“My goal with the inmates is to remind them of that spirit spark — as an early beloved spiritual teacher of mine called it — that lies within them. Twelfth-century poet Hafiz said it well: 'I wish that I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.'

“I start there. I listen. I respond with whatever occurs to me to let the men know I see their astonishing light. I speak to that. Ask journaling questions intended to guide us all there.

“Though we are separated either by a metal grate or, in the tower, by a circling armed guard, I think everyone gets that we’re all in this thing called life together.”