Preparation Steps

1. Books: First thing is to always keep some books (in a box or a bag) in your car. You cannot distribute unless you have books. Not having them gives the mind an excuse to dilly-dally and postpone. Having them with you creates a desire to give them out.

What books to carry: Generally there is no set list. Carry whatever is available. However, don't forget to carry some SPANISH books. You'll always run into some Spanish speaking people where ever you go and they are very conducive to taking our books.

Here is a suggested list that we have found has worked for us and a few words to introduce the book:

* Higher Taste:
* Chant and Be Happy:
* Perfection of Yoga:
* Beyond Birth and Death:
* Science of Self Realization:
* Light of the Bhagavata:
* Bhagavad-gita: (English for sure, Spanish, Telugu, Hindi etc depending on the neighborhood)
* Bhagavad-gita Interactive CD:
* Meditacion (Spanish):
* Perfection of Yoga (Spanish):
* Bhagavad-gita (Spanish):

2. Carry Fliers: Carry fliers on basic concepts like soul, chanting, meditation, yoga etc. The fliers should contain info about the temple, directions, local nama-hatta programs etc. Give a flyer whether or not they take a book. If they are not home or don't open the door, put a flier on their door.

3. Site Selection:

* Apartment Vs. Homes: Apartments are better because there are usually 12-16 apartments in a single building which you can cover in _ to 1 hour. Visiting homes requires lot of walking from one home to another and not as productive as apartments.

* Proximity: Find an apartment complex not too far from your house (max. 10-15 driving distance) and in a safe neighborhood. If it's too far or hard to get to or unsafe, then you may loose the inspiration to go there.

* Ethnic and not very upscale: Its better that the apt. complex is not very upscale. It has been our experience that upscale tenants are less likely to open the door or take a book. To best utilize our time and feel encouraged, it's best to start with a complex which is medium scale and has a mixed ethnic crowd. We've found that Spanish speaking people are very pious and almost always take a book.

* What to Avoid: Avoid apartment complexes which are secure and which require a key to enter. If you're distributing during the winter months, avoid apartment buildings which are open. The long corridors create a wind tunnel which makes it hard to move around. Choose closed buildings. Also avoid condominiums and places where there may be a guard or reception at the entrance.

4. Distribution Partner: Pick one or two people who like to distribute books or at least who like to go out with you. Best is one's spouse or someone who can get together quickly and easily. Don't try to organize a big party of devotees to go out with it may take too much time and effort to organize.

5. Fix a Schedule: In the beginning, start with a modest goal, say once every month or every two weeks or every week. Fix a day and time and stick to it. Best not to leave it open ended. Our experience has been that when we take a vow, fix a day (say every Tuesday at 7:00pm) and time, we're able to do it. When we leave it open ended, it doesn't happen so much.

6. How Long to do it: Keep a modest goal. _ hour to 1 hour (including driving time) is a good goal. Keep a goal that will be convenient for you and your family and a goal that you'll be able to keep in the long run. Start small and increase gradually. Main thing is consistency.

7. What to Wear: Wear clean and nice clothes. Be sharp looking. It helps. Some people like to wear Western, some like devotional clothes. It all depends on what you feel comfortable in while talking to strangers. There is no hard and fast rule. You can always wear a tilak to present yourself as a spiritual person.

8. Carry Prasadam: You can give out nicely packaged granola bars or cookies (with neat label listing the ingredients, temple address and the Hare Krishna maha mantra). Do this only if it's feasible for you.