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The Buddhist on Death Row: How One Man Found Light in the Darkest Place
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Boy explores the transformation of Jarvis Jay Masters who has become one of America’s most inspiring Buddhist practitioners while locked in a cell on death row.
Jarvis Jay Masters’s early life was a horror story whose outline we know too well. Born in Long Beach, California, his house was filled with crack, alcohol, physical abuse, and men who paid his mother for sex. He and his siblings were split up and sent to foster care when he was five, and he progressed quickly to juvenile detention, car theft, armed robbery, and ultimately San Quentin. While in prison, he was set up for the murder of a guard—a conviction which landed him on death row, where he’s been since 1990.
At the time of his murder trial, he was held in solitary confinement, torn by rage and anxiety, felled by headaches, seizures, and panic attacks. A criminal investigator repeatedly offered to teach him breathing exercises which he repeatedly refused. Until desperation moved him to ask her how to do “that meditation shit.” With uncanny clarity, David Sheff describes Masters’s gradual but profound transformation from a man dedicated to hurting others to one who has prevented violence on the prison yard, counseled high school kids by mail, and helped prisoners—and even guards—find meaning in their lives.
Along the way, Masters becomes drawn to the principles that Buddhism espouses—compassion, sacrifice, and living in the moment—and he gains the admiration of Buddhists worldwide, including many of the faith’s most renowned practitioners. And while he is still in San Quentin and still on death row, he is a renowned Buddhist thinker who shows us how to ease our everyday suffering, relish the light that surrounds us, and endure the tragedies that befall us all.
Jarvis Jay Masters’s early life was a horror story whose outline we know too well. Born in Long Beach, California, his house was filled with crack, alcohol, physical abuse, and men who paid his mother for sex. He and his siblings were split up and sent to foster care when he was five, and he progressed quickly to juvenile detention, car theft, armed robbery, and ultimately San Quentin. While in prison, he was set up for the murder of a guard—a conviction which landed him on death row, where he’s been since 1990.
At the time of his murder trial, he was held in solitary confinement, torn by rage and anxiety, felled by headaches, seizures, and panic attacks. A criminal investigator repeatedly offered to teach him breathing exercises which he repeatedly refused. Until desperation moved him to ask her how to do “that meditation shit.” With uncanny clarity, David Sheff describes Masters’s gradual but profound transformation from a man dedicated to hurting others to one who has prevented violence on the prison yard, counseled high school kids by mail, and helped prisoners—and even guards—find meaning in their lives.
Along the way, Masters becomes drawn to the principles that Buddhism espouses—compassion, sacrifice, and living in the moment—and he gains the admiration of Buddhists worldwide, including many of the faith’s most renowned practitioners. And while he is still in San Quentin and still on death row, he is a renowned Buddhist thinker who shows us how to ease our everyday suffering, relish the light that surrounds us, and endure the tragedies that befall us all.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2020
280 people are currently reading
7454 people want to read
About the author
David Sheff
27 books954 followersDavid Sheff is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Beautiful Boy. Sheff's other books include Game Over, China Dawn, and All We Are Saying. His many articles and interviews have appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Playboy, Wired, Fortune, and elsewhere. His ongoing research and reporting on the science of addiction earned him a place on Time Magazine's list of the World's Most Influential People. Sheff and his family live in Inverness, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
August 7, 2020
Library Overdrive, Audiobook, ( 7 hours and 32 minutes), read by Michael Boatman
This IS A HEARTFELT - HEART WRENCHING - AMAZING STORY!
The audiobook surpassed my expectations - but now I want to read the ebook, or physical book, to.
I’m still feeling a little too emotional - in a mellow-yellow mood to write a simple - clear - to - the - point - review....
But, I’ll give it a campers try here. Truthfully...I’m not sure I can write this review without tears. Nope...can’t be done.
Jarvis Jay Masters, an African American, born in Long Beach, California, is currently on death row, at San Quentin State Prison. He was accused of murdering a corrections prison guard officer.
Jarvis has been on death row for 30 years for a crime he says he did not commit.
Personally- I believe him. But, each reader can decide for themselves.
David Sheff made 200 visits to San Quentin to meet with Jarvis. He recorded more than 150 hours of phone conversation.
David said....”I started to open up about my own life, my struggles, and so a relationship naturally developed”.
There is so much I want to say about this book - and ongoing stories associated with it....
but ...I’ll be brief and mention just a few key points...But I do highly recommend reading it.
Its so GRIPPING!!!
I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN....and it’s a story I still am unable to let go.
I will continue to follow Jarvis’s story in the future.
....Jarvis spent 22 years in solitary confinement.
....After the first 5 years of Jarvis’s home life of drugs, abuse, and abandonment, he was sent to live with Foster Parents.
....Petty crimes lead to felonies. At age 19, Jarvis went to juvenile prison- ( where he was abused & burned with cigarettes)...
.....Jarvis was introduced to meditation from Melanie, a criminal investigator....which lead to his practice of buddhism. He adopted a daily practice of sitting - back straight - for two hours - sitting & breathing — followed by rigorous exercise.
.....Feelings of inspiration were new for Jarvis.
All he had known was rage and bitterness.
....David Sheff gives us an overview of how Jarvis’s transformation - slowly came about. ( but not like...”oh, I’ve seen the light, in some voodoo way either). What I found fascinating was how Jarvis went from only feeling sorry -victimized about himself - to developing empathy and compassion for other people who suffered.
....The well known Buddhist nun, Pema Chodra, ( others too), became a sort of mentor, teacher, and advocate for Jarvis.
....Jarvis started writing ( he published two books)...and other essays.
“You meet A whole new person when you start writing about yourself”.
Re-visiting old painful memories
....Jarvis’s most highly treasured possession, is a ball point pen. He writes - pen to paper — sometimes all night long - with not even a table to write on.
....David Sheff said, “He learned that people ‘can’ change —and ‘how’ they change.
....David was visiting Jarvis once a week up until San Quentin’s COVID-19 lockdown. Jarvis became sick - seriously ill - with the virus the first two weeks of July. The prisoner in the cell adjacent to him has died.
There have been 19 deaths and more than 2,100 confirm cases of the virus at San Quentin.
....Jarvis Masters uses his buddhism practice to help others in and out of prison. He even published an essay sharing about the miss management of the pandemic at the prison.
.....We, the readers, come to know Jarvis—I love the relationship between Jarvis and David...soooo much so....I wanted to bawl crying from being so moved.
“David’s book really drove home the fact that Jarvis lives in some of the most brutal conditions anyone on earth, and he is the most remarkable case of somebody overcoming circumstances to make a meaningful life”.
One more quote...I can’t resist....because it’s true for me, too:
From David Sheff:
“In my view, anybody who does the reading will draw the same conclusion that I did, that he was framed. The injustice of living with that injustice is a challenge I can’t even imagine, but I really wanted to focus more on his journey, and how a person changes”
A beautiful book....by a beautiful man....of a beautiful a man.
This IS A HEARTFELT - HEART WRENCHING - AMAZING STORY!
The audiobook surpassed my expectations - but now I want to read the ebook, or physical book, to.
I’m still feeling a little too emotional - in a mellow-yellow mood to write a simple - clear - to - the - point - review....
