Jim Bell is clearly a caring and intelligent man with a passion for the helping the planet. His desire to work for positive change is apparent to those who listen to him speak. He has devoted a lot of time and energy to trying to solve the problems of energy, water, and how to help our small planet survive. I applaud his efforts and would like to
see more of his ideas implemented.
Best,
Dharma Bum Chris
Jo-Ann Jaffe came to speak about Second Chance which is a non-profit that assists homeless and those who have completed prison sentences in finding employment. The program is so successful, 70% of those enrolled keep jobs for a year or more, that they have moved to a lottery system so they can keep the program small and effective.
In some ways, the program is similar to the Dharma Life Program in that everyone is treated as an adult. Also, in the beginning, they tell their stories on how they got there. Of course, everyone feels that their story is the worst. This was similar to Week 1 of the Dharma Life Program where we read the letters. Just like in the DLP, after all the letters are read, the participants realized that they weren’t alone in their bad luck and that their suffering was universal. 
However, the Second Chance participants are not allowed to use their suffering as an excuse to not progress through the twenty one day program. Thus out of seventy-five people a month, thirty graduate. Out of those who do make it through the program, ninety percent keep their jobs after a year. Thus the strictness of the program breeds success.
In fact, the program has zero tolerance for substance abuse. Failing to keep one’s promises to fulfill the program’s responsibilities leads to immediate termination with a chance to reapply for the next time. Many people who have dropped out the first time, were highly motivated to finish the second time.
Though the program is rigorous, humor is highly encouraged. Also, the participants are taught to seek employment that fits their personalities and unique skill sets. Along with the discipline comes an array of resources including cognitive behavioral counseling, career counseling, and advice on how to change one’s appearance to be the best candidate for the job.
In addition to the overview of the program, Jo-Ann shared her own story which was inspiring. In her position in banking, she came in contact with non-profits that the bank dealt with. The more she saw what good the non-profits did the more she felt “her heart unzip”. Eventually, she had earned herself a position in life where it was favorable for her to work at a non-profit. She chose Second Chance because it was a mission she could put her heart into.
Sometimes the best things in life are unplanned. This was true with our first guest in the program, David.
David missed his calling in stand-up comedy. He was an engaging speaker throughout his talk. Unfortunately, this comedy is a way of dealing with his lifelong addiction to alcohol. Therefore, any humor that he had was mixed with the bitter lifetime wasted on drink which corroded his income, his health, and most importantly his relationship with his family.
However, he had the uncanny fortune of a family that would continue to love him despite the scares he put them through. The latest scare being his literal deathbed. He discussed his experiences in the hospital, and the revelation that he had to turn his life around. Supporting him in this endeavor were his family including his niece who had come to San Diego to visit from New York.
In fact it was his niece who suggested that he come into the Dharma Bums Temple for the first time ever. Previously, the closest he had come was the front door. However, he must have felt that there was spiritual support from the Temple as he had spent a lot of time in the previous months outside looking in.
After his speech, he was whole-heartedly welcomed to come sit with the Dharma Bums Lifers. He was invited to come every Friday and Sunday as well, when the Temple is open for public meditations.
We’d like to thank David for his story which contained much pain and sadness as well as a determination to give his family a better life by moving them out West outside the ghettos of New York City. We wish him and his family the best, and we thank him for the unexpected and invaluable contribution to the Dharma Bum Life Program.
Written by Dharma Bum Fred
I was so nervous for the first meeting. Would I measure up with the other bums? Would I fit in?
Then I took a deep breath and realized that I was attending an adult program not going starting high school! Also, I have found through the years that no matter how bad something is, I can always meditate. To learn more about this refuge is one of the reasons I started the program in the first place.
Of course, like most of my fears, hates, and even desires, I found them to be unfounded. Many of the people were familiar. Soon we were talking about what drew us to meditation.
Then came the first meditation bell. The sit was nice not just because sitting can be nice, but also because we learned the value of silence which informed the entire Dharma Bums Life program.
For me, one of the biggest draws to meditation is because I am too full of chatter and too undisciplined. After this first meditation, I felt like the program was for real. Silence and appropriate behavior were expected. This made me very happy.
Finally, we read the application letters. When I wrote mine, I thought, “I hope that they pick me.” I never thought that the letter was going to be read in front of so many people. When I heard other people’s letters, I realized that there was more suffering in the world than I ever imagined. I knew, intellectually, that suffering was all pervasive, but through the letter reading this really hit home because the people who wrote the letters seemed so normal and well adjusted. Now I am learning that no matter how happy and successful someone seems, they can harbor a great deal of pain. Also, though, I learned about how intelligent and spiritually advanced the group was. I was glad to be part of such an amazing group of people.
All my life I had longed for Sangha, a practicing community, and the missing piece of the triple refuge (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) in my life.
Written by Dharma Bum Fred
The Dharma Bum Life Program is founded on principles known as the Six Perfections. These six principles (generosity, morality, patience, diligence, concentration, wisdom) when carried out in life provide the foundation for peace and happiness in every moment. This program will help you develop proper daily motivation, great compassion and impartial loving-kindness.
The Dharma Bum Life Program will consist of 18 group meetings at the Dharma Bum Temple, starting June 2nd and ending July 30th. We will be meeting every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-9pm. Program participants will also meet with their own small groups once a week to work on various projects.
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