Monday Morning Greetings 2025 #17 – The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Preachers Part III
Dhanurdhara Swami April 21st, 2025
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Preachers Part III[1]
4. Is Pro-active
Intelligent leaders don’t just react to problems. They understand the problems that may arise in the future and make the appropriate adjustments to prevent them before they arise. In the talk I gave to a gathering of almost eighty “preachers,” I noticed that the audience was at least two-thirds women. I pointed that out and asked, “Don’t you see the problems that will arise in establishing a community if there is such gender disparity in it?” I think the answer was obvious. After my talk one of the teachers belonging to a Bhagavad-gītā university asked my blessings to start a Gītā class just for men. It seems their leader, being pro-active, had already understood the problem. An effective preacher must be pro-active for even today’s success may be tomorrow’s challenge as the world and how people understand things rapidly change.
5. Gives Vrindavan
Good experiences create our objectives or goals. We therefore initially develop faith in the goal of bhakti by a sublime devotional or “religious” experience. To move forward in bhakti with determination, however, especially during life challenges and the doubts that may arise, it is essential that such powerful experiences be renewed. I think that is why Śrīla Prabhupāda established centers in Mayapur and Vrindavan. It is in those places, in my experience, that pilgrims can most readily have the sublime devotional experiences that can deepen and renew their faith. A leader on the path of devotion must be expert in giving Vrindavan. If visiting Vrindavan is not possible, leading deep devotional retreats can also renew our faith, especially if they are based on the teachings, stories, songs and prayers of our lineage, which are based on Vrindavan.
6. Imbibes and teaches the culture of bhakti
I like the following definition of culture, “an environment that is organized to give impressions in consciousness to effectively relate, learn and communicate.”[2] Culture is thus essential on the path of bhakti. Without understanding how to relate appropriately to other Vaiṣṇavas, including elders who should receive natural respect, it is not only hard to learn and develop a sense of community, but more importantly it is difficult to avoid misunderstanding and offense. It is the duty of preachers to embody and teach how to properly relate, communicate and learn. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta is a guidebook for such behavior.
7. Empowers the Next Generation
The main way devotional movements expand is through families that inspire their children to naturally follow their path. Often spiritual movements become enthusiastic about new people but lose focus on inspiring their children in bhakti. They fail to create the appropriate environment and programs for children to grow in devotion. A successful leader never loses sight of the importance of serving the needs of the families within their tradition in a way that ensures that the tradition’s teachings are carried forward by generations of devotees and not just new converts.
[1] I can’t claim that these are “the” seven habits of highly effective preachers. I was asked to share my realization to a gathering of devotees dedicated to teaching and sharing bhakti. They already had many seminars on the subject. These are what I thought I could add to the gathering by my experience.
[2] I found that definition of culture in my notes, but it wasn’t cited, and I don’t remember where I got it.
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