The Mindfulness Resolution Project (MRP) engages 91勛圖厙 students in the important endeavor of exploring their thinking without judgment, examining historical sources and creating historical narratives.<\/p>\n
The project aims to assist in the process of fostering flexibility of the students\u2019 minds in the context of compassion for self and others. Its logo, prison bars beneath a lotus flower, reflects the organizers\u2019 dedication to the Buddhist idea articulated by Thich Nhat Han, that we not only can survive pain and conflict, but even thrive and create something beautiful, like the lotus flower, from that suffering.<\/p>\n
The Mindfulness Resolution Project began in 2020 with a focus on justice-impacted individuals who are participants in and have benefited from the programs offered by\u00a0Network Support Services (NSS)<\/a>. These men and women, who have been convicted and served prison terms for their crimes, are seeking a second chance to demonstrate that they have become assets\u00a0rather than liabilities to their respective communities.<\/p>\n In 2020, Adelphi students began interviewing these individuals hoping to reenter society when M. Cristina Zaccarini, PhD, 91勛圖厙 professor of history collaborated with NahShon Jackson<\/a>. The seventh child of nine siblings, NahShon Jackson is a justice-impacted individual who served 25 years of imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. Since his release from prison, he has been working with Network Support Services, Inc. and was recognized by the New York State Legislature as \u201ca pillar in his community helping provide necessary reentry services and support to empower those incarcerated and formerly incarcerated in returning home.\u201d He and Dr. Cristina Zaccarini originated the Mindfulness Resolution Project, and he is a vital force in this program.<\/p>\n The project required students to conduct interviews with justice-impacted individuals in order to create audio-recorded and written biographies that would help those reentering society from prison obtain jobs, housing and other services. The students conducted extensive semester exercises that examined the needs of justice-impacted individuals involved in the complexities of navigating the needs for shelter, housing and employment. The goal was, and continues to be, to build upon the success of NSS in reducing its 4 percent recidivism rate of incarceration to 0 percent\u2014meaning that no person who participates in the NSS program ever reoffends.<\/p>\n The important point of connection between Network Support Services and Adelphi students is the principle of mindfulness and compassion for self and others, a core element of its\u00a0rehabilitation program<\/a>. The collaboration between NSS and Adelphi students was featured in a documentary by award-winning\u00a0filmmaker Art Jones<\/a>. That collaboration was also the foundation for a chapter that Dr. Zaccarini contributed to a Handbook of Research on Practices for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education<\/em>, published in 2022 by Information Science Reference.<\/p>\n As Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of mindfulness-based stress reduction, has explained, \u201cWhen something sad, stressful or hurtful happens, so many of us look for a way to distract ourselves from the ensuing pain and discomfort. It may seem counterintuitive, but an effective way to manage our negative reactions to life\u2019s stressors actually involves slowing down and paying very close attention.\u201d<\/p>\n Unfortunately, many people do the opposite of that today, as we might check our phones 200 times a day. However, allowing ourselves to pay attention takes us out of the realm of anxiety and can lead us to sound mental health, autonomy and success in the world.<\/p>\nFlexibility of Mind<\/h2>\n