Movie Fundraiser

This screening of the award-winning documentary film A Mindful Choice is raising funds for teaching meditation in New Zealand prisons.

Tickets can be booked by texting 021 493 783 or emailing savitri@thebrightpath.com.

Ishaya monk Savitri will attend the screening to answer questions about the film which shows the positive effects of Ascension meditation, including on maximum security prisoners in Mexico.

In making the documentary the New Zealand film-makers visited the Apodaca prison in Mexico, where maximum security prisoners are turning their lives around after learning the meditation.

Producer Greg Hopkinson says the visit was inspiring. “These people are finding real peace, often against incredible odds. It shows true freedom is in everyone’s reach. With the film we want to show more people that peace is possible.”

The head prison warden says the program has helped dramatically lower violence and improve wellbeing in the prison.

Savitri is one of more than a dozen Ishaya monks who teach the ascension meditation techniques in New Zealand prisons.

She says the transformation in some of the inmates is extraordinary.

“These techniques are great at helping people who have been suffering from their troubled and over-busy minds. In today’s stressful times it’s more important than ever for people to be able to let go of thoughts and fear and find real ongoing peace,” she says. “It’s amazing when people realise this is possible for them.”