Real happiness
by Madhu Mangala das
I approached two young men in Durban sitting outside a table at a beach front hotel in Durban. I introduced myself to them and told them I was a traveling monk. I presented Srila Prabhupada’s books to them – they did not seem interested in taking some of Srila Prabhupada’s books (they were more interested in their beers). The one young man told me that he was alright and that he did find such books of interest. I asked them where they came from – they were both from Pretoria.
“Oh that’s nice, we have a center there in Hatfield. Do you know where it is?”.
They knew were it was. I told him that he should take one, as he was in anxiety (when I shook his hand, his hand was sweaty). He told me that he was quite all right. I told him that he might he might be all right on the outside, but inside it was a different story.
“What do you mean by that?” he asked me.
“Well, you should drink more water and less of that (I pointed to his beer), because that’s not real happiness, it’s only temporary happiness.”
I told him that it was a pleasure meeting him and gave him a invitation flyer to the Sunday and Wednesday programs at temple. As I was walking away, he came up to me and handed me a ten rand note. I thanked him for the donation and said that I would like to give him a book in return.
“No, it’s quite alright, you do not have to give me a book.”
I told him that I could not take the money from him with out giving him something in return.
“What did you really mean about what you said to me? Do you mind if I ask you some questions. I would like to know what you think of homosexuality.” I told him that we don’t condone it, but we see everyone as spirit soul, the eternal servant of God.
He then took the book and thanked me for it. I told him to utilize the knowledge and that the book would bring him real happiness.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada’s books, that can change the hearts and minds of Men an Woman and take them back, back home to Godhead.
Yours in the service of Lord Sri Krsna and His devotees,