But, I’ll give it a campers try here. Truthfully...I’m not sure I can write this review without tears. Nope...can’t be done.
Jarvis Jay Masters, an African American, born in Long Beach, California, is currently on death row, at San Quentin State Prison. He was accused of murdering a corrections prison guard officer.
Jarvis has been on death row for 30 years for a crime he says he did not commit.
Personally- I believe him. But, each reader can decide for themselves.
David Sheff made 200 visits to San Quentin to meet with Jarvis. He recorded more than 150 hours of phone conversation.
David said....”I started to open up about my own life, my struggles, and so a relationship naturally developed”.
There is so much I want to say about this book - and ongoing stories associated with it....
but ...I’ll be brief and mention just a few key points...But I do highly recommend reading it.
Its so GRIPPING!!!
I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN....and it’s a story I still am unable to let go.
I will continue to follow Jarvis’s story in the future.
....Jarvis spent 22 years in solitary confinement.
....After the first 5 years of Jarvis’s home life of drugs, abuse, and abandonment, he was sent to live with Foster Parents.
....Petty crimes lead to felonies. At age 19, Jarvis went to juvenile prison- ( where he was abused & burned with cigarettes)...
.....Jarvis was introduced to meditation from Melanie, a criminal investigator....which lead to his practice of buddhism. He adopted a daily practice of sitting - back straight - for two hours - sitting & breathing — followed by rigorous exercise.
.....Feelings of inspiration were new for Jarvis.
All he had known was rage and bitterness.
....David Sheff gives us an overview of how Jarvis’s transformation - slowly came about. ( but not like...”oh, I’ve seen the light, in some voodoo way either). What I found fascinating was how Jarvis went from only feeling sorry -victimized about himself - to developing empathy and compassion for other people who suffered.
....The well known Buddhist nun, Pema Chodra, ( others too), became a sort of mentor, teacher, and advocate for Jarvis.
....Jarvis started writing ( he published two books)...and other essays.
“You meet A whole new person when you start writing about yourself”.
Re-visiting old painful memories
....Jarvis’s most highly treasured possession, is a ball point pen. He writes - pen to paper — sometimes all night long - with not even a table to write on.
....David Sheff said, “He learned that people ‘can’ change —and ‘how’ they change.
....David was visiting Jarvis once a week up until San Quentin’s COVID-19 lockdown. Jarvis became sick - seriously ill - with the virus the first two weeks of July. The prisoner in the cell adjacent to him has died.
There have been 19 deaths and more than 2,100 confirm cases of the virus at San Quentin.
....Jarvis Masters uses his buddhism practice to help others in and out of prison. He even published an essay sharing about the miss management of the pandemic at the prison.
.....We, the readers, come to know Jarvis—I love the relationship between Jarvis and David...soooo much so....I wanted to bawl crying from being so moved.
“David’s book really drove home the fact that Jarvis lives in some of the most brutal conditions anyone on earth, and he is the most remarkable case of somebody overcoming circumstances to make a meaningful life”.
One more quote...I can’t resist....because it’s true for me, too:
From David Sheff:
“In my view, anybody who does the reading will draw the same conclusion that I did, that he was framed. The injustice of living with that injustice is a challenge I can’t even imagine, but I really wanted to focus more on his journey, and how a person changes”
A beautiful book....by a beautiful man....of a beautiful a man.
May 31, 2021
What an emotional read! Peace, tranquility, empathy, compassion, "freedom", joy and love. What I learn from death row inmate at San Quentin, Jarvis Jay Masters.
Jarvis of Long Beach, California was arrested and sent to San Quentin Prison for armed robbery in 1981 at the age of 19. He calls his old self a thug. His sentence was for 23 years. Then in 1985, he was charged with conspiracy along with two other inmates in the murder of a prison guard Sgt. Burchfield. In 1990, Jarvis Jay Masters was sentenced to death by lethal injection. He's been on death row ever since with 22 years in solitary confinement. He continues to fight for his innocence and there's a "Free Jarvis" campaign for his exoneration.
Jarvis's spiritual journey began with meditation lesson from his investigator and a small book on "Life In Relationship To Death", a transcript teaching by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche - Buddhist lama. Over the years, there have been many Buddhist monks and practitioners who visit Jarvis on death row. All seem to admire his transformation and perception of life. Jarvis does what he can to help others in prison.
A relatively recent (12/2019) update of Jarvis's case can be read here.
I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster, and Goodreads giveaway program for my copy.
Jarvis of Long Beach, California was arrested and sent to San Quentin Prison for armed robbery in 1981 at the age of 19. He calls his old self a thug. His sentence was for 23 years. Then in 1985, he was charged with conspiracy along with two other inmates in the murder of a prison guard Sgt. Burchfield. In 1990, Jarvis Jay Masters was sentenced to death by lethal injection. He's been on death row ever since with 22 years in solitary confinement. He continues to fight for his innocence and there's a "Free Jarvis" campaign for his exoneration.
Jarvis's spiritual journey began with meditation lesson from his investigator and a small book on "Life In Relationship To Death", a transcript teaching by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche - Buddhist lama. Over the years, there have been many Buddhist monks and practitioners who visit Jarvis on death row. All seem to admire his transformation and perception of life. Jarvis does what he can to help others in prison.
A relatively recent (12/2019) update of Jarvis's case can be read here.
I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster, and Goodreads giveaway program for my copy.
Read
September 12, 2020I absolutely loved this book and recommend everyone should read it!!! I couldn’t put it down and read it in one day!!
The book is about a man on death row in San Quentin prison in California for a crime he says he didn’t commit. During the course of the book, you come to believe the innocence of Jarvis Jay Masters.
Jarvis has spent thirty years of solitude, sadness, anxiety and rage behind bars. It’s his story of how he regained hopefulness and feelings of peace through Buddhism. It made me stop and think how Buddhism may benefit me in my own life!! Who doesn’t want feelings of peace, especially during this pandemic!!
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. The story flowed nicely and I felt like I really knew Jarvis Jay Masters as a person. I felt what he was feeling, his pain and his hopes and dreams! Although sad at times, this is just a great story that I believe anybody would enjoy!!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my review.
#NetGalley #TheBuddhistonDeathRow #Simon&Schuster #DavidSheff
The book is about a man on death row in San Quentin prison in California for a crime he says he didn’t commit. During the course of the book, you come to believe the innocence of Jarvis Jay Masters.
Jarvis has spent thirty years of solitude, sadness, anxiety and rage behind bars. It’s his story of how he regained hopefulness and feelings of peace through Buddhism. It made me stop and think how Buddhism may benefit me in my own life!! Who doesn’t want feelings of peace, especially during this pandemic!!
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. The story flowed nicely and I felt like I really knew Jarvis Jay Masters as a person. I felt what he was feeling, his pain and his hopes and dreams! Although sad at times, this is just a great story that I believe anybody would enjoy!!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my review.
#NetGalley #TheBuddhistonDeathRow #Simon&Schuster #DavidSheff
October 2, 2020
David Sheff examines the life and spiritual transformation of Jarvis Jay Masters, a man who has spent years on death row and in solitary confinement for a crime he says he didn't commit.
