I had the chance years ago to visit a jail and the reality of life behind bars deeply affected me. This is why I decided to read this book with an open mind.
There are often stereotypes about inmates and this book helps to demolish some.

The book is the story of the experience a Buddhist monk working as a chaplain in a Dutch cell.

A quick but insightful read, in the form of 52 vignettes. They help destigmatize the image that we usually have of people that are thieves,murders and criminal through meditation and Buddhist compassion and kindness.

Would totally recommend this!


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This is a quick and relatively easy read. It does provide somewhat of an alternate take on the Buddhism with which I am familiar. The four Noble truths has traditionally taught that suffering is inevitable and concepts surrounding that. Here, is re-interpreted as happiness in one’s relationship to the source of happiness which is in oneself.

This is a lovely and thought provoking book, written with insight and compassion. The author shares stories and lessons from his time teaching meditation to prisoners. Often he is teaching and talking to people who have committed violent crimes, but he teaches without judgement and shows how meditation and compassion can make a genuine difference.

A quick collection on Buddhist reflections from a man that worked with inmates. I'll recommend this one to some of our patrons.