Srila Rupa Goswami gives the essence of all advice in his Upadesamrta. That is,"One should utilize one’s full time—twenty-four hours a day—in nicely chanting and remembering the Lord’s divine name, transcendental form, qualities and eternal pastimes, thereby gradually engaging one’s tongue and mind. In this way one should reside in Vraja [Goloka Vrndavana dhama] and serve Krsna under the guidance of devotees. One should follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s beloved devotees, who are deeply attached to His devotional service." NOI 8

Throughout our lives, we will find ourselves in various situations. In all circumstances and in every situation, our first duty is to adjust our schedule so that we can stay engaged in devotional service.

If we skip our prescribed hearing and chanting, we will soon forget why we are performing our service and we will fall victim to Maya.

Those who go out into public to distribute books must be especially vigilant to fortify themselves by daily hearing and chanting from Srila Prabhupada's books and chanting sixteen good rounds with full attention.

Keeping strong sadhana is the first law of book distribution.

Going out to distribute books, is also kirtana and it is fully purifying. First, however, one must hear properly; then it will be possible to chant (and present the books with full realization and purity).

As you've mentioned however, sometimes when it's our scheduled time to go out for distribution, we feel like staying back to read instead.

Of course, the desire to read is never bad. As we serve the mahatmas, our taste for hearing and reading the books should and will increase.

However, if we stay back to read as an excuse to avoid our regular schedule of service, we may become unregulated and develop a whimsy for doing as we wish instead of performing our duty.

This is subtle and you should look within yourself honestly and also discuss this with trusted devotees to discover your true motives.

If you need it . . .

To motivate yourself on days when you are scheduled to go out, (but you don't really feel like it), try the following:

1. Trick your mind. Tell your mind that you're just going out to your sankirtana spot to look at it, but that you will not be doing any work. When you get there, tell your mind that you'll just distribute one book and then you can both go home. Once you are started, the mind will usually quiet down.

2. Carry your reading materials with you on sankirtana. (I photocopy certain sections that I'm studying to make them lighter.) Arrange to read on your way to your spot and the way back. Take a reading break during the day. (Sometimes your reading is more intense and fruitful -- even when it's shorter -- when you are out doing sankirtana.)

3. Regulate your hearing and chanting so that you're getting enough every week. If you find yourself forever hankering to stay back to read, work with your sankirtana leader to adjust the number of hours you stay back for reading each week. Do this until you have a healthy balance. This also goes for taking care of your body: exercise, sleep, etc. Balance is the key. Over the years, the sankirtana devotees who have achieved balance in their lives have enjoyed the most longevity.

As for your second question, "To what extent was Srila Prabhupada happy that a book distributor stay in and read?"

To this, I can give you a personal story. In 1974, Srila Prabhupada came to our temple in San Francisco. We had a vibrant book distribution party and our temple president, Bhakta Dasa, brought us all in to meet with Srila Prabhupada for a private darshana.

Bhakta Dasa told Srila Prabhupada how we were spending so much time distributing his books and noted that we were the number one party in America. After hearing all these reports, Srila Prabhupada looked right at us and gave a simple but very stern reply: "You must also read the books." He continued for at least fifteen minutes saying that he was not writing these books simply for distribution, but that he wanted his followers to read and study them carefully, become pure devotees and go back to Godhead.

So, as you continue your service, maintain balance in all your activities.

Working like crazy for a few years and then falling down or becoming sick due to neglecting your spiritual practice or physical well being is not noble.

Becoming mature in spiritual life means learning for yourself how to balance your activities, staying steady in all circumstances.

Everyone will face challenges and changes in their lives. Bhaktivinoda Thakura therefore advises: grhe thako vane thako sada hari boli dako . . . "Wherever you find yourself in life, keep the vibration of the holy names going . . ."

Read, chant, distribute, be happy! (And be balanced while doing it.)

With gratitude,

Vaisesika Dasa