Increased youth interest in Gita
Today on sankirtana, on three occasions, students came to my table and looked at the Bhagavad-Gita and flatly interrupted me while I was trying to show it to someone else, saying, "I want this. How much is it?" This has happened before, but three times in one day is a charm. The kids I talk to nowadays are concerned about global warming and terrorism. They do not have the same assurance of the somewhat predictable world that we grew up in. College hatha-yoga classes are offered, always with a strong emphasis on relief from stress. I feel confident in saying that there should be a devotee at a book table on every campus in America. Today, one determined student rode his skateboard all the way home to get $6 in quarters from his grandmother's coin jar and bring it back to take a Gita.
One girl came to the table and took a book and gave a small donation. Then she asked, "Could you explain to me what meditation is?" I said that we do mantra meditation. I showed her my japa beads. She had impersonal notions, so I told her that it is recommended in these books to meditate on the Lord's lotus feet; out of respect and humility we keep the Lord's feet in our hearts. She was a simple girl. She said, "O my God, I am getting goose bumps hearing this!"
One boy showed me all of his nine dollars in his wallet in order to buy a Gita, but then he kept four to buy a hamburger.
I warned him, "You know, eating meat is not good for yoga practice. You don't have to be a vegetarian to read this book, but we are vegetarians." His response was, "You have got to be kidding me!" He ran off to get the hamburger. About twenty minutes later he came back and said, "You have got to explain this to me! Why are you vegetarian?" It was as if he had never heard of such a thing. We talked for ten minutes or so.
By meeting young people and giving them their first glimpse of spiritual life, we are doing the best service for them, for every living being, for the future of the planet, and especially for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to the generous preaching management of New Dwaraka Dhama!
Your servant,
Karuna Dharini dd
