by Benita, an inmate in Unit 31, Ezeiza, Argentina 

I fell in love with Prem Rawat’s message in prison. The message is about the right a human being has to life, to dignity, to the knowledge of oneself. 

Before hearing this message, my life was so cruel, so hard. There was no reason to feel thankful, happy, or good. The years went by like this until I ended up in prison with a life sentence. I went through many things in prison. I was against everything and everyone—against life, against myself—feeling so guilty, carrying a heavy burden.

One day an inmate gave me printed material from the workshop on peace. Then I started attending it myself. From the first day, Prem Rawat’s message reached my tough heart, and that was not easy! I continued listening. Then I started inviting inmates to this wonderful workshop and talking about Prem Rawat to everybody, including the staff. Week after week I attended, and I was feeling better every week.

It seems almost impossible to be transformed in prison, especially with a life sentence, but I was transformed by Prem Rawat’s words of peace and hope. Since I started listening to him, my life changed completely. Now I have a new life. I have received this beautiful experience that he gives, and I am in peace.

Prem Rawat visited us here last year. When I saw him, I felt an immense happiness. He spoke to us with so much love. Then I spoke to him, and he told me beautiful words that I keep deep in my heart. That gave me a lot of strength to continue with my life.

I am a much better person now. Last week the authorities informed me that, due to my very good conduct, my life sentence will be reduced. Probably next year I will be sent to my hometown prison. There I will tell everybody about the message. I want to help other people feel what I do.

Before I used to live in loneliness, like an abandoned flower in the desert that needed water. My life changed completely when Prem Rawat came to my life. His message has reached so deep in my heart and made me feel more human than ever before. I’m still in prison and will be for a long, long time. My body is imprisoned here, but my heart is so far away.

I wrote a song for Prem Rawat: “This gift of life I have learnt because of you. I hear your voice so precious in my heart. I carry in my soul words of peace filling my being. Thank you for bringing peace, hope, and joy to my life.”