CHAPTER EIGHT
The Big Easy Chair

I said in Chapter Two that the important thing is to get people to stop, in the first place, so that they can experience what devotees have to offer them. This can be quite a challenge.

I remember the first time I ever saw Hare Krishna devotees. That was in 1969. I was in Denver, Colorado, doing some window shopping, when I spotted a rather odd looking group of men and women, singing and dancing in front of the May D&F department store. They were brightly dressed and as I walked by, one of the ladies handed me a magazine and asked for a donation. I also remember how later that day, when I had to pass by again, I purposely stayed on the other side of the street.

With the likes of me to reach, devotees definitely have their work cut out. And again, what is being offered to humanity is the opportunity to appreciate Lord Krishna. An opportunity to begin their spiritual life. An opportunity to participate in the fulfillment our spiritual master’s great mission. An opportunity to fulfill Shrila Prabhupada’s dream.

But remember—Prabhupada had a global vision and he wanted everybody in the world to appreciate Lord Krishna. Therefore, how do we best participate in such a broad concept? How do we reach so many people in a really significant way?

Granted, all of our various programs add a certain amount of success to this endeavor. They should all be continued. However, there are differences. Opening a small Hare Krishna restaurant should not be discouraged and many of its customers will eventually come to appreciate the Hare Krishnas. But, when you compare this to having Krishna Disaster Relief featured as a major story on CNN, you gain a sense of the perspective that I am talking about.

As I have mentioned, you are reading a blueprint. Furthermore, I am stating that the strategy in this book is to reach "the world" exactly where they are most receptive—right in their living rooms—winning their appreciation while they are sitting in their big easy chairs, doing what they enjoy the most, the world over, by the millions—watching television!

As an added bonus to this plan, simultaneously our message will reach them by radio, magazine and in their hometown newspaper—that they also enjoy in the comfort of their big easy chairs.

A legitimate question may be asked: "How could anyone afford to purchase such massive advertisement?" This is a valid question. After all, imagine if a company invented a candy bar and wanted worldwide advertisement for their new product—via television, newspaper, magazine and radio. Who could spend that much money? But the good news is that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness can get all this advertizement absolutely free. And I am speaking of prime time, first-class advertisement—and in many instances, broadcast simultaneously by more than just one source.

Furthermore, this free, attention-grabbing advertisement will be provided over and over to ISKCON for an indefinite period of time. There will also be significant stories about Krishna Disaster Relief spilling over into all the major media outlets—not only about some current disaster relief effort, but general-interest stories such as you see on Good Morning America.

Similar general-interest stories can be found on all the major television channels, magazines, radio-talk shows and newspapers. Every Sunday newspaper has sections dedicated to stories just like this.

As you now know, this book is about disaster relief and ISKCON’s role in it. You may have never thought about this before—especially in the context of devotional service or Shrila Prabhupada’s mission. The following chapters will explain to you how all this works—especially emphasizing for you its value.