Folsom State Prison Banquet: Circles of Light

On March 31, 2015, the 3rd Annual T’ai Chi Chih Banquet and Retreat was held at Folsom State Prison. In addition to guests Sandy McAlister, Judy Tretheway and Minh Mark, we had a special guest this year. Franky Carrillo, a former inmate who was released in 2011 after serving 20 years for a wrongful conviction, returned to Folsom to attend the banquet and visit his old friends. He also came to do TCC with them, in what will become an annual Circles of Light event.

When Franky was an inmate at Folsom, he used to look across the American River valley at an oak tree on the hill. He would dream of doing his TCC practice there as a free man. So after the banquet, Franky and Judy (who taught the Folsom class for 13 years) left the prison to meet TCC instructor Elizabeth Ebrahimzadeh and other TCC enthusiasts waiting for them. They gathered under the oak tree on the hill overlooking the prison, where they could see the chapel where the prison class was taught. At 2pm they began to practice (along with the prison class and TCC groups all over the U.S., Canada and England), fulfilling Franky’s dream. As the 2pm hour approached, the TCC class inside the prison, led by Sandy McAlister, eagerly gathered into their circle.

Prior to beginning, I named the individuals and groups joining them; they excitedly counted down the seconds. At precisely 2pm, Sandy softly announced “Rocking Motion” and led the practice.

It was one of the most amazing TCC practices I’ve ever experienced. We were enveloped in Chi; it was palpable. We felt surrounded by a web of love connecting us all. Thank you so much to all who participated in what we hope will become an annual event.

Franky Carrillo called on his way to the airport later that day and shared that he “felt like a new man.” It had been like slaying a dragon. Going back into the prison that held him captive for so many years, being able to share his new life with his old friends. And then to be able to walk out through the gates and live out his dream of practicing on the hill, free and surrounded by people who supported him. It was truly a day of healing. And not only for Franky.

The men in the prison class said of that day that they felt, “carried along by the energy … wrapped in all this love … part of something special … connected to people who care … like we were all praying together.” Yes it was a shared, moving prayer for peace, forgiveness, tolerance and serenity.

Thank you, Justin Stone, for opening the door to Folsom State Prison, and for modeling a life of compassion and humility. Thank you to all who participated. Franky Carrillo and the men at Folsom said, “Please join us” and you did. And it was beautiful.

Poems from the Folsom class

truth

does lie

within us

the imprisoned

splendor that

our flesh

hides

– anon

how

can you

get away

from the thing that

makes you you

and makes

life

– anon

one

day I

learned tai chi

then I learned me

and how to

begin

life

– anon