Bhakti Step Program

Sraddhavan is the first of the Bhakti Steps levels, but it is a momentous step in your spiritual life. This step indicates you have reached a level of internal faith that motivates you to pursue bhakti in a systematic way. To enter this level there are some minimal standards and requirements listed below: 

Japa 

• 1 round of Mahamantra japa every day (preferably in the mornings). 

Courses 

• Self-knowledge - the spiritual soul 
• 7 day Chanting Workshop  

Svadhyaya 

• Reading Bhakti literature. 

• "Journey to Self-Knowledge" 

• Viewing: 

• "Hare Krishna, the mantra, the movement and the Swami who started it all".  

Sanga 

• Attend at least 4 Explorer group meetings 
• Enroll in a Sraddhavan Group 

Seva 

• Enroll as a Chant Now Seva Member with a contribution. You may also obtain Seva Membership through the Seva Points system  

Coaching 

• Have at least one personal coaching session with your chosen coach 

Gaura Sevak is the next level in Bhakti Steps. In this stage you will have come to a point where your experience in bhakti and your study of bhakti philosophy has convinced you to personally commit to the path of Krishna consciousness under the guidance of Srila Prabhupada. In other words you want to be a bhakti-yogi  

To progress to this level, you simply increase your devotional practices and adopt at least the most essential of the regulative principles of bhakti yoga. You are also required to take some additional courses and attend a minimum number of meetings as described here. 

Japa 

• 4 rounds of japa mala every day (preferably in the mornings). 

Sankalpa 

• Ahimsa - non-violence – no eating meat, eggs and fish.  
• Pana – Abstaining from drugs and alcohol 

Courses: 

• Introduction to the Vedas  
• Karma 
• Mantra meditation – Wisdom and Practice 
• Your Chanting Sadhana 

Svadhyaya 

• Reading Bhakti literature.  

• Two small books from the recommended list 

Sanga 

• Attend at least 4 Sraddhavan group meetings 
• Enroll in a Gaura Sevak Group 

Seva 

• Enroll in a volunteering program under the guidance of your Bhakti Steps coach 

As you progress in Bhakti Yoga you will come to a point where you are ready to fully dedicate yourself to the path of Krishna consciousness and the core sadhana (practices) recommended for all committed sadhakas.  

Japa 

• At least 8 rounds of japa mala every day (Preferably in the mornings). 

Sankalpa 

• Santosa: no gambling 
• Eating only food first offered to Krishna 
• Observance of the ekadasi vow 

Svadhyaya  

• The Bhagavad Gita As It Is  
• The Science of Self-Realization 
• Nectar of Instruction 

Courses: 

• Bhagavad Gita – Directed Reading 
• Sadhana course 
• Growing Bhakti Course 

Sanga 

• Attend at least 4 Gaura Sevak meetings 
• Enroll in a Gaura Sadhak Group 

Archana  

• Set up a home altar 
• Learn how to perform a basic arati ritual and incorporate this into your daily practice 
• Learn the prayers and songs used for offering food, and performing other rituals 
• [All of this is taught in the Sadhana course] 

Seva 

• Increase volunteer service with guidance from your Bhakti Steps coach 

After practicing at the level of a Gaura Sadhaka for some time the experience of bhakti and the study of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings will inspire you to fully adopt the practices and commitments of a dedicated shiksa (student)  disciple of Srila Prabhupada and commit your life to this path. At this point once coming to the standards listed here you have entered the stage of full shelter of Srila Prabhupada as your shiksha guru. This stage is called Srila Prabhupada Ashraya  

Japa 

• At least 16 rounds of japa mala every day (preferably in the mornings). 

Sankalpa 

• In addition to drugs and alcohol, to abstain from all forms of stimulants including caffeine (coffee, tea etc.), and nicotine (tobacco, vaping, etc.) 

Svadhyaya  

• Srimad Bhagavatam – 1^st canto 
• Sri Isopanisad 
• Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita 

Courses: 

• Growing Bhakti Course – Level 2 

Sanga 

• Attend at least 4 Gaura Sadhaka meetings 
• Enroll in a Prabhupadanuga Group 
• Attend Srimad Bhagavatam class at least once a week 

Archana  

• Rise early and perform a daily morning program including some participation in arati or puja 

Seva 

• Regularly engage in responsible service in sharing bhakti with others 

To complete one’s entrance into the lifetime of bhakti yoga, one requires a formal link to the sampradaya and to come under the full shelter of an advanced devotee by accepting diksa (Vaishnava initiation) along with the vows of a disciple. The beginning of this process is to prepare yourself for initiation by going deeply into the philosophy and principles of guru disciple relationships. This then prepares you to identify a devotee with whom you desire such an eternal spiritual relationship and begin the process of developing that relationship. 

The Bhakti steps program Includes courses and personal coaching to help you reach the level of being qualified for receiving initiation once you have established your chosen guru relationship. 

After this it is a highly personal process and may take many months or even many years until you feel you’ve come to the confidence of accepting another devotee as your Initiating guru. 

The core requirement to enter this level is to have practiced at the level of Srila Prabhupada Asraya for at least 6 months. Other requirements are: 

Courses 

• ISKCON Guru Disciple Course 

Other 

• Pass the Diksa Adhikara Examination 
• Receive recommendation letter from the relevant ISKCON authority 

Completing this level is not initiation itself but simply the prerequisite qualifications for accepting initiation in ISKCON.  

This is the level at which you have gone through all previous levels and have identified a particular devotee from whom you wish to receive diksa and become a fully initiated disciple in the Gaudiya Sampradaya. This level is awarded once your mentor is satisfied that the individual you want to be your initiating guru is willing to accept you for the initial mutual examination period recommended in shastra.

After completing the Bhakti Steps program, one may accept formal initiation. This level is or those devotees as well as others who enter the Chant Now community already initiated.

This level is for the devotees in Chant Now who are teachers of bhakti