Spiritual Life Is Difficult, but Material Life Is Impossible
by Madhumangala Dasa (South Africa)
One Sunday in Dar es Salaam, Bhakta Deepak suggested we go visit a friend of his who was a top executive at Pepsi Cola. "Maybe we could interest him in Prabhupada's books," Deepak said. "I preached to him before, but had no luck. Maybe you'll do better."
When we arrived the executive invited us into his apartment as Deepak introduced me to him and his wife and daughter. When he mentioned that he was from Bengal, we began to discuss Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. At one point he began to ask me many challenging questions, such as why I took to Krsna consciousness. I prayed to Guru and Gauranga to inspire me to say something that would help him understand the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
After some time he asked, "Why have you come here to see me? Do you want to sell me some books?"
Of course, that was my prime objective, but the Supersoul inspired me not to tell him that right at this point. "No," I replied, "I like meeting new people and learning from them. Deepak told me that you're a very interesting person, and I was especially keen to meet you when he told me you're from West Bengal."
With that his challenging mood simmered down. "You know," he said, "I've tried chanting the mantra and attending meetings with devotees, but I didn't get much out of it."
"Well," I replied, "Krsna consciousness is about getting a higher taste. You have to be patient and let the higher taste develop. Sure spiritual life can be a little difficult, but material life is impossible. The only way to get that higher taste is to stick with the chanting of the maha-mantra. You need to try the chanting again."
He looked at me thoughtfully for a moment and said, "I really like what you said that spiritual life is difficult but material life is impossible." Then to my utter amazement, by the mercy of Guru and Gauranga he said, "Let me have a look at your books." He purchased one and then asked, "Can we have some kirtan?" Then he and his family joyfully chanted the maha-mantra with me and Deepak for a few minutes. As we were leaving he said, "Thank you for coming. Whenever you're in the area, don't hesitate to drop by."
For those who are preaching in the service of Srila Prabhupada's book distribution mission, spreading the glories of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtan movement, the greatest reward is to see the many special spirit souls who hear about the glories of the holy name of the Lord, take books, and have their lives transformed as they take their first steps on the path back home, back to Godhead. Srila Prabhupada ki jay!
