Locked away, with freedom just a distant memory—what does life behind bars truly feel like?

Curious about the impacts of incarceration, I watched a gripping documentary about life inside Indiana State Women’s Prison. To be locked up and denied all freedom is truly a horrible way to spend your life. This I knew.

I locked myself inside my washroom once when the lock malfunctioned. The claustrophobia, panic, and hopelessness were overwhelming. But my ordeal lasted only a couple of hours. Imagine enduring this for many years.

Some inmates in the aforementioned prison have been locked up for three or four decades, all because of a mistake they made as teenagers. Few are in solitary confinement, which means they would be locked in their single cells 23 hours a day.

Even more shocking than the horror of captivity were the anecdotes of the inmates.

The volatility of our existence

One of the stories left me thinking a lot about the volatility of human existence. Sarah, who is sentenced to 25 years, said this, “One moment I was talking on the phone to my mom…fifteen minutes later I was a killer!”

Most of the inmates have similar stories. An emotional outburst, a hasty decision, or a drug-induced state led to their lifelong incarceration. It is beyond poignant.

The documentary reminded me of my friend whose life was altered permanently because of a split-second decision to speed on a motorcycle. The fateful choice left him bedridden for the last 15 years.

How to avoid emotional outburst

Life is unpredictable. One moment can snatch everything away from us. A single wrong decision is all it takes. Is there a way to prevent causing harm to ourselves and others through emotional decisions?

Two minutes of silence

Dalai Lama, in one of his discourses, requested the modern generation to observe two minutes of silence before commencing any task. This gives our minds a breathing space. The quality of our task, whether it be riding a motorcycle or creating a presentation, would drastically improve.

Moreover, modern life forces us to switch between tasks. Studies show that constantly switching tasks can lead to decision fatigue, increasing the likelihood of mistakes and accidents. Two minutes of silence can mitigate this.

5-second rule

If two minutes is the ideal time interval before a task, before quick decisions 5 seconds is the best. When you are about to respond emotionally to your spouse or decide to cut off the car in front of you or take revenge on a bully, take a deep breath and clear your mind.

Find the seemingly inconsequential

Many simple wrong decisions and bad habits can snowball and derail our lives in a moment. Be it substance abuse, short temper, or uncontrolled lust, these habits and quirks can make us susceptible to terrible choices. So be mindful of them.

Embrace Calm

Many prefer to ride on the wave of excitement. They seek hedonistic pleasures and cannot satisfy their thirst for adventure. But decisions, charged with emotions, get them in trouble. The harrowing tales of the incarcerated is a reminder for all of us.

We need to think clearly to avoid rash decisions. Taking a pause, keeping our emotions in check, and responding thoughtfully can save us and others from misery. In essence, we have to live a more meditative life.

To live a calm, mindful life, we must embrace meditation and thoughtful decision-making. Let’s commit to these practices and transform our lives for the better.

Thank you for reading. Please let me know your thoughts through your comments.

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