Resources

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All prison volunteers have access to our Resource Library. It includes various forms of movement that can be offered in the prison setting, a non-sectarian Buddhist service, how to discuss difficult topics such as crime and karma, some considerations on re-entry and much more. As courses and additional material is developed, it will be added to this section of our website.

The Resource Library gathers writings that help prison volunteers bring contemplative practices into correctional environments. Alongside teaching volunteers are provided with guidelines for offering gentle movement sessions, leading non-sectarian Buddhist-style services, and approaching sensitive subjects like crime, responsibility, and karma in ways that are compassionate and grounded. The materials also include reflections on re-entry, recognizing that the period following incarceration carries its own challenges. As courses evolve and new insights emerge, additional content is added so that the library continues to grow alongside the experience of those who teach behind the walls.

For those returning to life outside, the library includes considerations on rebuilding daily routines and finding steady support after release. Volunteers are encouraged to think about how meditation and mindful awareness can ease the transition, offering practices that sustain calm during difficult days. The collection also acknowledges the importance of community, suggesting ways for outside sanghas and mentors to remain connected with people who are re-entering society. New writings on housing, employment, relationships, and ongoing spiritual practice are added as they are developed, so the library reflects the lived realities of those moving forward.

Many volunteers are wondering how to begin a regular sitting practice themselves, and the Resource Library offers a starting place. Volunteers are guided to find a quiet space, settle into a comfortable posture, and bring attention to the breath, allowing thoughts to come and go without judgment. The materials describe simple techniques for working with restlessness, anxiety, and doubt, and they encourage a patient, beginner's mind. Volunteers are reminded that their own practice deepens the quality of what they offer inside, and the library includes suggestions for daily routines, retreats, and finding community support outside the prison setting.

The library also includes guidance on adapting practices to the realities of prison and jail settings, where movement may be limited and silence is shared. Volunteers are invited to consider seated meditation, mindful walking in small spaces, and gentle stretching as alternatives to more expansive movement. Materials discuss how to facilitate group sessions with respect for diverse backgrounds, how to hold clear boundaries, and how to honor the dignity of every participant. The collection continues to be updated as volunteers share what works, helping to build a living body of wisdom that supports both volunteers and those they serve.

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Helpful information for volunteers

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Books We Recommend

  • How We Practice by Jeff Hardin (pdf)
  • Mother California by Ken Hartman
  • Razor Wire Dharma by Calvin Malone
  • Sitting Inside: Buddhist Practice in America’s Prisons by Kobai Scott Whitney
  • Dharma in Hell: The Prison Writings of Fleet Maul by Fleet Maul
  • The Issue at Hand by Gil Fronsdal (please email us for information on how to get a copy)
  • Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
  • When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron
  • Be Free Where You Are by Thich Nhat Hahn

DVDs and Organizations

Resources for Sangha Leads