On this day of Bhagavad-gītā Advent, which this year, coincidentally, also marks the beginning of December book distribution marathon, I have been contemplating how I could better help distributing Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books. I love Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books from the first day I encountered them. Well, I have always loved books, but before encountering Prabhupāda’s books, they were all Māyā books, which could not give me any deep satisfaction. But Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books are the real thing.
I have done some street book distribution as part of my multiple temple services. Perhaps, I distributed about 50 books or so in this way, maybe even 100 (did not think to count at that time.) However, mostly people on the street did not notice me, or if they did, most of them ended up preaching their own ideas to me, instead of me preaching KC to them. So, this was not exactly the service I particularly excelled at.
Over years, I have always kept reading and studying Prabhupāda’s books, always finding pleasure and inspiration in them. My practical service has mostly leaned towards online sharing of transcendental knowledge – which, in a deeper sense, is all part of book distribution because people need not only to buy the book, but also read and contemplate it, clarify their doubts and apply the message practically in their life. So ongoing training and preaching from books is all actually part of book distribution. Since I receive the kind appreciation of devotees for my online services, I take it that Kṛṣṇa must be somewhat pleased with me going in this direction. And I always think how to expand.
I coincidentally found this free book club platform a few days ago. There are many book clubs on the platform, reading all kinds of books. But I could not find any book club reading Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books there, and then this morning of Bhagavad-gītā Advent I thought to start one.
I know that many of my friends are already quite learned and practiced in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, and several of them have already dedicated their lives to sharing this knowledge. I know there are a million apps and platforms and distractions already. But, just in case, if there are some younger or peer devotee ladies around here who would like to be part of this book club, I would be happy to share my reading experiences and hear from others too. You are always welcome to join. Hare Kṛṣṇa 🙏
Comments