Lines…
Dear devotees.
This is a letter written by Aisvarya Prabhu which was requested by a devotee that wanted to know of some lines to use on Sankirtana.
Dear Mataji
Pamho. AgtSP!
In regard to your questions; You have the desire to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books success will naturally come from that desire! I'm sure you know all the following but just for my own purification I'll go over a few points that help me to do this service.
I'll go through my main lines but before that I'd like to emphasize sadhana. I've also sold paintings and stickers and needed sadhana for that but somehow or other when Srila Prabhupada's books come into the equation good sadhana becomes a catalyst rather than a maintainer. I noticed significant differences in the quality of my engagements when I had properly chanted 16 rounds and read a little. Sometimes it's not possible and I have got away with decent days without having finished my rounds but if I continued to be slack with my sadhana my sankirtan quality gradually dwindled.
By chanting properly and reading a little before we go out we're reminded of our real position and therefore it bears on the way we interact with people. Most people are not stupid. If we're proud it shows. If we're angry, it also shows no matter how much we try to hide it. If we're uncertain then people don't trust us. If we're disrespectful then we won't be respected and nor will the books. But if we are grateful to be servants and know that all living entities are eternally related with the Supreme, including us, then we can make inroads into people's hearts and consciousness at least to the point where they become receptive enough to take a book.
As Vaisesika prabhu says; Gratitude's the attitude.
As for my tools, I use standard lines.
The first thing is to be cool. People don't like the hard sell any more. My nature is light so I use humor a lot. Normally I stop someone in the US with one of the following;
"I had to ask… I'm from London where are you from?"
or
"We're asking all the mellow/intelligent looking/best dressed (whatever) people/folk/etc today. [You're pretty close I'm from London where are you from?"
Basically I tell them where I'm from with a smile and then ask where they're from as people love to talk about themselves.
Sometimes I ask them why they're looking so mellow, "what's your secret?"
Then I say "From London to [wherever they're from], we're showing everyone today." With that I boldly hand them a book. If you shook their hand before it makes it easier for them to hold the book but the hand shaking is not necessary.
I then ask their name, try to remember it, tell them my name, then say, "let me show you, [name]" and take the book back, opening it to the pictures. If it's a small book then I leave it in their hands and give a very quick synopsis of the book(s) while pointing at the cover(s). I find that it's best to avoid God and religion at this point. They've probably guessed what it is by now but are being polite by staying. If you confirm the God thing then you will lose half the people at the first step.
I next ask if they are a worker or a student? it doesn't matter what age they are. Whatever they answer I then ask if they are a "good one?" It's funny how silly that sounds but it makes everyone smile.
If I'm flicking through the book to find the pictures then I ask them the worker/student question while searching. It makes it so there's not an uncomfortable silence.
I normally keep my explanations simple and very broad, that way it gives less ways for someone to wiggle out, plus it allows an opportunity to change my approach easily if necessary. If the person looks interested I go into more detail. Sometimes I tell them it's about yoga, meditation, karma, consciousness that's it. Other times I'll say that it "helps reduce stress and keep the mind peaceful no guarantees." Other times I'll explain the pictures like the horses and chariot/senses picture in the BG.
If I explain something I'll try to explain it in their language. For example, the picture on the inside cover of the Bhagavatam of Sukadeva Goswami and Maharaja Pariksit. "This is a King who was condemned to die in 7 days. What would you do if you had 7 days to live?" They normally respond with "party". "Well this King was special cos he went to the banks of the Ganges and decided to meditate for those last days. This boy here is 16 years old. He wears no clothes because he's completely renounced this world. He's an aesthetic. He turned up by chance and …." etc. People love a story.
Finally I'll tell them that "I'm a monk. we print these books ourselves. take one with you. Give a donation."
If they ask what the money goes for I'll tell them it "covers the printing cost and any extra goes for keeping me alive."
Nowadays I tend to say different things to different people but I do still keep this general structure. It helps me remain confident with what I'm saying and where I'm going with the conversation. Sankirtan is an art.
I would say take the basic structure and fill in the philosophical gaps and jokes. One devotee a few days ago asked me what to do if their line starts to get monotonous. My realization was that if our sadhana is good and we realize our position then each person we meet is a friend and even though we say similar things to everyone it feels fresh because we're dealing with the person rather than the line.
Hoping this meets you well,
Your servant,
Aisvarya dasa
