Meeting someone I Wanted To
Two weeks ago I was in Portland with my wife. We had gone to a used bookstore and picked up Volumes 2 and 5 of the Letters of Srila Prabhupada series (very rare — 500 of each printed) and a Search for Liberation. The Search for Liberation is the earlier version of Chant and Be Happy, but with John Lennon's picture instead of George Harrison's. We don't live in Portland, so we had to go to a vegetarian restaurant to eat. We found a place, and when we sat down I noticed that the man next to me looked like Billy Corgin from the band Smashing Pumpkins. In fact, it was him.
About seven years ago, I read a story on this book distribution forum about a bhakta distributing books in Los Angeles at a Smashing Pumpkins show. He was warned about the security, and actually he was asked by the security to accompany them. He thought he was being busted, but instead he was led backstage and asked by the band if he had some books for sale. He did the transaction with them and then was led outside by the security to do as he pleased. I always wanted to thank Billy and the crew for that.
I brought this up to him after they ate, and he said that he remembered it somewhat vaguely. I asked him if he chanted or chants, and he said no. He was a Catholic, and he told me some things about his upbringing in the church. I gave him the Search for Liberation, as it seemed fitting for him to read a conversation between a rock star and Srila Prabhupada. It was nice to have that book on hand because I almost did not buy it, but my wife, Mirtza, told me I should. Best to her.
Jaya Jagannatha!
Your Servant,
Jnana Caksus Dasa
