STUDY COURSES | TESTIMONIALS | LETTERS & ESSAYS | ART & POETRY | PHOTO GALLERY

Myth of Freedom clearly took me deeper into the teachings, but it also took me into [myself].”

 

 

“There is much work left to do, but the overall impact the Myth of Freedom has had on me is one of being empowered to begin working more thoroughly with my mind.”

 


 

“[The Myth of Freedom Course] has made me feel more compassionate and aware of others around me. It has helped me to rid myself of much ego and taught me how to be humble.”

 


 

“The Myth of Freedom Course has had a tremendous impact on my perspective of life and in the way I relate to the daily affairs of life. Just being mindful and aware has really helped me see the sacredness of everyday life.”


 

 



 

 

THE MYTH OF FREEDOM

Our second course is based on Chogyam Trungpa's book The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation.   The book broadly surveys the meditation path, from the beginning to the highest teachings, but focuses particularly on the issues of how to practice sitting meditation as well as meditation in daily life.  It looks in detail at states of psychological confusion, misunderstandings about meditation, and how to work with the difficult energies of emotions.

Students often find themselves transformed by this course.  Many come to a deeper understanding of how to practice sitting meditation and learn to relinquish unhelpful attitudes and naive ideas about meditation practice.  The book shows a wide variety of ways in which people tend to get bogged down in habitual neurosis.  Prisoners seem to inevitably confront the kind of personal confusion that resulted in a prison sentence to begin with.  The course illuminates for them the process through which confusion comes about, the forms it takes, and the means to unravel it through meditation practice.  The course is a potent tool for self-reflection and transformation, clearing the eyes of students and opening the door to relate with more sanity and wholesomeness toward themselves and the world.   

  Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

QUOTES FROM INMATES ABOUT THE MYTH OF FREEDOM STUDY COURSE

 

Myth of Freedom clearly took me deeper into the teachings, but it also took me into [myself].  It showed me how there are parts of my psyche and emotions that become fixated, trapped in webs of anger, jealousy, desire, etc., that no one else weaves but me.  There is much work left to do, but the overall impact the Myth of Freedom has had on me is one of being empowered to begin working more thoroughly with my mind.” (D.M.)

 

"The one on one correspondence with an instructor has been indispensable...during the process of this course you've never shied away from a question.  You've always been straightforward and honest.  I know my arrogance and pig-headedness has shown through in my letters and you continued to respond with kindness, compassion, and good words of advice and instruction.  I consider you to be my friend and these days I have very few of them so they are a very rare and welcome addition to my life.  Thanks!"  (W.B.)

 

“There is a sentence [in Myth of Freedom] that when I read it, it was the turning point of my entire way of perception, of life, of this practice, of...everything.  This put into vivid perspective what has caused me, all my life, to not live but only to survive and exist...[This course] definitely changed my entire life.” (M.E.)

 

 “These teachings have taught me how to make pain my companion.” (G.C.)

 

“Thank you for your patience and generosity in sharing this course, and your wisdom with me.  I believe the course, and the friendships developed through it, have increased the chance that I will deal appropriately with what lies ahead.”  (D.M.)

 

“[The course] has helped me to see more clearly my hindrances and instead of running, trying to get back to being or feeling better, the course has showed me to work, to embrace these too, moving on in growth and surrender.” (M.C.)

 

“The teachings of the Myth of Freedom have helped me to understand my fears, disappointments, and frustrations and how to deal with them.  They also helped me to see life as it is–the reality of my living experience of situations from which there is no escaping but to accept and appreciate both opportunities and disappointments in an opened and intelligent way.  The course has impacted my life tremendously.  My attitude has been completely overhauled to the point where it became noticeable by others.  My view of situations and relationships with others has developed into a more symbiotic, affable affair.  Overall, the course gave me the tools and instructions to find messages in life situations, be in the now and to help others understand their sufferings.  I have gained a lot that will help me through the rest of the way."  (J.J.)

 

“It is my conviction that it is a privilege for anyone who has participated in this course.  [You've] done a wonderful job by compiling the Myth of Freedom Correspondence Course.  I know that myself and other participants have benefited immensely from its lucid and concise teachings.  May the Community be bestowed with abundance of wisdom and endurance to continue this worthy cause.” (J.J.)

 

“The course Myth of Freedom has given me a deeper understanding of myself, of my pain and sufferings.”  (G.C.)

 

"[The course] has reminded me over and over that basic sanity is right there in front of me, mine for the taking.  It has and continues to make me aware that that sanity comes in many forms: joy, loneliness, grief, and strife, as well as smiles and laughter.  In all of it resides that basic sanity and in it there is peace."  (W.B.)

 

"I used to deny and repress my negative emotions because they were too intense and hard to deal with.  I was afraid of being carried away and helplessly controlled by them.  Now I've learned ways to let the emotions be experienced and use the energy from them to counteract the distorted thinking behind them, to reveal how flawed the thinking was."  (P.B.)

 

"[The course] helped me to better identify and define the path I have ahead of me so that there is more courage and inspiration to move forward." (P.B.)

 

"The course has had a very strong impact on my views of the world and life...  I came to the conclusion that by practicing on a daily basis, slowly I would tame the incredible turmoil that takes place inside our mind.  (At least mine!)  I am not angry, nor upset.  I feel only sad that I had talents, gifts and didn't use them on the benefit of others.  I now feel much better, I strive to make improvements through positive actions." (C.B.)

 

"My practice has benefited greatly through the contemplations of the lessons.  I have been able to look deeper into my mind and get a clearer image of all the junk covering up the jewel I know is there.  It's buried deep, and it will take a lot of work to uncover it, but it's there and this course has helped to train me in skillful ways of moving the trash."  (D.C.)

 

"I related to the discussions on ego and emotions the most strongly because in my early life these things always were the root of my ignorance and caused many problems and much pain.  This course has helped to explain why I thought and acted as I did in past times.  It is amazing what silence and emptiness can achieve when we actually stop to experience it."  (W.K.C.)

 

"[The course] has made me feel more compassionate and aware of others around me.  It has helped to rid myself of much ego and taught me how to be humble.  It has also taught me patience and understanding as far as why humans do the things that we do."  (W.K.C.)

 

"What started off as a devastating experience for me has turned into a wonderful opportunity to study the dharma and grow as a person mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I was just telling one of my friends what a tremendous impact the Myth of Freedom course has had on my life and how the course, which took me 9 months to complete, had got me through some rough times and provided the needed insight to see things in a more positive light."  (M.C.)

 

"The Myth of Freedom course has had a tremendous impact on my perspective of life and in the way I relate to the daily affairs of life.  Just being mindful and aware has really helped me see the sacredness of everyday life.  'Confusion is the ground of wisdom.'  The spiritual life is right here, right now."  (M.C.)

 

"[The course] has given me tools and insights for body, speech and mind that are meaningful for letting this prison life be of benefit–to myself and others.  And now that there are a few of us taking the course, it has provided a strong reference for dharma discussion--and friendship.  Awesome."  (R.M.)

 

© 2007 The Ratna Prison Initiative     
The Ratna Prison Initiative is a 501(c) (3) Tax Exempt Non-Profit Organization. Your gift is tax deductible.