Making Bhakti Matter
Join us for a virtual workshop series to explore a cutting-edge approach to Krishna Conscious education
Do you ever wonder why so many of our youth feel disconnected in Krishna Consciousness?
We did! As second generation ourselves, we spent the last decade investigating our own stories and the stories of a number of other second generation devotees, through surveys, interviews and observation, in search for the answer to this question.
We want to share what we have discovered! Over several virtual workshops we will share our findings and present a solution framework that can help invigorate educational practices and successfully inspire today's Krishna Conscious youth.
Why join us?
Our children and youth are ISKCON's future. Creating inspiring educational experiences will be paramount in creating an empowered next generation of spiritual leaders.
Educators need sanga! This community can create a space where we can learn and grow from each other. This space will provide the opportunity for educators to collaborate with peers, test and reflect on innovative educational practices.
Who is this community for?
Any educator or facilitator of Krishna Conscious education/sangas for children and/or youth willing to commit to the workshop series. Parents of children/youth also welcome to attend our workshops as much education occurs at home! Graduates will have access to join a bimonthly sanga of fellow like-minded KC Educators.
About the Facilitators
Gopika-kanta dasi, a disciple of HH Indradyumna Swami, is a second generation devotee passionate about spiritual education for youth, particularly adolescents. After graduating with a double degree in biology and psychology, Gopika pursued a career in education. She taught in a high needs school for two years after which she graduated from Columbia with a Masters in Curriculum and Teaching. She currently teaches an education course at Rutgers University. For the past decade, Gopika and her husband Aksh have dedicated their lives to facilitating innovative, relevant and engaging spiritual education and discussions for youth in the New Jersey communities. Their life's dream is that all young people will discover their personal and authentic connection to Bhakti and its empowering effect in life.
When will these workshops happen?
Level 1 MBM Workshop Online Via Zoom
October 1st and 2nd
9:30AM-1:00 PM EST
Topics Covered:
Data-driven “Experience Map”
Head, Hearts, Hands Comprehensive Framework
Practical Strategies for Making Bhakti Matter
Workshop Registration Fee-$75
Level 2 MBM Workshop Online Via Zoom
November 19th
9:30 AM-1:00 PM
Topics Covered:
Step-by-step approach to building a lesson
Planning Template
Access to MBM support group and bimonthly meetings
Workshop Registration Fee-$25
**participants must attend Level 1 to qualify for Level 2
**graduates of Level 2 will have access to exclusive ongoing MBM Sanga
Testimonials
“This workshop is a *must* for any educator serving children in ISKCON and highly recommended by ISKCON's Ministry of Education in North America. Having directly worked with youth for more than 10 years, second-generation devotees and with education as their profession, Gopika and Aksh share powerful solutions and specific strategies to ensure that Krishna Consciousness is relevant to lives of your students“ - Gopi Gita dd ,NA ISKCON Ministry of Education
“We love the Making Bhakti Matter framework. It is thoughtful, practical, rooted in sound principles of education, and completely aligned with the essential core of Krishna conscious philosophy. Being introduced to the MBM paradigm has been a game-changer for us. It confirms and validates experiences we have had but previously did not have precise language for. At the same time, it has helped us to improve and grow in our service, inspiring us to approach teaching with more intentionality and clarity. We highly recommend MBM to anyone interested in helping younger devotees to discover their own dynamic relationship with Krishna” - Venkata Bhatta das and Krsangi dd, Assistant Dean @ Princeton University and Princeton Elementary School Teacher
“The concepts the MBM Workshop touches on are revolutionary to the way we approach spiritual teaching in ISKCON. I not only walked away with so many tools on how to teach, but the workshops shifted my perspective on how to think dynamically and go more deeply into my service. “ – Nirali Mull, Sunday School Teacher @ ISKCON of Central New Jersey