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FINDING FREEDOM Study Guide

(Please note: This updated guide corresponds to the 2020 Shambhala Publications edition of the book. Pages will differ for earlier versions.)

PART I: SANCTUARY

Sanctuary, p. 3

  • What did Jarvis do to make his cell feel like "home"? Why did he do this?

  • Describe a space you have made "your own." Tell how you transformed it and how it transformed you.

  • Why do you think people need to personalize their environments as you and Jarvis have done?

Rats, p.6

  • Describe a new environment that has made you wonder where you were and if you could survive it. How long were you there? What ensued?

Little Black Sparrow, p. 7

  • How do you think the moral of Satchmo's story could apply to the lives of those who are incarcerated?

Pablo's Wish, p. 11

  • Write your own letter to Alice.

The Man Who Talks to Himself, p. 15

  • Why would behavior that's "crazy" on the outside not necessarily be considered "crazy" inside prison?

  • What's your analysis of Mookie? How do you think the world he has created helps or hinders his experience at San Quentin?

  • Can you imagine creating an imaginary world in a setting such as San Quentin? If so, what might it be like?

A Reason to Live, p. 19

  • What was the psychology Jarvis used in changing the young man's mind about suicide?

  • Have you ever felt suicidal or known someone who felt suicidal? What helped you/them feel more optimistic about life?

  • Why do you think Jarvis's technique was successful?

Fruitcakes, p. 27

  • What qualities do we see in Jarvis as he describes the craziness around him? Give examples.

Thirteen Sixty-Eight, p. 38

  • How do you feel about Milton getting out of prison?

  • What can be done to help people like Milton have a positive life on the outside? (If you know of programs that have this goal, describe them. If you don’t, do some research on re-entry programs.)

The Boneyard Visit, p. 41

  • This account of Herbert's conjugal visit shows the humanity of those in prison. What else can you say about it?

  • How does Jarvis’ account (Herbert's account) differ from the way sex is portrayed in the media?

Funny How Time Flies, p. 46

  • This story has its funny side, but might evoke other emotions in you, as well. Express these.

PART II: MOURNING EXERCISE

Recipe for Prison Pruno, p. 53

  • Describe your response to this poem.

  • Try your hand at a similar piece of writing using a real event in your life juxtaposed and interspersed with a recipe, advertisement, or a popular song.

When I First Got Charged, p. 55

  • Talk about the transformation in Jarvis as he allows "wonder" into his life.

Scars, p. 56

  • What is Jarvis wondering about the scars he sees on his neighbors?

  • What do we learn about their scars? How have they dealt with them?

  • How have Jarvis's scars affected his life choices? What has he learned?

  • Do you have any scars—physical or emotional—worth exploring? Share your thoughts and feelings.

Me and My Sisters, p. 61

  • Say something about Jarvis's childhood and how it influenced who he is today.

  • How was your childhood similar to or different from Jarvis's? And how did that shape you?

My Mother Died, p. 65

  • What is your relationship to your own mother? If you had a difficult relationship with your mother, does time have a way of changing your perspective?

Mourning Exercise, p. 64

  • Expand on Jarvis's last sentence in the story.

Dream, p. 68

  • What hopes and fears are expressed in Jarvis's dream?

  • Describe a significant dream of your own and its message to you.

I Open My Palms to the Sky, p. 71

  • Jarvis uses the image of the sky as a contrast to despair in this poem. What other images in nature can also serve as a juxtaposition to hopelessness?


Justice Marshall Resigns, p. 72

  • Research how Justice Marshall's resignation affected the Supreme Court.

  • Why are Americans concerned about the President's choices of Supreme Court Justices? What implications do these choices have?

Bryan, p. 74

  • What qualities do we see in Jarvis as he recounts the loss of his friend Bryan? Note examples.

It's Become So Hard, p. 79

  • If you could talk to Jarvis directly, how would you respond to the feelings he's expressed in these two pages?

