By Shyama Priya Devi Dasi
We receive over 300-400 letters per month writing us for inspiration and for materials to be sent into the prisons. It is a very enlivening service and we appreciate the opportunity to serve and connect with these souls.
Dear Devotees,
Greetings of Love, Joy and Peace. Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Thanks for the nice letter and the story from the Krishna Book. (Mother Yasoda binds Lord Krishna) I really consider you to be a divine inspiration for me as I continue forward on my journey of self realization.
I have received a nice study course on the Bhagavad-Gita and japa mala beads. I have been chanting Hare Krsna on rosary beads. I enjoy chanting and I chant everyday. Chanting definitely connects me to the eternal source of enlightenment and bliss. This source is Krishna. Krishna is the supreme personality of Godhead. The essence and total foundation of all religion is to be found in Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness uplifts humanity and generations, true peace for everyone that becomes a part of it.
If a person walks with Krishna, that person will never experience anxiety or turmoil. The inner peace that results from worshipping Krishna is spirituality at its highest point. Vegetarianism is the natural outgrowth of a genuine and humane spirituality. Killing innocent animals can never be justified. Gambling, gossiping, speaking profanity, eating meat or doing alcohol/cigarettes/drugs can never be justified. Things which impede and retard spiritual realization should be avoided in all situations. In this age of Kali (Age of Quarrel and Confusion), a practicing Hare Krishna has the good fortune of being able to help deliver peace to the world. The overall love of Krishna embraces a beautiful philosophy that allows a person to see beyond the concept of separation. All of the violence, wars, hate, racism, etc. can be traced to a person’s detachment from their spiritual source (Krishna). I definitely know that Krishna consciousness is the true spiritual path because of the pure happiness that I have received by chanting the maha mantra.
Bhakta Robert, Brunswick NC
We have recently received a letter from the Christian chaplain asking us to send books into the Santo Rosa Prison in Milton, Florida. He says that he was given our name and address from one inmate there and they would be happy to receive a gift of books to help the inmates there who are interested in such topics. We are sending books next week. Many people are appreciating our books. So we continue to seek ways of getting more books into prisons.
For more information on the Prison preaching please contact the following:
Vaisnava Outreach, Inc and ISKCON Prison Ministry
Shyama Priya Devi Dasi
PO Box 2676
Alachua, FL 32616
ISKCON Prison Ministry
Chandrasekhara Das
1400 Cherry St.
Denver, CO 80220
615-403-7566 cell
ISKCON Prison Ministry
Bhaktin Heather Hovey
PO Box 42424
Tucson, AZ 85733
“Wherever you go, whomever you meet, tell them about Krsna”-
Krsna is present in His books, all we have to do is get them into a persons hands. However we distribute books the point is to get people to read them. Here is a nice letter from someone who is doing this in prison. He is a new bhakta.
Dear Mother Shyama,
Hare Krsna. I received the books you sent on Friday. I read Easy Journey to Other Planets and it really opened my eyes to Krsna consciousness knowledge. Mother, I’m willing to follow all of God’s rules. They are not so hard at all. I’ve lost a lot of interest for material things, even having a wife and kids on this material planet. I’m very happy Mother, greater then I’ve ever been before in my life. I feel so good and brand new. I don’t worry about anything. And fear nothing. You never gave up on me. You knew I was only still blind.
The day you sent the books, one man saw me get them and asked me what they were, so I gave two to him to read. Then there were two female officers I introduced to chant the maha mantra and hold these books, they both took off. I told them not to be afraid and what was happening, that they were having their consciousness revived back to God. They didn’t want any part of it. But never forgot. Soon they got their nerves to calm down and read. Soon they felt God’s bliss and love. Mother they were shocked and attracted. I also explained how we were all misled from the true teachings of God and they believed it. So I told them how to contact you for more information. Mother it feels so great and so much fun doing this. I want to teach others how to chant the maha mantra, focus on the lotus feet of the Lord, never doubt, never give up and just read all the books they can, Krsna Himself, will teach them if they do it with faith.
Bhakta Jerome, Reidsville GA
More information on the prison ministry contact:
Shyama Priya
shyamapriya@aol.com
PO Box 2676,
Alachua, FL 32616
352-870-5489