Testimonials
This is a collection of testimonials written by individuals that have benefited from the Gateless Gate Zen Center Prison Program.
Sarah Vaughn
I completed 8 months of classes in the meditation program at Lowell Correctional Institution in 2007 and 2008. The program benefited me in areas of self evaluation, developing relaxation techniques to deal with a traumatic period, and heightening my creativity in writing. I was released approximately four years ago. I’ve beat the 65% recidivism rate of most prisoners. I give acknowledgement to the program for helping me enter society successfully and remain strong and attentive to my current goals and dreams.
Read the rest of Sarah’s testimonial here.
Peter Snyder, Participant
Since leaving the center about three years ago, I have drastically changed the course of my life. I have not been in any trouble with the law and I have maintained a stable job, of which I am now in a management position. I have finished 60 hours of college towards completing my AA degree in Social Work. I volunteer at my gym to train and work with under-privileged kids on a weekly basis. I attribute all of my success to the programs that were implemented in and out of prison by the Gateless Gate Zen Center and KC.
Read the rest of Peter’s testimonial here.
Angel Caraballo, Participant
I sincerely believe my life took a very positive turn when I met Kinloch C. Walpole, better known as my dear friend and mentor. In my tenth year in prison, I sat for the first time in my life. KC showed and taught me how to breathe, meditate, and still my mind. For the first time the anger, frustrations, and emptiness disappeared. I dedicated my life to a new direction, making myself a better man.
Read the rest of Angel’s testimonial here.
Carla, Participant
I learned that although we are all alone in the world, and we come in barefoot, and leave as dust, we have a role in paving the path. And that path is full of love, compassion, and peace. And while there are thousands and thousands of prisons, there’s only one road to freedom. The road is real. Meditation showed me the direction.
Read the rest of Carla’s testimonial here.
Sheila-Rae Z. Mohs, Education Supervisor II at Lowell Correctional Institution
MBSR is an excellent tool for all inmates to carry with them. It helps them relax when making choices by granting them the ability to think before reacting. This will help them in their re-entry back into society. Also, we see a visible difference in those who have taken the class in the reduction of test anxiety during the GED test which is crippling for many of our students.
Marcia Frazer, Participant
Knowing that you do not have a safe, drug-free environment to enter upon release is a horrific spot in life to find oneself. Many ex-offenders come out with the best of intentions. However, it proves to be an uphill battle. Living in the Zen Center for 9 months allowed me to see that things can work, if I made the choice to practice. After living at the Center, under KC Walpole’s instruction, I became confident enough to move back to Miami to go back into the professional arena.
Read the rest of Marcia’s testimonial here.
Michelle Rollins, Participant
Despite the fact that I made mistakes, I learned things at the center that helped me recognize my self-harming behaviors, and I bounced back much sooner than I could have without this experience. Recovery is different for each individual, and my recovery definitively began at the Gateless Gate. I am a stronger and more centered person after my stay there. The center is vital, needed, and worthy of sustaining. It saves lives and provides hope.
Read the rest of Michelle’s testimonial here.
How You Can Help
If you would like to see more inmates and ex-offenders find the strength to thrive and grow to become great contributors to society, please consider helping by sharing these stories with your friends, volunteering your time, or donating to our program.
To volunteer, contact abbot@gatelessgate.org.
To donate, visit our donation page.