HI Everybody. I am 65 and a Buddhist Chaplain in a maximum security prison, here in country NSW, Australia. The prison is in the town of Goulburn. It has 600 inmates and four separate prisons withing the prison. I work one day a week on a voluntary basis. christian chaplains are payed in Aust, but not Buddhists. I have been doing the chaplaincy for 4 years now and am passionate about my work/vocation. I am a trained counsellor as well and have done lots of work with men espcially around family violence, anger management and with Vietnam Vets for PTSD. The government here got me to produce a meditation CD called journey to calm for Veterans and Families.
In the early days of my work, I looked around for support and information I could not find any of any quality. So I just did what I could and swam with it. Used the Dhamma to survive and grow. I suppose we each approach our work in a unique way, all trying to be skillful and compassionate.Some of the prisoners have become good friends and are very supportive. Though having said that I am careful not to rely or get attached to those friendships. I deal with many cultures, Chinese, Australian, Thai, Laos, Vietnamese, African, European, South American, Indigenous Australians. I have learnt to be very flexible and creative in my work, responding to the needs as they arise. I spend the first part of my day wandering around talking to any one interested and handing out books. In the Afternoon I do a meditation class with up to ten guys ( ten is the upper limit I am allowed)
I have only had trouble three times in meditation classes. Mainly when guys dont want to respect silence and stillness during the meditation. Since attendance is voluntary I have suggested they go back to the yards if they are not happy with the boundaries I set. It has been uncomfortable and the guys have lost face which is not good. So know with anyone new in the class I let them know at the start what is expected and give them the chance of opting out if that does not suit them.
My next challenge is to use the concept of mindfullness and kindness to set up some ways of being with each other when we talk together, mainly around respectful listening. Use it as an excercise.
The tradition I have learnt from is the Thai Theravadan forest practice. There is a local training monastery in my small country town. Santi Forest Monastery. At the moment it is championing the full ordination of women. My favourite form though is Zen, the experience of the dharma.
I regard my teacher as Ajahn Cha now dead. He was a leading teacher for many western monks form his base in Thailand. There is a web site dedicate to him, and his publication on there are free. Look forward to being part of this community. Paddy