"Even if Masters was innocent, I didn't know what to think about the claims that he was, as his supporters described him, an enlightened Buddhist practitioner who had changed and saved lives."
It is a powerful non-fiction account not only because Masters is honest and open about how he came to be where he is today, but because the spiritual lessons he has discovered throughout his experience are applicable for all of us. You don't have to be sitting in a literal prison to feel like you're locked in a cell and can't get out.
The mind and heart can create suffering wherever in the world you are.
"Set in a place of unremitting violence, insanity, confusion, and rage, Masters's story traverses the haunted caverns and tributaries of loneliness, despair, trauma, and other suffering- terrain we all know too well- and arrives at healing, meaning, and wisdom."
I don't think you need to be a practitioner of Buddhism to appreciate the wisdom in this book. Spiritual lessons like the knowledge that can be found in self awareness and how to obtain freedom from suffering can be helpful for all of us.
I enjoyed the book so much that I read it in only a few sittings.
The lama wrote that all people have been sentenced to death- in that way, Jarvis wasn't unique. ... "We all live in a prison, and we all hold the key," Chagdud Tulku wrote.
Highly recommended for spiritual seekers of all types.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of this book.
"Even if Masters was innocent, I didn't know what to think about the claims that he was, as his supporters described him, an enlightened Buddhist practitioner who had changed and saved lives."
It is a powerful non-fiction account not only because Masters is honest and open about how he came to be where he is today, but because the spiritual lessons he has discovered throughout his experience are applicable for all of us. You don't have to be sitting in a literal prison to feel like you're locked in a cell and can't get out.
The mind and heart can create suffering wherever in the world you are.
"Set in a place of unremitting violence, insanity, confusion, and rage, Masters's story traverses the haunted caverns and tributaries of loneliness, despair, trauma, and other suffering- terrain we all know too well- and arrives at healing, meaning, and wisdom."
I don't think you need to be a practitioner of Buddhism to appreciate the wisdom in this book. Spiritual lessons like the knowledge that can be found in self awareness and how to obtain freedom from suffering can be helpful for all of us.
I enjoyed the book so much that I read it in only a few sittings.
The lama wrote that all people have been sentenced to death- in that way, Jarvis wasn't unique. ... "We all live in a prison, and we all hold the key," Chagdud Tulku wrote.
Highly recommended for spiritual seekers of all types.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of this book.
March 26, 2020
Jarvis Jay Masters a convicted prisoner on death row in San Quentin Prison finds Buddhism. He's in one of the most horrendous places with the least amount of hope available and yet he spreads hope peace and a bit of happiness. The books was heartbreaking. He claims his innocence, the crime committed was not him but another. We hear of his thirty years of life behind bars living in solitude, and his growth once he starts studying Buddhism. He finds his peace, shares it and sometimes struggles with the concept in his environment.
What fascinating story. I loved the way it was told, honest and true. I felt I got to know the man, and felt his hope, acceptance, dreams, falls, and pains. It's all there. The ending was unexpected.
What fascinating story. I loved the way it was told, honest and true. I felt I got to know the man, and felt his hope, acceptance, dreams, falls, and pains. It's all there. The ending was unexpected.
April 15, 2020
An easy read, simply told. Its beauty is in its simplicity.
August 13, 2020
How I read this: borrowed through Bookmate subscription
This was one of the most honest Buddhist journey / progression stories I've read so far. It helped me loads with my own impostor syndrome - and the idea that if you're "for real", you can't have any setbacks, you can't have feelings and you can't be upset.
What makes it hard to be a Buddhist, especially in the West, is this idea that we have ingrained into our Western society - that if you're a Buddhist, basically you've got to be perfect. You can't have moods. You must be above all that. If you're not, well then, you're not for real! Well, the reality is very different, of course. But how many of us know that, and ACTUALLY know that? And how many of us constantly feel like we're only pretending, cause in reality, if we were ACTUALLY following the Dharma, we wouldn't be... Human. We'd be somehow better?
We so often like to imagine that as Buddhists, our path will be straight. That we will stay on it and never stray, not even on the bad days. (Sometimes we like to think there will be no bad days at all anymore, or if there are, we will ignore them..?) We think that meditation will bring us calm and bliss, and we will be filled with compassion at every injustice.
But guess what. We're people and there is no button to switch bad emotions off. As Buddhists, we're not supposed to 'not have' negative emotions. We're not supposed to 'dwell in bliss'. That's a lie and a very common misconception.
This book really stressed this for me. And it highlighted a real man's journey - one who couldn't 'focus on the positivity', cause there was none where he was. One who could not meditate on a lovely retreat with vegan meals surrounded by perfect nature. Because he couldn't even leave his tiny room. He went through calm as much as anger, and years into progressing through his journey, he experienced pain and anger - and this book TALKS about it. This book even talks about how meditation isn't supposed to just bring you bliss and calm. Meditation can bring you fear and anxiety. And it's not because you're doing it wrong. It's a lot to unpack, and it's something people don't like to talk about.
My point here is, I don't know, but it's like we never talk about our bad feelings. So when we practice and still feel them, we shove them under a rug. And then we feel guilty for them. We abandon our practices. We think, 'I must not be trying hard enough', or 'this isn't working out'.
There should be more books that talk about this journey like that - warts and all. If you have read any, please recommend! Meanwhile I can recommend this one whole-heartedly - and not only to Buddhists, but simply people who are struggling and want to find more peace and learn to live with themselves, whatever their circumstances.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
This was one of the most honest Buddhist journey / progression stories I've read so far. It helped me loads with my own impostor syndrome - and the idea that if you're "for real", you can't have any setbacks, you can't have feelings and you can't be upset.
What makes it hard to be a Buddhist, especially in the West, is this idea that we have ingrained into our Western society - that if you're a Buddhist, basically you've got to be perfect. You can't have moods. You must be above all that. If you're not, well then, you're not for real! Well, the reality is very different, of course. But how many of us know that, and ACTUALLY know that? And how many of us constantly feel like we're only pretending, cause in reality, if we were ACTUALLY following the Dharma, we wouldn't be... Human. We'd be somehow better?
We so often like to imagine that as Buddhists, our path will be straight. That we will stay on it and never stray, not even on the bad days. (Sometimes we like to think there will be no bad days at all anymore, or if there are, we will ignore them..?) We think that meditation will bring us calm and bliss, and we will be filled with compassion at every injustice.
But guess what. We're people and there is no button to switch bad emotions off. As Buddhists, we're not supposed to 'not have' negative emotions. We're not supposed to 'dwell in bliss'. That's a lie and a very common misconception.
This book really stressed this for me. And it highlighted a real man's journey - one who couldn't 'focus on the positivity', cause there was none where he was. One who could not meditate on a lovely retreat with vegan meals surrounded by perfect nature. Because he couldn't even leave his tiny room. He went through calm as much as anger, and years into progressing through his journey, he experienced pain and anger - and this book TALKS about it. This book even talks about how meditation isn't supposed to just bring you bliss and calm. Meditation can bring you fear and anxiety. And it's not because you're doing it wrong. It's a lot to unpack, and it's something people don't like to talk about.
My point here is, I don't know, but it's like we never talk about our bad feelings. So when we practice and still feel them, we shove them under a rug. And then we feel guilty for them. We abandon our practices. We think, 'I must not be trying hard enough', or 'this isn't working out'.
