October 2010
Music and meditation in a jail for young ones
Last Friday we went to a prison for young criminals with medium and heavy crime degrees. We were 15 yogis from Moscow and neighbouring cities.
We were met by very pleasant staff member who was very positive about the program.
Before we had an agreement with the prison staff that we will not speak and we will only sing. But when we came there the staff members asked us to tell everything what we know about spirituality.
We had 30-40 prisoners on the program.
The atmosphere was not tense at all; on the contrary the atmosphere was very kind and almost homely.
We wanted to start our program with Russian songs but we changed our plans and started to sing Indian devotional song called bhajans. We felt that eyes of prisoners and staff members started to sparkle. Some prisoners wanted even to start dancing but they were not allowed of course.
After second bhajan we started to speak about kundalini and Sahaja Yoga meditation.
We conducted self-realization protocol and we had a feeling that many of the prisoners accepted Sahaja Yoga meditation in their hearts.
The program was scheduled to take one and a half hours but when we asked how much time is left the staff told us to continue program ignoring time limits.
Then we stopped the program. When they were going out of the hall many of them were thanking us from their hearts ; it was very pleasant.
The prison staff members invited us to come back to conduct meditations.
Alexander, Moscow
Published by Sahaja yoga meditation in jail
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est Russia. Afficher tous les articles
Affichage des articles dont le libellé est Russia. Afficher tous les articles
samedi 16 juin 2012
vendredi 1 janvier 2010
Russia 2007
Testimony of the organizers of the courses who were also playing music.
On December 16-17 2006, Sahaja Yogis conducted several Self-Realization programs in the prisons of Ryazan Region.
The yogis of the City of Ryazan invited Moscow and Colomna Yogis to help them organizing the programs.
We joyfully reacted to the invitation and on Saturday we were 15 yogis.
This jail is a Men’s Correctional Colony more than 100 km from the Region Center ; it ‘s not very often visited by musicians. That is why we were received quite warmly by the responsibles.
The program was held in the hall where there were a bit more than 400 convicts (and it was only half of all the prisoners). We told them about Sahaja Yoga and altogether we went through the protocol of Self-realization. Then there was a small concert of Indian music and an Indian dance.
The next day, on Sunday, we were waited for in two more colonies: in a Women’s Correction Colony and in a Men’s Correction Colony. In the Women’s Correction Colony we met with young ladies of 14-18 (300-400 people) who greeted us with much warmth and reacted very actively to everything happening during the program.
In the Men’s Colony, where there also were 400 convicts, it was much harder for us than in the previous two colonies. But the high wall of alienation was a little bit softened by an Indian dance and music.
Not many ventured to check the stream above their heads : the conditionings
of the others’ opinion were very strong. Nevertheless, there were the eyes in this hall which followed everything that was happening on the stage with real interest.
We were glad when after the program three prisoners, young guys, approached us. They originally were from Caucasian Republics, Muslims. They wished us in their language “much success in our work”.
Vadim
Published by sahaja Yoga meditation in jails
The yogis of the City of Ryazan invited Moscow and Colomna Yogis to help them organizing the programs.
We joyfully reacted to the invitation and on Saturday we were 15 yogis.
This jail is a Men’s Correctional Colony more than 100 km from the Region Center ; it ‘s not very often visited by musicians. That is why we were received quite warmly by the responsibles.
The program was held in the hall where there were a bit more than 400 convicts (and it was only half of all the prisoners). We told them about Sahaja Yoga and altogether we went through the protocol of Self-realization. Then there was a small concert of Indian music and an Indian dance.
The next day, on Sunday, we were waited for in two more colonies: in a Women’s Correction Colony and in a Men’s Correction Colony. In the Women’s Correction Colony we met with young ladies of 14-18 (300-400 people) who greeted us with much warmth and reacted very actively to everything happening during the program.
In the Men’s Colony, where there also were 400 convicts, it was much harder for us than in the previous two colonies. But the high wall of alienation was a little bit softened by an Indian dance and music.
Not many ventured to check the stream above their heads : the conditionings
of the others’ opinion were very strong. Nevertheless, there were the eyes in this hall which followed everything that was happening on the stage with real interest.
We were glad when after the program three prisoners, young guys, approached us. They originally were from Caucasian Republics, Muslims. They wished us in their language “much success in our work”.
Vadim
Published by sahaja Yoga meditation in jails
jeudi 14 mai 2009
Musical programs in a Russian jail
Testimony of an organizer of Sahaja Yoga meditation courses also singing and playing music.
