In ISKCON, a spiritual guide (guru or mentor) is considered essential for navigating the path back to Godhead, by providing authorized knowledge, and training in performing devotional service (bhakti-yoga).
Some of the key reasons for accepting a Spiritual Guide as envisaged in ISKCON are:
- The need for Authorized Knowledge: Spiritual knowledge is received through disciplic succession, from master to student. For example, you need to go to medical school and study under qualified doctors to become a doctor yourself. A spiritual guide transmits authentic teachings ‘as they are’, ensuring continuity in the passing on of spiritual knowledge from generation to generation of disciples.
- Overcoming Material Conditioning: A guide helps a student control their senses, mind, and intellect, enabling them to focus on spiritual practice.
- Guidance on the Path: A spiritual guide helps us by providing inspiration, correction and further instruction as we progress on the path.
- Directing us to Krishna: A bona fide spiritual guide in the ISKCON tradition, following in the example of our founder Srila Prabhupada, always directs the student to Krishna (God), rather than to themselves.
ISKCON offers many opportunities for the association of Spiritual Masters, many of whom visit the Cape Town temple from time to time. These visits are great opportunities to begin a relationship as a potential disciple. Until such time, however, newcomers are encouraged to accept Srila Prabhupada as their spiritual master.
We are also fortunate to have a resident initiating Spiritual Master here in Cape Town. His Grace Medhavi Prabhu was the original temple president when the temple was founded in 1987 and has been accepting disciples since.
We are also fortunate to have a resident initiating Spiritual Master here in Cape Town. His Grace Medhavi Prabhu was the original temple president when the temple was founded in 1987 and has been accepting disciples since.