There should be more books that talk about this journey like that - warts and all. If you have read any, please recommend! Meanwhile I can recommend this one whole-heartedly - and not only to Buddhists, but simply people who are struggling and want to find more peace and learn to live with themselves, whatever their circumstances.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
October 6, 2020
As much as I wanted to like this, I found it uninspiring. Mostly it was a simple chronological account of Jarvis' life on death row and conversion to Buddhism. Very little insight into his interior life, which should be the point
February 28, 2023
This book tells us the story of Jarvis Jay Masters, a black man wrongly convicted of murder, currently doing time on Death Row in San Quentin, where he’s been since 1990.
Jarvis had spent decades in solitary confinement in the so-called Adjustment Center.
He had had a difficult childhood. He and his sister lived with their mother. He was scared of his mother who whipped him and took drugs.
He wrote a letter to her after her death, asking for her forgiveness, but what he needed was an apology from her, which he would never get.
At the age of 5, Jarvis and his sisters were taken to Child Protective Services where they were separated.
In one foster home, he was treated lovingly and taught to pray. But subsequent foster parents beat him up and he was sent to a Youth Detention Centre, where he was burnt and beaten and forced to fight with other children.
The prison system was “another hell”.
Jarvis’ lawyer, Melody, had had a difficult childhood herself, but studying Buddhism helped her heal.
Melody taught Jarvis to meditate, which helped him find moments of peace.
She gave him a pamphlet offering free writings by the lama Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche whom he then wrote to telling of his situation.
He read a book that asked the reader to ask themselves two questions every night. “If I die tonight in my sleep --- What have I done with my life? Have I been of benefit or have I caused harm?”
He knew he’d benefited no one and had caused immeasurable harm.
Chagdud Tulku told Jarvis his situation was a gift. He said he could use his circumstances for his betterment and to benefit others.
He told him meditation allows one to gain insight into our own mind and its projections.
Jarvis should meditate at least twice a day even when it was difficult. He should allow himself to feel doubt, confusion, anger, and fear.
The lawyers said his trial had ben a travesty and he’d win an appeal. But he never did.
Lisa Leghorn was an assistant and interpreter to Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche,
Lisa came to San Quentin to visit Jarvis.
At first Jarvis couldn’t even meditate for five minutes but eventually he could sit for two hours or more.
Lisa advised him “The only way out is through.”
He saw his mother being beaten mercilessly by his father. He retrieved these memories while meditating.
As a little boy himself, Jarvis took care of, and loved, his little brother, Carl. But one morning he found Carl dead in his crib.
Lisa and Chagdud Tulku were drawing Jarvis deeper into Buddhism.
Meditation had become the centre of his life.
Lisa taught him basic yoga postures and mantras.
He integrated them into his daily practice. When he preceded meditation with prostrations and repeated mantras, time and space disappeared. He disappeared.
Rinpoche comes to visit Jarvis. He is “a man with long silver hair in a topknot and a silver band, wearing scarlet robes and a crimson silk shirt”.
Jarvis is in “the hole”, i.e. solitary confinement, so he’s not permitted to sit together with Rinpoche.
Rinpoche knows about the hole. Some Tibetan prisoners were forced to dig holes in the ground and climb in. The hole was their prison, and they lived in it. When they died, they were buried in it.
But Chagdud Tulku was fortunate and escaped. He said “We survived by study, prayer, and meditation.”
Chagdud says “It is your karma to be here. You are fortunate to be in a place where you can know humanity’s suffering and learn to see the perfection of all beings and yourself. Learn to see their perfection.”
Rinpoche reminds Jarvis to meditate every day.
“Practice and open your heart, and your mind will follow.”
Rinpoche came to San Quentin to perform an empowerment ceremony. By taking certain vows Jarvis would formally become a Buddhist.
But Jarvis thought “A Buddhist is supposed to end suffering, but what about the suffering I caused?”
When the guards came to take Jarvis to his meeting with Rinpoche, Jarvis thought they were taking him to his execution.
Later, he realized he HAD walked to his death, the death of the person he’d been.
Chagdud Tulku bestowed on Jarvis the protection of a benevolent, all-loving manifestation of the Buddha – Red Tara, the mother of liberation.
Jarvis realized that if he had not been charged with the murder, his life would not have changed – he would still have been violent.
So that was why San Quentin was a gift.
Without the sentence he would have been in a body bag, or put someone in one.
He never would have meditated or have learnt about Buddhism, would never have met Rinpoche or Melody.
“The death sentence that could kill him had given him life.”
His short story “Scars” was published and his poem won an award. Also “Scars” was accepted for an anthology comprising the work of African American writers.
Many read Jarvis’ book “Finding Freedom”. His San Quentin mailing address was published on the flyleaf and many wrote to him.
He replied to every letter.
Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, was presented with his book and found it profound. They began communicating.
Pema visited him and “perceived his thoughtfulness and cheerfulness” and found him funny.
She visited him whenever she was in the area and instructed him.
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche has taught her that people shouldn’t try to transcend whatever they struggled with because pain, sadness and despair are useful – people have to experience the bad feelings in order to heal.
Jarvis had used meditation to transcend the pain he’d always had but now Pema challenged him to go back to the worst memories and intentionally meditate on them.
The goal is not to transcend the past but be there fully, then it will lose its bility to harm you or control you.
Pema helped Jarvis to process the death of his little brother, Carl.
It is now Jarvis’ karma to help people.
Pema is a famous Buddhist writer and I’ve read and loved several of her books. She helped Jarvis find out what to do with the rest of his life.
He woke at between four and five each morning and did prostrations and yoga, then meditation. Many Buddhists use malas, small strings of wooden prayer beads, when they meditate.
Jarvis wasn’t allowed to have an actual mala but he made his own by poking holes in aspirin tablets and stringing them onto a thread he’d pulled from a sock.
In the yard he approached and communicated with inmates who seemed isolated or troubled.
He had deepening connections with prisoners and friends –his life was full and rich. But in 2002 he was told that his teacher Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche had died.
He asked himself what he’d done to help others, since he felt he hadn’t prevented suffering, he’d caused it. But he realied he was asking the wrong question. The right question was “What can I do now?”
This is an inspiring book, wonderfully written and providing much detail about Jarvis’ life and transformation.
As far as I know, Jarvis is still doing time on Death Row. This is a book I would recommend to everyone.
Jarvis had spent decades in solitary confinement in the so-called Adjustment Center.
He had had a difficult childhood. He and his sister lived with their mother. He was scared of his mother who whipped him and took drugs.
He wrote a letter to her after her death, asking for her forgiveness, but what he needed was an apology from her, which he would never get.
At the age of 5, Jarvis and his sisters were taken to Child Protective Services where they were separated.
In one foster home, he was treated lovingly and taught to pray. But subsequent foster parents beat him up and he was sent to a Youth Detention Centre, where he was burnt and beaten and forced to fight with other children.
The prison system was “another hell”.
Jarvis’ lawyer, Melody, had had a difficult childhood herself, but studying Buddhism helped her heal.
Melody taught Jarvis to meditate, which helped him find moments of peace.
She gave him a pamphlet offering free writings by the lama Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche whom he then wrote to telling of his situation.
