Sahaja Yoga Meditation in Mexico

Testimony of the organizer of the courses of Sahaja Yoga

In a small city, we have organized a meditation program in jail. There is a group of 8 men that regularly follow the meditation course; 4 persons do it since 2 years and half.
We used to be much more, but some of them are free now.

Last friday, the ladies told us that they alos wanted to start a Sahaja Yoga Méditation course. These are good news.

Maria Teresa
Mexico 2009
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Meditation in Australian jails

In the year 2000, programs were given in the jail for juvenile of Canberra.
Here is the testimony of the organizers of the courses.

8 inmates, 2 guards and a social worker were participating. The prisoners were very opened, asked many questions. The planning was spontaneous . We were watching a video about Sahaja Yoga, or discussing, or meditating…

We had to stop after 3 months because it was holydays and every program was stopping. There were also only 2 inmates left. The others were gone after their trial.

The following year, there were not enough yogis available to start again the programs.
Other programs are organised in Australia: in a jail for foreigners in irregular situation ; in a jail for adults near by Sydney ; in centers of rehabilitation for people taking drug or alcohol.
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In Colombia

Courses of Sahaja Yoga were proposed in 2004 for people under addiction, in a center of rehabilitation.
There were also Sahaja Yoga Méditation courses in the jail of Medellin in September 2006.
Testimony of the men who tought this meditation there.

The program we made in Medellin was in a maximun security jail and you can imagine the cases of the prisoners. And despite their past they can get the realization very easily.

We taught some techniques during 8 weeks. Then,we made an evaluation with them, how things have been improving, answer questions, how to improve more the meditation and connection with Kundalini.

In every week we had 2 or 3 meditations moments and a little bit talk about the subject ; they enjoyed to understand how we are built inside.
In Medellin, Colombia
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Meditation in France

In France, Sahaja Yoga programs in jail started like this : the director of an association had followed some courses of Sahaja Yoga Meditation 4 years ago, said one day, to the responsible of the Sahja Yoga courses : "this Sahaja Yoga Meditation is very efficient. I am sure it can help inmates. Do you agree to do something in jail ? I shall recommend you to the director."

The yogi called the director who told him : " we don't need any recommendation, any documentation about your association. We give you 3 months to prove how Sahaja Yoga Meditation can help prisonners."

So the organizer started the courses. After 3 times, he had to stop one month. When he started again, 12 inmates came back even after this one month break.

One man said that he felt so well, that he was meditating whenver he had the time to do it. He said he stopped taking drugs. Another one said he stopped smoking.

A lady, member of the direction came several times and meditated as well with the group.
The first time, at the end, she said : "what you are doing is extraordinary ! You have to know taht these 5 inmates who were at the program, are always very nervous. And they were silent for 2 hours. I never saw them like that !"
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Julien from Holland

Julien, 24 years old in 2005, learned Sahaja Yoga meditation in a Dutch jail. He says it was an opportunity to know better himself.

I am a young boy 24 years old . I am now in jail in Holland. I am not going to tell you here for which reason I was brought between these walls, that’s not the point.

It’s happening to everybody in our life to look for deeper things than the modern Society can afford us ; to have questions on our place in the World ; on the meaning of our life ; on the mysteries of the Creation ...etc.
During a long time, I unconsciously pushed back these questions , repressed my sensations, I was neither listening myself , and nor the others too.
In a time of my life full of doubts and incertitude, I was like sucked up as far as this kind of very particular residence which is the prison.

At the beginning and during many months, it was like if the Sky had fallen down on my head.
Then, I crossed on my way a guard and his wife who are responsible of a group of meditation inside the jail. I interested myself to this course.
It was then an upheaval in my life : from that point, I was born a second time.
Also, I started to learn to know myself, to become myself, to undertake an inside travel.

The faith which was sleeping in me since ever awake itself , my convictions became bigger. Every day, I was becoming more sure of what I was believing in.
In fact, I understood that the jail had been for me a gift from God ; and then an opportunity to meet the whole compassion of Shri Mataji through Sahaja Yoga.

To-day, being still inexperienced , I am trying to grow up , to build myself . I am moving forward on the way of the Life.
Also, the pain of having lost freedom made way for a great joy in me because even if this place of meditation is narrow, it contains the Unlimited.

Julien, June 2005
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Meditation in New York

Tree members of Sahaja Yoga wrote their impression after having made a course of meditation in the widdest jay of New York

Herbert R. In the center of rehabilitation, there were 7 huge dormitories with 60 inmates in each. We were teaching them yoga there among the beds. Those who were not interested were staying behind.
The first day, I saw many rock faces arriving. But during the meditation, these faces became like children faces !

