Welcome to the Art of Soulmaking

The letters we’ve received from Art of Soulmaking participants have been filled with genius, creativity and the power of art that brings recognition to the soul of our participants.

This gallery is intended to share the work of these artists, and bring their voices and messages out into the world.

Meet the Artists Read about the Prison Monastery

Art of Soulmaking for The Incarcerated book
Nov 9, 2024, by Marvin Sides
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Nov 9, 2024, by Marvin Sides
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Nov 9, 2024, by Marvin Sides
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Gift to Unconditional Freedom
I give this to the Unconditional Freedom Project to share or to fundraise to the further end of the great work that is being done to help nurture healing and growth in each soul that seeks or finds themselves working toward that ultimate truth of self. We are all one on this journey. Thank you f...
Nov 9, 2024, by Marvin Sides
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Elephant Sculpture
Sent to Unconditional Freedom Project by Charles Finney for our Tibetan Buddhist altar
Nov 9, 2024, by Charles Finney
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My Reflections On What The Art Of Soulmaking Has Done For Me
I’ll admit that I was kind of skeptical about this course at first because there are so many faith based programs out there that claim to help people but hardly ever do. I’ll admit that taking this course was probably the best decision I’ve ever made since coming to prison. I’ve discovered things...
Nov 9, 2024, by Jeremy Craft
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A Free Soul
I was first introduced to the Art of the Soulmaking project by my mom, Tami Jade, who is an inmate at the Central California Women’s Facility at Chowchilla Prison. My mom informed me about all of the amazing transformations that this program has been helping her achieve within herself. As an exte...
Oct 29, 2024, by Angelica Solis - Daughter of Tami Jade
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The Hell With A Gang
"The Hell With A Gang" is a story of survival in the ruthless Los Angeles streets where many have suffered in some form at the hand of gang culture. Lara's collaborating technique transform some of the most horrendous real-life events into a quest to deter and denounce gang involvement by demonst...
Oct 28, 2024, by John Williams
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Freedom Within
My name is Debra Bailey, I am a former inmate of the Mendocino County Jail. I was incarcerated from June 15, 2021, until October 26, 2022. During this time, I participated in all programs offered at the jail. Specifically, the garden program, yoga, and the Art of Soulmaking. I learned how to medi...
Oct 27, 2024, by Debra Bailey
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Learning To Be Comfortable Dealing With The Uncomfortable
Incarcerated for more than forty-three years and a long-time participant in the Art of Soulmaking, Donald Dillbeck is currently serving time on death row in Florida. Why is it do you suppose that we are always trying to not harvest or face our emotional pain? What is it that gets us to avoid bein...
Oct 27, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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Transformation Through The Art Of Forgiveness
In the booklet The Art of Soulmaking, one of the more important subjects mentioned is forgiveness. The booklet tells us what forgiveness is and how it brings transformation to us after we learn to forgive. Many years ago, someone sent me a book marker with the saying “Peace Begins with me” on it....
Oct 27, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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More Free Than Those In The Free World
Unconditional freedom… The Art of Soulmaking? In prison, yeah right. Believe me I entertained those exact thoughts. I’m serving twenty-two years in Central California Women’s Facility. Prior to reading The Art of Soulmaking workbook, it was hard for me to imagine unconditional freedom. As I conte...
Oct 26, 2024, by Jennifer
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A Final Message from Donald Dillbeck before he was executed put to images
Oct 25, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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No One Who Knew Him Wasn’t Changed By Him – An Interview
Ines Aubert: Marla, can you tell us in short who you are? Marla Moffet: In the role of Managing Editor of the online newsletter for our nonprofit Unconditional Freedom (unconditionalfreedom.org), I first came across Don’s work when he won a contest that we ran with our program participants on Dea...
Oct 25, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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Reflections From A Death Row Monk
There are a number of parallels or trains of thought that can be had from the story written in The Art Of Soulmaking concerning the word, " meek." I first came to prison at the age of 15 and have been incarcerated for the past 43 years. The first 11 years was in open segregation while the last 30...
Oct 25, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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My Friend Don - by Grace Silverwood
On 23rd February 2023, at around 6pm, Donald Dillbeck walked into a room he knew he wouldn’t be leaving alive. Did he feel scared? Probably, but I don’t think he would have been as scared as the rest of us would have been in that situation. For even though the battle he fought to stay alive for s...
Oct 24, 2024, by In Memorium: Donald Dillbeck
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Video Stories From The Prison Monastery Program — Debbie
Oct 24, 2024, by Debra Bailey
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The Sleight Of Hand
Freedom is an illusion. And not a particularly good one. Like a mediocre magician playing at wowing the audience, its true nature has more in common with the sleight of hand. We are always fascinated by the shiny object, the trending topic, or the outrage of the moment. But it’s a shell game to k...
Oct 24, 2024, by Kevin Foster
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