O.J., p. 81                                            

  • What's going on here? Express your own thoughts about these issues.

In my Recurrent Dream p. 86

  • The nightmare Jarvis describes is part of the trauma of being on Death Row but the criminal justice system dehumanizes more than just prisoners, extending to correctional staff, legal teams, families of the incarcerated, etc. What keeps our larger culture from examining these ‘invisible’ or ‘hidden’ costs of our penal systems—and what can be done to change that?

PART III: FINDING FREEDOM

Night’s Bright Stars, p. 89

  • Jarvis’ short poems often evoke the healing power of nature. Describe any peace or calm you have experienced in nature.

For a Long Time, p. 90

  • What questions do you want to ask Jarvis about his Buddhist quest?

Seeking Silence, p. 92

  • Try meditating "before the world is awake.” Watch your breath go in and out. Watch what happens as the silence is broken. How does this affect your meditation?

  • While meditating, send positive energy to Jarvis.

  • Write about your experiences during the above meditation.

The Dalai Lama Hat p. 95

  • How did this interchange increase Eddie's self-esteem?

  • What kinds of activities/programs might prisons offer towards the rehabilitation of those who are incarcerated? (If you know about any such programs, please describe them, or do some research on some and share.)

San Quentin is Really Rockin’ n’ Rollin,’ p.97

  • Do you have something or someone who serves as a “best companion” in tough times? Explain.

The Empowerment Ceremony, p.98

  • What teachings from this chapter might you want to integrate into your own life? Why and how?

Understanding Impermanence p. 104

  • ·Jarvis describes being centered as very freeing. What keeps you centered?

Angry Faces, p. 105

  • Do you think it is possible to learn to see everyone’s suffering, not just the frustration of those we agree with?

  • Is it possible to practice nonviolence in any and all situations? Give examples to prove your point.

Maxism, p. 108
 Why do you think it was important for Max to call his thoughts about death, “Maxism?”

Joe Bob, p. 110

  • Why do you think Joe Bob trusted Jarvis?

Every Night Before I Go to Sleep, p. 113

  • What do you do when something annoys or inconveniences you? What creative ways have you come up with cope with the problem?

Tylenol Prayer Beads, p. 114

  • Have you ever been resourceful with something you wanted or needed but couldn’t have exactly the way you wanted it?


Meditation has become….., p. 116

  • Is Jarvis’s experience with meditation similar or different from yours?

Peace Activist, p. 117

  • Can you remember a time when a simple act created some peace in a difficult situation?

I was Walking….., p. 122

  • Do you agree with Jarvis that it’s what’s in our hearts that really counts?

Fourth of July, p. 124

  • Do you agree with Jarvis’s plan for retaliation for the guards’ actions was a good idea? Have you ever had to make some trouble just to prevent even worse things from happening?

Stop! A Buddhist is here!, p. 132

  • Can you imagine the stress Jarvis must feel as a Buddhist knowing that he can’t always stop the violence that surrounds him?

  • How does having a spiritual practice help us survive or transcend circumstances where we have little or no control?

On the Question of Time, p. 136

  • How often are you able to remember that “tomorrow is not promised”?

Keeping Real, p. 137

  • Has your definition of 'freedom' changed after reading this book?

General Questions

  • How is Jarvis's Buddhist practice manifested in these chapters?

  • Is it possible to practice nonviolence in any and all situations? Give examples to prove your point.

  • What are your thoughts and feelings about prison as a punishment? Are there any alternatives? If so, what? If not, why not?

  • How did you feel about the death penalty before reading “Finding Freedom”? How do you feel now? Compare and contrast.

  • Does Jarvis really "find freedom"? How? What does freedom mean to Jarvis? What does freedom mean to you?

  • What do you believe is Jarvis' message(s)?

  • Write a letter to a friend in response to this book. Tell them what you found most meaningful about it.

  • Would you recommend “Finding Freedom” to others? Why?

  • Have you been inspired by Jarvis? What might you do differently now that you have read his book?