Julia Grace
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  • New York
  • United States
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  • Todd Anderson
  • david leskowitz
  • Fleet Maull
  • Kate Crisp (PDN Director)

Julia Grace's Discussions

Vajranyana Practice in Prisons

Started this discussion. Last reply by Julia Grace Sep 2, 2009. 10 Replies

 

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Julia Grace updated their profile
Sep 2, 2009
Julia Grace replied to Julia Grace's discussion Vajranyana Practice in Prisons
"I think that there is some misunderstanding on what Rime means. It does not mean an 'eclectic' approach -- a bit of this and that. It means that there is respect and appreciation for all the lineage teachings. Since the Tibetan diaspora,…"
Sep 2, 2009
mark jones replied to Julia Grace's discussion Vajranyana Practice in Prisons
"Perhaps contact Liberation Prison Project.They have accessible material/resources for this.I completed 2 Ngondro practices while in prison,I also agree with Jasons' comment that a Rime teacher may be helpful to those embarking on the vajrayana…"
Sep 2, 2009
carolyn mason replied to Julia Grace's discussion Vajranyana Practice in Prisons
"hello Christopher: so nice to hear your words "its the same dance but a different tune". I get lost with so many choices, or is it, some Centres pushing this and that initiation? I would just like some thing simple without the pressure of…"
Jul 10, 2009
Julia Grace replied to Julia Grace's discussion Vajranyana Practice in Prisons
"Thanks for your input to this discussion. One of the things you allude to is the cutural interpretations and trappings of any religion (in this case, Buddhism). There's culture and there are the different schools. We are adding another layer to…"
Jun 25, 2009
Christopher Fisher replied to Julia Grace's discussion Vajranyana Practice in Prisons
"I am a Ch'an (Zen) Buddhist living and teaching in a Theravada country (Thailand), I will say my students have no clue what Vajrayana is all about and most of them think it is Mahayana which I quickly inform them it is not. Although I have only…"
Jun 24, 2009
Everardo Pedraza replied to Julia Grace's discussion Vajranyana Practice in Prisons
"Hi Grace, You may want to contact the Committee to Free Jarvis Masters at www.freejarvis.org. Jarvis Master's is a student of Pema Chodron and has been practicing at San Quentin's death row for many years. I believe he practices the…"
May 25, 2009
Julia Grace replied to Julia Grace's discussion Vajranyana Practice in Prisons
"Thanks, Terry for your comments. I think your suggestions are very good. The spiritual leader of our sangha, Nalandabohi, is The Dgozchen Ponlop Rinpoche. He is a holder of both the Kagyu and Ngingma lineages. We have a well mapped out practice path…"
May 25, 2009

Profile Information

Country
USA
How you are involved in Prison Dharma
Volunteer, Ex-Prisoner, Pen Pal
My Prison Dharma Group or Organization
The NYC sangha of Nalandabodhi, based in Seatlle, under the guidance of the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, has had a prison dharma program for almost three years. We provide interested prisoners with our dharma curriculum in the form of correspondence courses. We also provide pen pals and Meditation Instructors for those inmates who are seriously committed developing their meditation. We began our work with prisoners in Solitary in Pelican Bay State Prison in northern CA. We still work with inmates there, but now also have a growing prison sangha in Kern Valley State Prison in southern CA as well as a few prisoners scattered in facilities around the country.
Tell us about yourself & your interest in prison dharma: (answer required) .
I am a social worker in the NYC public school system. I am a Tibetan Buddhist and member of the New York City Nalandabodhi sangha. My teacher, Ponlop Rinpoche, lives in Seattle where we have our main center. I am also a recovered alcoholic and drug addict -- over 20 years. I lived in Oaxaca, Mexico for some time during my 30s and, up to no good, got arrested and spent over two years in the penitentiary there. I returned to the States on a prisoner exchange. The first year back was very difficult, but things have been uphill since. Any regrets? Yeah, sure! As the man said, "Youth is wasted on the young."

Julia Grace's Blog

Slow Starvation in California Prisons

Posted on March 29, 2009 at 5:15pm 1 Comment

One of the inmates in our prison dharma program (MIND WITHOUT BORDERS, Nalandabodhi) recently wrote me that he feared he had a serious medical condition and was prepared to face death. He had lost sensation from the knees down for over a month and had asked to see the doctor twice to no avail. A neurologist in our NYC sangha suggested that one of the causes could be vitamin B deficiency and this seems to have been correct. This young man, age 32, wrote again to report the doctor had finally… Continue

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At 9:26pm on March 18, 2008, Cheri Lundstrom said…
Sometimes looking at a person's taste in music tells you something. You are quite a diverse complicated woman. I am boring but I hope to graduate next year and go on for my MSW. At 56, it is a bit scarey but my son ended up in prison for a 14 yr old and I found a purpose once I saw what was going on there. I lean toward Buddhism from a Christian/Shamanic stance. I have always told my children to honor all the faces of God. My son is just now beginning to understand but better now than never.
At 10:00pm on February 16, 2008, david leskowitz said…
Hi Julia--

I've been given the chance to transcribe some of Lama Tenpa's talks from last summer's Nitartha. Re-enthusing me for next session. Will you be joining again?
See you,
David
At 12:32pm on September 4, 2007, Kate Crisp (PDN Director) said…
hey julia, great to see you here. I recently spoke with mark power about his work with a prisoner...glad to see your community involved. let me know if you have any ?s
best,
kate
At 8:59am on September 4, 2007, Julia Grace said…
Thanks. Glad to be here. Julia
At 11:41pm on September 3, 2007, Fleet Maull said…
Welcome, Julia. Good to see you here on PDN.
Best,
Fleet
 
 
 

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