Commercial Free Zone

Gather 20 or more of your worshippers outside, in an advertising-heavy area. In New York? -- of course, Times Square. Special roles: a couple ministers ready to preach, a couple angels dressed in white, and one flutist -- if you have one.

Make a circle. Stand the faithful shoulder to shoulder, facing outward at the high pressure media-sphere. Give everyone in the circle a big white cardboard panel, and ask them to hold them up so that the bottom of the rectangle is just above their eyes. The panels are held edge to edge, so that, with the bodies of the faithful, a great circular room is created. On each panel is a giant letter, so that pedestrians and motorists can read the phrase "COMMERCIAL FREE ZONE."

In the center of the circle, behind everyone's behind -- place a number of beautiful plants. On a plush rug set love-seats and lay-z-boys, or upturned buckets and folding chairs. Next to the little forest with the chairs arrange for your flutist -- or any sort of musician -- to play "Afternoon of the Faun" by Debussy, or something suitably soothing. Outside the circle, the preachers invite the passersby to "COME IN OUT OF THE ADS! SAVE YOUR ODD AND HOLY SOUL FROM THIS PREDATORY ECONOMY! NO SELLING HERE IN OUR SPECIAL WILDERNESS AREA, CHILDREN! COME AND RELAX! We'll protect you! No ads will reach you! Inside this circle is a special place to have a moment to yourself, admiring the backsides of the Commercially Free, and listening to music's idea of an eternal afternoon. "You can come here and STOP YOUR SHOPPING!"

When a stray soul accepts your invitation, the angels accompany her or him delicately through the circle to the paradise within. Have a little table with a paper and pen.

Be gentle with your recovering souls. You can even let them fall asleep. Ask for a thought when they are ready to leave. Thank them for joining you, just as you would if they had been in your home. Thank the musician!

Have you tried this intervention? Please share your story below!