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GREETINGS TO ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE DHARMA WHO PRACTICE IN PRISON:

I am a 45 year old male, I have been practicing meditation and physical (Hatha) yoga since I was 18.  I had studied Buddhism a little, but not seriously.

When I came to prison nearly seven years ago, I decided that I would seriously try this Buddhism thing and see if it worked.  If it could help me cope with the worst period of my life, then it had validity.

Fortunately, I found books in the library which led me to some serious practitioners and my Dharma brother.  After much patience and tribulation, we founded the first officially sanctioned Buddhist sangha in a Pennsylvania prison.

So I was very blessed early on in supportive outer circumstances.  The inner landscape was a bit more rocky.  I am a recovering alcoholic and devoted family man.  I had to face painful loneliness and the reality of my addiction and its effects.

At the first facility, where I spent two years, I lived in an open dormitory.  So there were TVs with headphones flickering around me, people walking and talking.

I always feel that as challenging as the outer distractions may be, the inner distractions are worse.  It is, after all, my untamed afflictive emotions that undid me in the relative quiet of my own home.

If you are just starting the practice, noises and things can be very difficult.  Try to find quiet times, early morning, late at night, and sit regularly, daily, even if only a short time.  Regard distractions gently, as with your inner thought, use the attitude of touch and let go.  Acknowledge the bullhorn as the cellie, gently, and let go and return.

Be diligent and patient.  Remember that the nun in her cave deals with the same mental and emotional waste dump that you do.  Results will not be dramatic.  Gaining even a little patience or compassion can be very helpful.  More will come in time.

If you need books to study, there are many resources to write and they are very generous.  Please thank them when they help you and have respect for the material they send.

Don’t be concerned in the beginning about being the perfect mediator.  Don’t look for visions and bizarre state of consciousness.  These things are just foolishness.

The more you read and practice, you will find that Buddhism and meditation are very basic in substance.  They make sense, and can help you to deal with your crazy circumstances and crazy mind.

You may also need drug and alcohol treatment, psychological guidance and other recovery methods.  They all help.  Please use them.

Take all on the Path, challenge the teachings to help you, challenge your teacher, test and see what works.

One story in closing.  The first housing area I lived in was on the second floor of a large building on a hilltop in Northern Pennsylvania.  There were large windows and it had what many called the “Million-Dollar View.”  Off on one direction was a small town with a white church steeple.  In another direction was a small lake, all surrounded by trees, hawks and birds flying.

One morning as I stood by my bunk, I said to the man next to me, “Isn’t it a beautiful view?”  He said, “No, I hate it.  I hate everything about this place.  I’ve been here two years and never looked out those windows.”   The choice is yours.

Being Peace

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