*name has been changed in this post for privacy
"May I help you in some way?" I asked the customer who had just walked into La Maison du Chocolat.
"Sure," she replied, "I'm looking for a gift for a friend,"
"Okay, sure, what would you be looking for? Your budget?"
"Well, she is very sick,"
I was taken aback for a moment, then I laughed, "I see, and chocolate is the medication,"
"I mean, she is very... very sick,"
I grew sober, "Ah, I see." I continued to guide the customer to a collection of chocolates that was beautiful and was in her budget. I wrapped the gift and asked, "Would you like a blank message card?"
"Oh no, I have a big card here," and she pointed to a giant card in its envelope. "You see, my friend, she's sick... yes, the "C" word,"
I continued to listen with my eyes while I packed up the gift. She handed me a collection of bills of different amounts.
"She's only in her 30s, and last year she was diagnosed with breast cancer and she has been in treatment. Last month, though, they found some cancer in her brain. Stage 4."
"Oh wow,"
"Yes, so everyone at work has all pitched in to pay for a personal chef for the next month for her and her husband, and also to get these chocolates. Everyone signed this card. We just want her to take care of herself,"
"I see. I shall pray for your friend, may I ask her name?"
"Diana*,"
"I will pray for Diana, that she moves through this with grace,"
"Thank you so much Carmen [my legal name]," the woman responded. I handed her the beautiful gift bag of chocolates and we exchanged smiles. Then she left.
I was shaken.
Here was a woman on a crash course with death. There were so many people who loved her, but they had no idea what to do for someone about to die. They just wanted to comfort her, make her path a little smoother, a little more enjoyable.
But who cares about a personal chef and gourmet chocolate when you're about to die? From what I've heard and experienced for myself, when faced with death food tastes like cardboard.
When faced with death, I want solace. I want meaning to this life that seems so meaningless. I want truth. I want to know who I am and where the hell I'm going (hopefully not hell!).
Diana's coworkers meant well. They love her, they want to express that love. Nevertheless, all I can think is that if I was faced with Stage 4 brain cancer, I would just want people to chant the holy name for me, chant the holy name for me, chant the holy name for me. Pray that I take shelter's in Krishna's holy name.
If you are reading this, please chant the holy name for Diana, pray that the Lord protects her heart from all fear and carries her beyond this world of pain and death. May she go with God.
One should be a devotee and surrender to the lotus feet of Krishna. This surrendering process is also very easy. Even a child can perform it. One must always simply think of Krishna by chanting Hare Krishna.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.226.37 Purport) Read more › 
This Krishna consciousness movement insists that everyone take to this path by adopting the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The preachers of Krishna consciousness go from door to door to inform people how they can be relieved from the miserable conditions of material life.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.14.39 Purport) 
Our children from Varahaghat and Goghat got a pleasant surprise when Rosania Rasavilasini Devi Dasi piched up at their door with special gifts, toothpaste, soap and toothbrush!! They were overjoyed and their bright eyes sparked with gratitude. She gave them a demo and then handed out the gifts. These children come disadvantaged homes, some go to school and some don't. Rasa Vilasini said she was blessed to serve them and considers it special mercy from Krishna. We thank her for her heartfelt kindness, hare krishna!! 
Indradyumna Swami: ISKCON's center in Budapest is a charming temple situated near the center of the city. Devotees run a popular vegetarian restaurant downtown and are much appreciated for their daily Food For Life prasdasam distribution. Both locals and tourists watch with interest when devotees perform regular harinam samkirtan and book distributors are a regular sight on the streets of Hungary's capitol. 
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday, as soon as my flight arrived Skopje, Macedonia I was whisked away to a live 30-minute talk show on "24 News," one of Macedonia’s main television channels. The theme of the program was, "Cultural Origins." The show was viewed by 50,000 people. Amongst the many topics covered, I elaborated how our Krsna consciousness movement is based on the Bhagavad Gita and is part of one of the oldest spiritual cultures in the world. I discussed how God is a person and that we can connect with him through chanting His holy names. Towards the end of show the host asked me to demonstrate the chanting, so I led a one-man kirtan for a short while. He concluded the interview by explaining to the audience how the chanting made him calm and peaceful. The following is a link to the show. The interview is a little difficult to follow because my voice is dubbed over by a translator ☺ http://www.24vesti.mk/za-zhivotot-26-09-2014 
Simply by taking prasada and taking part in chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, ordinary persons are being considerably elevated. Saubhari Muni regrets that he had bad association even in the deepest part of the water. Because of the bad association of the sexually engaged fish, he fell down. A secluded place is also not secure unless there is good association. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.6.51 Purport). 
Grand revolution in New York, chanting and dancing at the huge Climate Change March with nearly half a million people from all around the country. They do not realise they are receiving the unlimited mercy of Lord Caitanya by participating in the prescribed method for self-realisation in this dark age of Kali. 
The Hare Krishna chant is called the maha-mantra, the great, exalted mantra above all other Vedic mantras, because simply chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra brings so many beneficial effects. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport). 
On the back of Varsana is a very mystical forest called Gahvarvan that is the beautiful playground of Radha and Krishna. Unfortunately it is littered with plastic and trash by thoughtless pilgrims. Seeing this one disciple of Bir Krishna Goswami, Krishna Rupa dasi, donated for a full bus and prasadam at Vrinda Kunda to go there and cleanup the forest! 
Bhakti Loka Episode On Food For Life For The Tv Program 'Hare Krishna Bhakti Loka' 
Dharmatma Das: My pilgrimage to this holy place and opportunity to hear wonderful and heartfelt stories and remembrances of his grace Jada Bharata by many of his closest and dearest godbrothers and friends. He was truly a unique and exceptional soul. 
Although Sukracarya was a strict brahmana addicted to ritualistic activities, he also admitted, nischidram anusankirtanam tava: "My Lord, constant chanting of the holy name of Your Lordship makes everything perfect." (Srimad Bhagavatam, 8.23.16 Purport).