Judgment & Changing Minds

In a longer essay Albert shared with us on some philosophies and principles of Buddhism, Albert wrote about working to cultivate “a mind of equanimity toward all sentient beings" – in other words, a calm and patient response to all conscious beings. When we have "a steady practice of equanimity,” he wrote, “we no longer view correctional officers or program staff as enemies.” Instead “they become deserving of our tolerance, our gentleness, and our empathy.” We can see this equanimity at work in Albert’s brief essay titled “Judgment (Critical Thinking),” where he tells a clear and simple story about a rainy day in the yard, and a change of heart in response to a particular corrections officer. “No one is inherently bad,” Albert writes; would you agree?

Kris’s poem gets right to the point, describing the judgment handed down by the judge in his own case, who found him “without remorse.” Instead of arguing with that assessment, Kris has written a poem about truly thinking about it – carefully, critically, and honestly. Through “putting in the work,” Kris is able to envision his future self: someone with better judgment, someone who will overcome those instances of poor judgment in his past. This is an inspiring poem for all who hope to cultivate clearer, and better, thinking and decision-making in their lives.

In his essay titled "Lost and Found Judgment," Peter describes the "self-deconstruction" and "reconstruction" that have occurred during his long period of incarceration. He sees judgment as "the consequential prison GPS" that allowed him to return to the principles and values his mother instilled in him many years before. That judgment, and the forgiveness that went along with it, have brought him to a powerful place of self-awareness and personal growth.

In his brief reflection on judgment/”seeing all sides”, Gary makes an important observation about his attitudes toward incarcerated people prior to his own arrest and incarceration. “Prison,” he writes, “has given me pause to reflect, re-evaluate, and look at many previously held views in a totally new way.”

In this poem filled with quiet and interesting rhymes, Nico describes the process of being blamed and eventually accepting that blame, using it as a way to be honest with himself about past behaviors. “Within the words I write,” he says, “I guess I’m asking for your help.” This is the voice of someone who wants to be better and has come to a point of clearer, wiser judgment thanks to this person that gave him “just what I needed to realize what I have.”

In "Listen," Dustin has composed a lovely poem written in a mysterious voice that he, and we, do not recognize at first. This voice urges him to quiet his mind and listen carefully, as she offers "the thoughts of other minds, "the wisdom of other journeys," and "an abundant wealth of things to learn." This "she," we learn eventually, is poetry – always there, always available, as a way to change our thinking, or judgment, and bring us peace.