He read a book that asked the reader to ask themselves two questions every night. “If I die tonight in my sleep --- What have I done with my life? Have I been of benefit or have I caused harm?”
He knew he’d benefited no one and had caused immeasurable harm.
Chagdud Tulku told Jarvis his situation was a gift. He said he could use his circumstances for his betterment and to benefit others.
He told him meditation allows one to gain insight into our own mind and its projections.
Jarvis should meditate at least twice a day even when it was difficult. He should allow himself to feel doubt, confusion, anger, and fear.
The lawyers said his trial had ben a travesty and he’d win an appeal. But he never did.
Lisa Leghorn was an assistant and interpreter to Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche,
Lisa came to San Quentin to visit Jarvis.
At first Jarvis couldn’t even meditate for five minutes but eventually he could sit for two hours or more.
Lisa advised him “The only way out is through.”
He saw his mother being beaten mercilessly by his father. He retrieved these memories while meditating.
As a little boy himself, Jarvis took care of, and loved, his little brother, Carl. But one morning he found Carl dead in his crib.
Lisa and Chagdud Tulku were drawing Jarvis deeper into Buddhism.
Meditation had become the centre of his life.
Lisa taught him basic yoga postures and mantras.
He integrated them into his daily practice. When he preceded meditation with prostrations and repeated mantras, time and space disappeared. He disappeared.
Rinpoche comes to visit Jarvis. He is “a man with long silver hair in a topknot and a silver band, wearing scarlet robes and a crimson silk shirt”.
Jarvis is in “the hole”, i.e. solitary confinement, so he’s not permitted to sit together with Rinpoche.
Rinpoche knows about the hole. Some Tibetan prisoners were forced to dig holes in the ground and climb in. The hole was their prison, and they lived in it. When they died, they were buried in it.
But Chagdud Tulku was fortunate and escaped. He said “We survived by study, prayer, and meditation.”
Chagdud says “It is your karma to be here. You are fortunate to be in a place where you can know humanity’s suffering and learn to see the perfection of all beings and yourself. Learn to see their perfection.”
Rinpoche reminds Jarvis to meditate every day.
“Practice and open your heart, and your mind will follow.”
Rinpoche came to San Quentin to perform an empowerment ceremony. By taking certain vows Jarvis would formally become a Buddhist.
But Jarvis thought “A Buddhist is supposed to end suffering, but what about the suffering I caused?”
When the guards came to take Jarvis to his meeting with Rinpoche, Jarvis thought they were taking him to his execution.
Later, he realized he HAD walked to his death, the death of the person he’d been.
Chagdud Tulku bestowed on Jarvis the protection of a benevolent, all-loving manifestation of the Buddha – Red Tara, the mother of liberation.
Jarvis realized that if he had not been charged with the murder, his life would not have changed – he would still have been violent.
So that was why San Quentin was a gift.
Without the sentence he would have been in a body bag, or put someone in one.
He never would have meditated or have learnt about Buddhism, would never have met Rinpoche or Melody.
“The death sentence that could kill him had given him life.”
His short story “Scars” was published and his poem won an award. Also “Scars” was accepted for an anthology comprising the work of African American writers.
Many read Jarvis’ book “Finding Freedom”. His San Quentin mailing address was published on the flyleaf and many wrote to him.
He replied to every letter.
Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, was presented with his book and found it profound. They began communicating.
Pema visited him and “perceived his thoughtfulness and cheerfulness” and found him funny.
She visited him whenever she was in the area and instructed him.
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche has taught her that people shouldn’t try to transcend whatever they struggled with because pain, sadness and despair are useful – people have to experience the bad feelings in order to heal.
Jarvis had used meditation to transcend the pain he’d always had but now Pema challenged him to go back to the worst memories and intentionally meditate on them.
The goal is not to transcend the past but be there fully, then it will lose its bility to harm you or control you.
Pema helped Jarvis to process the death of his little brother, Carl.
It is now Jarvis’ karma to help people.
Pema is a famous Buddhist writer and I’ve read and loved several of her books. She helped Jarvis find out what to do with the rest of his life.
He woke at between four and five each morning and did prostrations and yoga, then meditation. Many Buddhists use malas, small strings of wooden prayer beads, when they meditate.
Jarvis wasn’t allowed to have an actual mala but he made his own by poking holes in aspirin tablets and stringing them onto a thread he’d pulled from a sock.
In the yard he approached and communicated with inmates who seemed isolated or troubled.
He had deepening connections with prisoners and friends –his life was full and rich. But in 2002 he was told that his teacher Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche had died.
He asked himself what he’d done to help others, since he felt he hadn’t prevented suffering, he’d caused it. But he realied he was asking the wrong question. The right question was “What can I do now?”
This is an inspiring book, wonderfully written and providing much detail about Jarvis’ life and transformation.
As far as I know, Jarvis is still doing time on Death Row. This is a book I would recommend to everyone.
April 5, 2020
Where do I start? The Buddhist on Death Row has to be one of the absolute best books I have read in a very very long time. David Sheff does a stupendous job bringing you into the true story of Death Row inmate Jay Masters. But more than that, as you are reading the life-changing realizations Master's was taught by Great Buddhist Teachers. you yourself begin to have awakening realizations of your own.
The Buddhist on Death Row is also very motivational for loved ones who are currently spending time behind bars. Giving them the courage and inspiration they need to use their time there with a positive outlook and the opportunity for the same life-changing realizations that Jay Masters was taught by Great Buddhist Teachers.
The Buddhist on Death Row is also very motivational for loved ones who are currently spending time behind bars. Giving them the courage and inspiration they need to use their time there with a positive outlook and the opportunity for the same life-changing realizations that Jay Masters was taught by Great Buddhist Teachers.
April 12, 2022
This was a really interesting and inspiring read. It's interesting because it highlights the dysfunction of the criminal justice system and of a prison system built on ensuring the inmates possess no hope in any form. It's inspiring because one inmate is able to learn mediation and thoughtfulness and become more enlightened than many practicing Buddhists even though he's surrounded by predators and misery. A valuable lesson the book teaches is that even in a place like San Quentin, practicing the act of kindness will create various beautiful connections. In the book, the question persists of whether he committed the crime that he was found guilty of, but regardless of whether you think he did or didn't commit those crimes that's really not important at all to the spiritual journey that unfolds.
May 11, 2023
Memorable Quote:
"...sometimes a warrior's task is to sit with defeat" ~Pema Chödrön
A thought-provoking memoir about Jarvis Jay Masters and his spiritual awakening and self-discovery while in death row. Forgiveness, redemption, and the human capacity to be at peace are terms not associated with prison, but Masters' journey says otherwise.
"...sometimes a warrior's task is to sit with defeat" ~Pema Chödrön
A thought-provoking memoir about Jarvis Jay Masters and his spiritual awakening and self-discovery while in death row. Forgiveness, redemption, and the human capacity to be at peace are terms not associated with prison, but Masters' journey says otherwise.
March 7, 2024
A fascinating book.
Jarvis Jay Master (Jay ) had an addict Mom also a
prostitute and a crossing guard father who collected
aluminum cans. Dad took off. One of Mom's men
tried to burn her apt down. At age 5 Jay ( & his sibs)
where placed in foster care. The quality and caring
varied in these homes. For most of his youth Jay was
subjected to neglect and abuse by adults.
