Hare Krishna devotees, Dandavat !
Though there are many ways of preaching like book distribution, prasadam distribution, online preaching, direct one-to-one preaching ,preaching to youth etc.
I believe I am good in giving speeches/lectures and is personally more interested in direct one-to-one preaching along with book distribution especially to youth & influential people of society.
Which profession can give me enough time & opportunity so that preaching becomes intrinsic part of my profession.
Replies
*** Opening Govindas???
*** Book shop for Srila Prabhupada's books???
*** Become a singer, compose songs about Krishna???
*** Become a film maker and create films about Krishna???
*** ...
Hare Krsna,
Dandavats Pranam, PAMHO, AGSTP.
Your question is of very great importance. I have often asked myself this question.
HDG Srila Prabhupada has explained the answer indirectly by showing us the life of previous acaryas or devotees.
Of course, it is not easy at all to sacrifice like these devotees and imitate them. It is up to you to judge but definitely, I am sure it is important to try to follow same path especially if you want to stay in mode of goodness and get more opportunities to help in preaching.
Example from life of HDG Srila BhaktiSiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Thakur.
In 1895 he left the college, as he was very eager to execute his worship of the Lord and to remain free from the pressure to enter family life. He stated in his autobiography:
“If I remain studying with careful attention at the College, then extreme pressure will be brought upon me to enter family life, but if I am considered to be foolish and inefficient, then no one will put such an inducement upon me for becoming so engaged. By this consideration, I left the Sanskrit College, and, in order to maintain my life for the service of Hari, I was desirous of getting an honest occupation which I could perform with the intention of earning a humble income.”
Example from life of HH Jayananda Prabhu
Full Article
http://www.krishna.com/life-jayananda-prabhu
There are other articles you can get by searching on Google.
"Jayananda was the all-American boy. Handsome, strong, intelligent, born in a more than middle-class family, Jayananda (Jim Kohr) took a degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University. With a background like that, it is surprising that Jayananda ended up as a cab driver in San Francisco. Karandhara once asked him why he didn't get a better-paying job. "I didn't fit in with the upper class crowd," he said.
Haribol,
Their radio shows become very popular, and attract advertisers who sponsor the show.
You coild do that. Believe in your ability to speak publicly of the Lord.
Your servant in devotion
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
You could be a professor in a college, a scientist, a top notch professional in the corporate world....whatever. For preaching, we need the right conciousness and desire to serve the lord by giving people His message in the same manner we got it from our seniors.
There could be certain professions which could be detrimental to spiritual progress - though there is no bar - even a prostitute can be spiritually elevated. I mean professions like showbiz, world of advertisements, alcohol related companies. I have heard of atleast one actress who is very favourable to ISKCON and wants to take initiation, but the diksha guru is not giving because she continues to be associated with showbiz.
If you want people to take your word seriously, then it would be better to excel in your chosen field of work. Then people become impressed that someone who is so successful professionally can be so inclined to spirituality and they sit up to take notice. Then they give credence to your words. For that, you have to prepare the ground - silently do your sadhana until such time you reach a certain level professionally. Then slowly, skew the balance between material pursuits and spiritual pursuits towards spirituality. This way, you can get the best of both worlds. Another option is to simply surrender to the lord and continue with your material pursuits. Whne the time is right for you to preach, then it will be revealed to you.
Best of luck.
Do stay in touch and tell you what you decide.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Rashmi