By Maharishi Das
The phone rings at 6 AM. I had gone to sleep at 3 AM, as quite often I work late, and then chant my rounds.
“Hi Mik. This is Mr Cooke.”
Mr Cooke explained that he was driving back from a music festival in Germany. I was very sleepy, but asked him how I could help. He told me he would be passing by my house, and needed to get something from me.
My mind started thinking about what he might purchase. Would it be a big sale? After all, I am conditioned as a businessman!
Two hours later, Mr C and his wife, Liz, turned up. I offered them some breakfast prasadam and we sat down together to eat. All of a sudden he hugged me and said, “You are a true friend, not just a high-end audio dealer!”.
I was confused as to what had come over him. He explained how his son, David, had been very depressed, and all the videos I had been bombarding them with had really given him some hope of happiness. I smiled. Mr C continued, “A few weeks back, me, my wife and my son actually started dancing at home. Please do not tell anyone!”, he laughed.
Mr C had purchased some equipment a few weeks earlier. As it was quite a long drive home for him – he lives in Formby, near Liverpool – I allowed him to stay the night. In the morning he saw me chanting and listening to Srila Prabhupada, and he listened with me. Mr C told me that he wanted his son to become a devotee. Shocked, I asked him why. “Staying in your house, I have observed that although you live on your own, you are never alone.”
“Well, I have my problems, like everyone else, but yes, I have Krishna, so I’m not alone.” I said.
He continued, “I want my son to be like you, and not feel alone. He needs Krishna, and after seeing you, I am happy to give my son to Krishna!” I nearly fainted.
Mr C expressed how I had been so kind to him; sending him videos and always talking about God – but in a kind, loving way, not preaching – that he can see that there is something much higher out there. I agreed with his summation.
My friend said that he had decided to come and pick up some books on their way home, so he could study them with his son. He asked for some audio classes, too. I handed him a Bhagavad Gita, Science of Self Realisation, and Nectar of Instruction.
I really wanted to give him Chant and Be Happy, but couldn’t find one anywhere. I phoned my neighbour, Vishvambar das, to ask if he had a copy. Sadly not. While this was going on, Mr C had gone outside, and on his way back in, spotted a Chant and Be Happy right there in my kitchen windowsill! Mr C realised the gravity of the situation. “Look! It’s right here! The Lord wants me to give this to my son, together with those other books.”
What had prompted him to ask me for books, I asked. He explained, “You never pushed anything on me. You just carried on being a genuine friend, always taking a real interest in me. I see my son and me as lost. We just go to work, come home, eat, go to the cinema or play computer games. I really want more in my life. In your videos I see that you are out with your friends, on the streets, happy despite life being temporary. I want my son to be as happy as you.”
Mr C has a very serious job which involves taking care of many people. I mused on how many souls he could bring to Krishna in time.
I felt amazed that just by being kind and caring, this special person’s heart had opened up and caused him to reach out to me. I realised that I have to continue sending videos to everyone I meet, and pray that others follow in Mr C’s footsteps. The whole world is looking for love, care and kindness, the kind that only Krishna can provide. Everything else is simply illusion.
Before leaving, my guests folded their palms to my Lord Jagannatha deites in all sincerity! Although they hadn’t spent any money in their visit, they had unknowingly purchased the start of their way back home to Krishna.
This process is so powerful. Mr C recently phoned to say he had excitedly rang his son about the books. Such is the father’s true love for his son exuding as Krishna gives him real intelligence and wisdom.
I feel so unworthy at times, seeing other devotees’ endeavours. I am friends with Vaishnavas who are managing gurukulas, or feeding thousands, or going out for hours on the streets distributing books one of my dearest friends has sacrificed so much so he can year in year out organise Ratha Yatra and always comes across obstacles but never gives in. But no matter how grand their services, there is always something we can all do to make a difference.
I beg to remain a servant to all the devotees, my guru-maharaja and Srila Prabhupada; and carry on the very little I can still do. My health is not great, and I don’t have the energy for what I once did, but Krishna sends so many eager souls to me. For this I feel truly humbled.
Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=110778
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