Talking to the person I used to be
By L. B.
Incarcerated people 
On Self-Worth 
Oct 9, 2004 
Many of the incarcerated people with whom Venerable Thubten Chodron corresponds suffer from guilt, remorse, and confusion over their past deeds. She often asks them to remember that we are not the same person as we were when we did those actions. We now can look back at the past with less reactivity: we’ve learned from our mistakes and have more wisdom to use in the future. She asked L. B. what advice he would give to the person he used to be.
What would I say to that person I was three years ago from the point of view of the person I am now? I would say, “Continue to forgive yourself. Continue to open your heart and love yourself. And above all, continue to look and see others as ones who hurt, suffer, and feel as you do when bad things happen to them (especially things you’ve done to them).”
I would also say, “You are going to continue to suffer. But if you look at yourself in the midst of that suffering to see why you are suffering instead of lashing out at others because you are suffering, you will overcome your suffering and ease others as well.”
I would add, “Don’t think that you have overcome all your problems and obscurations of mind when you start having more good days than bad ones. Be moderate and balanced in all you do. And like H. H. the Dalai Lama says, ‘Don’t be fickle!’”
Now that I have given myself all of this good advice, maybe I should start using it!
Incarcerated people
Many incarcerated people from all over the United States correspond with Venerable Thubten Chodron and monastics from Sravasti Abbey. They offer great insights into how they are applying the Dharma and striving to be of benefit to themselves and others in even the most difficult of situations.
