OUR MISSION

This Sacred Space is an organization whose objective is to share with those who are currently or formerly incarcerated the message that spiritual freedom is available now. Using dialogue, contemplation and meditation, our program points to this sacred space where the mind and heart experiences the peace that is eternally present.

PROGRAM HISTORY

Kenny Johnson served more than twenty years in various city, county, state, and federal prisons. While incarcerated he spent much of his time participating in religious and substance abuse groups, seeking an answer to his most pressing question, “Do we have to wait until we die to receive God’s Grace?” A spiritual teacher answered this question by helping him to discover the Grace that changed his life forever, and on which This Sacred Place is founded.

Paroled from prison in 1997 and successfully discharged from supervision, Kenny now resides in California. He frequently visits jails around the country sharing his insights and conducting weekend spiritual retreats. This Sacred Space Foundation is unique in-as-much-as it was conceived and developed by a former felon whose insider status provides perspectives and approaches that effectively break down the defensive barriers that prevent positive development.

WHO WE SERVE

This Sacred Space Foundation provides services to groups or individuals exhibiting negative thought patterns that bind them to destructive activities. Our primary focus is directed toward the adult and young adult populations. We are uniquely qualified to work with people who are experiencing, or who have experienced physical incarceration.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The goal of This Sacred Space Foundation is to establish a community based partnership with various city, county, state, and federal agencies by achieving the following objectives:

• Assist participants to release suppressed thoughts, feelings, and emotions through compassionate one-on-one and group interactions.
• Provide a secure environment where the concerns and aspirations of participants can be voiced.
• Encourage participants to change the way that they perceive and process information which in-turn promotes environmental change.
• Influence a shift in consciousness/awareness which will be the soil from which new values and behaviors grow.
• Motivate participants to embrace the concept of grace and to rely upon the perfect wisdom that results from it.
• Teach participants to celebrate and value their own lives, thus promoting empathy towards others.
  

PROGRAM RATIONALE

More than two million adult felons are incarcerated in the United States. Countless others have served prior jail or prison sentences, or are at risk of future incarceration. The number of people victimized (Ripple Effect) by this segment of our population is too great to estimate. Very little is done to promote the type of meaningful healing that leads to crime free reconciliation of self, family, and community.

Convicted felons and those who act out in ways that are contrary to their natural selves can trace their anti-social behavior to pent-up emotions and feelings that block healing. They have yet to recognize and develop the forgiveness needed to move beyond occurrences in their lives that caused them suffering. They hold on to a sense of hopelessness that leads them to indulgences such as alcohol, drug, and sexual addiction, as well as criminal behavior.

Through Dialogue (talking one-to-one or in groups); Contemplation (thinking deeply on a specific statement or text); and Meditation (being quiet and witnessing what arises in your heart and mind) This Sacred Place Foundation provides guidance and insight that will assist participants to develop an Inner Quickening, or spiritual and emotional “IQ.” Once their spiritual and emotional IQ’s are properly developed participants are empowered to successfully overcome destructive dynamics in their lives.

The process utilized by This Sacred Space Foundation promotes a change or paradigm shift within participants. Grace (Perfect Wisdom) occurs as a result of this shift and begins to guide our participants through life’s pitfalls and celebrations. Our Foundation promotes acknowledgement of, integrity to, and responsibility for personal choices. By developing empathy for others, participants learn to celebrate and value their own lives, promoting a strong impetus towards well being.