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We have been meeting weekly at Mulawa Women´s Correctional Centre since June 2000. The
numbers range from a few to quite a large group. Sometimes, and this has been happening
more lately, the women cannot get from their wing to the chapel because they must be
escorted and there is a (dire) shortage of officers Then Margaret, the chaplain and I meditate
together,holding them in our hearts. We know how much they would wish to be here, the chapel
is a place of sanctuary and sitting together in the silence has become very important for them.
As Katherine said recently, I am starving for this way of prayer and the peace it brings me.
When we began the group we wondered if it might be difficult for the women to sit for 20 minutes,
still and without a cigarette. This has never been a problem, they seemed to very quickly taste
what meditation held for them, and we find there is a great spirit of friendship and support for
each other to be there, and they have a way of letting anyone using the time or some other
purpose, that they are not welcome on that basis.
Occasionally one of the officers comes to the door for something while we are meditating, I have
seen the look of shock and then awe and respect as they back away, surprised to see the
absorption of these women who they know in other capacities.
Some of the women have shared that they practise every day and find themselves naturally
returning to their mantra at difficult times. Some of them have committed violent crimes and find it
difficult to accept and forgive that about themselves. Meditation helps them to face what is
and to experience God´s love for them regardless. One of the women has gone as to the details of
her violent crime; recently she has stated and others have commented to the chaplains, that
meditation has helped her to begin to face the reality. She spoke recently of the very deep healing
that she feels is taking place within her.
Before we meditate we have a guided relaxation to prepare the body and find a place of silence
and stillness from where we can say our word. Afterwards Margaret reads from the Gospel or St
Paul or a psalm. We noticed the women have a very strong relationship to scripture and several
years ago, a few of us who are spiritual directors offered a Retreat in Daily Life to a small group at
a time. This has been ongoing and what the women have shared about how their time is prison is
an opportunity to really learn to trust and depend on the Lord and feel God´s closeness in so many
small ways each day, touches us profoundly.
We have been blessed by two visits by Father Laurence to the group, he came a third time but as
they were locked in, he was unable to meditate with them on that occasion. He was moved by the
women´s welcome of him, their enthusiasm for meditation, their affection for each other, and their
dignity. He spoke to them about how he visits groups all over the world and especially those
meeting in prisons in the Philippines, the United States and one he frequently visits at Wormwood
Scrubs. They were most attentive as he spoke of God being found where we least expect, and
how meditation opens our hearts so we can find joy in the most unlikely situations, even when we
do not get what we think we need to be happy. It was very moving for all of us, including some
Buddhist women who were there or the occasion! Encouraged by him, they sent a message of
peace to the JMS in Belfast which in part read:
"OUR BODIES MAY BE IMPRISONED BUT OUR SPIRIT SOARS FREE AND WE CAN HOLD PEACE IN
OUR HEARTS, AND SEND ITS BLESSING TO YOU THERE."
Late last year the ABC after a long period of making the arrangements, came to the gaol to make a
radio program on Christian Meditation in the prison. The women spoke powerfully about what it
has meant for them, one saying she forgets she is in prison when she meditates, and another that
she has been in worse prisons outside within her own head, that knowing Jesus gives her a great
sense of freedom, she is only sorry that she had to come to gaol to discover al this. The program
was aired recently.
Looking back it is quite amazing how naturally the whole process has unfolded. We are often late
beginning, waiting for muster or a particular group locked in for some reason, and it is never
"tidy". But for all that something profound is happening, as we gather week in week out in the
spirit who is loving to all.
Judi Taylor
Australia
February 2005
numbers range from a few to quite a large group. Sometimes, and this has been happening
more lately, the women cannot get from their wing to the chapel because they must be
escorted and there is a (dire) shortage of officers Then Margaret, the chaplain and I meditate
together,holding them in our hearts. We know how much they would wish to be here, the chapel
is a place of sanctuary and sitting together in the silence has become very important for them.
As Katherine said recently, I am starving for this way of prayer and the peace it brings me.
When we began the group we wondered if it might be difficult for the women to sit for 20 minutes,
still and without a cigarette. This has never been a problem, they seemed to very quickly taste
what meditation held for them, and we find there is a great spirit of friendship and support for
each other to be there, and they have a way of letting anyone using the time or some other
purpose, that they are not welcome on that basis.
Occasionally one of the officers comes to the door for something while we are meditating, I have
seen the look of shock and then awe and respect as they back away, surprised to see the
absorption of these women who they know in other capacities.
Some of the women have shared that they practise every day and find themselves naturally
returning to their mantra at difficult times. Some of them have committed violent crimes and find it
difficult to accept and forgive that about themselves. Meditation helps them to face what is
and to experience God´s love for them regardless. One of the women has gone as to the details of
her violent crime; recently she has stated and others have commented to the chaplains, that
meditation has helped her to begin to face the reality. She spoke recently of the very deep healing
that she feels is taking place within her.
Before we meditate we have a guided relaxation to prepare the body and find a place of silence
and stillness from where we can say our word. Afterwards Margaret reads from the Gospel or St
Paul or a psalm. We noticed the women have a very strong relationship to scripture and several
years ago, a few of us who are spiritual directors offered a Retreat in Daily Life to a small group at
a time. This has been ongoing and what the women have shared about how their time is prison is
an opportunity to really learn to trust and depend on the Lord and feel God´s closeness in so many
small ways each day, touches us profoundly.
We have been blessed by two visits by Father Laurence to the group, he came a third time but as
they were locked in, he was unable to meditate with them on that occasion. He was moved by the
women´s welcome of him, their enthusiasm for meditation, their affection for each other, and their
dignity. He spoke to them about how he visits groups all over the world and especially those
meeting in prisons in the Philippines, the United States and one he frequently visits at Wormwood
Scrubs. They were most attentive as he spoke of God being found where we least expect, and
how meditation opens our hearts so we can find joy in the most unlikely situations, even when we
do not get what we think we need to be happy. It was very moving for all of us, including some
Buddhist women who were there or the occasion! Encouraged by him, they sent a message of
peace to the JMS in Belfast which in part read:
"OUR BODIES MAY BE IMPRISONED BUT OUR SPIRIT SOARS FREE AND WE CAN HOLD PEACE IN
OUR HEARTS, AND SEND ITS BLESSING TO YOU THERE."
Late last year the ABC after a long period of making the arrangements, came to the gaol to make a
radio program on Christian Meditation in the prison. The women spoke powerfully about what it
has meant for them, one saying she forgets she is in prison when she meditates, and another that
she has been in worse prisons outside within her own head, that knowing Jesus gives her a great
sense of freedom, she is only sorry that she had to come to gaol to discover al this. The program
was aired recently.
Looking back it is quite amazing how naturally the whole process has unfolded. We are often late
beginning, waiting for muster or a particular group locked in for some reason, and it is never
"tidy". But for all that something profound is happening, as we gather week in week out in the
spirit who is loving to all.
Judi Taylor
Australia
February 2005