He gave me the task,
for instance, of starting a meditation club at my new school,
the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). He understood
that by controlling a university club, he gained legitimacy,
prestige, and unlimited access to free lecture halls.
I saw no harm in Atmananda's request. We were, after all,
using the club to help Guru. So I set out to find three full-time
students who were willing to sign up as the club's officers.
"Hi!" I said, approaching one student. "I'm starting a meditation
club and was wondering if you might be interested in helping out."
"What's a meditation club?"
"We're going to have guest lecturers teach Zen and relaxation--
you know, stuff like that."
"Sounds cool, dude, but I'm already relaxed."
"Great--but maybe you could take a moment and help people who are not."
And so, by soliciting signatures from those not particularly
interested in meditation, I became the club's sole proprietor.
Meanwhile, Dana designed, Rachel mostly payed for, and Atmananda
"zapped" the new stack of posters, which I then placed around UCSD,
San Diego State University (SDSU), and the neighboring communities.
The talks went well, and I soon handed out many maps to the Centre.
Before the potential recruits arrived, Connie spent hours cleaning
the Centre.
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