Dear Mark -

I am a member of the Shambhala Center of Washington. DC, and a student at the University of Mary Washington, in Virginia, finishing a bachelor's degree in leadership theory with a concentration in organizational behavior.

For many several now, I have followed the work of the Prison Dharma Network. I am writing at this time because I am doing a research paper and presentation for one of my classes, and the topic I have chosen is the impact of prison meditation programs. The project will discuss the benefits of meditation, as documented by recent medical research, describe existing prison meditation programs, and provide insight into the impact of these programs, as reported by participants.

As an ex-prisoner and meditation practitioner, I would like to interview you about your experiences, specifically how you came to meditate and how you feel it has impacted you.

Please feel free to contact me via email (LaughingRiver@gmail.com) or telephone (703-975-2725).

Many thanks!

Lisa

hey mark, did you see i started a group for california volunteers? i think starting one for OK/TX might be a good idea...these things will build over time.....you want me to set one up??
check out how i did the california one and i can do the same...the reason i might suggest lumping you in with TX is that i think regional first might garner more response.
best,
kate

Thanks for the friend invite, Mark! I am excited to be a part of this sangha... and getting some great information and advice from it. I'm currently teaching a small group of male incarcerated juveniles locally in Orlando and am hoping to begin teaching yoga/meditation in the prison system. I have a dear friend who's in prison now (his name is Mark, too!) and having the darndest time reaching him soulfully.

Were you introducted to the Dharma while in prison? I'm glad that you found it, either way. I look forward to talking with you more about your time inside as well as any insights you can lend on how I could make my time as a yoga/meditation teacher inside be most helpful! Have a beautiful day!

Hi Mark,
I am in the San Francisco Bay Area aka Dharma capital of USA. I am glad there is (some) Dharma in Oklahoma!

Dharma in Oklahoma sounds tough. I am in the San Francisco area where there is a (relatively) large Buddhist population. Soledad, though is a different story...

Hi Mark,
I am an advocate for offenders with mental illness here in Sacramento, California.
I have had quite an education, thanks to my son who has been dumped for nine years between the county and the state until finally he was treated for his dual diagnosis on the EOP program in prison this last year. He finally has the insight he so needed.
He was released in June and is accessing treatment in the community only after I left the abusive county we had been living in.
Tell all about yourself, I am a painter too.
Annie

I live in Harrisburg, Pa now, but I was in NYC on Monday. Still the same stuff: Chinatown was a madhouse from the Holland tunnel all the way to the Manhattan Bridge. Mangoes are six for a dollar; you can get A chessecake from Juniors on Flatbush Extension; and ate real Pizza from a man with an authentic Napoli accent. I haven't seen so many Senegalese, Hatians, Hasidic--Satmar and Lubavitch--Jews (miss the gefilte fish, and the lox), real Soca coming from booming moving speaker trucks, and the Brooklyn swagger, in a long, long time.
New York has as many cops as the population of Harrisburg, no, Camp Hill, Pa, where I work.
I am a son of SOHO, DUMBO, ENY, and BedStuy!
New York, good ole, N.Y.! Delete Comment

Hi Mark. Isn't this the best idea? Kudos to Kate for building it.