ISSUE NO. 5
November 2024
Donate Here

Letters

What I Learnt About Buddhism

By
George

George writes from a Victorian prison.

Mattia Faloretti

I stumbled across Buddhist meditation in 2017 where I met Hojun, the Buddhist chaplain/monk who led the meditation and spiritual discussion. Since then, thanks to Hojun, I feel I have changed mentally and spiritually in nearly every way.

Some of the important changes I reflect upon are things like the acceptance of chance, and that everything is in a state of flux. This means we all change, with the difference being that I am now aware of the change, so I can manifest this in skilful ways.

Some other more challenging concepts include: I am not the story that I tell myself; I am not my possessions, friends, crimes, name, age or sex. I am not my past, or my future; and we are all here witnessing consciousness though our human senses. It is through this understanding I can truly begin to see life and how it truly is, letting go of the concepts I have of myself and therefore the judgements I have of others, allowing me to free myself from how I think others should act.

Being spiritual means to go beyond; which for me means to go beyond the beliefs I hold on to, the strongest of which make me suffer most. Some would say the goal is enlightenment, but there really is no goal; the path or the journey to non-self, freedom, liberation or enlightenment is where the work is. This work means letting go, practicing compassion, confronting my beliefs, and being rewarded for it.

Thank you, Hojun, for your inspiration, guidance, patience and your time.Thank you for guiding me through the changes I needed in my life, and by throwing the web of connection I know you have changed the lives of many in the most positive ways.

Kindest regards,

George … AKA Shin Zen

I stumbled across Buddhist meditation in 2017 where I met Hojun, the Buddhist chaplain/monk who led the meditation and spiritual discussion. Since then, thanks to Hojun, I feel I have changed mentally and spiritually in nearly every way.

Some of the important changes I reflect upon are things like the acceptance of chance, and that everything is in a state of flux. This means we all change, with the difference being that I am now aware of the change, so I can manifest this in skilful ways.

Some other more challenging concepts include: I am not the story that I tell myself; I am not my possessions, friends, crimes, name, age or sex. I am not my past, or my future; and we are all here witnessing consciousness though our human senses. It is through this understanding I can truly begin to see life and how it truly is, letting go of the concepts I have of myself and therefore the judgements I have of others, allowing me to free myself from how I think others should act.

Being spiritual means to go beyond; which for me means to go beyond the beliefs I hold on to, the strongest of which make me suffer most. Some would say the goal is enlightenment, but there really is no goal; the path or the journey to non-self, freedom, liberation or enlightenment is where the work is. This work means letting go, practicing compassion, confronting my beliefs, and being rewarded for it.

Thank you, Hojun, for your inspiration, guidance, patience and your time.Thank you for guiding me through the changes I needed in my life, and by throwing the web of connection I know you have changed the lives of many in the most positive ways.

Kindest regards,

George … AKA Shin Zen

Sistas, Support Each Other!

By Anonymous

This letter is to remind you all that, as Sistas, we need to be there for one another to raise women up.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

2 MIN READ

Strip Searches

By Nikita

It’s daunting enough when you get arrested by police, then placed into custody and thrown into a cell. Then you have to go through a degrading strip search.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

1 MIN READ

If It’s Broken, Then Fix It

By Andrew

I’ve spent most of my adult life behind bars, and I’m not proud to say it. It’s been such a bloody waste.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

3 MIN READ

Routine is Good, Not Bad

By Dane

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in prison can relate to the concept of prison rituals and routines.

Letters

ISSUE NO. 23

3 MIN READ

Welcome to About Time

About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

Your browser window currently does not have enough height, or is zoomed in too far to view our website content correctly. Once the window reaches the minimum required height or zoom percentage, the content will display automatically.

Alternatively, you can learn more via the links below.

Donations via GiveNow

Email

Instagram

LinkedIn