Why Meditate in Prison: Why Do T’ai Chi Chih in Prison

These are the two questions I am asked most by other prisoners, Guards, Staff, and Visitors here at Old Folsom Prison who happen to notice our extensive meditation program.

Why meditate in prison? I know they are externally just trying to make conversation in a sometimes intimidating and uncomfortable situation. I also know that deep within, the question is very real. It is real because, so often beyond those who are deservedly incarcerated (a big word for being in prison), many in our times are incarcerated in prisons of their own making.

The simple answer to all is, “It works.” Those who sincerely take part in a meditation program leave prison and do not return. Recidivism is a huge problem in the United States Prison System. Upwards of 80% return to prison for violations of their parole rules, or because new crimes were committed. Externally, “It works,” is a satisfying answer to the problem.

Most who would ask this question about meditation go about their lives. However, planted someplace deep in their hearts are the key words: “Prison and Release.” Not only release, but no return to prison. This is the seed. For those in the prison system, this means to parole and succeed in an often unforgiving society. Thousands of former inmates have proven this fact to be true. The one man I have met who returned after taking part in our meditation program, when interviewed, stated: “I was doing O.K. for eight months, then I said the heck with the meditation. In a month I was back in prison.” Meditation is a proven program that works.

For those who are not incarcerated in the prison system, the key words “Prison and Release” may come up when they take part in a form of meditation or it may come up in forgotten dreams. Later, feeling trapped in their lives, feeling imprisoned, they may say: “Think I’ll take that meditation course my friend suggested.” “Prison” and “Release” are very powerful words when used together.

Why do T’ai Chi Chih in Prison? The simple answer is, of course, “It works.” T’ai Chi Chih is very effective meditation. Those who do T’ai Chi Chih, when released from prison, do not return. There are those two words again: “Prison and Release.”

There is something more though. However, I can only speak from my own experience. I have been in the system for more than 30 years. Fifteen years in the military as a Navy Medic, many of those years as a member of Special Forces Units. I found that the military was much like prison. The main difference being, you received a pass on the weekend to leave the base, when you were not at war in some other country. Then, 17 years in California’s most violent prisons, Soledad, San Quentin and Old Folsom. During this life of violent surroundings, prayer, meditation and T’ai Chi Chih have been my respite of serenity in the midst of almost constant chaos. As I write this, Old Folsom Prison is on Lockdown status because the white and black inmates are at war, this accentuated by an inmate stabbed in the dining hall. It is more than real. This is not some T.V. drama. This is life always on the edge of chaos.

Yesterday in the prison, staff decided after four days to allow the inmates to take showers. This is a common experiment. If the white and black inmates are released at the same time and a riot does not ensue, tension is on the way to a degree of control. Always cautious, leaving my cell I quickly noticed the inmates segregating themselves. Blacks with blacks and whites with whites. This is not a good sign. Usually there is a mingling. In the past, I would have put my back against the wall and waited for the explosion of violence. However, someplace from deep in my spirit came a longing for peace in the midst of the chaos. I longed to do T’ai Chi Chih. Hanging my shower bag (containing soap and towel) on the outside cell bars, I slowly began the “Rocking Motion”, then “Bird Flaps its Wings”. I could feel the tension begin to release, not only in myself, but in the air. By the time I was doing “Daughter on the Mountaintop”, I heard one of the inmates yelling down three tiers (floors) to another inmate: “Oh, that’s just my friend doing some meditation.” There was some soft laughter, and the tension in the air was completely broken. As I started the “Pulling Taffy” movement, it was time for my shower. Men were mingling, blacks and whites, the tension in our little part of the prison relieved, at least for now.

Did T’ai Chi Chih cause this little bit of serenity in the midst of chaos? I know it did in this teacher. In this corner of often-violent Folsom Prison which houses 60 of the total 4,000 inmates, there was peace. This is just one example of the real power of T’ai Chi Chih.

But how about real life? Not everyone lives in an episode from a “Cops” T.V. show. To paraphrase Justin Stone, “If everyone in the world did T’ai Chi Chih, there would be peace in the world.” This is true. However, just suppose that T’ai Chi Chih is a prayer for peace in ourselves, and in the universe. It is said, “We all contain the universe within ourselves.” Certainly, we feel the peace in ourselves after doing T’ai Chi Chih.

Why meditate? Why do T’ai Chi Chih in prison? Could it be that a prison is a place where peace can start? For this released prisoner still incarcerated it has been. Thank you Justin Stone for your life. Thank you to the T’ai Chi Chih Community for your life.