Overcoming our Fear of Book Distribution

By Bhakta Corey

Distributing books can be a bit intimidating, especially in the beginning. Fear of book distribution may cause us to think of many reasons why we can’t distribute books. This article will focus on identifying causes of that fear and my own struggle to overcome fear of book distribution.

What does distributing books mean? It generally means that you create an interaction with another human being and try to convince them why they should buy this book. Our own faith is tested in the process, how convinced we ourselves are, but by passing the test of preaching, our own faith in Krishna is strengthened tremendously.

People, especially westerners, are not used to having their space invaded. There are other methods of distributing books, some of which I have mentioned in a previous article here, but distributing books generally means talking to people one on one. The last thing that a person wants is to have to stop what they’re doing and listen to an unknown person, a stranger, preach to them or try to sell them something. It is an inconvenience for them, due to the impersonalistic culture we are raised in. In the process, our own space is invaded too, because they may ask questions that we may not feel comfortable answering, but it is our duty to because we are preachers.

We might also think that there are so many other things to do, and end up simply forgetting about book distribution altogether.

Trying to cultivate a sense of intense gratitude towards Srila Prabhupada has helped me in overcoming the fear of distributing books. Because that most magnanimous personality, Srila Prabhupada, took the trouble to leave Vrindavan and come to the hellish West, we all now have the opportunity to take the path back to Krishna, and many millions in the future will also get the same opportunity. Therefore, we are indebted to Srila Prabhupada. As far as I am concerned, I am simply Srila Prabhupada’s slave, having become enslaved by his infinite compassion and mercy.
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