Sometimes We Find Our Teachers In Most Unlikely Placex

[ELAINE]

A few years ago , I visited San Quentin State
Prison fo the very first time , entering what can
Only be described as an intimidating medieval
Looking castle with guard towers .I vividly recall,
The clang of those iron gates as they slammed
Shut behind me ,,,,, a sound that reverberates
Viscerally ..

It turned out that day was the beginning of my
Volunteer week cofacilitating a weekly men’s group
Within the walls of this maximum security facility . But
I had no idea my life would. Change. When I agreed
To make the first visit .

One of my congregants runs this group and had asked
If I could go with her to San Quentin .In my mind I was
Doing her a favor .I thought it would be novel , but once
Would be enough .I exspected to meet angry men with
No desire to for real change .

I discovered this group of men serving life sentenceces
Had a monk ,,,, like desire and dedication for self knowledge,
Self mastery , and transformation. By the time I left I was
Brimming with energy and feeling uplifted . Sometimes we l
Find motivation in the most unlikely places and with people
We might think of as our teacher . Unlike the out side world
There are no real distractions in prison .You aren’t checking
Your cell phone , there isn’t excaing your situation and circumstances .
Those of us that walk around freely and avoid anyone we don’t like .

That is not a option in prison , one has to come up with others ways
Of coping that do not break the rules .Each day one is faced with him
Self or her self , throughout the decade a cold stark self analysis can
Bring about transformation in prison . I discovered this group had a monk
Like desire and dedication . I had never been exposed to any group of men
With the preservation . What had brought these men to prison so many years .
Or decades ago was not only the crimes they comimited .

These men now wanted to share, Lear , grow, in order to understand there
Self . They were hungry for spiritual tools , for all of them to be willing to learn
And grow together .i remeber the counsel Jesus gave his followers .I was in
Prison and you visited mec,,,,,, just as you did it to one of the leastvof these
Who are members of my family you did it to me .

At San Quentin in this group I find myself surround by men who fit that
Descriptions exactly . Sometimes we find our teachers in the unlikely
Places .

[ELAINE]

Thank you Hippy