Redirect to read a chapter from the book.
The idea to write a meditation book for inmates was born from the thought, that prisoners in our groups only meet the facilitator once a week, and have no additional resources for practice, such as books, courses, independent practice groups and so forth. We wanted the book to act as an anchor for inmates, and assist them to persist and deepen their practice, and in turn, support their rehabilitation process.
Writing the book took approximately seven years. Since we began working on it, it was obvious that the book would be translated into Arabic, as Arabic-speakers compose close to half the inmates in prison. One of the moving reactions we received from adolescents in the Released Prisoners’ Hostel in Jerusalem, was: “This book is written in Arabic, our language, the language we speak!”
The book explains what meditation is, how to deal with anger, restlessness, mental pain and so forth – in life in general, and specifically in prison. The book instructs the inmates how to practice mediation in prison, step by step. The language is simple and clear, the examples are relevant to prison life and are taken from situations that are familiar to the prisoners:
- How to deal with handcuffs on long journeys to court hearings.
- What to do during the court hearing when nobody listens to me.
- How to deal with the bitter disappointment, when after waiting a long time to meet with one’s lawyer, the appointment is postponed.
- What to do when you’re waiting for a visit from your wife and children, and at the last minute it is no allowed.
- What to do when you have been waiting two months for a furlough, for your son’s wedding, and the furlough is not authorized.
We give the book as a gift to each participant in our groups. The inmates are very excited to receive it as a gift: “I can keep the book? It’s mine now?” are reactions we often get. Inmates in prison don’t receive gifts from anyone, which makes this gesture significant and unique in the reality of their lives. Inmates say that they feel that the book was written especially for them and speaks their language. While reading it, they feel that whoever wrote it understands what it means to be a prisoner, what their routine looks like, and what they are dealing with. One inmate said that now he can practice more. Another inmate said: “I go back to it every now and then, and it reminds me to sit and have quiet sessions.”
Volunteers share about inmates’ reactions to the book:
A volunteer at Ma’asiyahu prison:
“Inmates say that they really enjoyed reading the book, and that it empowered them, and also clarified things that weren’t clear before. One inmate said that it was difficult for him every time the words “prison” and “prisoner” were mentioned, but other inmates liked it very much.”
A volunteer at Eilon Prison:
The inmates received the books. There was joy and excitement, and they clapped their hands and wished to thank the volunteers for the gift. I told them to read whatever they want, and that we would talk about the Automatic Response chapter in next week’s session. During the session today, two inmates shared that they sat outside for a long time and read together from the book, and also practiced. After the session they approached me and told me that the book really spoke to them.”
A volunteer at Nitzan Prison:
“I handed them the books, and they were very excited. One inmate asked me to write a dedication for him in the book. Another said that he usually doesn’t read books, but he will read this one. He feels very connected to the practice and tries to practice in between sessions.”
A volunteer at the Resealed Prisoners’ Day Centre in Haifa:
“One participant said that he even sent a section he liked to a friend. Another said he reads from the book every few days.”
A volunteer in Dekel Prison:
“The inmates were very happy to receive the books. One inmate said he will now be able to practice more. Another inmate was excited to see that the book included a testimonial from a prisoner in the U.S.A.”
A volunteer in Nitzan Prison shares reactions to the book:
“The book is like a prayer”; “The book is written clearly and accurately”; “I was very impressed by the prisoner’s testimonials”; “We meditated together, and really relaxed.”