Book Distribution in Iceland
Two weeks in Iceland
One day I was distributing in the city of Reykjavik and I approached a man on bicycle who looked a little drunk or poor D like that …it turned out that he was really interested. He asked, "How much?" I said, "Just give something as a donation to the monks." He found nothing, but immediately he was thinking what to give me instead, he took a silver ring from his finger and gave it to me….I was satisfied. It was the most valuable thing he had D so we happily exchanged some words. Then he looked serious and said, "Give me the ring back." I did. Then he gave me a gold ring instead. I looked at the ring, I smiled and said, "But this looks like a marriage ring, it' not your marriage ring is it? He smiled back, and said, "No." and soon we wished each other well.
As I was standing in front of a supermarket the distribution was really slow D a test for patience.
Approaching all the matajis with, "Excuse me madame, do you speak Icelandic?, I stopped an elderly woman. Showing her the book and explaining a little bit, she showed interest in meditation. But a little reluctant she asked: "Is this about bhakti-yoga?" When I said, "Yes it's all about bhakti-yoga. Her face lit up and she said, "Once in a time of depression I had a dream I was standing in a wash saloon and a saintly or divine person said, "You should try Bhakti-Yoga." She was so happy to have a book about bhakti yoga. I explained to her shortly about the context of the book along with how to chant the maha-mantra.
Then she said, "You know I never come to this supermarket, fate was in my favor today." She then asked about a home altar and the whole situation was spiritually so enlivening. We laughed together a lot, she thanked me and then we happily departed.
Although I'm more inclined to spots with more life than what I experienced in my days in Iceland, not many people. It was these magic moments that kept me going.
The same day a group of three young man came (one looked like this ruff Nordic metal-fans and the others like typically computer-freaks) and as I approached them they spontaneously were interested and very friendly. It turned out that they are brothers and one gave me 2500kr (15euro) and the look alike metal fan gave me 5000kr (30euro) for the easy journey and they gave me one book back saying: "We always share books so we only need two." Very nice guys, they wished me good luck and went away. Amazing how the exterior appearance is just an unimportant side factor!
Special thanks to Nikilananda prabhu who makes arrangements to deliver the Icelandic people through Prabhupadas books and to all the devotees out there. Please bless us with more service to the Vaishnavas.
Dvarakadisha Dasa, ISKCON Leipzig
Ananda Tirtha Dasa, ISKCON Berlin