I personally visits jails, sang and said to prisoners about Sahaja
Yoga.
The programs are held in the following way:
First our compere says some words to the prisoners then the
Music band sings a song. After that the compere continues saying.
After 2-3 songs the compere makes selfrealisation protocol. Then, again a song.
In general we sing 5-6 songs per program. Sahaj Music makes our
programs very effective.
It is the greatest joy to see how all these people change
after such programs. I adore visit prisons with selfrealisation
program.
Some of us noticed that when we came to a prison the weather was nasty but when we left it was joyfullysunny outside !
Dmitry from Togliatti, Russia
Published by Sahaja Yoga Meditation in jail
I personally visits jails, sang and said to prisoners about Sahaja
Yoga.
The programs are held in the following way:
First our compere says some words to the prisoners then the
Music band sings a song. After that the compere continues saying.
After 2-3 songs the compere makes selfrealisation protocol. Then, again a song.
In general we sing 5-6 songs per program. Sahaj Music makes our
programs very effective.
It is the greatest joy to see how all these people change
after such programs. I adore visit prisons with selfrealisation
program.
Some of us noticed that when we came to a prison the weather was nasty but when we left it was joyfullysunny outside !
Dmitry from Togliatti, Russia
Published by Sahaja Yoga Meditation in jail
vendredi 1 mai 2009
Previous programs in Russia
Musical programs started in 1993. The yogis could be trust by the inmates ; the life in jail in Russia was really hard at that time.
The first program started with a Russian song “Tender Golden Wind”. By that time the hall was filled already: there were the “leaders” sitting in the first rows and then followed the rows with ordinary prisoners. Administrative personnel were walking along the hall on the left and right (2-3 people were keeping order). So, after the first song, as usual, silence settled in the hall and only eyes glittering like sparks were seen in the dark, eyes filled with tears… An amazing scene! Then we usely sang Indian music and between the songs we told them about Sahaja Yoga. At some point asked everybody to follow the protocol but not everybody did it!
They all, of course, looked at the “first” rows and the reaction of the “authorities” and other “leaders”. If they approved, many sincerely tried to awaken their Kundalini!.. Once there was a very interesting situation: there were “authorities” sitting in the first rows who expressed with their look that “they did not mind”. Then, all the prisoners made the process of realization. Very quickly, it could be seen on their face that a stone had been removed from their hearts…
When the program ended some guys came up to us and invited us for meeting their friends. We looked at each other and agreed! How surprised we were when we turned out in some room where there were no guards at all, only the prisoners and not the ordinary ones but the “leaders”… We were given the best seats. We were treated as dear guests. And many questions followed ; but first we were asked what places we had visited; being “experienced prisoners” we answered: “We have been to colonies number 3, 6, 19, etc.”; the guys exchanged glances, some of them nodded imperceptibly and by their looks we understood that we were their people.
The idea of the questions was to learn more about Sahaja Yoga and, finally, we heard the request: “Give us Self-realization!”
Once after the program the prisoners held a half an hour concert for us: they sang songs, we talked about Sahaja Yoga… It was felt that Kundalini had awakened very well…
In one colony in the City of Novokujbishevsk Russia, we became so dear to the administration that we were asked to bring video talks of Shri Mataji to the colony. And we did bring the talks. They promised to show them on the colony TV for the prisoners… We were there twice and both the times after the program they came up to us, took booklets, asked questions.
And simply talked to us sincerely and asked where they could come when they were at liberty! They really did come… though not many of them.
In Togliatti, the programs started in 1995. Our music group, five-seven musicians, and another three yogis (who conducted the programs, told the audience about Sahaja Yoga.
Of course, the reaction was not as open as at liberty. All the prisoners looked at each other and if the local “leader” (“authority”) started going through the protocol (put his hand on his heart, etc.) the others also did the same thing, as the local “leader” had approved of it. We sang both Russian and Indian songs. Indian songs were interesting for them and Russian songs touched their hearts.
Usually after the program, the administration did not forbid us to communicate to the prisoners and after the “official” part, during some more 30-40 minutes, we talked about Sahaja Yoga to the ones who had come up to us.
Somewhere the prisoners arranged some kind of “tea drinking” treating us to tea made in prison ( 100g of tea for 1 litre of water). It was impossible to drink it but we tried to be respectful.