Maryanne B: “ In the room for drugged people where I was, I could hear a pin drop. Even the men who did not participate were respectable and whispered not to disturb those meditating. It was as though something special was taking place. "

Jerry M.: “The very first program was held in an area with prisoners who had medical problems. The guys were all lined up. Some also came in wheelchairs.

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Shanti's testimony

My name is Shanti, I am from Malaysia. I heard about the Sahaja Yoga Meditation, 11 years ago by my brother.
He was following the courses and informed me regularly about something not important for me at that time.
Now that I have been here in jail, I wanted to see what this Sahaja Yoga could give me. Quitness and relaxation ?
Yes, I could relax and my soul is a little bit more quiet.
I thank my teachers who have taken care of all the inmates of our jail.

Shanti, Madrid 2009
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In Ouagadougou

Courses started in June 2004, after a visit to the director and to the one responsible for the Penitenciar Administration.

There were programs of 2 hours, twice a week in the jail of Ouagadougou, the main town of the country.

35 inmates were participating regularly.
The cells being opened in the corridor during the day-time, the inmates were speaking about Sahaja Yoga to
their friends. And every evening, they met each other in the same cell to meditate together.
It took 3 months for the teaching team to become quite popular among the inmates.
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In Johannesburg

Courses were done for women in the jail of Johannesburg. The social worker received the authorisation from the director.

The ladies were very interested but became quite unsatisfied as the programs had to stop because the social worker went to another jail.
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Native American ladies in Canada

Courses were done in jail for Native American ladies of Kitchener. This jail is for inmates who will be free quite soon.
8 ladies were participating to the first program of Sahaja Yoga Meditation.
They were more for the other programs.
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Sahaja Yoga in Istanbul

Sahaja Yoga was taught in 2 sections of the jail in 1999: for the adults and for the juvenile.
At the beginning, courses took place in 3 different rooms because there were 3 gangs fighting against each other in the jail.

One day, 2 rooms were not available, so everybody had to be together : no problem occured between the 3 gangs.
The guards were very impressed by such results. This experience was even reported in the newspapers.

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In the jail of Budapest

In 2006,15 inmates were following courses of Sahaja Yoga Meditation twice a week in the jail of Budapest.
These courses started in May 2002. In March 2003, 60 inmates had received an introduction to Sahaja Yoga Meditation.

Many prisoners went to other jails for different reasons. Several of them gave news, saying taht they still meditated on their own.
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Near by Vienna

The jail of Krems is a jail for inmates having at least 10 years of jail to do.
Programs started there in the year 2000. Here are the impressions of the man who made the courses of Sahaja Yoga meditation.

At the beginning, they were 7 inmates. But several changed of jail. After some months, they were only 3.
At the beginning of the programs, one inmate was very depressed. Being 27, he was just condemned to jail for life.

After the awakening of his kundalini, and some meditations, he could emerge from that state. He was helping afterwards in the library of the jail.
Another inmate was transferred in another jail. He wrote a letter asking that Sahaja Yoga be taught in his new jail. He sent a letter to the yogis saying he was following to meditate and: “ thank you. Now I am much more relaxed. I integrate Sahaja Yoga completely in my life now. This yoga became indispensable for me.”
The last 3 inmates after some months of yoga were more quiet. They could go in a jail with a less hard rule.

The psychologist of the jail noticed the big change of these inmates but there is no report stating her remarks.

Even the priest said he saw a big amelioration and asked to be introduced to Sahaja Yoga Meditation himself.
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Sahaja Yoga in Timisoara

Short testimony of the organizer of the courses of Sahaja Yoga meditation in a jail from Romania.

The administration was giving the permit for 4 months to teach Sahaja Yoga for the men part of the jail.
There also, some prisoners were crying after the awakening of their kundalini.

Mihael

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Concert in a Czech jail

Testimonies of 3 members of Sahaja Yoga meditation

In November 2003, we organized a concert with our music band “Wind in Hands”. Nathalie was inspired by the experience of SY from Holland with their programs in Prison. There were also 2 men coming regularly for almost one year to the programs outside in Opava who were working in the prison.

Behind 10 security locks, at the place of former chapel, were our musicians playing vibratory whirlwind for 50 sentenced women. From the total number 200, were chosen only 50 even though the interest from the side of women was much higher.

And really the vibrations were almost touchable through the voices of our musical group “Wind in Hands”. Women were reacting without restraints, were doing self-realisation exercise with great joy and telling each other their impressions. At the end of the program the group was playing song “Good Bye” and after adding songs we were giving them leaflets about Sahaja Yoga.

I have gained very valuable experience from understanding, that in the darkest place is the light most visible.

The worst were only our hidden fears and often unnecessary worries.
Kamila


In prison in Opava

Our first meeting with the involuntary dwellers of this tightly guarded fort has occurred when we came out from the stair’s shaft to a wide corridor bordered by cells.

