our current schedule

April 2010

Many Rivers Bookstore  130 S. Main Street, Suite 101 Sebastopol, CA 95472  phone: 707-829-8871. Public Meeting at 7pm April 1, 2010.

EastBayOpenCircle Berkeley Unitarian 1924 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA 94388  Contact Rob 510-495-7511. Public Meeting at 7pm Kenny Johnson Sun, April 18 2010.

Weekly

I visit the Men's Prison every Monday 2;30pm to 4pm San Quentin (H-Unit), San Quentin,CA 94964, 415-454-1460.

Forums & Conferences

Wackenhut Correctional Institution
Moore Haven, Florida

Gardner Betts Juvenile Facility
Austin, Texas

New Directions in Corrections Conference
Austin, Texas

In the summer of 1999 Kenny was invited to the New Directions in Corrections Conference in Austin, Texas. There he joined authors Marianne Williamson, Byron Katie and Robin Casarjian along with other distinguished speakers. Kenneth's presentation was so moving he was invited to share his experience at Wackenhut Correctional Institution and Gardner Betts Juvenile Facility. This began Kenny's journey back into prisons, juvenile facilities and halfway houses to share with others how it is possible to end the suffering inflicted on ourselves in this society.

Critical Resistance (Prison Industrial Complex)
Berkeley, CA

Kenny, along with Angela Davis and other luminaries were part of the Critical Resistance (Prison Industrial Complex) forum held in Berkeley, CA.

Publications

Kenny has finished his memoir titled "The Last Hustle" soon to be published. A book chronicling his years as a young man trying to find his way in a world that had very few signposts guiding him. Prison was his destination for life unless a miracle happened. It did in the form of his teacher, guide, and spiritual advisor Antoinette Varner. Also known affectionately as Gangaji. The book is raw, gritty, and soft and intimate. A must read.

Kenny's spiritual insights along with other teachers have been published in the book, The Awakening West, written by Lynn Marie Lumiere and John Lumiere-Wins.

...

B R I N G  T H E  M A N  T O  M E

A Perfect One was traveling through the desert.

He was stretched out around the fire one night

And said to one of his close ones,

 

"There is a slave loose not far from us.

He escaped today from a cruel master.

His hands are still bound behind his back,

His feet are also shackled.

 

I can see him right now praying for God's help

Go to him.

Ride to that distant hill;

About 100 feet up and to the right

You will find a small cave.

He is there.

 

Do not say a single word to him.

Bring the man to me.

God requests that I personally untie his body

And press my lips to his wounds."

 

The disciple mounts his horse and within two hours

Arrives at the small mountain cave.

 

The slave sees him coming, the slave looks frightened.

The disciple, on orders not to speak,

Gestures towards the sky, pantomiming:

 

God saw you in prayer,

Please come with me,

 

A great teacher has used his heart's divine eye

To know your whereabouts.

 

The slave can not believe this story,

And begins to shout at the man and tries to run

 

But trips from his bindings.

The disciple becomes forced to subdue him.

 

Think of this picture as they now travel:

 

The million candles in the sky are lit and singing.

Every particle of existence is a dancing altar

That some mysterious force worships.

 

The earth is a church floor whereupon

In the middle of a glorious night

Walks a slave, weeping, tied to a rope behind a horse,

With a speechless rider

Taking him toward the unknown.

 

Several time with all of his might the slave

Tries to break free,

Feeling he is being returned to captivity.

The rider stops, dismounts — brings his eyes

Near the prisoners eyes.

A deep kindness there communicates an unbelievable hope.

The rider motions — soon, soon you will be free.

Tears roll down from the riders cheeks

In happiness for this man.

 

Anger, all this fighting and tormenting want,

Sweetheart

God has seen you and sent a close one.

Sweetheart

God has seen your heart in prayer and sent Hafiz

- Hafiz