We also visited high security colonies and adolescent colonies in the City of Zhigulevsk ; woman’s colonies ; colonies for the people with AIDS ; and once we even were in the colony of very high security, visiting the barracks where there were prisoners who had tuberculosis.
Of course, the impressions were not so pleasant concerning this one. In this colony even the yard where the prisoners walk and the territories between the barracks were separated with iron bars. The doors were locked behind us and we were left completely alone among the prisoners who were condemned to prison for the most severe crimes. There was not a single guard in the hall, only the bars around !
I remember that when we found ourselves beyond the borders of the colony, “at liberty”, we had a feeling that we had visited hell! And I had never been so glad to feel fresh air as that day.
Anyway, we came back with joy to that colony after the program in some other prison.
Published by sahaja Yoga meditation in jails
The first program started with a Russian song “Tender Golden Wind”. By that time the hall was filled already: there were the “leaders” sitting in the first rows and then followed the rows with ordinary prisoners. Administrative personnel were walking along the hall on the left and right (2-3 people were keeping order). So, after the first song, as usual, silence settled in the hall and only eyes glittering like sparks were seen in the dark, eyes filled with tears… An amazing scene! Then we usely sang Indian music and between the songs we told them about Sahaja Yoga. At some point asked everybody to follow the protocol but not everybody did it!
They all, of course, looked at the “first” rows and the reaction of the “authorities” and other “leaders”. If they approved, many sincerely tried to awaken their Kundalini!.. Once there was a very interesting situation: there were “authorities” sitting in the first rows who expressed with their look that “they did not mind”. Then, all the prisoners made the process of realization. Very quickly, it could be seen on their face that a stone had been removed from their hearts…
When the program ended some guys came up to us and invited us for meeting their friends. We looked at each other and agreed! How surprised we were when we turned out in some room where there were no guards at all, only the prisoners and not the ordinary ones but the “leaders”… We were given the best seats. We were treated as dear guests. And many questions followed ; but first we were asked what places we had visited; being “experienced prisoners” we answered: “We have been to colonies number 3, 6, 19, etc.”; the guys exchanged glances, some of them nodded imperceptibly and by their looks we understood that we were their people.
The idea of the questions was to learn more about Sahaja Yoga and, finally, we heard the request: “Give us Self-realization!”
Once after the program the prisoners held a half an hour concert for us: they sang songs, we talked about Sahaja Yoga… It was felt that Kundalini had awakened very well…
In one colony in the City of Novokujbishevsk Russia, we became so dear to the administration that we were asked to bring video talks of Shri Mataji to the colony. And we did bring the talks. They promised to show them on the colony TV for the prisoners… We were there twice and both the times after the program they came up to us, took booklets, asked questions.
And simply talked to us sincerely and asked where they could come when they were at liberty! They really did come… though not many of them.
In Togliatti, the programs started in 1995. Our music group, five-seven musicians, and another three yogis (who conducted the programs, told the audience about Sahaja Yoga.
Of course, the reaction was not as open as at liberty. All the prisoners looked at each other and if the local “leader” (“authority”) started going through the protocol (put his hand on his heart, etc.) the others also did the same thing, as the local “leader” had approved of it. We sang both Russian and Indian songs. Indian songs were interesting for them and Russian songs touched their hearts.
Usually after the program, the administration did not forbid us to communicate to the prisoners and after the “official” part, during some more 30-40 minutes, we talked about Sahaja Yoga to the ones who had come up to us.
Somewhere the prisoners arranged some kind of “tea drinking” treating us to tea made in prison ( 100g of tea for 1 litre of water). It was impossible to drink it but we tried to be respectful.
We also visited high security colonies and adolescent colonies in the City of Zhigulevsk ; woman’s colonies ; colonies for the people with AIDS ; and once we even were in the colony of very high security, visiting the barracks where there were prisoners who had tuberculosis.
Of course, the impressions were not so pleasant concerning this one. In this colony even the yard where the prisoners walk and the territories between the barracks were separated with iron bars. The doors were locked behind us and we were left completely alone among the prisoners who were condemned to prison for the most severe crimes. There was not a single guard in the hall, only the bars around !
I remember that when we found ourselves beyond the borders of the colony, “at liberty”, we had a feeling that we had visited hell! And I had never been so glad to feel fresh air as that day.
Anyway, we came back with joy to that colony after the program in some other prison.
Published by sahaja Yoga meditation in jails
Inscription à :
Articles (Atom)