The Film - The Dhamma Brothers

"A wonderful, powerful film. A rare inspiration to all of us." – Richard Gere, actor and Peace activist

The Dalai Lama and Richard Gere

In conjunction with the Vipassana course, Jenny Phillips produced an award winning documentary film which followed Grady and his fellow Dhamma Brothers through the 10-day course.

This remarkable footage provides insight into the prison setting; what it was like to set up a meditation hall in an old gymnasium, sit for hours on end in total silence and to go deep within one’s own heart.

The Dhamma Brothers film may be purchased through Amazon.com or numerous other DVD retailers.

The film has garnered awards and accolades around the world. Based on the positive effects of the Vipassana meditation courses, correctional institutions across the country have modeled the Donaldson Correctional Facility program. Donaldson Warden, Gary Hetzel, has expanded the program at Donaldson. His staff works closely with the Vipassana Prison Project staff to support the inmates who participate in the courses and graduate to become mentors to their fellow inmates.

View the film trailer

Through interviews and an on - screen photo journal presentation, Grady can be seen as a man of hard won self-forgiveness and a sincere commitment to his spiritual journey.

Scott Harshbarger

As noted by several film reviewers, Grady and the other Dhamma Brothers looked within and past prison walls to seek their own personal redemptive truths.

The following reviews demonstrate how deeply moved viewers around the world have been by seeing this powerful film.

"The Dhamma Brothers is one of the most sensitive expressions of hope, capacity for change, and potential vehicles for institutional health that I have seen in my career in criminal justice. Inmates serving long sentences in one of the country’s toughest state prisons experience the liberating effects of the Vipassana meditation program. The Dhamma Brothers points to an effective reentry program for even the most serious offenders in our society. Through the film we realize that inmates can accept responsibility for serious crimes and attempt to engage in personal change…." – Scott Harshbarger – former Attorney General of Massachusetts

"An inspiring event of personal transformation through meditation in inmates at a maximum security prison. It will inspire everyone by the compelling story of personal growth in the harshest conditions." – Richard Davidson, Director, Wisconsin Center for the Affective Sciences.