Missionary Spirit
Bhakta Mike is one of the latest new devotees at Iskcon of San Diego. An activist at heart and a spiritual seeker, Bhakta Mike quickly found our temple attractive and the Sastra Dana missionary activities appealing.
Follows an excerpt from an intervew with Bk. Mike.
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SD: How did you come to know Krishna Consciousness?
M: I was sitting outside a café in down town San Diego. Some young women walked by and one of them handed me a flyer. It was an invitation to the Hare Krishna Festival.
I always identified with Eastern philosophies. It seemed like I aspired toward Krishna consciousness before I knew anything about it. It was natural.
SD: What did you think of your first visit to the temple?
M: I liked it. I thought the music was nice.
SD: Was that a Sunday Festival?
M: Yes, it was on a Sunday. I got a free book, everyone was accommodating, food was good—it was just really nice. I liked it from the very moment I was there.
SD: How did you get to develop interest in missionary activities?
M: I’ve always been an activist. If I am not doing something for the common good of humanity I feel anxious. Instead of being a political or environmental activist I will now be a spiritual activist. I was just sitting on the couch one Saturday, with nothing to do, and decided I wanted to distribute books.
SD: How did you learn about Sastra Dana?
M: On the Sastra Dana’s website I saw an interview with Bhaktin Lori. I thought it to be a good idea.
SD: How did you come to getting a rack and placing it in that store?
M: I spoke to you about book distribution and you said, “Look, you could put a book-rack.” I happened to be at the World Beat Culture Centre in Balboa Park. They have many workshops and festivals; lots of musical events. I asked the person who runs the place if I can bring a rack full of spiritual books to give away for free. He agreed.
SD: Did he ask any questions?
M: He asked what kind of books are those and I showed him the Path of Perfection. One of the women there said: “Oh, I met Prabhupada one time.” She just asked me where I want to put it. In the past three weeks around 50 books have been taken out.
SD: Very good! What does it take for you to maintain one rack?
M: I go every week. They have Chi Gong class on Monday that I attend, that’s when I do it. It doesn’t take extra time. It is also on the way home from work. It isn’t much of an effort.
SD: Besides maintaining a rack you also go on the street to sell books. How often do you go out?
M: I distribute books every weekend. I stay Saturday and Sunday at the temple and go out with the sankirtana devotees.
SD: Do you have any memorable events on sankirtana?
M: It is wonderful every time somebody takes a book.
SD: What was your experience first day on the street?
M: Well, nobody took a book. I was discouraged when people wouldn’t take. I felt bad thinking I was wasting time, but it showed me a lot about myself, and who I am. On the second day I was coming to the point where I am just going to give a book out there; it is bound to happen, there is someone who will take a book. Eventually a nice person from Germany took a book. Since then I got progressively better.
SD: How many books you distribute now?
M: Ten or eleven a day. I got one Bhagavad-gita out last weekend. I was happy about that.
SD: What are your plans for the future?
M: I want to join the temple.
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Your Contributions
Los Angeles Sponsors:
Rupanuga Dasa $155.34
Shailesh & Nitika Parmar $150.00
Advaita C. D. & Sita T. D.D. $111.00
Murari Krishna & Acintya Lila $51.00
Jiten Patel $21.00
Balai Devi Dasi $21.00
TOTAL: $509.34
San Diego Sponsors:
Ambarish Dasa $108.00
Sergio Canela $92.01
Yamunapati D. & Jayasri D.D. $51.00
Rangasara Dasa $50.00
Mahananda Dasa $40.00
Krishna Soppa $21.00
Sai Bhupalam $5.14
TOTAL: $367.15
GRAND TOTAL: $876.49
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Distribution to Institutions
1,035 books!!! have been placed in the following institutions:
* 5937 / Majestic Bridal Creation / 7124 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5938 / Pacific Dental Center / 7128 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5939 / Samantha’s Bridal / 7020 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5940 / Dr. IradJ Nazarian / 7136 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5941 / Photo & Video by Tohui / 1617 S. Hoover ST / Huntington Park
* 5942 / Yolanda’s Bridal Shop / 2617 Saturn Ave / Huntington Park
* 5943 / Rent-Sales-POS.Registers / 2630 Saturn Ave / Huntington Park
* 5944 / Louis Jewelry & Loan / 7600 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5945 / Tattoos / 7322 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5946 / Tammy Nails / 2570 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5947 / Clothing / 6333 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5948 / Auto Express / 2550 E. Slauson Ave / Huntington Park
* 5949 / Pauliner Fashion Footwear / 6337 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5950 / Jade Siam / 2570 E. Slauson Ave / Huntington Park
* 5951 / Santana Shoes / 6823 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5952 / 3 Amigos / 6439 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5953 / Show World Sports Zone / 6415 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5954 / Botanica / 8325Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5955 / Let’s Party / 6123 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5956 / Tl Pescador / 7422 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5957 / La Posada / 7613 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5958 / Constru Mex / 7138 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5959 / El Cihualteco / 6913 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5960 / Depotres / 7120 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5961 / Allena Skin & Body Care / 7130 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5962 / El Indio amazonico / 7606 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5963 / All Shoes / 7028 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5964 / Genesis Travel Network / 7104 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5965 / Majestic Bridal / 7112 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5966 / Sign Banners / 7800 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5967 / Alex’s Bridal / 7016 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5968 / A Ciesta Inc / 6711 S. Broadway. / Huntington Park
* 5969 / d’Italia / 7121 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5970 / Eagle Florist / 7502 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5971 / Ana & Vicky / 7640 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5972 / Edgar’s Computers / 7640 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5973 / LA Action Fashion Outlet / 7629 Pacific Blvd. / Huntington Park
* 5974 / Furor USA Inc / 633 S. Broadway. / Huntington Park
