Are we aware of the problems of individuals coming out of Brahmacarya life into Grhastha?

Should they be supported, guided?

It is without a shadow of a doubt that temple life is the best, but practicality means that a majority will leave and take up household life.

The transition can be difficult especially when it comes to the job market and finding the balance of work commitments and devotional life something that temple/centre living does not trainee individuals for (this I am lead to believe from what individuals have told me).

I have been wondering if there should be a transition time were the individual can remain living in the temple whilst finding a job to support themselves.

My thinking is this that a stable job can be found whilst also practical guidance on balancing this with devotee life in the stable environment of the temple/centre before moving into a home and fully supporting themselves.

Could this be practically done? I am unsure.

There is some difficulty in finding the correct employment also with some individuals have high expectations based on their position within the temple or who are unclear as to what they want to do. Several have asked me on advice in taking up nursing or health cares jobs, some however I would say are unsuitable lacking key skills to work in this area.

One individual was concerned about the hours I work is this to be expected? Quick check my diary over the month to see what I had worked only 36-hours per week that’s pretty normal unless you opt to work part time. But again a balance has to be found in maintaining self and devotional life, this is not easy and advice and assistance should be readily available.

OK my next thought is controversial but let’s not steer away from it some devotees have much needed skills and their loss too the temple/centre will have a huge impact so if possible could they be employed?; After all in some instances they are already being paid so the idea of payment for service is already their.

One centre has a lovely restaurant with several paid posts filled by non-devotees; (I am very sceptical of this unless you can make them into devotees) if we are going to employ at least employ devotees or those who are making inroads onto devotional life; an ideal paid work within a familiar environment surrounded by devotees could life get any better than this?

As to the level of payment then this should be realistic to maintain the individual whilst not putting a strain on the temple/centre finances and more to the point an undertaking to do unpaid work should also be required; I am aware of individuals being paid by temples who refuse to do any thing for the temple once they have completed their paid hours (not a healthy attitude to have); after all we need to have a service mentality this will help maintain and develop the service mentality. No devotional service no employment within ISKCON! (Whoops have I made myself unpopular?).

As to property and ownership, if you wish as part of Grhastha
life
to own a house this should not be paid for either directly or indirectly by the temple/centre (if I’m going to be unpopular let’s go for it) under these circumstances they should be held either entirely or partly by ISKCON. If we wish to be a homeowner then in my humble opinion this should be seen outside of simple maintenance (after all the guidance is that the temples are to maintain the individual) and so employment or funding outside of the temple/center should be sought a personal thought.

Either way I feel that some consideration should be given as to help each individual who has served the temple/centre so nicely move from one ashram to another; with compassion and understanding guided each step of the way.