Jay as a youth stole cars and robbed stores, and was
placed in juvenile detention. He entered San Quentin
prison (SQ) at age 19. He was later accused + convicted
+ placed on death row for participating in the a SQ
guard's murder by allegedly creating a murder weapon,
but he was innocent.
He was accepted into the black gang, Black Guerrilla
Family@ SQ , but eventually, allegedly took the fall for
the aforementioned murder due to his loyalty to BGF.
Many SQ prisoners previously had been initiated into
violence by intimidation, or desperation prior to their
prison stints. They were taught not to show fear or
sadness. To be stoic. I don't condone unlawful actions
or behavior. But I understand a youth missing a mother
or father or both actively in his (her) life, is more
vulnerable to gang or other negative influences.
Jay began to learn about meditation and Buddhist
principles. He gradually developed solid spiritual and
life mentors. Buddhists believe ea. human has 5
poisons: ignorance, attachment, aversion, pride and
jealousy. And each human needs to develop compassion,
caring and love for self and others.
Jay learned many important lessons, including as a youth
and as a man he played at being a man, mean and violent.
But not his true nature. And he learned prison guards and
employees were human too!
Buddhists taught Jay to live in the present, confront his fears
& his past. And to use this knowledge to serve others. Jay
forgave himself + those who had wronged him. As of this
writing, Jay remained a prisoner, & submitted legal papers
to appeal his conviction via the federal court for his region.
Jarvis Jay Master (Jay ) had an addict Mom also a
prostitute and a crossing guard father who collected
aluminum cans. Dad took off. One of Mom's men
tried to burn her apt down. At age 5 Jay ( & his sibs)
where placed in foster care. The quality and caring
varied in these homes. For most of his youth Jay was
subjected to neglect and abuse by adults.
Jay as a youth stole cars and robbed stores, and was
placed in juvenile detention. He entered San Quentin
prison (SQ) at age 19. He was later accused + convicted
+ placed on death row for participating in the a SQ
guard's murder by allegedly creating a murder weapon,
but he was innocent.
He was accepted into the black gang, Black Guerrilla
Family@ SQ , but eventually, allegedly took the fall for
the aforementioned murder due to his loyalty to BGF.
Many SQ prisoners previously had been initiated into
violence by intimidation, or desperation prior to their
prison stints. They were taught not to show fear or
sadness. To be stoic. I don't condone unlawful actions
or behavior. But I understand a youth missing a mother
or father or both actively in his (her) life, is more
vulnerable to gang or other negative influences.
Jay began to learn about meditation and Buddhist
principles. He gradually developed solid spiritual and
life mentors. Buddhists believe ea. human has 5
poisons: ignorance, attachment, aversion, pride and
jealousy. And each human needs to develop compassion,
caring and love for self and others.
Jay learned many important lessons, including as a youth
and as a man he played at being a man, mean and violent.
But not his true nature. And he learned prison guards and
employees were human too!
Buddhists taught Jay to live in the present, confront his fears
& his past. And to use this knowledge to serve others. Jay
forgave himself + those who had wronged him. As of this
writing, Jay remained a prisoner, & submitted legal papers
to appeal his conviction via the federal court for his region.
August 23, 2020
An astonishing story of a cold hard criminal who comes to peace with Buddhism, love, education, and incredible perseverance. Very inspirational.
April 17, 2024
One of my favorite books of all time. I laughed, I cried (I bawled), I felt his pain, I felt my pain, and I learned to see others in a different light. To see life in a different light.
I specifically loved how the book ended, with the author recognizing how good life is (even when it’s “bad”) and how we take advantage of it way too often. It reminded me of this tweet I’ve seen before: “if you just did something like going to the supermarket and experienced with without the goggles of habit and categories you would go crazy with pure sense and joy”.
This book was also an incredible intro to Buddhism for me. It touches on a lot of the lessons and teachings that Masters had throughout his 30+ years of Buddhism. It was refreshing to hear his troubles with meditation, not only in the beginning, but also after decades and decades of his practice. It’s a continuous cycle of learning and practicing and getting better but also starting 3 steps back sometimes too. It’s shows that Buddhism is encouraging and forgiving and kind and uplifting- things that are hard to find collectively and without contingencies, in other religions. I also LOVE that it gives the power to the person. There’s no “Holy Ghost” or “spirit” that is doing the promptings. It’s not some outside deity that gives revelation. It was always Masters who got the credit for a break through or new understanding. That is unheard of in any other organized religion, at least not that I’ve come across yet.
I specifically loved how the book ended, with the author recognizing how good life is (even when it’s “bad”) and how we take advantage of it way too often. It reminded me of this tweet I’ve seen before: “if you just did something like going to the supermarket and experienced with without the goggles of habit and categories you would go crazy with pure sense and joy”.
This book was also an incredible intro to Buddhism for me. It touches on a lot of the lessons and teachings that Masters had throughout his 30+ years of Buddhism. It was refreshing to hear his troubles with meditation, not only in the beginning, but also after decades and decades of his practice. It’s a continuous cycle of learning and practicing and getting better but also starting 3 steps back sometimes too. It’s shows that Buddhism is encouraging and forgiving and kind and uplifting- things that are hard to find collectively and without contingencies, in other religions. I also LOVE that it gives the power to the person. There’s no “Holy Ghost” or “spirit” that is doing the promptings. It’s not some outside deity that gives revelation. It was always Masters who got the credit for a break through or new understanding. That is unheard of in any other organized religion, at least not that I’ve come across yet.
June 13, 2021
Truly incredible! A definite read-again and again
January 23, 2021
3+
A wonderful story, good teaching.
A wonderful story, good teaching.
March 7, 2021
Amazing Amazing Amazing
August 14, 2020
THE BUDDHIST ON DEATH ROW: HOW ONE MAN FOUND LIGHT IN THE DARKEST PLACE.
BY DAVID SHEFF
I chose to read this phenomenal book because of my having read and loved David Sheff's heartbreaking book called, "Beautiful Boy." His book was an autobiography or memoir about his deep love for his son named Nick whom he had exhausted every kind of rehabilitation and intervention to try to get Nick to stay clean from taking drugs. The love that this father had shown towards his son knew no boundaries. Nick was unresponsive to his father's efforts of saving him from himself. I had never read a book like that one before or after. I am happy to report that today Nick has recovered from his year's of tweaking methamphetamine's and is doing very well. "Beautiful Boy," stands out for me as one of the most moving book's that documented what pain and disappointment David Sheff endured, but as hard as it was for him he never gave up on his son Nick.
So I was excited to read David Sheff's new book about an African American man who is on death row in San Quentin prison in California whom through meditation and using the belief's of compassion practiced in Buddhism helps to make life easier for everybody that is suffering that he comes in contact with. "The Buddhist on Death Row," chronicles the hard start in life that Jarvis Jay Master's had received throughout his entire life up until 2020.
