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By Incarcerated People

Reflections, essays, and poems by people in prison about their Dharma practice.

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A squirrel hangs upside down from a tree branch to get to a bird feeder in winter.

On Addiction

People in prison examine their relationship with intoxicants and overcoming addiction.

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Five turkeys eat bird feed in the snow.

On Attachment

Working with attachment and discovering the true causes of happiness in prison.

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Owl on a tree branch.

On Cultivating Wisdom

How teachings on karma and the nature of reality help people to make wise choices while in prison.

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A turkey looks at a statue of Kuan Yin on a pedestal under a tree through a wire fence.

On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Stories of how cultivating love, compassion, and bodhicitta transform the lives of people in prison.

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An eagle soars high in a cloudy blue sky.

On Meditation

Meditation allows people in prison to reflect on habitual thoughts and actions, thereby bringing inner change.

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Two rows of turkeys perching on fences in the winter.

On Mindfulness

Cultivating awareness of body, speech, and mind brings contentment, joy, and insight, even while living in prison.

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Puffed up turkeys face each other.

On Overcoming Anger

How Dharma practice helps people in prison to work with anger and avoid violence and harm.

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A bird sits on a power line high in the sky.

On Self-Worth

Practicing the Buddha's teachings help people in prison to let go of guilt and shame and develop self-confidence.

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Birds on bare branches against a cloudy blue sky in the fall.

Prison Poetry

People in prison write verses from the heart about their Dharma practice.

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All Posts in By Incarcerated People

By Incarcerated People

Trauma and recovery

Have you heard of the A.C.E.(Adverse Childhood Experience) questionnaire, which has ten specific questions dealing…

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Yellow autumn leaf in a puddle of rain water
On Mindfulness

Reflections on my good fortune

That I have been able to communicate with you for this long is very special.…

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Half-full cup of coffee in paper cup.
On Mindfulness

The coffee pot: A test of my tolerance

Here, at the prison where I live, everyone dreads the coffee pot. Unlike a majority…

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Close up on a bright yellow sunflower.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Thanks for the Dharma Dispatch

A letter of thanks for the latest edition of Dharma Dispatch, a newsletter the Abbey…

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Orange sunset reflected in rippling water.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Reflection on life

An incarcerated person reflects on the causes and conditions that have affected his life.

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Hand holding white wildflowers against blue sky.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Moving from the heart

A desensitized culture is changed by a moment of deep compassion.

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Pink clouds against a blue sky.
On Self-Worth

Gratitude for the Dharma

A. L. reflects on how prison has afforded her time to reflect on her spiritual…

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Gold colored sunset behind silhouette of trees.
Prison Poetry

Gathas for daily life

An incarcerated person is inspired by the writing of Thich Nhat Hanh.

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Hazy mountains behind a line of trees.
On Cultivating Wisdom

Dealing with difficult changes

A woman in prison uses a mind training prompt to deal with a difficult situation.

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Sunset behind an open meadow.
On Self-Worth

I am a Buddhist

D. S. reflects on how his studies in Buddhism have influenced his life as an…

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Silhouette of a tree against a setting sun.
On Cultivating Wisdom

The power of precepts

An incarcerated person considers the value of taking precepts.

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Stained glass image of One thousand-armed Chenrezig.
On Love, Compassion, and Bodhicitta

Bringing Avalokiteshvara into the circle

An incarcerated person uses his Dharma practice to quietly support the victims of crimes.

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