He Loved Them and They Loved Him Back

Jim Hecker, Old Folsom State Prison, Folsom, CA

It is eight o’clock on Monday morning, May 4, 1998. Students of the California State Prison at Folsom’s Pre-Release (Pre-Parole) class had been in their seats since seven thirty. They looked curiously at a single sheet circular with two Tao symbols at the top entitled, “Justin Stone.” Restless, they were as always, less than impressed. Most were talking about how to sneak a smoke or get a free cup of coffee.

This is the big day for Jim, the Teacher Candidate. He was more than a little excited, but trying not to show it. Pre-Release Teacher Ms. Carter, M.A., says “Jim, you are taking the course. Get up and prepare the class for Mr. Stone.” Smiling, this was expected, preparations had already been made. Walking up to the podium, the thought came to mind, “These guys have no idea who Justin Stone is.” Setting aside prepared notes, the students heard, “Guys, have any of you ever met a Master?” As the cameras and lights were set up for the videotaping of Justin’s presentation, it was not difficult to touch on the many accomplishments of Justin Stone.

During this presentation, twin televisions played a video of a T’ai Chi Chih teacher gracefully demonstrating the movements. The students called out, “Can we see Mr. Stone doing the movements?” They watched with interest as he taught them silently by video about “Motion and Stillness.”

The sunny day did not change the heavy “Clang” as the huge steel gate closed behind the small visiting party. Seeing the inside of Old Folsom Prison for the first time were Justin Stone, Ed Altman, his wife Noël Altman, and Doug Harned. Tara Stiles, who was with them also, had visited the prison before to teach T’ai Chi Chih and prepare Jim for the accreditation course.

This group was quite different from the normal first time visitors. Centered, calm, quietly smiling, they passed through gate after gate, finally reaching the classroom area, temporary fabricated modules outside “the belly of the beast”, as it is called.

Justin’s first response to Jim’s handshake was a warm smile and a big hug, something rarely seen in places like this. He said, “Jim, these are all T’ai Chi Chih teachers.” Feeling the power and confidence that radiated from this group, there was nothing Jim could say but, “I am in good company.”

The students, more than a little bored and agitated after sitting for another half hour, turned as Justin entered. Fitted with a microphone, he smiled and walked through the class of convicts as though he had done it a thousand times before. Introduced as “Master of T’ai Chi Ch’uan and Originator of T’ai Chi Chih,” he started with, “The first thing we can do is drop the ‘Master.’ There is one life we are all living, and nobody is better than anybody else.” He proceeded to talk about the no profit motive, principles of habitual behavior, being brave and individual, Yin and Yang, T’ai Chi Chih and stories of his life.

Watching, it was not easy for me to understand the strange dynamic going on between Justin and the seventy convicts, most repeat offenders, who were present. Yet they sat, attentive, stretching their necks to hear and see this quiet eighty-two-year-old man. Then it suddenly came to me what it was. “Justin Loved Them, and They Loved Him Back.” Like a mirror, he became one with them and passed on understanding that would likely change their lives.

After the presentation, the men asked questions, then more questions. There was the feeling that they simply did not want him to leave. Smiling, Justin left the podium saying, “I want to spend some time meeting the fellas.” The next thirty minutes were filled with handshakes, hugs and lots of autograph signing.

The T’ai Chi Chih teachers began in unison a demonstration for the class. Then Justin was moving toward the gate with Noël, late heading for a plane home. Passing through the gate, with a glimmer of tears in his eyes, he said to the Prison Guard escorting him, “I met some wonderful men.” Describing the men, Justin’s voice fading to the ears, but not the hearts of those men, the huge steel gate “Clanged” closed behind him.

Jim Hecker is the first inmate to become an accredited TCC teacher within the California Penal System. His referring teacher was Tara Stiles, Sacramento, CA.