The Heart of Teacher Training at ISKCON Mayapur Institute
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Beyond Public Speaking Skills
When you think of ISKCON teacher training, you might picture lessons on how to structure a lecture or project your voice and sure, those practical skills are part of it. But the heart of the training, the part that truly defines the program here in Mayapur, goes much, much deeper. It’s about the internal preparation. It’s about learning how to not just speak the words of the sastra, but to allow them to flow through a heart that is being purified by the process itself. The focus is on cultivating humility, on understanding that you are not the originator of the knowledge but a transparent channel through which it can be shared. This is a core principle of the spiritual education offered here; it’s about embodying the teachings in your own life first, so that whatever you share with others comes from a place of authenticity and lived experience, not just intellectual repetition.
The Art of Compassionate Transmission
The training environment is incredibly supportive, but it’s also honest. You’re given opportunities to speak, to lead discussions, and then you receive feedback that is both constructive and compassionate, aimed at nurturing your unique voice rather than forcing you into a single mold. The facilitators constantly remind us that teaching bhakti is an act of service, of seva, and that your success isn’t measured by applause but by the sincerity of your offering and your ability to connect with the hearts of your listeners. They emphasize the importance of listening, of being able to perceive the real questions and struggles behind a student’s words. This kind of bhakti training transforms the role of a teacher from a mere instructor into a caring guide. You leave the program not just with a set of skills, but with a profound sense of responsibility and a deeper, more personal commitment to your own spiritual practice, because you understand that it’s the foundation from which you can genuinely serve others.
