Bhakti Yoga Clubs in Puget Sound area:

To develop devotional service we meet in Bhakti Yoga clubs (also called Bhakti Vriksha) weekly for about 2 to 3 hours to Discuss Bhagavat Gita.  It is very interactive and helps the participants to discuss the Krishna conscious philosophy, develop close friendly relationships with devotees, and progress very happily in Krishna consciousness.  

1) It is an interactive session that helps people retain what they have learnt.

2) Fosters close and lasting spiritual relationships and family feeling with the other devotees.

3) It has the potential to multiply quickly while ensuring good training of devotees.

4) Engages everyone in absorbing devotional service.

5) Leadership skills are learnt and developed by everyone.

6) Helps one to develop true Vaisnava qualities of tolerance, humility, efficiency, selflessness, etc…

There are various levels that one passes through before becoming fully devotional.

Basic

1. He/she is an active devotee in the temple's congregation that is he/she visits the temple as often as possible, does some service in the temple participates and associates with Krishna conscious programs in the temple.
2. He/she chants at least one round of the Hare Krishna Maha mantra every day.
3. He/she reads the teachings of Sri Krishna as given in the books of Srila Prabupada.

Intermediate - In addition to the commitments of Basic:

1. He/she is dedicated to personal improvement in devotional practice and purity by gradually applying the teachings of Srila Prabupada under the guidance of his representatives.
2. He/she accepts that Sri Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
3. He/she shall voluntarily engage in practical devotional service to Lord Krishna.
4. He/she chants a minimum of four rounds of the Hare Krishna maha mantra every day.
5. He/she refrains from eating non-vegetarian food (meat, fish and eggs) and tries to lead a moral life.

Committed - In addition to the commitments of Intermediate:

1. He/she is dedicated to leading a devotional way of life by gradually learning and practicing bhakti-yoga according to the teachings of Srila Prabupada under his representatives.
2. He/she is studying the books of Srila Prabupada and attends the classes.
3. He/she worships Sri Krishna, as far as practical, in the temples, and in the home by setting up an altar, offering arati and foodstuffs, worshipping the sacred Tulasi plant and following basic sadhana like rising early in the morning.
4. He/she chants eight to sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna maha mantra every day.
5. He/she leads a pure holy life by avoiding intoxication (alcoholic drinks), meat-eating, gambling, and extra-marital sex.
6. He/she observes fasting on the Ekadasi and festival days as indicated in the Vaishnava calendar.