The following is a personal note written by an ex-inmate who discovered personal freedom during the time of his incarceration at the Dominguez State Jail in San Antonio, Texas.

My name is Rene Chapa. In 2009 I was sentenced to the Dominguez State Jail for one year. Before then, my life had become chaotic and unmanageable. I wanted answers. I wanted to know why my life had been the way it was.

In prison, I attended classes, church, and AA. But I wanted more. Then I heard about the Inner Peace class [part of TPRF’s Peace Education Program in prisons]. I had no idea what it was. I just knew I wanted to be okay.

I started listening to Prem Rawat’s message. It connected me to what I had been reading—the Bible and other material—and to a feeling of peace.

I did not understand at first what Mr. Rawat was telling me. How could he help me? But I knew without a doubt that this was what I wanted. I wrote a letter about peace and read it in the class. I knew that this would work for me when I got out nine months later. I told Roberto and Chantal, the people who brought the videos of Prem Rawat’s message of peace to us, that they would be my friends when I got out.

With time, I understood that there was a place of peace within me. This was a message of Love. With the desire and thirst I had to go within, I found that place of clarity, understanding, patience, love, kindness, and gratitude. I was able to be conscious and appreciate the breath and the gift of life.

I am so grateful to Prem Rawat and all those who have helped me to live a new life of possibilities and gifts. I want to share this experience with everyone. I asked God to use me to help TPRF reach out and help others. Now I have been asked to be part of the Peace Education Program (PEP) in San Antonio and go to Dominguez Jail with the team to talk with inmates there.

I am so happy that I was able to take a bus from Texas to see Prem Rawat in Los Angeles when he spoke at the Shrine Auditorium in August. As part of the PEP team, I attended a meeting with people around the world who go to prisons with this message. I got to share my story with them and let them know how much this message means to people like me.

I am so grateful for that gift that only peace can bring.