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Teaching ESL and meditation in the local jail.
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Shakti's Blog

ESL & meditation in jail

Posted on January 8, 2008 at 5:08pm 3 Comments

I volunteer taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in the Santa Fe county jail for a year. In the last 10-15 minutes of class I would read a guided meditation in Spanish for the students/inmates, who seemed to really enjoy the meditation. I made bilingual copies of the meditations and distributed them to anyone who wanted to take one.

It was a good experience to volunteer in the jail, and I hope to work in the prison system in the future as a teacher. There is so much need…

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At 2:33pm on January 11, 2008, Shakti said…
One more meditation in Spanish and English, called "Breath Meditation."

Meditacion de Respiracion

Cierre sus ojos, sienta su respiracion, sienta como su abdomen se expande y se contrae con cada respiracion. Sienta el aire fresco en cada respiracion como entra por la nariz y el aire caliente cuando sale de su cuerpo. Esta respiracion lo mantiene vivo , esta siempre con usted. Donde la respiracion va?

Imagine su exhalacion disolviendose en el espacio, en el universo, imagine la misma respiracion llegando desde el espacio,y alimentando su cuerpo y mente.

Ponga su atencion en los sonidos de la gente en este cuarto. escuche los sonidos que vienen desde la sala y desde las celdas. Escuche los sonidos pero no los identifique o juzgue, deje los sonidos pasar atravez de usted como si fuera el aire.

Cuente su respiracion – empieza a la una y continue hast a las diez. Cuente cada respiracion. No juzgue este actividad. (pausa)

Regrese a su respiracion. en su proxima respiracion, note si su respiracion es corta o larga? Si es suave o tensa? Si es rapida o lenta? a la siguiente note la pausa entre la inhalacion y la exhalacion. Puede sentir sus palpitaciones en la pausa?

Siga su inhalacion y exhalacion atentamente, como si fuera su ultima respiracion, sienta lo valioso de cada respiracion . Continue enfocandose en cada respiracion por diez veces.

Translated by ShinZan Palma



Breath Meditation

Close your eyes, and feel the breath. Feel how your abdomen expands and contracts with each breath. Feel the cool air in each breath as it enters your nose, and the warmth of the breath as it leaves your body. This breath keeps you alive. It is always present. Where does the breath go when you exhale?

Imagine your out-breath dissolving in space, in the universe. Imagine the same breath as it enters your body, nourishing your body and mind.

Next, pay attention to the sounds in the room – the sounds of the people and sounds in the pod in the hall. Listen to the sounds without judgment. Do not identify with them. Let the sounds pass through you as if you were made of air.

Count your breaths. Begin with “1” as you exhale, and continue counting until 10. Count each breath, starting over if you forget where you are. Make no judgments. (pause)

Return to your breath. In your next breath, note if it is a long or short breath. Is it smooth or tense? Is it a fast or slow breath? Is it satisfying or unsatisfying? Next, note the pause between your inhalation and exhalation. Can you feel any movement in this pause?

Follow your breath carefully, as if it were your last breath. Feel gratitude for each breath – this is what keeps you alive. Continue focusing on your breath for 10 complete respirations.
At 2:28pm on January 11, 2008, Shakti said…
Here's another meditation in both English and Spanish. Feel free to use it in correspondance or in working directly with inmates.


MEDITACION DE PAZ
Relaja tu cuerpo completamente. Respira profundamente y siguela lentamente . Concentrate en tu respiración..Piensa Estoy relajado . Estoy en Paz . Estoy vivo completamente …dejen que sus palabras entren en sus corazones.

Solamente una persona quien es feliz puede estar en paz

Una persona quien esta en paz es feliz

Para tener paz, nuestros corazones deben estar en paz .

Para tener paz, nuestros corazones deben estar en paz con el mundo

Para tener paz, nuestros corazones deben estar abiertos a toda la gente

Para tener paz , nuestros corazones deben estar abiertos a toda las experiencias

Cuando estoy en paz, puedo ser servicial

Cuando estoy en paz , My enojo es no tan grande

Cuando estoy en paz , mi celos desaparece

Cuando estoy en paz , No tengo miedo.

¿Como puedo estar en paz?

Cada paso que doy es paz

Cada respiración que hago es paz

Cuando Inhalo, Inhalo Paz

Cuando exhalo, Exhalo Paz

Cuando Hablo, Hablo Paz

Cuando Pienso, Pienso Paz

Para estar feliz, debo estar en paz

Para estar en paz, Debo de estar en paz conmigo mismo

Que todos mis pensamientos y acciones puedan ser paz.

Que pueda yo estar en paz hoy

Translated by ShinZan Palma


Peace Meditation

Relax your entire body. Take a deep breath and follow it out slowly. Concentrate on your breath.

Say to yourself:

I am relaxed. I am at peace. I am open to life. Let these words enter your hearts.

Only a person who is happy can be at peace.

A person who is at peace is happy.

To make peace, our hearts must be at peace.

To make peace, our hearts must be at peace with the world.

To make peace, our hearts must be open to all people.

To make peace, our hearts must be open to all experiences.

When I am at peace, I can be helpful.

When I am at peace, my anger is not so big.

When I am at peace, my jealousy disappears.

When I am at peace, I am not afraid.

How can I be at peace?

Each step I take is peace.

Each breath I take is peace.

When I breathe in, I breathe in peace.

When I breathe out, I breathe out peace.

When I speak, I speak peace.

When I think, I think peace.

To be happy, I must be peace.

To be peace, I must do peace.

May all my thoughts and actions be peace.

May I be peace today.
At 11:36pm on December 26, 2007, Taiso (Byran) Bartow said…
Thanks for the invite, Shakti,
It will be interesting to see where this goes.

Blessings,
Taiso
At 1:22am on December 24, 2007, Shinzan Palma said…
Hey Shakti
This is a good opportunity to work in prision . This people are great......Knock on the door!!

Shinzan
At 10:08pm on August 6, 2007, Kate Crisp (PDN Director) said…
hi shakti, welcome! would love to read a blog post about your experiences at the jail!
in the dharma,
kate
 
 
 

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