Even Inmates Practice KC!

[Govindaram]

Excerpts from inmates' letters-2003

ISKCON Prison Ministry

 

I had been suffering out of ignorance and due to

leading a sinful life. I want to be rescued from this

ignorance. I'm trying very hard and as long as I

continue to read and chant everyday, I'm beginning to

see things clearly-Billy Jones Amarillo, TX

 

You asked how I used aspirin to count mantras? I have

a bottle of 108 aspirins and each time I finish a

mantra, I place one aspirin back inside the bottle,

then dump them back out again after 108-Bhakta Paul

Kimmel, Pendleton, IN

 

I am in receipt of your book Hidden Glory of India and

your letter. Thank you for mailing such an informative

book. You have reached out to me, when I was

disillusioned by problems and now I am chanting the

maha mantra and have got an opportunity to read this

book-Girish Vishvanath, Rome, NY

 

I'm very eager to learn about this devotional yoga and

mantra meditation and I have many questions, I need

answers, please. I hope to hear from you soon-

Vincent Kemp, Jesup, GA

 

I enjoyed reading the pamphlets you sent. I let some

friends read the ones you sent on vegetarians. I must

say they had no arguments according to what was said

in them. They asked for your address, to see if you

could enlighten them more about not eating meat-Jason

Brazell, Dilley TX

 

I have received the book, Hidden Glory of India; it is

such a delectable, unique book. I have fallen in love

with the book-Paul Lewis, Soledad, CA

 

My chanting is progressing slowly, but everyday I push

forward trying to break the chains of Maya-Jared Race,

El Dorado, TX

 

This is what I like about Krsna Consciousness; it is

scientific, not sectarian. From God's point of view

there is no question of Hindu or Christian. I don't

know about all these "new age" spiritual groups, but

in the Srimad Bhagavatam (4.3.23), it is said, "When a

man is situated in pure goodness he worships

Vasudeva"-David Lightsey, Angola LA

 

Reading and chanting the holy names fills me with

peace- Bhakta Charles Morris, Waverly VA

 

In 2006 I come up for parole, for the first time. I'm

not worried about it if I get denied. I'm more

interested in sharing and preaching about Krsna to

others-Ruben Minjarez, Gatesville, TX

 

A few weeks ago I came across an Srimad Bhagavatam,

first canto-part two, Creation. The book is from

ISKCON. I've been reading it for about 3 weeks. I am

truly amazed and humbled at the same time, by it and

the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. I did not even know that

this level of knowledge and wisdom was even in this

world-Tony Boggan, Lucasville, OH

 

The Pastor Dave Mason, in this jail was kind enough to

lend me his personal copy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is,

for reading in jail. It is a great solace to me

through this very stressful time. I am going through,

without it I would go crazy-no kidding-Bhaktin Snehal

Diksheet, Battle Creek, MI

 

I received the "How to Practice Krishna Consciousness

in Prison", you sent. I have prepared a small altar in

my cell, according to directions. I'm trying the best

I can with what I have-Evan Lowther, Watonga OK

 

All my studies, prayers, meditations and chanting have

got me fired up like a steam engine. My consciousness

has risen to new heights. Awesome! Whatever I read,

contemplate on, pray about, sends insights,

revelations, spiritual feelings beyond anything I can

put on paper, right now! -Dan Seager, Susanville, CA

 

My entire life has prepared me for this, all the

things I've been through and the things I've learned,

have brought me to this point in life, and I am so

grateful to Krsna for this opportunity to become a

devotee. I can't imagine life any other way-Robert

Slack, Navasoto, TX

 

Thanks for the altar pictures you sent to me. I've got

them displayed on a little shelf besides my bed. They

seem to draw a lot of attention. I've had more than a

dozen people inquire about them. I try my best to

explain, sometimes I find myself saying more than was

asked, by telling them some of the pastimes of Krsna.

Some are captivated about what I say and others think

I'm crazy. Well I am crazy, crazy to learn as much

about God that I can-Jason Brazell, Dilley Tx

 

 

I'm chanting more and more and Krsna is doing lots of

wonderful things in my life. It's no so much exterior

things, although good things are happening in my

circumstances, but it's mostly inwardly. Krsna has

enabled me to transcend the negativity around me and

within me. I am very grateful for this-Robert

Harrington, Clermont, FL

 

Without your aid, I don't think I would have made it

long enough to find Krsna in this life, if ever! So, I

thank you for that and much more that I cannot put

into words! So please, imagine yourself receiving an

enthusiastic hug and back pounding-Corey Wilson,

Kenedey, TX

 

 

I am really becoming enriched in my Hare Krsna

chanting. I chant the mantra all during the day. I

desire to always be fixed in devotion-Robert Creech,

Brunswick NC

 

Learning and practicing daily is sometimes

difficult for me, because I forget that I'm not this

body, but when I chant I remember and I experience

peace and power in my life, in that moment of time.

