UPBUILDING THE SELF

[Part 2] Book Distribution: Timeless Lessons Learned By Two Monks on the Streets and Subways of New York City

In Part 2, Hari Prasada and Rasanath vividly share what it was like in the heat of the moment distributing books in the streets and subways of New York City. They open up more about pivotal struggles they faced, including feeling humiliation and imposter syndrome, and how letting go in the spirit of service made room for the transformation we all crave deep down. Beyond being a most vital practice of compassion by outreach, book distribution also became a mirror that reflected their concocted identities, resistance to change, and something of the true self that lies beneath all these coverings.

Podcast Hosts: Vipin, Hari Prasada and Rasanath

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform

Highlights

  • [02:30] Recap of Part 1

  • [03:20] Hari Prasada’s first book distribution experience in Union Square

  • [08:30] The process of surrender

  • [11:20] The ego’s demand for ease

  • [15:10] Competition and the scoreboard

  • [34:00] A few of Hari Prasada’s traumatic experiences

  • [36:40] The uplifting quality of book distribution stories from around the world

  • [38:00] Lifelong relationships

  • [44:00] Rasanath on being humbled by the inability to sustain the practice

  • [45:00] The painful double bind

Quotes

  • “Ultimately what you are giving is your experience of the books [themselves].” - Rasanath

  • “The benefit for us as book distributors was to be anonymous…and just be beggars in the service of others and wanting to actually tear down what we had built up so painstakingly of the false self.” - Hari Prasada

  • “Surrender is the key and there's no substitute for it. You don't become self-realized without surrender. And specifically what?...You surrender the ego.” - Hari Prasada

For first timers, welcome to Upbuilding the Self

About the podcast: Two former monks, a former startup founder and CEO, and a former equity derivatives trader dive into how to be our best selves, free from the ego. Our egos are the identities we create for ourselves and wish the world to validate, but when we are not seen as we want to be, we feel insecure. This podcast lives at the intersection of leadership and spirituality. It will help you understand your ego and shed light on your inner world so that you can act with greater clarity, compassion, and the freedom to be your best self.

We also have three upcoming programs. Please reserve your spot ASAP.