An incarcerated lay friend shares their insights after reading “Becoming Interwoven: Sewing My Brown Jacket as the Art of Practice.”

January 4th, 2024

Dear Mindfulness Bell,

Please allow me to say “Thank you” for sending me The Mindfulness Bell magazine.  It is just absolutely wonderful.

One of the most interesting and helpful articles I have read is “Becoming Interwoven: Sewing My Brown Jacket as the Art of Practice” by Sarah Manion.

I did not realize how much this article touched me until I went to work recently at the Unicor here at the Federal Correctional Institution where I am incarcerated. You see, I was sewing t-shirts for the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard and this woman’s love for the “Brown Jacket” really caught my attention and my thoughts while at work.

I decided to have “love for the black t-shirt” which I was putting sleeves on.

Now there are many more shirts than her beautiful “Brown Jacket.” I found however that just like this woman, I wondered about the origins of this fabric, about all the people that worked so hard to get the fabric to me. Then it occurred to me that I could also be right in the moment with each “Black Shirt.” There are 36 in a bundle and my quota is around 15 bundles in a seven hour day. I put two sleeves on each shirt.

She said, “craft and making is one way I have translated this practice into the language of my life. It is a personal act of reverence and gratitude for all the beings, elements, and conditions that have manifested to create this beautiful garment."

Okay, “black t-shirt” is probably never going to be considered as beautiful as her “Brown Jacket.”

I decided though that every one that goes through my hands could have wishes of happiness, safety, and peace; that each “Black shirt” could and would have my personal wish that it would protect the person that wears it and gives them clarity to help bring peace and not war.

That in fact even though it will have “Army” silkscreened and heated onto the black fabric—probably nylon or polyester blend-ish—it could and would have the best and most perfect arm sleeves whether long sleeve or short sleeve attached with the Most Love and all the Protection al all the Enlightened Ones from beginningless beginning.

It is all there in “Black Shirt.”

I hope it protects them like my family. I hope Black Shirt serves the men and probably women who wear it and that they make decisions of only lovingkindness.

I actually am watching as every stitch is guided gently into Black Shirt’s sleeves—my estimate of about five hundred stitches in each sleeve but it could be more.

She wrote, “Once I am settled, I pick up my sewing and allow myself to release into the order and progression of one stich after another.”

Well, I felt that, today as I worked.  Not just once but over an over as I was able to stay present and really appreciate this woman’s creativity and her Faith.

How wonderful for all those Black Shirts to have so many good wishes attached to them. I know it is a little crazy but it is the way it is.

I know I am in prison and get a free copy of The Mindfulness Bell, which I am eternally grateful for because I can be exactly in the present moment like Thầy has taught me and say Thank You every day for wonderful articles like the one by Mrs. Sarah Manion.

Thank you again so much,

Namaste and

“May you love yourself just as you are.

May you sense your worthiness and well being.

May you trust this world.

May you hold yourself and others in compassion.

May you meet the suffering and ignorance of others with love and compassion.”

Love, Ronald

Federal Correctional Institution, Jesup, GA

Note from the Managing Editor: 

Deep gratitude for all of you who support our efforts at The Mindfulness Bell through your subscriptions, donations, submissions, and volunteer work, which allows us to send complimentary subscriptions to mindfulness practitioners who are imprisoned.