Awareness that sets you free
By W. P.
Incarcerated people 
On Mindfulness 
Dec 23, 2003 
W. P. explains how going to prison provided the opportunity to work with the deluded self.
I don’t really fit into any of those categories of people in prison you mentioned (see “People Serving Time“). Although I do regret having harmed others, I don’t regret having gone to prison. Going to prison took me away from all the lures and illusions of life and left me face to face with my deluded self. Through time spent alone with this deluded self, I have seen the many fantasies and plots it creates to stay alive and in control. I came to the realization that if I’m going to defeat this self, then I’m going to need some help, some tools.
That tool is Buddhism. Without its guidance I would not even be able to take one breath, because I would never have stopped and noticed that I did breathe until it was too late.
Every day I still find myself tangled in one of my deluded self’s webs of desire and selfishness. But each moment that I become aware of “I’,” I win another battle. My awareness is one of my sharpest swords, which can easily cut through delusion.
So if I hadn’t had gone to prison, then I wouldn’t have become aware of this delusion, and hence I wouldn’t have been able to fight it. I would rather be free and locked in prison, than a slave in society.
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.
