479680 or email <Damakartu.DG@pamho.net>.
Another driver is Pandu Vijaya Dasa at mobile +32(0)494384171 or
email<KrishnaPandu@hotmail.com>.
*** Prices for pick up ***
Calculated at 0.30
Euro/km:
Brussels International airport - Zaventem - € 70
Brussels South airport - Charleroi - € 55
Luxembourg airport - € 90
Liege train station - € 30
Namur train station - € 30
Marloie train station - € 13
Barvaux train station - € 6
Please remember that there are two airports near Brussels. One is
called
'Brussels International' (Zaventem) and is very close to the city
centre.
The other is called 'Charleroi' *or* 'Brussels South'. Charleroi is a
little
bit closer to Radhadesh. This is to avoid long waits, which can occur
if we
get incorrect information. Give us details of where you want to be
picked up
from. Please give your flight information: flight number, arrival
date,
departure date & airport (or station).
At both airports you can buy a train ticket for € 10.50 which is
valid
for bus from airport to the train station and all trains till Marloie
or
Barvaux.
For more information please contact the College
Secretary:
Tel: +32 (0)86 32-32-77 / E-mail: college@pamho.net
Provides
students
with broad knowledge and an understanding of the main contemporary
social issues in ISKCON in light of contemporary and traditional social
theory. Considers how these issues shape ISKCON’s development.
Teacher:
Braja Bihari Dasa
Compares the
various theories behind moral reasoning that we find in different
cultures. Examine models of ethical thought in terms of their
relevance and practical application to ISKCON, contemporary society,
and traditional Vedic culture.
Teacher: Sesa Dasa
Everyone gets
into conflicts sooner or later in Kali-yuga. There are both practical
and Krishna conscious ways to deal with such situations when they arise.
This course addresses those ways. Furthermore, there are skills
involved in helping others when they are in conflict, and this course
studies those skills. Organizations have learned to deal with conflicts
in a proactive and systematic way. This course shows how religious
organizations in general, and ISKCON in particular, can set up systems
so that there is a smooth and fair process for dealing with conflicts.
Such systems can be a key factor in improving an organization's ethos.
The course studies the theory behind establishing these systems and the
ways to implement the theory.
Teacher: Braja Bihari Dasa
Provides
students with an introduction to modern philosophy and the
basic ideas, methods, and influences of the great philosophers of the
period 1500-1860. It also aims to allow students to reflect on the
impact of historical and philosophical changes in attitudes toward and
understandings of religion.
Teacher: Anupama Dasi
This intensive course is for devotees wishing to organise and
facilitate VTE courses, or who aspire to teach at corresponding levels
of competence. It is highly recommended for devotees pursuing services
within outreach, management and training & education. We focus on
classroom delivery skills, particularly those suited to interactive and
experiential approaches. We also reflect on the values and qualities
required of an effective Krishna conscious teacher. During this second
VTE course, students will:
- Learn how to match teaching styles
and methods to students' talents and preferred learning styles.
-
Practice key skills such as:
- Developing strength, flexibility and
dynamism in voice and body language
- Leading a whole-class
discussion
- Setting up and running group-work
- Making the most
of experiential learning
- Plan and deliver a forty-minute lesson
-
Offer and receive constructive feedback, both qualitative and
quantitative, oral and written, from self, peers and tutors.
-
Experience fun, challenge and transformation
The TTC1 Certificate
is a pre-requisite for this course (unless, and at the discretion of
the VTE, the candidate has professional experience.) We strongly
recommend candidates to get some experience of teaching in between these
two courses. Students will receive a VTE Student Handbook, and
successful candidates a VTE Certificate.
Teacher: Laxmimani Dasi
