Mindfulness Peace Project developed out of our volunteer work with incarcerated inmates in the 90’s, instructing them in meditation practice and presenting Buddhist teachings as a way to develop a spiritual path in prison. We later evolved secular presentations on mindfulness for military veterans and sitting meditation for inmates in solitary confinement.
Ratna Peace Initiative (RPI, 2004) works with incarcerated men and women nationwide. It offers personal correspondence, a three course study of Buddhist texts, Buddhist literature, and mindfulness instruction. We donate media and other materials to Buddhist prison groups. We also run Buddhist groups in Colorado prisons, and we visit prisons in other states to do meditation practice retreats.
Veterans Peace of Mind (VPoM, 2009) acknowledges the needs of returning veterans and comprises secular mindfulness programming. VPoM teaches a study program integrated with mindfulness practice to incarcerated veterans in prisons throughout the United States. Fearless Victory (FV, 2011-2020) worked with veterans suffering military traumas, integrating mindfulness and equine therapy.
Solitary Confinement (SC, 2015) is a secular adaptation of our mindfulness work so that any inmates in solitary confinement have a way to learn sitting meditation to work with their minds and cope with the severe psychological challenges they face. We provide literature specifically designed for solitary, a study course, and personal instruction.
Buddha – Prisoner Art by Dalton L.