We were not in the department of the heaviest cases so the cells were opened and the dwellers were freely rooming in the corridor. We were immediately attracting their attention. The security guards brought us to a room where the concert was supposed to take place. The hall was slowly getting full. The preceptor had introduced us and explained that our name is not “wind it to the pocket” as they thought at first but “wind into hands”.

And we could start. It was puzzled, nobody knew what to expect, they from us and we from them. How to say that we are happy they came for concert when they have nowhere to come…..they are here and nothing else is left….

The first song was Ganesha Ganesha…Before we started to play, we heard from the crowd: “And what is it about…?”Ondra explained who Ganesha is. Atmosphere was amazing after the first song….

The eyes of women started shining like stars on early evening sky, joy and spontaneity started to come. It is a dream of all musicians to have audience with such an opened heart….

Almost all felt vibrations during meditation led by Ondra. Some ladies were enthusiastically describing the column of energy rising from their heads…
It was amazing…. We were collectively singing … and then Lenka was singing raga. All women were listening with attention and were meditating…. Ondra was then singing very nicely the beginning for the song Vishva Vandita and ovation was not ending…

There was a big interest for leaflets with description of meditation so that one supervisor had to take care of them and distribute them one after another, otherwise the ladies would fight for them.

When we came out from the gate of the prison, we were all exhausted but happy that we could give something to those who need it most…
Marek

Remarks of another singer


I was surprised that most of them were so young… It was taking me by surprise little bit ; and with tight throat I was talking to myself : "girls, what have you done that you are here..?"
One girl confided to Ondra she was sentenced for 5 years…

Then something unbelievable happened – Lenka managed all the audience to sit with palms up on their knees even before realisation exercise. The young ones were sitting on the ground with crossed legs and with closed eyes. And believe it or not, when I heard all the prisoners to sing the mantra OM so beautifully like one (it is something that we did not manage with any audience till now!!!) I felt like weeping and I was little worried that when my solo comes I will not be able to sing.

I had feeling that we only very seldom sing so nicely, uniformly and with full speed like in this strange environment. Perhaps it was caused even by our wish to give them as much light as possible… I would say they were our most grateful audience. Some of them were able to feel their Kundalini even before Ondra led them through realisation. Many of them were having questions like seekers usually have…

The Sun looked out of clouds in whiles and moved over our heads. I have not felt since long so much full and absolute security.

Marta


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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.


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Organisers of the courses in Belgium

Sahaja Yoga was contacted by 2 responsible of the jail. Then, we were invited there to explain them this method. They experimented the realization and said it was ok to start.

We made our first presentation of Sahaja Yoga on the 20th of March 2009. 25 inmates had given their name, 15 came, 11 staid and got realization. They were showing a big interest and then were very friendly. I asked myself what they could have done to be there.
An Iranian was really peaceful. There were also people from North Africa and from Eastern countries. A Romanian had to translate French into German for his Croate friend.

Before leaving, the inmates shaked our hands to say good bye. One said : “and, please, come back!”

Next meeting is on the 10th of April 2009.


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Sahaja Yoga in a Young Offenders Prison

All inmates aged between 15 – 17 yrs old. Testimony of Rosalyn, leading the course in a jail of Staffordshire (UK) in 2006.
To begin with I really didn’t know how to approach these boys with Sahaja Yoga. It became obvious that the boy’s attention was not going to be sustainable for very long and also the language used would have to be very simple and open so they could not only understand, but also take on board the knowledge I wished to share with them.


On arriving at the entrance of the prison the candles brought along would not be allowed inside, nor the incense or anything to light it with. So although resources were very few, I was amazed and heartened that these boys had such a good experience.
Finally 7 boys came along to this first meditation, and their drama teacher came with them to experience her realisation also.


These 7 boys were rowdy and boisterous but not aggressive and really quite polite. Some were very self-conscious and kept their heads down in the beginning, but fortunately there was one boy who was bold, outspoken and was the ‘spokesman’ for the group. He asked many questions. Honest questions and he wanted honest, straightforward answers. This was very helpful as the others didn’t have as much confidence to speak out.


Beginning with a simple relaxation session, with music, some deep breathing and carried out a relaxation session with them first. (They would not take their shoes off). To begin with just basic relaxation always aiming their attention at the fontanelle area, at the top of their head.


On finishing this initial part I asked for their experiences. Half of the group had very strong feelings of relaxation and enjoying the session - they felt different things such as heaviness and one felt a lot of heat.


On talking to the boys, they asked a lot of questions:-
“What can it do for me”?, “Why did I feel heat”?, “How can I say to myself ‘I am not guilty’, when I am, that’s why I’m in here”? (in prison).


