Vipassana behind bars in....Alabama?

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Whoa everybody, this one really threw me for a loop!



I don't want to reinforce any negative sterotypes about my home state Alabama (Dear Ole Dixie), but needless to say I was a bit surprised to watch a trailer about this new movie The Dhamma Brothers. This movie is about how some filmmakers and meditation teachers held the first 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat in a maximum security prison in North America in January 2002, according to the website. Donaldon Correctional Facility in Bessemer is about 45 minutes from my hometown and I am elated and encouraged by the fact that there are people teaching meditation there.



Please watch the trailer and learn more through this link: http://www.dhammabrothers.com/trailer.html



There are some great letters from the inmates on the website as well (which will soon be published).



I lived for 23 years in Alabama, and growing up in the "Bible Belt" was not without its challenges as I became an adult (and also gave me some good fodder for therapy :). That is why I am so inspired by the work of these filmmakers, that they brought these tools and teachings to people who would otherwise not have access to them. I haven't seen the whole movie, but it's possibly similar to Doing Time, Doing Vipassana, which is set in an Indian prison. Please watch the trailer and let me know what you think.



I will be contacting the filmmakers to hopefully get a copy of the film--I'll keep you posted.



peace! sarah

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Comment by Myokei Shonin on October 16, 2007 at 5:44pm
Sarah,
Hello, thanks for sharing this film. I'd love to share it with the guys in Navasota. Thanks for the welcome also!

Myokei
Comment by Jeffrey Levy on August 2, 2007 at 1:06am
Jenny Phillips of Freedom Behind Bars Productions produced the film. You can reach Jenny to request dvds or info at:

jennyphillips101@aol.com
Comment by Jeffrey Levy on August 2, 2007 at 12:36am
This just in:

For Massachusetts residents or people who like to travel, the film will be showing at the Woods Hole Film Festival this coming weekend.

Jeff
Comment by Jeffrey Levy on August 2, 2007 at 12:19am
Hey Sarah,

I think the movie's at the ready-to-be-released-at-film-festivals stage. I'll be confirming this week.

You're right that D Bros shares alot with Doing Time. Both prison settings, both employ Vipassana retreat as central practice. I won't be a spoiler, though ...

Very happy to see people are already getting stoked for seeing it.

Jeff
Comment by Lauren Gaines on August 1, 2007 at 1:50pm
Sarah,
I, too, want to contact them to see if I could get a hold of the film! I watched the trailer today and would like to have the guys in my yoga/meditation class at the jail watch this! Have you gotten a response from the filmmakers yet? We should ask Jeff Levy since he works for Lionheart Foundation... I think they helped produce it or are connected maybe through distribution of the film.
Lauren

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