Today, my friend and I, Mula Karana, were in Chinatown trying to distribute books. The air was very cold and windy - wrapped up in scarf and hat I looked up to the low-looming clouds that were casting greyness all around. To my right and left were people desperately clutching their jackets, squinting their eyes to get any relief from the cold wind. My friend and I spotted the tiniest sliver of sunshine cast on the side of a dirty building and garbage-strewn sidewalk about 500 meters away, and we quickly raced toward it, only to have it fade away by the time we reached it. Ah! A reminder from Krishna - Don't endeavor to make too many material arrangements for comfort...just do what you came here to do." Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a group of friends getting out of their parked car, undoubtedly preparing for a social outing in the area. I excitedly walked up to them, and asked if any of them had ever tried yoga or meditation before. None of them paid me much notice, although they were polite enough. As they were walking away, suddenly one of the members said hesitantly, 'yes I've tried meditation before.' As we walked, I quickly whipped out Hiding in Unnatural Happiness and it was in his hands before he knew it. He looked at the book curiously. I explained to him that this book described the recommended method for meditating in this age, for an urban setting - using sound vibration. He was a fan of the power of music, so I had his attention. I flipped the book on the back and showed him my Gurudev, and told him that he really inspired me - that was the whole reason why I was out here! He seemed amused and somewhat captivated at this point. He wasn't letting go of the book, that was for sure. Then I explained about our pursuits for happiness, and that all we know is really the avoidance of unhappiness - but this book helps you go to a higher level, raise your consciousness. Now they were all stopped in a semi-circle around me. I decided to just give this group my all so I also showed them the picture of changing bodies in the Bhagavad Gita and that when you practice meditating you actually get a different vision, and you start to see all people, even animals, and the environment as being pure spirit souls, beyond the body. After they chanted the maha-mantra I didn't know what to expect, but the boy I was talking to said he wanted both and he gave a nice donation. Then, to my ecstatic happiness, one after another, all his friends took two books and gave the same donation. They kept complimenting each other, and saying, "actually he's more into this than I am!" "Actually he's the real meditator!" It was so sweet. This group really touched my heart, enlivened, and inspired me for the rest of the day!
"Dormant devotional service to Krsna is within everyone. Simply by one's associating with devotees, hearing their good instructions and chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, dormant love for Krsna is awakened. In this way one acquires the seed of devotional service. Guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]" [purport by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Madhya 22.2]
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