The boys became quite animated again and the quieter ones were now talking much more and exchanging their ideas with each other. Some did say that they couldn’t relax well but in all the boys could clearly be seen that their eyes had changed, their demeanor was more open, relaxed and cheerful.


We then had a talk about freedom and how things could change for them, particularly when they leave the prison. The confident spokesman ‘Wesley’ was very open and talked about his aims and what he felt he wanted from life, this helped some of the others to talk more about themselves too.


Then they were quietened down again in preparation for Realisation session.
Gradually as their attention was taken more ‘inside’ they became more relaxed and you could see the meditation beginning to work. They all moved their hands on the chakras and concentrated on the inner affirmations lifting their hands to Sahasrara.


I felt Vibrations suddenly blow across both my hands, and cool vibrations were gushing out above my own head. I opened my eyes to look at the boys. No matter what these boys had done in the past, no matter what their background or history was, I could see the pure innocence on their faces whilst they experienced the deep meditation. I could feel nothing but love at that moment, and a big smile came to me and tears in my eyes at the same time.


As we ended the session they all opened their eyes, and ALL, were bubbling with their own experience and the one boy who had felt nothing earlier and was hunched over with crossed arms, his face was clear and open and his eyes shining. Wesley told us that whilst he was meditating he felt an old anger welling up in him, he described how this happened to him at school where he used to throw chairs around in his anger, but he said it subsided naturally during the meditation.


As they began to leave us, the warden ‘searched’ them and took them all back to their rooms, they turned back to me and asked me to please come back again for more meditation.

Rosalyn
UK


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TV documentary about sahaja yoga as help for the prisoners

European forum : the rehabilitation of the inmates in Europe on Arte, French-German channel , November 19 2005.

The recurrence, which solutions ?

Arte broadcasted a documentary on the rehabilitation of inmates in 3 European countries. The journalists just went to a jail where Sahaja Yoga is taught : in Helsinki .
And they filmed P. , an inmate who has been practising Sahaja Yoga since January 2004 . P. arrived in this jail in 2001. He was feeling very bad before meeting Sahaja Yoga.

The introducer of the documentary :
“As every Saturday evening, we present you our European Forum. To put somebody in jail is one thing. To prevent his recurrence is another thing.”

After the documentary in Czech Republic and the one in France, now, we go to Finland..........

The introducer:
“.If there is is a Paradise for rehabilitation of prisoners, no doubt that’s Finland. The way of Scandinavian people is simple : to bring closer step by step inmates to normal life.”

Commentaries :
“In this jail we are going to visit, there are 340 inmates. This jail of Helsinki is the second one from Finland for the number of prisoners. Tree quarters of the inmates were already condemned. But the jail is doing a lot for rehabilitation.
The surroundings of this jail seem to be peaceful. In some parts of the jail, the inmates have a little freedom.
P. is living in a cell which is staying opened the whole day. Studies and meditation, that’s how he is spending his time.
P. was recommended to us by the Administration as a model. A model because the jail permetted him to make a discovery : yoga. Yoga changed completely the life of P. “

P. :
“We are several inmates practising yoga together. We are meditating together once a week, on Sundays morning. And every Wednesday, somebody is coming from outside to teach us.”

Commentaries :
“P. is condemned for life. With the laws of Finland, he may be released after 14 years of jail. And even before with a presidential pardon.”

P. :
“That’s quite well here. We can choose among many activities.”

Commentaries :
“P. prepared his bachelor in jail. He is following University courses with teachers coming in the jail.
There is also the possibility to work in the jail. The work is furnished by factories.”

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Article : Prison looks to yoga for redemption

By Web Editor. December 6th, 2005

(ANSA) - The power of yoga could stretch to the reform of criminal personalities, or so a prison in Velletri near Rome is hoping.
The Velletri jail will soon be offering yoga classes to its inmates in a year-long experiment aimed at helping the prisoners find inner peace and aiding their social rehabilitation.
“We think these classes will help the prisoners for their social, psychological and spiritual recovery,” a local government official responsible for prisoners’ rights, Angiolo Marroni, told ANSA.

“If the prisoner can attain a sense of inner harmony, serenity and peace, as well as greater self-knowledge, then social reintegration after jail can only be easier,” he said.

The courses will be given by experts in a popular method of meditation known as Sahaja Yoga, which was founded in India 35 years ago.The prisoners will be taught by volunteers belonging to the worldwide non-profit organisation Sahaja Yoga International.

Marroni stressed that the inmates would not be forced to attend the classes but he said he was confident that many would be interested in the offer.
Yoga, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, is taught in many prisons around the world. According to yoga associations, some 100,000 prisoners in 15 countries currently take part in such classes.


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