Transforming adversity into bodhicitta
Albert Ramos 
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta 
Feb 6, 2021 
From Venerable Thubten Chodron: I’ve been corresponding with Al for several years. He has a life sentence for murder. He’s a good Dharma practitioner and tries to help the other incarcerated people around him. Several blocks in his prison are quarantined due an outbreak of covid cases. As a result, those who are healthy must take over the jobs of the sick in order to keep the prison functioning. Al has been working 12-hour days in the kitchen.
I need to not be so attached to my wide array of worldly beliefs, whether liberal, conservative, or something else. I need to not let myself succumb to victim mentality and instead to generate bodhicitta. Doing that will help me.
And if people get mad at me–generate bodhicitta. If I get mad or upset–generate bodhicitta. I will focus on that and have fun with it and enjoy my politics discussions with a sense of happiness and joy from not being bogged down by attachment.
It will take work, but I will do it.
Featured image by stock.adobe.com / pict rider.
Albert Ramos
Albert Gerome Ramos was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He has been incarcerated since 2005 and is currently enrolled in the North Carolina Field Minister Program. Upon graduation he plans to start programs that help incarcerated people with mental health issues, drug dependency, and those who struggle from childhood trauma. He is the author of the children's book Gavin Discovers the Secret to Happiness.
