From 2013 to 2020 I traveled extensively and distributed books in the south part of Brazil. During this time, I distributed about half a million books and gained some experience I try to share here.

Book distribution is an important activity that was introduced by Srila Prabhupada himself. Few know, but before coming to the west to start the Krsna Conscious Movement, Srila Prabhupada traveled all over India selling the three volumes of the Srimad Bhagavatam he wrote and printed himself. Although this distribution didn’t have an immediate impact, over time many of the persons who took books from him became very serious in Krsna Consciousness and their stories started to become know.

Book distribution is a service that may not bring immediate results, but that can provoke very amazing changes in the long term, as people gradually start to read and share the books with others. Naturally, the problem is that in the name of book distribution sometimes strange or even questionable practices are used. These abuses alienate many people that could otherwise be favorable and give book distribution a bad reputation.

On this page I share some of what I learned from seniors and that I practice myself. How to distribute books in the correct way, with the proper consciousness. Much of this material was written on my phone during short pauses on my book distribution or at the end of the day. These writings were initially published as a rough draft in the form of the book Getting the Mercy, with the blessings of Vijaya Prabhu and Navina Nirada Prabhu.

This material is divided into eight “waves”, each one approaching a different subject. There are more than 100 topics covered, resulting in a quite detailed description of the foundations, practice, and goals of book distribution.

Now I’m having time to go again through this material and offer a more polished version of it. I will be publishing new parts every few days. Join our telegram channel to receive the updates.

The First Wave: The historical basis for book distribution, how it fits in the teachings of Lord Caitanya and of the previous acaryas, and how it is connected with the prediction that the holy names would be chanted in all towns and villages. How book distribution fits in the current modern environment (with e-books, social networks, and other new mediums). The proper mood and mentality for one interested in serving as a book distributor or doing some other efforts to spread Krsna Consciousness. Pitfalls on the way are also examined. 

The Second Wave: A rather important topic: how to work together with other devotees to spread Krsna consciousness. As Srila Prabhupada explains, “the distribution of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra should be performed by combined forces”. This is a simple concept to understand in theory, however, when it comes to practice, we can quickly realize that working together with others is one of the most difficult challenges. Actually, to be able to work cooperatively with other devotees from different backgrounds and cultures, in a peaceful mood, is one of the ultimate tests of spiritual realization.

The Third Wave: The practical aspects of book distribution: how to stop and talk with people, how to present the books in interesting ways, how to cultivate interested persons, and so on. It also deals with the importance of maintaining a good sadhana and studying the philosophy, and how to deal with the mind.

The Fourth Wave: The internal aspects of book distribution: the internal work that needs to be done in order for one to become stable in book distribution. How to continue evolving, not only in book distribution but in spiritual life in general, even when challenges appear. (coming soon)

Improving our sankirtana
Stability, discipline and empowerment
Molding our lives around book distribution
The best balance Surpassing the mental platform
Inspiration and discipline
Improving our results
“Then what’s the use?”
Bringing the mind to our side
Being self-satisfied
The hard way and the smart way
The difference between detachment and laziness
Transcendental competition
Don’t burn yourself out
Book distribution in old age
The tip of the iceberg
Key points in this wave

The Fifth Wave: Maturity in book distribution. Frequently, we think that we should approach people unrestrictedly and insist until they take a book or become exasperated, but actually, the sastra gives guidance on different ways to deal with different classes of people. These recommendations can be used to improve our book distribution, and especially to make the distribution easier for the book distributor, avoiding the burn-out effect that makes so many devotees abandon book distribution after some months or years of struggle. (coming soon)

Going further
Krsna is the doer
Samadhi on book distribution
Mature book distribution
Different classes of devotees
A word from the scriptures
Discrimination, compassion and humility
More practical considerations
The 9th offence
Contrary arguments
Good Christians are going to become devotees
Training new book distributors
Kirtanas and spiritual practice
Constant chanting
The eternal present
Key points in this wave

The Sixth Wave: Another important aspect of book distribution: traveling sankirtana. It’s very difficult for any book distributor to continue distributing day after day in the same city, speaking with the same persons. Sooner or later, almost all book distributors come to the point that they want to travel and reach different publics. Srila Prabhupada himself was emphasizing the importance of traveling sankirtana groups and giving special blessings to devotees dedicating themselves to this service. (coming soon)

Traveling sankirtana
Some basic preparations
Organizing the travelings
Living in a van Using stacks
On diet, nutrition and health
The importance of temples
Key points in this wave

The Seventh Wave: One serious problem that we currently face in our society is the dilution of our philosophical basis. More and more devotees are mixing their Krsna consciousness with different mundane ideas and concepts, distancing themselves from the teachings of our acaryas. Others go in the opposite direction, becoming fanatic and adopting limited and inflexible views, which is also detrimental. Both sides are examined and a balanced view of spiritual life emerges. (coming soon)

Maintaining purity
A historical perspective
The glories of Srila Prabhupada
Modern apasampradayas
Being sincere
The enemy within
Polemical statements, a case study
Casting doubts
The example of the “Gopi-bhava club”
Babajis, siddha-pranali and raganuga
» False siddha-pranali
» The reforms of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
» The two limbs of sadhana-bhakti
» Our connection with Krsna
» Real siddha-deha
» The gray line
The source of knowledge and detachment
“Time place and circumstance”
Key points in this wave

The Eighth Wave: Most of us are going to spend the majority of our lives living with a partner, in a (hopefully!) loving relationship. While many passages of our scriptures warn us about the dangers of grhamedhi life, others emphasize the advantages of a healthy and progressive family life. How to build a safe environment for the development of our Krsna consciousness, molding our family life as an asrama, a platform from which we can advance to higher realms of devotional service? (coming soon)

Spreading Krsna consciousness in family life and beyond
Some philosophy
Spiritual standards
Why, if, when and how?
The danger of illicit sex
Sober and devotional mind
False renunciation
Preventing quarrels and solving problems
Tolerance and detachment Bringing it all out
On choosing a partner
The ultimate goal
Key points in this wave