Join the Club

[Guest guest]

"Join the Club"

by HH Devamrita Maharaja

 

(from Congregation Preaching Journal : Issue 5 - September 1996)

 

 

 

In quite a few major Western countries, thumbing through spiritual

literature is now trendy and fashionable. More than ever before, the past

few years have seen so many so-called spiritual books top the best seller

lists. From all-knowing Deepak Chopra, to paradisal near-death experiences,

to the bible of global enlightenment, "The Celestine Prophecy", the

undiscriminating reader can swallow it all, assured that he is "on the

path," no matter what he does. New Age polluted notions are almost main

stream today, in many areas of the world. An essential part of the

pseudo-spiritual scene is the phenomenon known as networking. The more you

hobnob with others, the more spiritual you become, because, they say, "We

all are the Truth."

 

This fad makes a great environment for engaging westerners in

congregational book distribution. In this present climate of "grassroots

spirituality," it is very socially acceptable to circulate your favourite

"metaphysical literature" among your friends, acquaintances, and casual

contacts. In fact, not only is it normal, but it is stylish too. Therefore I

have noticed that many congregational candidates don't feel at all shy or

self-conscious about disseminating Prabhupada's books. I have found that as

soon as they begin to become steadily attracted to Krishna consciousness,

they will readily engage in book circulation, especially if they have been

introduced to Krishna consciousness through the books and have been

regularly taught how to take shelter of the books.

 

In some parts of Australia and New Zealand, congregational

membership has been made synonymous with support of book propagation. The

Sydney temple, for example, aims to enlist new members from both Indian and

Western population by having them sign a pledge to donate monthly a certain

amount of money for the temple's central purpose: not weddings and

ritualistic pujas, but sastra distribution. The member can choose whether to

receive the books and distribute them himself, or to have the temple utilize

the funds for its own distribution tactics. In this way each member is

directly hooked up to the most important activity and can feel the

transcendental satisfaction of participating in the heart of ISKCON.

 

This connection is not just an accounting arrangement - it depends

on preaching. The members must be able to perceive that they are also

sankirtan devotees. One reason that makes this consciousness accessible is

the attitude of the full-time sankirtan devotees based at the temple. They

naturally want to help enthuse a congregation that allies itself directly

for the same almighty goal.

 

Auckland uses the devise of modish cafe/seminar scenerio called "The

Loft". It's pitched at Westerners, offering them Krishna conscious

nightlife. A few completely westernised Indians also like the atmosphere -

casual, non-threatening, but certainly devotionally motivating. The staff

are actually sankirtan devotees during the day who adopt a different

strategy at night.

 

Drop in anytime, spirituality never tasted so good! Rub shoulders

with full-time Krishna conscious practitioners in a secure, non-missionary

way. Through group discussions plumb the mysteries of the ancient Vedic

texts, free from the pressures of dogma (whatever you think that means).

Gradually you'll want to sign up and become a member of the club. Then you

find out the open secret. Club membership means direct participation in the

noblest mission: world enlightenment, just what all the best-selling

"spiritual books" talk about.

 

But we propagate Prabhupada's authorized texts, not the bogus stuff

so commonly available. In other words, club membership doesn't just mean

access to the tastiest meals and the most amicable yet profound seminars and

camaraderie. It means you directly share in the most cherished activity of

the universe: helping to circulate those pure books that you've grown so

attached to, after dropping by the club night after night.

 

Lord Caitanya distributes the taste of love of Krishna even though

the recipients initially don't know Krishna. Therefore new acquaintances of

ISKCON can immediately begin to circulate books even though they don't know

much more than their attraction for the literature. It will take work to

build up a congregational book-culture, with all the required social values,

impetuses, and dynamics, but the transcendental pay-off is enormous.

 

Since books are the basis, why not try to seamlessly integrate book

distribution with all other activities of ISKCON, just as a top-notch

software suite like Microsoft Office seamlessly integrates all its component

programs?

 

In any case, trial experiments clearly reveal a very significant

pattern: the earlier in their contact with ISKCON new people begin to

involve themselves in circulation Prabhupada's books, the better-for the

development of their own future and Lord Caitanya's Golden Age. Our new

congregational devotees, active with society, family, and friends, from the

very beginning of their spiritual life can network on Prabhupada's behalf,

with book in hand.

 

Perhaps world enlightenment is that close.