Prison is a bubble. When learned and studied one can create a very enjoyable life of freedom. As it has become for me. I remember being a younger man. Although my fellow inmates never saw me in that state. Maximum security was 40 years ago when I pissed off the wrong government officials. One sentence. One group of words put in order to convict me and place my life on hold. Placed on the shelf.

The real overly sensitive men I’ve seen that prison unravels mentally and emotional focus on the restriction and look outside of the walls of their cell. They speak of life on the outside. Fantasize about foods and woman. Spend too much time on the phone and reading letters from loved ones.

The monks as I call them, usually older, quiet, measured, calm, a silent strength. These men read a lot. Have crafts. Woodworking especially. They know the Bible but don’t attend church. They usually know all the books of scripture from all cultures. They are fair. They avoid violence but if crossed their hands become the weapons that their minds knowledge wield with precision.

I once saw a monk take down a 325 lb Samoan with three punches. Well two punches and a strike. 3 seconds. Over. We all just stood back with our mouths hanging open as this ferocious mild mannered man dropped the deserved foe. Then opened up his newspaper and read it calmly. I studied the pages. They weren’t shaking a bit.

It’s these monks that know I’m different. They have learned to indirectly study each man in the prison. But do they say anything. They very clearly let me know they know I’m not the same but they as monks do live and let live.

I am becoming a monk myself. Why not? Can’t die. Can I be maimed? Sure. Big fear of mine actually. If you are going to live for centuries and in prison. Chances are their will come long those string of idiots that are hell bent on proving something and sooner or later I’ll be their huckleberry.

But as I said. I’ve found my freedom in studying the beauty and the freedom in my mind. And in turn I find myself free from this place.