Last weekend I watched a demo about a new educational project called ‘Bhagavat Life’. The project, under development for the past year, is a virtual school where expert devotees will lead classes, seminars and workshops online. The presentation was inspiring! I thought the devotees, Purusha Sukta Dasa and Divyambara Dasi, have so far done a good job! So congrats to them for their worthwhile endeavor! I hope this project is successful!
While participating in the demo I learned that one of the area of study is social/spiritual development. Course titles in this area are usually something like, “How to raise a Krishna Conscious family”, or “How to work in the world and not fall into it”. Basically, how to do material things as a spiritualist. I appreciate this sentiment, and I see ISKCON develop projects like the Grihasta Ministry and the Ministry of Health, but honestly I think social/spiritual development is mostly wasted effort.
While participating in the demo I learned that one of the area of study is social/spiritual development. Course titles in this area are usually something like, “How to raise a Krishna Conscious family”, or “How to work in the world and not fall into it”. Basically, how to do material things as a spiritualist. I appreciate this sentiment, and I see ISKCON develop projects like the Grihasta Ministry and the Ministry of Health, but honestly I think social/spiritual development is mostly wasted effort.
Why?
If we stand back and view the actions of a person, the source of their motivation is desire. Through our senses we receive information, stimulation and pain. By combining these three together we develop desire:
“I want to look like a rock-star”
“I want to eat something tasty”
“I want to avoid that crazy looking dog”
Through these desires, action develops. Action is made up of known skills and adaptation.
“I want to look like a rock-star”
“I want to eat something tasty”
“I want to avoid that crazy looking dog”
Through these desires, action develops. Action is made up of known skills and adaptation.
In this example Jim has a desire to look like a rock-star.
Jim thinks, “Because I want to look like a rock-star then I will buy clothing that rock-stars wear." Jim goes to a hip clothing store and buys an outfit. Jim again contemplates his new look, "Now that I have rock-star clothes on, I still don’t really look like a rock-star, I 
think I need to have an attitude to match." Jim watches MTV and notes rock-star character traits. A few weeks later Jim catches an image of himself in a store window and thinks, "As I walk around the mall with my new attitude and clothing I really look like a rock star. Mission accomplished!”
As we see from the above real world example, desire will utilize adaptation and mundane skills to produce results. How Jim fullfilled his dream is the easy part. Why Jim wanted to look like a rock-star is what motivated his actions in the first place. If leaders and educators wish to direct student toward ideal actions then they must work more on the whys then on the how-tos. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. But if a horse is really thirsty he will figure out how to get to the water by himself. Showing him where water is is helpful, but leading him is not necessary, his desire will get him there. If I show you how to quit smoking that will be helpful. But If I explain why you should quit smoking and you have developed a strong enough desire to do so, the how part will come on its own.
This is not a criticism of current projects, its just a different point of view on the way to achive their goals.
think I need to have an attitude to match." Jim watches MTV and notes rock-star character traits. A few weeks later Jim catches an image of himself in a store window and thinks, "As I walk around the mall with my new attitude and clothing I really look like a rock star. Mission accomplished!”As we see from the above real world example, desire will utilize adaptation and mundane skills to produce results. How Jim fullfilled his dream is the easy part. Why Jim wanted to look like a rock-star is what motivated his actions in the first place. If leaders and educators wish to direct student toward ideal actions then they must work more on the whys then on the how-tos. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. But if a horse is really thirsty he will figure out how to get to the water by himself. Showing him where water is is helpful, but leading him is not necessary, his desire will get him there. If I show you how to quit smoking that will be helpful. But If I explain why you should quit smoking and you have developed a strong enough desire to do so, the how part will come on its own.
This is not a criticism of current projects, its just a different point of view on the way to achive their goals.
