{"id":7724,"date":"2009-10-01T06:46:42","date_gmt":"2009-10-01T05:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=7724"},"modified":"2009-10-01T06:46:42","modified_gmt":"2009-10-01T05:46:42","slug":"iskcon-prison-ministry-krsna-consciousness-from-the-mouth-of-the-inmates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=7724","title":{"rendered":"Iskcon Prison Ministry: Krsna consciousness, From the Mouth of the Inmates"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Bhakti-lata Dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every day, inmates all over the States take their beads and chant in the confinement of their cells. They read and often study Prabhupada\u2019s books; they draw Krsna-related pictures; they share Krsna consciousness with others. Every day, hundreds of inmates reach out to a handful of devotee volunteers by writing letters full of questions, realizations and hope, practicing one of the devotional art of sharing love as described in the Nectar of Instruction; guhyam akhyati prcchati; revealing one\u2019s mind in confidence and inquiring confidentially. It is a real privilege to be privy to these inquiries and revelations and I want to share some of this nectar with you today.<\/p>\n

\u201cI took the Nectar of Devotion to school today and I got to break the ice so to speak with a classmate. Who knows, lets pray about it.<\/p>\n

At any rate, I have read only a few of Srila Prabhupada\u2019s books and currently am in a cell with someone who shares his Gita with me. I also try to do the studies or lessons in every issue of BTG.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bhakta Jerry<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Mother Bhakti-lata,<\/p>\n

Thank you for writing and it was excellent to hear from you my friend! I wasn\u2019t going to write right back but your letter and what you said about everything are so compelling that I am writing this right after reading your letter. I\u2019m not even sure where to start.<\/p>\n

I actually had\/have a little tearing in my eyes when I read it! And I\u2019m not given to that kind of thing, really, but it happened. Krsna really is speaking through His devotee and it is like nectar just like the books say!\u201d<\/p>\n

Bhakta Kenneth<\/p>\n

Corcoran, California<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease know that the work you are doing is so very significant. It can make a life changing difference in a prisoner\u2019s life. These teachings are so powerful. Just reading this material seems to elevate my consciousness. How much more so, practicing and applying the principles?<\/p>\n

I am so grateful that you folks are still able to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bhakta Robert<\/p>\n

Sneads, Florida<\/p>\n

\u201cToday I got all the reading material that you sent, and was very excited after going through it, and I could tell just by scanning it that all the enclosed items contain a great deal of knowledge.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have any of the books the other devotees sent me because I read them then gave them to my neighbor. I do an excessive amount of reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bhakta Jonh Paul Abilene<\/p>\n

Texas<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m currently reading the book \u201cSrila Prabhupada is Coming!\u201d by Mahamaya Devi Dasi. It is very nice reading and I can see myself inside the telling of her personal memories as I read them; as a real witness. This kind of reading adds depth to my desire to have personal face to face dealings and association with devotees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bhakta Kevin<\/p>\n

Plymouth, WI<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no words to express what joy is within my heart. Material worlds mean nothing on this transcendental road\u2026where \u201cBack to Godhead is the theme song and Krsna prema is the goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anonymous<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not know how to thank you for these treasures. Thank you so very much for these nectarian books and magazines. They will be read and enjoyed many, many times in the months to come.<\/p>\n

All is well with me here. As I continue to seek God and chant His name, my life is improving in every way, at every level. It is very challenging to pursue sadhana here in this environment but to return to mundane concerns and material consciousness is no longer a viable option. I\u2019m all in!<\/p>\n

I now chant every day, sitting in before the pictures you sent me of Radha-Krsna. Also, I get up at 4 AM and meditate till 6 AM and then from 7 to 8 PM. Then when I go to bed at 10 PM I meditate and talk with the Lord till 12 PM. \u201d<\/p>\n

Bhakta Robert<\/p>\n

Sneads, FL<\/p>\n

\u201cI really like to think about little Krsna being so approachable and playful like my little cousins. God just being a little baby is strangely compelling for some reason- it\u2019s excellent!<\/p>\n

Actually I\u2019ve cooled a little on the study of IChing because it\u2019s easier and quicker to approach the Truth directly and since Krsna is the touchstone of Truth I might as well go to Him first and Last!\u201d<\/p>\n

Bhakta Kenneth <\/p>\n

Corcoran, California<\/p>\n

\u201cI was listening to a couple of other guys speaking about the ISKCON Prison Ministry; they spoke with so much genuine passion, my mere curious alerts got the best of my mind!! The next day I ran across the address of ISKCON.<\/p>\n

At this stage of my life, I\u2019m on a quest for truth, peace and spiritual balance.<\/p>\n

You have explained so much in this missive but more so, you spoke with vehemence and this attracts me to seek more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bhakta Shawn<\/p>\n

Susanville, CA <\/p>\n

Once, Prabhupada said that devotees are others\u2019 good fortune; nowhere is it more apparent than in this prison preaching program.<\/p>\n

IPM is maintained solely by the mercy of our supporters. We need donations so we can continue sending letters and books to hundreds. If you feel inspired or moved by these testimonials and want to help out in any way, please contact me at:<\/p>\n

ISKCON Prison Ministry<\/p>\n

PO Box 2676<\/p>\n

Alachua, FL 32616-2676<\/p>\n

IskconPrisonMinistry@gmail.com<\/p>\n

386-418-3828<\/p>\n

—
\nBhakti-lata Dasi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Bhakti-lata Dasi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every day, inmates all over the States take their beads and chant in the confinement of their cells. They read and often study Prabhupada\u2019s books; they draw Krsna-related pictures; they share Krsna consciousness with others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7724","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7724"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7724\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7724"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7724"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7724"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}