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SUMMARY Paramahamsa Niranjanananda
Yoga has proved to be a very effective and useful medium for changing the personality of criminals. In a criminal's personality, in his feelings, thoughts and actions, we can see abnormalities. These internal abnormalities completely influence his life and induce him to commit crimes.
Crime is a trait or tendency. Tendency means a wave arising in the mind. If this tendency is calmed down, the personality regains serenity. When the personality attains peace, then mental stress, emotional stress, agitated thoughts etc. also calm down and the suffering and sorrows end. To reform the personality and to change the criminal tendencies, the best solution is to practise yoga.
We hope that not only in this country but throughout the world prisons will become centers of personality reform rather than continue as centers of punishment. Let me also tell you that in the west attempts are being made to reform prisons. Research is being carried out on yoga and behavioral changes and yoga and personality development. The principal function of some of our yoga centers in America and Australia is to go into the prisons and teach yoga to the prisoners of maximum security cells. The prisoners are prepared as yoga teachers and sent to other centers to teach. This work was first carried out in our country and we Indians are proud of it.
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