Yes, I want to connect! Yes, I want to connect!
At the end of my shift for the evening, I had a hardcover Bhagavad-gita and a "Chant and Be Happy" in my hands. I saw a young man outside a bar with a drink in one hand, a cigarette in the other. He was leaning against the wall, head down, looking dejected and morose. I asked him whether he’d ever tried yoga or meditation, and he said he’d done “hot yoga” (this is an aerobics-style workout in a steaming room).
I said he hadn’t "seen nuthin’" and handed him Bhagavad-gita. He took one look and said he didn’t have any money.
I said, "Fine, at least look. I don’t do this for money. These books help people."
We got talking. I said that this was about connecting with your self and with the Source of everything that exists.
He said, “Yes, yes, yes I want to connect! I want to connect!” and at that moment threw away his cigarette, his drink, and actively started looking through the Bhagavad-gita. He revealed that one of his dear friend’s dad had recently died of lung cancer and that he didn’t want to go that way, but here he was, smoking and drinking. He revealed to me he had a master’s degree, and a prestigious job, but still he wasn’t happy. He didn’t feel fulfilled. He then chanted Hare Krishna with me, walked me to the ATM, where he withdrew some money and gave it to me. He also took "Chant and Be Happy."
Mahabhagavat Dasa
Toronto, Canada
