When we read stories about mindfulness and meditation we usually hear about how the practice has changed this wonderful persons life in a positive way. These positive stories are very heartwarming and inspirational and most certainly deserving of being shared for all experience. So, please keep them coming.
What I'd like to shift focus on for this posting is that mindfulness is for all, every living being, including the ones we typically overlook. I'm referring to the incarcerated.The United States leads
the world in incarcerated persons with about 2.3 million locked away in prisons
and jails. Some for minor infractions, others for major offenses. Most of the
incarcerated population consists of men of color. Men of color account for
nearly half of the prison population and are imprisoned 4.8 times higher
than Caucasians. These statistics were collected from here for you reference.
Too often incarcerated
individuals are considered as disposable, less than someone
else. After all, they need to repay their 'debt to society'. Maybe.
Maybe not.
Without delving into the
myriad reasons resulting in this circumstance there are 2.3 million people in
the US that are in need of developing a mindfulness and meditation practice. No
one is unworthy. No one is more or less deserving than another.
If you are not familiar with the story of Buddha and Angulimala it will be my pleasure to briefly retell it here.
There lived a robber named Angulimala during Buddhas time. Angulimala lived in the forest and ambushed travelers on the roads and killed them. He never robbed them but he did remove a finger and attached it to a necklace he wore. He had many fingers on this necklace.Buddha sought him out, unafraid.
Buddha and Angulimala did meet
and Angulimala did proceed to try to attack Buddha. Buddha, being who he
is, did not retreat but instead shouted 'You, stop!' Angulimala was unable
to move upon hearing this command.
Buddha was able to transmit the Dharma to
him and Angulimala was then awake. In fact, whenever Buddha talked to anyone,
they woke up. Angulimala then repented for his past actions and he asked to be
a monk. Buddha shaved his head and accepted him into the sangha immediately.
Here was a man who was so scary in life
but yet when approached with nonjudgment, kindness, and compassion he shed his
unwholesome ways for one of peace and wholesomeness. This is how we, as
mindfulness practitioners, may share and strengthen our practice.
Sharing is a gift. And as with all gift
giving there are two recipients, the receiver as well as the giver. When
one receives a gift, warm feelings begin to arise. Anger dissipates to be
replaced with joy and hopefulness. The giver too feels joy and even a sense of
accomplishment. This is a wonderful experience that is shared by both
individuals.
So with hearing all of your beautiful
stories of self-development if you have the time, as part of your outreach
efforts, perhaps you too may share your compassion and empathy with someone
that may need it as much as you did.
Wishing you continued
peace and wellbeing,
Vladimir
You are
warmly invited to follow on us on Facebook and Instagram at @bluelotuscenter
for more ways to improve your mindfulness practice and wellbeing.
Blue
Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious
organization.
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