Looking Back
Looking back over this past weekend, everything seemed to pass by in an ecstatic blur.
We (the members of The IPBYS Prison Program) were in total bliss, being caught in a whirlwind of sweet seva.
We were instruments to be used in the service of Sri Guru and Gauranga.
One of the young men from our prison ministry became the first person in the ministry to receive Harinama initiation.
He was blessed by the kind mercy of Srila Bharati Maharaja who accepted him as his disciple.
This young man (formerly Michael) is now known as Mahananda prabhu.
When we learned of his desire to take shelter of this process by initiation, bringing him from Killeen, Texas, we scrambled to host and assist in this endeavor in any way we could.
He is such a wonderful young man, and shows signs of greed to understand our teachings.
I have been asked to write something in short, although there is so much more to be said about this experience.
By the mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga, The Governor (Syamarani Didi), The Warden (Vasanti Didi) and corrections officers (Vimala Didi and I), some real rehabilitation has begun for Mahananda Prabhu. In other words the bhakti process is the true department of corrections.
I would like to offer my gratitude and pranam to all those that helped in this endeavor
All glories to our Rupanuga Guru Varga.
Syamasundara dasa
Hare Krsna and my obeisances to all,
For myself, the four days Mahananda dasa spent with us in Alachua was a very beautiful and moving experience, that I can’t quite find words to describe. Therefore, I was inspired to make a slideshow of his time in Alachua,
One of our main concerns and challenges those of us serving this program feel, is what will happen when the inmates are released. Mahananda dasa showed us, there is no need for concern – Guru and Krsna take care of everything. I am so grateful to the devotees here in Alachua who welcomed Mahananda prabhu with open arms and hearts and taught by example the moods our Srila Gurudeva is instilling in us.
In service,
Vasanti dasi