He was born in Long Beach, California and his mother was drug addicted and had many men enter his early childhood year's. His mother had men pay her for sex and he was surrounded by physical abuse and crack and alcohol up until the age he was five years old. His brother's and sister's and he were all separated when he was five and they all went into the foster care system. He was later placed in the juvenile detention center and he committed arm robbery and stealing cars which landed him in prison in San Quentin. He has been on death row for thirty years for being framed for the murder of a guard. I believe in his innocence after reading this book by David Sheff.
While on Death Row in San Quentin Master's was lucky enough to have caught the attention of many mentor's who have taken up the cause of trying to get him a new trial. What I loved about this book was how Master's has transformed his life starting with meditation and helping other violent inmates and at risk youths for gangs seek out a more peaceful existence rather than continuing to live a life of violence. He has been influential in setting a good example and he can still find a life of peace and joy despite all of the disappointments he has faced in regards to a great miscarriage of justice.
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Thank you to Net Galley, David Sheff and Simon & Schuster Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#TheBuddhistOnDeathRow #DavidSheff #Simon&Schuster #NetGalley
BY DAVID SHEFF
I chose to read this phenomenal book because of my having read and loved David Sheff's heartbreaking book called, "Beautiful Boy." His book was an autobiography or memoir about his deep love for his son named Nick whom he had exhausted every kind of rehabilitation and intervention to try to get Nick to stay clean from taking drugs. The love that this father had shown towards his son knew no boundaries. Nick was unresponsive to his father's efforts of saving him from himself. I had never read a book like that one before or after. I am happy to report that today Nick has recovered from his year's of tweaking methamphetamine's and is doing very well. "Beautiful Boy," stands out for me as one of the most moving book's that documented what pain and disappointment David Sheff endured, but as hard as it was for him he never gave up on his son Nick.
So I was excited to read David Sheff's new book about an African American man who is on death row in San Quentin prison in California whom through meditation and using the belief's of compassion practiced in Buddhism helps to make life easier for everybody that is suffering that he comes in contact with. "The Buddhist on Death Row," chronicles the hard start in life that Jarvis Jay Master's had received throughout his entire life up until 2020.
He was born in Long Beach, California and his mother was drug addicted and had many men enter his early childhood year's. His mother had men pay her for sex and he was surrounded by physical abuse and crack and alcohol up until the age he was five years old. His brother's and sister's and he were all separated when he was five and they all went into the foster care system. He was later placed in the juvenile detention center and he committed arm robbery and stealing cars which landed him in prison in San Quentin. He has been on death row for thirty years for being framed for the murder of a guard. I believe in his innocence after reading this book by David Sheff.
While on Death Row in San Quentin Master's was lucky enough to have caught the attention of many mentor's who have taken up the cause of trying to get him a new trial. What I loved about this book was how Master's has transformed his life starting with meditation and helping other violent inmates and at risk youths for gangs seek out a more peaceful existence rather than continuing to live a life of violence. He has been influential in setting a good example and he can still find a life of peace and joy despite all of the disappointments he has faced in regards to a great miscarriage of justice.
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Thank you to Net Galley, David Sheff and Simon & Schuster Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#TheBuddhistOnDeathRow #DavidSheff #Simon&Schuster #NetGalley
June 3, 2020
This was a book that I picked up and I could not put down. This book resonated with me for a few reasons. For one, I love reading non-fiction stories that relate to the prison system, and for two, I have just started studying Buddhism a year ago.
I became interested in Buddhism through the spiritual practice of Yoga. I really connected with the fact that Buddhists just want to spread joy and take on others’ pain, which I have been doing for my whole life. It seems as though Jarvis Masters does the exact same thing.
Masters’ story broke my heart. On death row for a murder he did not commit, Masters had to find a way to cope, and he found that coping mechanism through Buddhism. This is such a beautiful story of how he got past his horrific childhood and was and IS able to come to terms with what happened and not put blame on others. It truly hurts to know that he is in prison for a murder that he did not commit, and I truly believe that with all of my being. After reading this book, I did research and joined his website to see if I can help in any way at all in assisting in his freedom. I have never read a book that empowered me so much; that makes me want to join the movement and fight for those who have been wrongfully convicted. I will be writing him, as well, because I want to tell him how much his story means to me. How much it means to those who have suffered like him and who have found meditation and spiritual practices as a form of healing.
The Buddhist on Death Row is a POWERFUL story that is as uplifting as it is heartbreaking. How Masters can be on death row and still manage to find peace in his mind and heart through meditation and Buddhist principles is beautiful. This really made me think about my life and how it isn’t as bad as I make it out to be. Masters is stuck in a cell, was in solitary for more than two decades for a crime he did not commit, yet he is still able to find the joy in life. The author did a fantastic job of capturing Masters’ life, personality, and spirit, and the ending of the book is perfect. No matter where we are in life, whether it be in jail or out in the world, we are all connected; we are all the same. And that is a message that needs to be desperately heard right now.
I became interested in Buddhism through the spiritual practice of Yoga. I really connected with the fact that Buddhists just want to spread joy and take on others’ pain, which I have been doing for my whole life. It seems as though Jarvis Masters does the exact same thing.
Masters’ story broke my heart. On death row for a murder he did not commit, Masters had to find a way to cope, and he found that coping mechanism through Buddhism. This is such a beautiful story of how he got past his horrific childhood and was and IS able to come to terms with what happened and not put blame on others. It truly hurts to know that he is in prison for a murder that he did not commit, and I truly believe that with all of my being. After reading this book, I did research and joined his website to see if I can help in any way at all in assisting in his freedom. I have never read a book that empowered me so much; that makes me want to join the movement and fight for those who have been wrongfully convicted. I will be writing him, as well, because I want to tell him how much his story means to me. How much it means to those who have suffered like him and who have found meditation and spiritual practices as a form of healing.
The Buddhist on Death Row is a POWERFUL story that is as uplifting as it is heartbreaking. How Masters can be on death row and still manage to find peace in his mind and heart through meditation and Buddhist principles is beautiful. This really made me think about my life and how it isn’t as bad as I make it out to be. Masters is stuck in a cell, was in solitary for more than two decades for a crime he did not commit, yet he is still able to find the joy in life. The author did a fantastic job of capturing Masters’ life, personality, and spirit, and the ending of the book is perfect. No matter where we are in life, whether it be in jail or out in the world, we are all connected; we are all the same. And that is a message that needs to be desperately heard right now.
November 27, 2020
My honest review is petty and childish: “meh”
September 23, 2021
Great advice to apply to our every day lives and inspirational how he makes the best of an awful situation. Unfortunately, found it to be repetitive and boring.
September 3, 2020
A must read. An unbelievable lesson on being at the lowest possible depths of despair and how one man learns to reach deep inside himself to create acceptance and peace. Jarvis Jay Masters has been on death row for over 30 years. But his hell started long before his sentence and solitary confinement. Born into the worst possible conditions he doesn’t stand a chance. Doomed to a life that could only lead to incarceration or death on the streets. He is told his life has no purpose and he doesn’t matter. Enter a beautiful Buddhist monk who patiently teaches Jarvis meditation and Buddhist principles. “The only way out is through”. Over time and with much practice his journey takes him to a place of acceptance. Not an easy path to relive the horrors of his past and sit with the truth. But the peace and acceptance he finds through his practice makes him recognize his value and worth. The story of a life filled with extreme disadvantage and injustice. You will be horrified by the treatment of this man throughout his life, especially by the legal system. If you are hurting, struggling or feeling confined by COVID restrictions, READ THIS BOOK! Jarvis Jay Masters Is a shining light where all hope and justice are so damned absent. 🙏
"When I think about the fact that society, a nation, has sentenced me to death, all I can do is turn inside myself, to the place in my heart that wants so desperately to feel human, still connected to this world, as if I have a purpose."
