Disappointment Gives Rise To The Highest Pleasure & “This is My Request”
Once I was distributing books at Chicago's O'Hare airport. A young, adventurous couple was carrying huge backpacks, and they kept running back and forth to the ticket counter. It turns out they had missed their international flight; their long-awaited vacation now appeared to be totally cancelled. Agonizing and trying to comfort each other, they were beyond depressed. I approached them and told them that this book explains how to find all the happiness we're looking for *within,* beyond the ups and downs of this world. The lady was extremely grateful, and after looking over the book for a few minutes on a bench, she jumped up and handed me a heartfelt donation. With tears in her eyes, she thanked me again and again. This world is nothing but one big disappointment. But their canceled vacation seems to have been the cause for getting a ticket back to Godhead.
Recently, we worked a small American college campus in Wisconsin. I met a nice student, Taylor, who said, “Bhagavad-gita? Sure! I'll take one.” He gave a donation, and then I approached his friend, who was sitting at a table eating lunch. We started talking, and he also took some books. When Taylor returned we talked for half an hour about bhakti, meditation, and Krsna. He was one of the most enthusiastic persons I've ever met. I mentioned that we sometimes do meditation sessions with interested persons, and though he soon had a class to attend, the three of us went to a garden and sat in a triangle to chant japa together. They were inspired after the chanting, and we exchanged contacts. Both of them want to visit a temple sometime.
Taylor then showed me some of his artwork on display in the university museum. It included a beautiful rendering of Srila Prabhupada. He had once met devotees in California, but had not bought any books. He didn't know much about Srila Prabhupada, but now he's inspired to chant japa and read the Gita. I plan to stay in touch with them. Collecting and following up on contacts made during book distribution is essential. One email or phone call can make all the difference in someone's joining our movement.
An inspiring response I get from students or young people from time to time is: “Oooohhhh Bhagavad-gita! I've been *looking* for this. I can't believe this just happened. My God! Thank you so much [hug]. Yessssss.” People are looking for this knowledge, and we have to make it available. Thats our duty, our opportunity, our great fortune and our saving grace.
I was first inspired to start distributing books by reading “This is My Request” — a BBT compilation of Srila Prabhupada's statements on the importance of book distribution. I was living in an ashrama, trying to figure out the best way I could serve Srila Prabhupada. As soon as I read this book, my heart was filled with the desire to one day distribute books. Soon thereafter I overheard a devotee mention that he was going on traveling sankirtan, and I eagerly begged my temple president to let me go with him. Years later, I have been reflecting how this one small book really helped me in my spiritual life. Here in North America, cases of these books are available free, along with orders placed to the BBT. I kept a few cases on hand, not sure of the best way to use them. In recent programs to increase book distribution in our Chicago temple, it dawned on me that distributing these books to our community members, is as, if not more powerful than distributing books to them. Once our community members really understand the importance of book distribution, they'll naturally step forward to help out. So during our last Sunday Feast, we announced we would be handing them out, and as everyone lined up for the feast I was able to pass them out to many long-time members of our community, many of whom did not know about or ever read this book. It was ecstatic. They were thrilled to receive such a nice gift, and the only donation I asked for was that they read it (though many wanted to give a donation anyway – one man gave $100). Distributing these books seems to be a wonderful way to expand book distribution. I gave out about eighty copies. This book is currently available in North America and hopefully in other countries/languages.
Your insignificant servant,
Acarya-nistha Dasa