After trying so many different religions I thought

that this Krsna Consciousness was just a fad, but

after I began to experience the protection of the

mantra, I knew I was on to something more powerful

than I had tried and experienced before.

I tried several times to put this practice behind

me and just be safe and stay a muslim, but after

numerous incidents, I decided to experiment with the

maha mantra and change my diet to be a full

vegetarian.

I was not consistent at first, but as I started to

get books and magazines my understanding and

consciousness began to grow and my life seemed

lighter, even though I still have this life sentence

to deal with-James H. Banks

 

This week a thunderstorm blew in and bang went the

thunder! A friend of mine was killed. A bolt of

lightening got him and I was in a straight line with

him, 200 feet away. He never knew what hit him, it was

so quick Standing alive in the middle of the baseball

field and in one millionth of a second gone!!! Life is

more fragile than people want to admit-Dennis Archer,

Coleman FL

 

Thank you for answering my questions. Not only myself,

but, people I know turned from religion. Myself, I

never stopped searching. I went from faith to faith

looking for answers. Now I'm finding answers-Rufus

Tanner, Florida City, FL

 

Contacts,

Shyama Priya

ISKCON Prison Minsitry

4455 Quince St. #A

San Diego, CA 92105

e-mail-mamashyama@aol.com

 

Chandrasekhara dasa

PO Box 2693

Toledo OH 43606

419-508-2291

 

PrabhupadaVani@

 

[Guest guest]

Let's Chant and Dance to the Beat of the Soul!

Haribol! Haribol! Hari-Haribol!

 

Hare Krishna

Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama

Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

[livingentity]

Prison as Devotional Paraphernalia

From the ISKCON Prison Ministry

Posted June 3, 2003

 

All glories to

Srila Prabhupada!

The following is a letter to Candrasekhara from Sarva Laksmi Mayi, an inmate in Louisiana State Prison.

 

About two years ago, she found one of Srila Prabhupada’s books, which had been sent to the prison 15 years earlier. This is a wonderful example of how Krsna, in the form of His books, goes where He wants to go, waiting for the person who will read the book and take advantage of the knowledge.

 

After finding the book and contacting the Prison Ministry, Sarva Laksmi Mayi, (then Maureen), started chanting japa, reading every day, and preaching to other inmates. She desired initiation, and Bir Krsna Maharaja gave her Hare Nama Initiation.

 

May 8, 2003

 

Dear Prabhu,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances and respects. All glories to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet. Jaya Bir Krsna dasa Goswami. Jaya Sri Krsna Caitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadahara, Sri Vasadi Gaurabhakta Vrnda.

 

My dear Prabhu, please sit down. Do not read this letter standing up or you may pass out. Yes, by your mercy and Candramauli Swami’s prayers I met my guru Maharaja. It was so wonderful and full of transcendental enlightenment. We chanted japa, talked of the Supreme Lord and his glorious pastimes, and I even sang him my own special song, "The Yogi of my Mind."

 

He told me he was very glad he came and he could see that I was Krsna conscious. During the visit he asked about my release. I humbly told Gurudeva that I had a 90-year sentence. I only had one chance for parole, and it wasn’t likely that I would make it.

 

So, in essence I had 25-flat years left in prison, but I told him I was very happy and would utilize the prison as paraphernalia in the service of the Lord. I also told him I got a time cut, 6 years ago, but it was denied by the governor, because of my crime. But it was OK, because I don’t ask for release, I only ask for pure devotional skills. That’s all I want wherever I am at.

 

Well, Gurudeva said, "We have to get you in a temple. I believe Krsna will let you get out of here." So it was a very nice visit and I returned to my room and chanted in ecstasy very happily.

 

The next day the authorities called me to the front office and handed me a brown envelope and said "Open it." I didn’t think it was anything important, so I haphazardly opened it. Enclosed was an official document from the governor saying that he grants me a clemency and cuts 50 years off my sentence.

