Letters on how prisoners are being changed by Srila Prabhupada’s books

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By Shyama Priya devi dasi


When people receive Srila Prabhupada’s books and are tranformed by them it is a wonderful thing to hear about. Here are some of the Vyasa Puja offerings that have been sent to us at ISKCON Prison Ministry.

Found answers to all my questions in Srila Prabhupada’s books:  Srila Prabhupada I want to express my sincere appreciation to you for making such a great sacrifice at such an advanced age to come to America and bring the message of Lord Chaitanya.  I was such a lost soul and looking for answers to some of life’s most profound questions and I have found answers to those questions in Bhagavad Gita As It Is.  I have been drawn closer to you through the readings of your books and lectures.  The Krishna Consciousness has given me the purpose and direction in a life.  I only want to continue to serve Krishna, read your books and draw closer to you through your books and eventually go back to Godhead.  I offer my heartfelt thanks to you for bringing Krishna Conscious philosophy and chanting of Hare Krishna Maha Mantra behind these prison walls.  (Gordon Shaw, Salem OR, he is seriously practicing Krishna Conscious) 

Second chance:  Dear Srila Prabhupada; Thank you for bringing fortune in the unlikely place like prison.  Here I find your nectarine Bhagavatam in the Chaplin’s library for fallen conditioned souls who are struggling in this Dark Age; inmates are getting the torchlight of spiritual knowledge through your books.  You have given us a second chance of spiritual life from any other lower paths to the highest path of devotional service.  You still live in your books and you are practically preaching to uplift us like a dear father.  You teach us the sweet mantra and four regulative principles.  (Mark Barnett, Canon City CO.  He is seriously pursuing Krishna Consciousness for a while).

 
Our Lives become perfect when we receive knowledge from Krishna:  I am very much impressed with the concept of the book Life Comes from Life that you sent me.  Each morning walk brought many Divine treasures from Srila Prabhupada.  He gave specific spiritual valuable insights on a wide variety of topics.  I really enjoyed his explanation of the origin of mystic power.  In this book Srila Prabhupada explains how matter comes from spirit.  In total spirit is the essence of everything, all is Krishna and Krishna is all.  Krishna is the source of everything that exists.  The Bhagavad Gita is enlightenment for all people.  We are happy when we take perfect knowledge from Krishna.  Our lives are perfect when we fashion our lives according to Krishna‘s instruction.  Krishna Consciousness is uplifting human society.  Due to your humble request, I have increased my chanting of Hare Krishna Maha mantra from 60 to 75 minutes each day.  I feel much better since I have increased my chanting to 90 minutes each day.  (Robert Creech, Brunswick NC)

Srila Prabhupada books are guidelines to perfect ones life:  It is because of the mercy of Srila Prabhupada through his ISKCON (IPM, ISKCON Prison Ministry); I have been given his wonderful books and the association of devotees through letters.  IPM has made available to me the books of Srila Prabhupada that are guidelines to perfect ones life.  The devotees within IPM have continually given me the push and encouragement to remain in the process of Krishna Consciousness through chanting, reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, participating in study courses and following the regulative principles.  The devotees of IPM have remained confident of my ability to practice Krishna Consciousness even when I myself am not confident.  They have not given up on me regardless of my situation, chaotic mind and often negative mentality.  I am grateful to Srila Prabhupada for his ISKCON and grateful to the devotees who have made Srila Prabhupada’s books and teachings available to those who are outcaste from the society.  (Mark Myers, Huttonsville WV.  He is seriously practicing Krishna Consciousness for long time)      
 
Srila Prabhupada is bon fide representative of Lord Krishna:  It is best said in the scriptures that spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the confidential servitor of the Lord.  This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities.  Therefore I offer my respectful obeisance’s unto the lotus feet of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  He is the bona fide representative of Lord Krishna.  The chanting of Hare Krishna maha mantra daily changes you internally and externally as a person.  This ISKCON movement is the universal movement to identify the true self, spirit self and eternal position of the self.  (Gregory Ivy, Reidsville, GA.  He is seriously practicing Krishna Consciousness and he preaches Krishna Consciousness to other inmates)
 
I enjoy learning truth from wise Srila Prabhupada:  Fortunately being able to read some of Srila Prabhupada’s books.  Currently, I am reading Bhagavad Gita As It Is and chanting Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, when I can.  These activities lift my spirits, counteract my depression, help alleviate dread I feel being here, and give me the hope I feel for future.  These are gradual feelings but increasing.  I really enjoy learning the truth from wise Srila Prabhupada.  Thank you for offering me the opportunity to read various books of Srila Prabhupada.  If ISKCON Prison Ministry (IPM) would not have sent me books, I would not have been able to read critical important books.  If it were not for IPM, I would not have anyone outside to correspond with.  I am so grateful that there is some one that wonders how I am doing and writes me occasionally, something to keep looking forward to.  Another thing that gives me the hope for the future is that I have somewhere to go when I get out â?? IPM.  Thank you ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada and especially Krishna` for giving me hope.  (David Hopkins, Canon City CO)
 
I have found Lord Krishna:  I am learning what it means to love Lord Krishna.  I have always thought of God as impersonal, but I have learned that He loves me.  My goal is to chant 16 rounds of the Maha-mantra daily.  I will reach it soon.  I am currently in a county jail in Phoenix; I am awaiting my day at a trial and fighting my death penalty case.  I don’t know how it is going to turn out.  I turn thirty three this month but I have found Lord Krishna.  I like writing to you, it is relief to learn that people actually care.   I have been floundering along this path of life for too long away from Lord Krishna.  It is really nice to know that there are Krishna Conscious folks, who care enough to write back, thank you for caring.  (Benjamin Baker, Phoenix AZ)
 
Srila Prabhupada taught everyone to love Lord Krishna:  Srila Prabhupada please accept our heartfelt gratitude, your life exemplifies that your business is showing others how to love Lord Krishna.  Kindly bless us to be worthy of your many gifts and guide us to the shelter of your lotus feet so that devotional activity may be offered for the glorification.  Srila Prabhupada words have no efficacy in describing your complete contribution to world or depth of your devotion to Sri Krishna.  Srila Prabhupada is that Vaishnava, even in closing his sojourn on this planet evidenced how is to be done with dignity, grace and humility.  (Timothy Luke, Yazoo City MS)
 
People have misunderstood life:  Being incarnated, living according to the Scriptures can be challenging but not unattainable.  One must remain focused and his daily life must be expressing that love for Lord Krishna.  We apply these principles of our Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada; it is being expressed by Krishna, Himself.  Often I apply our first principle, the chanting of Hare Krishna Maha mantra, which brings us into divine harmony with the higher self, this creates a channel in which man, cosmos and absolute truth are inclined.  Life is misunderstood today, where emotions, fantasies and connection make people forget who they are but in realty, we must become more conscious and one with Absolute.  The Absolute is within and without, no space or time in which He doesn’t exist.  (Sifu Harold, Childers TX)

If you would like to help send books to prisons please contact us.

For information on ISKCON Prison Ministry please contact Shyama Priya devi dasi; shyamapriya@aol.com,
ISKCON Prison Ministry, PO Box 2676, Alachua, FL 32616; 386-418-8149

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1 Comment to “ Letters on how prisoners are being changed by Srila Prabhupada’s books”

  1. amalagaura says :
    Nov 15, 2007 at 6:14 pm

    Please visit our website: http://www.iskconpm.com

    Currently hosted at namahatta.org.

    We are updating further and will be posting more and more articles and our financial reports very soon along with links for donations.