Sound
I was in Taradale and stopped a mellow looking man who did a bit of yoga. I introduced Bhagavad Gita which he said he had "already got from some really nice guys up in Auckland". I showed him Srimad Bhagavatam, which he pulled out the last of his change for. As he handed me the coins, I asked how Bhagavad Gita was going. He said he hadn't started it yet because he was reading this "wonderful book by Eckhart Tole". He said he was trying to give up smoking which he'd done for ten days giving credit to this "amazing author", who "teaches how to get above the mind". I took it as a perfect opportunity to explain the nature of the mind and senses according to Bhagavad Gita. The conversation lead into sound meditation. He was responsive and agreeable.
At that moment I remembered that I had put a meditation kit (which includes Chant & Be Happy, a set of japa beads, mantra card and incense) into my book box "just in case" that morning. Feeling inspired, I asked if he wanted to try out some Bhakti-style meditation. He was keen, so we sat on the street bench and looked through the kit. He said he was familiar with the Hare Krishna mantra from hearing it sung on the streets of Auckland. He asked how much it was, but only had a couple more dollars in his pocket and no money card. Remembering his initial enthusiasm toward the Eckhart Tole book and since he hadn't started reading Bhagavad Gita yet, plus his new intrigue with sound meditation, I deeply felt as though the meditation would be something he may actually try out, so I made a deal. "How about you take this kit instead of the book (Srimad Bhagavatam) but with the promise that you'll chant one round each morning for the next week over any other meditation, as well as reading 20 minutes of Bhagavad Gita". He seemed grateful by the exchange and agreed to try it out.
Your servant,
Ananda-candra dd,
New Zealand