 

I floated back to my room. The paper was on my bed, and I noticed the date on it. The date the Governor signed it and granted the pardon was Monday April 28th, the same day Maharaja spoke of his desire to see me out. As I looked at the date I thought "You must have faith in Radha-Krsna and guru." These were the exact words Maharaja wrote me in his last letter, right before he visited. I cried and laughed and felt Krsna’s grace very clearly in my tiny room.

 

So now, I do not have to go to a parole board at all. I am suddenly being released instead, in July or August. I’m serious— 50 years cut off my sentence. I feel H.H.Bir Krsna das Goswami has performed a miracle. I was told Governor Foster could not sign or give clemency to me, that it was denied. But suddenly, by guru’s wish, Krsna turned it all around.

 

Prabhu, Krsna is beautiful and has eyes that are blooming like lotus petals. His figure of beauty is tinged with the hue of blue clouds, His unique loveliness charms millions of cupids. I am a simple devotee, an ant, yet Krsna has given His causeless mercy so easily. I am so undeserving, compared to all the swan-like devotees. I have nothing to offer Krsna but love and service. I am so happy, but I do know that all of this has happened because of the mercy of the devotees— you, Candramauli Swami, and Guru Maharaja.

 

Now, in a few months, I walk out— no parole board. I get double good time, so 40 years automatically turns into 20 years, which I have done. It’s amazing how Krsna reciprocates. I can’t go to the temple right away, because I have to be gainfully employed and I still report to a parole officer for 20 years. It’s all up to Krsna. He is the puppet master, I am a puppet. If He says "Dance," I dance. Maharaja said my service would be to write and teach yoga classes at the temple— hatha yoga— to draw people to the temple. I am a step-aerobics instructor, so it’s easy to do exercise class for me.

 

We are all puffed up at times, but by Krsna’s mercy He allows bad qualities to somehow evaporate and good qualities to replace bad ones. Prabhu, I am sweating in 98 degrees inside our building. Everyone is suffering. The material body is so full of misery, but due to Krsna’s mercy I am happy, even in this conditioned life. We can be transcendental to it.

 

Lord Jagannatha makes a loud concert with His flute in the groves on the banks of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee tasting the beautiful lotuslike faces of the gopis and Laksmi, Siva, Brahma, Indra, and Ganesh. This is Sri Jagannathastaka from the beautiful songbook you sent me. Prabhu you are very compassionate, kind, and merciful. I am a simple ant, who doesn’t know the first thing about devotional service, but I will learn the Gita, because I see how Krsna speaks through you to me. It is very clear now. Also Candramauli Swami’s mercy. Bir Krsna Maharaja said, "Yes, Candramauli Swami is praying for you, and you are receiving his mercy."

 

I’m going to New Orleans, somewhere to a halfway house. So at least I will be able to worship at the temple and go to festivals, until I can get permission to go either to Chicago or North Carolina.

 

Your humble servant,

Sarva Laksmi Mayi

 

****

 

Anyone desiring to help with donations, or books, tapes, beads, etc, please contact us.

 

ISKCON Prison Ministry

Mother Shyama Priya

4455 Quince St. #A

San Diego, CA 92105

619-501-4602

e-mail mamashyama@aol.com

 

Candrasekhara dasa

PO Box 2693

Toledo OH 43606

419-508-2291

© dipika.org June 3, 2003

[Guest guest]

 

This one brought me to tears...

 

 

me too

[I_love_krishna_]

Krishna really takes care of us even with out us asking him anything. That was so nice.

 

thank you

[livingentity]

we need to learn to leave it all to Lord Krsna and not try to take over and fight against Maya devi. That is our problem which causes all of our other problems. Don't you think?

[theist]

Too heavy for words. Now she will really need lots of association. The distractions may be greater, the subtle illusion of freedom may cover her. Too bad she couldn't go straight to the temple. Sounds like the good association she has had so far will do what they can to protect her.

 

Reads like an analogy for the souls release from the prision house of maya.

 

 

[Govindaram]

Hare Krishna

 

She must be pretty strong being in prison with bad.associatin and still being able to practice K.C, wonder how much advancement she'll make with good association!!

[livingentity]

a powerful testimony! I was seriously moved to tears by this story.

 

That is what I felt when I read this story.

 

Reads like an analogy for the souls release from the prision house of maya.

 

 

[livingentity]

that we have not heard the last from this devotee. She is very strong and by this one letter has done a great preaching service.