We started distributing leaflets on the streets of Beirut on March 31. Not only did everything go smoothly, the positive response was remarkable. Almost everyone accepted the leaflet and started reading it; many discussed the contents with each other. Some people nodded to us with a smile; some gave us the ‘thumbs-up’ and said, “Marvelous!” Some even requested to help us with the distribution. When a police officer directing traffic on the road received our leaflet, he tipped us off as to where to find the crowded places. Drivers on the move stopped and asked for a leaflet; some even sounded their horn to catch our attention so that we didn’t overlook them. A lovely bus driver stopped to let us distribute on his bus.

Almost all the shops let us affix the Alternative Living posters at the most prominent position outside their shops. Some offered to put up the posters for us, and we also left some leaflets at their counters for dispensing to their customers. Warmth and love permeated the streets of Beirut. In just seven hours, we distributed almost 10,000 leaflets.

In the next two days, heavy rain and thunder shadowed Beirut. A wise taxi driver said to us: “The rain is just like God’s blessing….” Although pedestrians were scarce and we could only distribute from beneath the eaves on the roadside, we still encountered many people who expressed interest in the vegetarian diet, some remarking that the vegetarian diet has a positive impact on spiritual development. The torrential rain did not deter the passion of the local people, and some even volunteered to distribute the leaflets for us.

In Beirut we were referred to a very famous English lady who once lived on the slopes of the Himalayas for 30 years, now has been living in Beirut for 18 years and has an ashram of her own. After learning of the purpose of our visit, she contacted us and asked many questions. In return, fellow initiates introduced Master to her. Upon leaving, she took with her a sample booklet and a thousand leaflets, and repeatedly expressed her wish to assist us. While we were on the way to Syria, she called us on the telephone again and told us with determination: “Observing that you have done so much, it is about time that we should also do something.”

Before leaving Beirut, we paid a visit to their leading local English newspaper, “The Daily Star.” As a result, the Alternative Living message was published the next day in newspapers distributed throughout over nine Arabic countries in the Middle East.