Reflections on the LaVista 2026 Spring Retreat

On March 29th, a group of fourteen dedicated individuals gathered for a transformative day at LaVista Correctional, immersing ourselves in a series of thoughtfully designed practices aimed at fostering reflection on the decision-making processes that shape our lives. This retreat was not merely an exercise in self-exploration; it was a effort to cultivate better tools that would empower us to grow and thrive, irrespective of the circumstances surrounding us.

The schedule I had crafted for the day was ambitious and I was hoping for a brief introduction to a variety of topics. I realized once people relaxed and we got into a certain rythym, we were not going to get through many of the topics and I should have planned for two weekends to do what I had learned justice. Also, as fate would have it, the unfortunate double booking of the room we were utilizing during the latter part of our session necessitated an early conclusion to our discussions, cutting our time short by two hours.

We were able to use our lunch hour together to not only comment on the food the facility was serving that date, but to get to know each other a little better. Thenumber of people living in the faciliy conitues to rise and depending on the housing aassignements, there were people in the group who had never formally met each other. However, the insights we gained about ourselves and the connections we forged with one another proved to be invaluable and deeply enriching.

Engaging in mindfulness-based reflective practices poses significant challenges in any environment, but these challenges are amplified in a correctional setting. The inherent dangers, the rigid institutional structure, and the complexities of developing such introspective tools within the confines of a prison system are formidable obstacles.

As we embarked on our journey of reflection, we encountered some initial confusion regarding the purpose of our gathering, largely stemming from the varied interpretations of the flyer that had advertised our time together. Out of the thirteen women present, only two had previously attended the afternoon domestic violence group that I facilitate, leaving many participants unaware of the profound nature and potential depth of the conversations that could arise during our sessions.

To establish a foundation of trust and respect, we began our day by laying out clear agreements regarding group dynamics. It was essential to acknowledge that confidentiality, while a cornerstone of many reflective practices, does not fully exist in this environment. My obligations, both legal and ethical, require me to share certain conversations with the facility's employees, particularly those that may pose a risk to the safety of individuals involved.

Nevertheless, I held a certain level of trust in the ability of those living in an incarcerated setting to navigate these boundaries with care. Their experiences had taught them to be cautious about what they chose to share, driven by a keen awareness of the realities of their surroundings and the individuals they live with. While friendships and relationships do flourish in any environment, it is crucial to recognize that there are individuals within the prison population who struggle with severe mental health issues and have developed manipulative or abusive behaviors as coping mechanisms.

As we moved forward, we made a collective commitment to ourselves that even if our reflections were to be solely inward as the day progressed, we would engage in this process with a newfound level of honest introspection. We began our exploration by examining our intentions and motivations, striving to distinguish between the two while delving into the deeper "why" behind our actions. A recurring observation that surfaced throughout our discussions was the realization that many participants had never taken the time to analyze their lives in such a profound way. I, too, had not engaged in this level of self-examination prior to learning these tools from one of my esteemed teachers, Thupten Jinpa, whose insights have profoundly shaped my understanding of mindfulness and reflection.

We then transitioned into B. Alan Wallace's Vision Quest, a structured framework that guided us through all four points of inquiry, encouraging us to apply the questions posed to our own lives and experiences. To facilitate this process, I had provided each participant with notebooks, which many used to privately reflect on their personal visions of happiness, the importance of communal support, the shedding of negative habits while enhancing positive traits, and the development of a sense of purpose. This exercise not only allowed for individual reflection but also fostered a sense of collective exploration, as participants shared their thoughts and insights, creating an atmosphere of mutual support and understanding. The depth of the discussions that emerged from this practice was a testament to the power of introspection and the transformative potential of our time together.

I am hopeful that we can maybe make this a longer retreat and isolate a group for a couple of days in a manner that may foster even deeper discussion and connection.

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