Motivational Speaker
I stopped a woman and her elderly mother. (She later explained that her mother was 82 years young!)
After our initial exchange – I asked "Have you ever lost a loved one"(I often use this question as a springboard to giving them either a POY or a BBD.
The mother – instantly teared up. I noted that and apologized if I had broached a subject too close to home.
The daughter said "No No that's all right. But Mom and I just lost Dad'.
The mother softly smiled and said, "That is ok young man. I just miss him so."
"So you think I'm a 'young man eh? I hope you're not flirting with me Mom. My wife and I are fighting these days and I am a little vulnerable right now and lunch would be great right about now! Tempt me not lady!"
She went from tears to laughter in an instant! It was very sweet.
"You wouldn't like it" she quipped "I would bore you to tears talking about my dear husband".
"I hate him already!" I shot back
The daughter was delighted with the banter and clearly enjoyed watching her Mom get passed her pain.
Then I said, "Listen, all flirting aside – I want to share something with you. I have taught a form of yoga called "Bhakti Yoga" for over 30 years here in New York. Let me give you a special gift. Judging by the kind of beautiful love you have for your dear husband – I think you will love it!"
I then pulled out a copy of the Beyond Birth and Death – showed her the cover and said "let me read this little bit to you."
I read the title to the opening chapter, "We are not these bodies" (as SP told us "even one line can change their whole life" ) and the verse BG 2:30 which finishes with, "Therefore you need not grieve for any living being."
I said, "Your husband is an eternal soul and you and I are also. We never really pass away. We either – come back – or return home to God. I am sure you agree."
"I surely hope that is true" she said. "I am counting on that."
"You can count on that" I promised. WE are all family in the end and we will all be together again in the eternal spiritual world with our Maker!
She smiled ever so sweetly, and then with amazingly sweet humility she said "Oh you have made me so happy! I cannot tell you how happy I am to have met you today. This was just what I needed."
I sent them off with a smile and "good bye". I marveled. But it did not end there.
About an hour later her daughter arrived without her and waited patiently while I finished with another encounter and then approached me. She very sincerely said, "I just wanted to say 'Thank you' for taking the time you did with my Mother. She is right now sitting in the Coffee shop reading your book and she was so thrilled with our meeting and all your teasing. She was really grateful. I just wanted to thank you again. I took her out to get her mind off of everything and even though that really didn't happen she's not feeling as bad about it.
I joked "No worries Ma'm! Helping people feel better about their future is my actual job. You could just say "I am a motivational speaker."
Your Servant,
Pragosh das (ACBSP)