-Jarvis Jay Masters - The Buddhist on Death Row
"When I think about the fact that society, a nation, has sentenced me to death, all I can do is turn inside myself, to the place in my heart that wants so desperately to feel human, still connected to this world, as if I have a purpose."
-Jarvis Jay Masters - The Buddhist on Death Row
August 15, 2024
This non-fiction book was an excellent read. I bought this book earlier this year, but it has been sitting on my shelf for quite some time. I’m so glad I picked it up and started reading it. I couldn’t put it down! It really opened my eyes to the importance of prison reform. The mistreatment and abuse from people seen as “supporters” is cruel. Also, the amount of trauma endured by Jarvis is truly incomprehensible. It is definitely a miracle to see how this man was able to turn his life around in the most awful circumstances. This book is both educational and empowering, showing how spirituality can aid people in the darkest of circumstances.
December 14, 2021
4.5 stars - I was nervous going into this book it would be too similar to The Sun Does Shine. However, this book takes such a different approach to life on death row. While The Sun Does Shine focuses a lot on the legality of death row prisoners, this book highlights self discovery and acceptance in one of the darkest places. Jarvis’ determination is both inspiring and relatable to everyone, not just those in prison.
December 26, 2023
I’ve lost count of how many times I cried reading this book. It was such an emotional read. Bawling my eyes out as I write this.
May 5, 2024
Years ago, my friend and I sponsored a man named Kenneth to come to our area to give satsangs--meetings of spiritual friends with someone who has achieved enlightenment. The man we sponsored had achieved this state while in jail for a long sentence. And I have long been a bit obsessed not only with spiritual growth, but also with prison projects such as The Innocence Project.
So when my local bookstore had this author, David Sheff, give a talk on this new book, I was intrigued by the title and content. Being during the pandemic, this talk was online and, amazingly, the jailed subject, Jarvis Masters was able to call in from prison. I even got to ask him a question.
There is no question the content of the story is a stunning one. Unfortunately, the writing is quite pedestrian. It was like that of a children's book, and not a great one at that. Simple words, no nuance, no way to get traction with what I was reading. The author’s words didn't take me into the emotions, experiences, feelings, and, what most interested me particularly---the transformation process--even though all of these were written about--in any type of manner with which I could click.
It's an important story to be out there though. I did get curious about the writings of Jarvis Masters himself. Sounded like his book is very good--there's a mention here that a librarian in a school in the underprivileged area of Watts, California said it was the most stolen book! And it has served to bring him into a wide circle of dedicated spiritual seekers and friends who read it. So that might be a more worthwhile choice for the reader, although this is an overview of his life so far.
So when my local bookstore had this author, David Sheff, give a talk on this new book, I was intrigued by the title and content. Being during the pandemic, this talk was online and, amazingly, the jailed subject, Jarvis Masters was able to call in from prison. I even got to ask him a question.
There is no question the content of the story is a stunning one. Unfortunately, the writing is quite pedestrian. It was like that of a children's book, and not a great one at that. Simple words, no nuance, no way to get traction with what I was reading. The author’s words didn't take me into the emotions, experiences, feelings, and, what most interested me particularly---the transformation process--even though all of these were written about--in any type of manner with which I could click.
It's an important story to be out there though. I did get curious about the writings of Jarvis Masters himself. Sounded like his book is very good--there's a mention here that a librarian in a school in the underprivileged area of Watts, California said it was the most stolen book! And it has served to bring him into a wide circle of dedicated spiritual seekers and friends who read it. So that might be a more worthwhile choice for the reader, although this is an overview of his life so far.
February 23, 2021
Maybe more of a 3.5/5. This was a quick read for me. I was really moved by Jay Jarvis Masters' story. He's a remarkable man. His case is so frustrating to read about and a horrible injustice.
I would have preferred that the book was written by Masters himself. It felt like a shame to get to know him through another writer, though the writing was very clear and lucid. I just wanted more direct contact with Masters. Also, I felt like I'd have liked more on his reflections on Buddhist principles, although I appreciated reading about his challenges to them and how he'd reframed key concepts. I wanted more depth!
I also felt like the book was peculiarly apolitical. As a work of non fiction involving a black man imprisoned in the USA, this feels like a glaring omission. Issues like the skyrocketing numbers prisoners, inmate abuse by guards and inconsistent sentencing were brought up briefly, but their systemic quality and how they fit into the context of the prison industrial complex weren't mentioned. That's likely a lot to do with target audience, but it felt like a real missed opportunity for discussion of a serious issue in the USA today.
Overall, an OK book. I did enjoy it. Maybe it feels more groundbreaking to audiences less familiar with Buddhist principles anyway. I can say it's helped nurture my practice - Master's attitude and commitment to practise is genuinely motivational. It just missed the mark in many ways for me.
I would have preferred that the book was written by Masters himself. It felt like a shame to get to know him through another writer, though the writing was very clear and lucid. I just wanted more direct contact with Masters. Also, I felt like I'd have liked more on his reflections on Buddhist principles, although I appreciated reading about his challenges to them and how he'd reframed key concepts. I wanted more depth!
I also felt like the book was peculiarly apolitical. As a work of non fiction involving a black man imprisoned in the USA, this feels like a glaring omission. Issues like the skyrocketing numbers prisoners, inmate abuse by guards and inconsistent sentencing were brought up briefly, but their systemic quality and how they fit into the context of the prison industrial complex weren't mentioned. That's likely a lot to do with target audience, but it felt like a real missed opportunity for discussion of a serious issue in the USA today.
Overall, an OK book. I did enjoy it. Maybe it feels more groundbreaking to audiences less familiar with Buddhist principles anyway. I can say it's helped nurture my practice - Master's attitude and commitment to practise is genuinely motivational. It just missed the mark in many ways for me.
October 14, 2021
Leider muss ich sagen, dass dir sehr inspirierende und interessante Geschichte von Javon Jay Masters in der sehr ziehenden, teilweise trägen und wiederholenden Schreibweise von David Sheff untergeht. Auch hätte ich gerne mehr Neutralität in dem Buch gehabt, das sich doch sehr auf den Buddhismus bezieht.
Insgesamt ist es wahrscheinlich trotzdem ein sehr spannendes Buch für jene, die sich bereits mit dem Buddhismus und Spiritualität auseinander gesetzt haben und sich noch weiter inspirieren lassen wollen.
Insgesamt ist es wahrscheinlich trotzdem ein sehr spannendes Buch für jene, die sich bereits mit dem Buddhismus und Spiritualität auseinander gesetzt haben und sich noch weiter inspirieren lassen wollen.
February 5, 2020
I only picked this up because I liked the title and cover. The premise sounded interesting. I wasn’t expecting it to be a page turner and so touching. I also wasn’t expecting it to impact me emotionally and beg me to ask myself how meditation might be needed in my own life. Talk about opening up.
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