become an exemplar

 Currently the Exemplar Program seeks to bring together a spiritual sangha and formerly incarcerated individuals on a shared path towards growth, learning, healing, and service. At this time we are seeking individuals who are deeply rooted in and committed to Buddhist practice, who are willing to examine their fears, hesitations, and biases in order to ultimately overcome them and willing to journey towards healing, growth, and justice.   

The exemplar training is broken into two parts: The first part is a six-week opportunity to build community by meeting with returning citizens and engage in-depth discussion about the challenges of mass incarceration & re-entry and where Buddhist practices can be a catalyst for healing the impact of incarceration. The second part is a two-day workshop where you, as a Buddhist practitioner, under the guidance of a facilitator, can explore your human values around service with others. 

Click here to Register. 

Registration ends: 

August 28, 2023, at 11:59pm.

Dates and Times of in-person meetings:

Community Building: 

Tuesdays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm MST, Aug. 29, Sept. 5, Sept. 12, Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3. 

Location to be announced (online & in-person)

Human Values Workshop: 

Sept. 29, 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. MST; Sept. 30, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. MST; Oct. 1, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MST 

Location to be Announced (online & in-person)

 Additional requirements to be an exemplar include:

• Availability and access to transportation to meet at least 1x per month in person and at least 1x per month on Zoom or phone;
• Deep spiritual grounding in any faith tradition, with knowledge in and regular practice of mindfulness, meditation or other relevant contemplative practices;
• Shared vision of healing & justice, to serve all people regardless of background;
• Interest in learning about the criminal system, mass incarceration, and openness to spending time with people who are impacted by incarceration;
• Interest in the possibilities of Engaged Buddhism or engaged spirituality - the notion that inner spiritual practice can and should be used to make positive change in our external world.
• Participate in our human values training