Preacher :::: Being a friend to ALL

I went to nagar sankirtan last week & i was trying to distribute books

As usual i felt an unwilling feeling to stop people & show them the book

Thoughts like " This book distribution is so hard ,

will people listen to me ??,

they are so materialistic!!!!

they are not stopping , :(

forget it lets go to dance in kirtan that is simple :-)

I can't Do this ;-) "

But i persisted & tried my best .

Then HG Vaisesika Pr a book distributor for last 35+ yrs was teaching a newcomer how to stop people & distribute books

& i felt lets learn again ................why not ?? lets get some basics to work

He said " Use your Radar !!!! raise your hand & see into their eyes & say """ HI """ """How are you doing today ?"

Now the key here is when we look into their eyes they would respond

but response level is NOT the same of all people

1 --- some would look at you & then shun away

2 --- some would reply & say "Hi" but without a smile

3 --- some would reply & walk by fast thinking you are another salesperson

5 --- respond with a smile

6 --- when u walk to them they would walk to you

So a response of 0-5 has more possibility of book being rejected

but above 5 is excellent condition for book distribution

When i heard this ..... i said lets TRY IT ....

I had made up my mind & gave up my own way of Book distrbution

& took to this advice & opened my eyes

& said to myself " Lets be a friend to these souls "

& a normal smile came upon my face & i said to the first person " HI How are u doing today ??"

& he smiled back & said " Good" & then i walked to him smiling (bcos his response was 5 or 6)

& said " Here is a book for YOU . a book on yoga & meditation""

& then it WORKED ................ i got him take the book

i felt sooooooooooooooo happy ...............

& then i tried to every one who passed by .... some responded with 0-5 level so i did not disturb them but rather looked for another person...

& i could stop & distribute books to 5 people in this way

& lesson & realization i had was .... i felt satisfied with my service.I felt inner happiness .

When we try to distribute books we tend to force upon people, who have no interest ,with the expertise of our philosophical & tactical ways but the result is we are not able to distribute the books & this causes sadness in OUR heart .

rather if we concentrate & put energy on interested people we can have more chances of SUCCESS.

As i was reading Srimad Bhagavatam first canto the same point was expressed .

Srimad bhagavatam is the only thing that can bring revolution in the lives of unfortunate souls.

So why one shud think of HIS own way or idea of Revolutionizing this world

thus Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati said " He who think of reform needs to be reformed first "

Simply because Srimad Bhagavatam which is Krishna himself can only revolutionize the world.

better co-operate with HIM

So ifelt if i follow whole heartedly the ways of book distribution by experienced devotees like
HG Vaisesika Pr i can be a part of that revolution ....

& this is what happened on harinam .......... i felt for the first time satisfied.

2) an elderly person whom i stopped listened patiently to my explanation

& asked me a question " Can you explain in one line what is the purpose of the Book??"

I thought for a moment & said " It is to bring spiritual happiness in our lives"

& then again he asked " In one line can you explain what i am needed to do to really get benefit on this path."

& i thought for a moment & repeated the words of my guru & all acarayas " One needs to be Sincere on this path"

9th Aug 08 Bk dist exp

1) I have always got the association of Chandra Pr in book distribution
what stands most in my dealings with him is when once he walked to some person with a book
& for few minutes he was trying to give him a book but the person didnot take it .
He returned back & i remarked " Oh the book didn't go "
& Chandra pr replied " Atleast he touched the book"
Immediately i was remembered that Prabhupad had said " If anyone touches these books his life will change"
Chandra Pr keeps meditating on such transcendental instructions
& yesterday he said " I want people to stand in line for Srila Prabhupad books like they are standing on the other side
for Sugarcane Juice When will such a Day come ?"

2) Shyam Lila Pr & his good wife Prem Bhakti Mataji were distributing books with great enthusiam
They were humbly aggressive in book distribution & that resulted in many big book been distributed.
---------To be humble & aggressive is an Art of truly compassionate souls only.

3) Vijay Pr has visited many iskcon temples all around the world & he was amazed & inspired to see
ISV enthusiasm & book distribution mood.

4) Some people wanted to see the photos of Our dieties Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan
i think if we carry them(small photo) & display them with books it will be simply a grt benediction for all & for ISV bhaktas also

5) having attended Sfo Rath Yatra & LA rath Yatra i kept thinking when will the day come when San jose Rath Yatra will take
place ? I even selected the route for the rath : HP pavilion to Children discovery musem
Devotees are requested to think how to do it ?
Like Prabhupad said " Why are you waiting ? DO IT !!"

28 June 08 book distribution experience

1) Sri Krishna the son of Chandra Pr distributed 2 books
He felt great happiness by giving the books. The devotee children have great faith in their parents . They sense their parents protection .Just by a small gesture or word they distribute the book with full enthusiasm. I desire to sense the protection of Bhaktivinod thakur & Prabhupad our grandfathers so that i can also distribute the books with great enthusiasm.

2) Sunny moza Prs enthusiasm & friendly nature helped developing good relation with
people of other so-called spiritual organisation who had set up a table next to ours
They felt comfortable & didnot see us as competitors & glorified the prasadam that
is served at Iskcon temple all around the world.