Establishing Practice Groups at Avenal State Prison

Dear Friends:

My trip into Avenal Prison last Wednesday and Thursday was a powerful experience for myself, the Chaplain and about 150 men who came to the six classes. Each class, three on Wednesday, and three on Thursday, got better and better. Even in the last class which was elbow to elbow we were all able to rest in the chi and find the flow.

I taught six moves, two for each weight shift…Rocking Motion, Bass Drum, Carry the Ball (modified without stepping), Push Pull, Light at the Temples and Passing Clouds (simplified). We learned the six moves after a experience of finding our central core to discuss alignment, a little exercise to understand the principles of soft knees, and a standing meditation to set our intentions and the chi field. Then while they sat I did a demo of all 20 Tai Chi Chih (the form that was approved for Folsom Prison) moves while discussing principles and answering questions. Rested and inspired, they were back up on their feet and experiencing another practice of the six moves with less talk and a firm expectation of moving in synchronized manner. We finished with more standing meditation. Everyone got it. Most of the classes ended in a closing circle doing push pull, with their loved ones, then the institution, then the world in the center. Men from all (and no) faith traditions were present.

The expectation is that I will be invited back by the Chaplain if there is reason for me to come; i.e. they have been practicing and are ready to learn more movements. I expect to go back in November. A difficult format, but yet so much better than nothing. It’s a 225 mile trip four-hour drive.

Each of the six yards is a prison all of its own and there is no movement of the men between yards. So it was like going to six different prisons. On most of the yards I was delighted to encounter several men who had attended my classes at Folsom. They will be a big help getting the practice groups going.

The Catholic Chaplain who sponsored my visit practiced with the men each class and was delighted to move on with the chi (life-force energy) rather than effort. He recently sponsored Mike Kelly who has been instrumental in getting Centering Prayer groups started in Northern California prisons so the men have been given two significant meditative practices to help them find the peace with that will sustain their healing within a very difficult environment. Several yards already had Buddhist groups with established meditation practices.

As for myself, I was truly amazed at the ease and flow of my presentations. The words came, the movements taught themselves, the questions arose that needed to be answered. I was easily able to be the vehicle of a compassionate presence that I prayed to be. Thank you to each of you who supported my journey with your prayers. I felt your love flowing through me and so did the men.

Please continue to hold these men in your prayers as they now must face the personal work of developing a practice where ridicule and barriers are common and serene surrounding are absent. The only place of beauty they have to look upon is the sky.

September 2004 update: My August into Avenal trip was canceled because the Chaplain was too busy, but I expect to go in November (prison-time is sloooow). Keep the chi flowing.

In October I plan on attending a California Chaplains conference to see about teaching TCC in other prisons and distribute a handout I have developed to promote contemplative practices from all faith traditions in prisons (See http://thecentering.org/freedom_within.html).

I have just begun a practice group at New Folsom (next door to Old Folsom), a highest security prison. A group of about 20 men there have been praying for me to come and study a variety of QiGong styles using different books. Our first class together will be September 30, 2004 and then every Thursday morning before I go into Old Folsom prison in the afternoon.

Send me chi on Thursdays!!!