rom the Heartwood Out: Growth Rings on the Spiritual Tree

A guide for evaluating spiritual/religious needs (vs "wants") of the incarcerated.

by Chap. Martin Anthony
(with a nod to Abraham Maslow)

1. Heartwood; the Core Personal Needs

 A. Information; Access to books, teachers, and other study and meditation materials, (ie. Tarot, Runes, I-Ching, etc.)
 B. Regular and frequent time for meditation, worship and study.
 C. Space with a reasonable expectation of privacy, (free from interruption, not necessarily from oversight or supervision.)

2. The Second Ring; the Core Community Needs

 A. Ability to gather as a group for study and worship on a regular and frequent basis.
 B. A free exchange of ideas, insights and feedback.
 C. A growing sense of spiritual trust and positive group focus.
 D. Connection (of some kind) with a broader spiritual community.

3. The Third Ring; Creative Symbolization Needs

 A. Creative spiritual expression with art, poetry, prayer, song, etc.
 B. External spiritual symbols (ie. simple ritual tools, religious medallions, basic herbs/oils).
 C. Creating meaningful personal ritual

4. The Fourth Ring; Group Identity & Differentiation Needs

 A. Wide variety of complex ritual symbols (ie. large and /or ornate tools, many herbs/oils).
 B. Specific ritual clothing.
 C. Complex ritual forms with specific liturgies.

5. The Fifth Ring; Societal Contribution, Recognition / Status Symbol Needs

 A. Charitable Works
 B. Structured organizations with authoritative (not authoritarian) leadership.
 C. Real property with appurtenances.

6. Beyond the Fifth Ring; "Here there be Dragons!"

 A. Illusions, Deceptions.
 B. Misapprehensions.
 C. Lies and propaganda.

[c]2001 by Martin Anthony

(Chaplains, programs and re-integration personnel  interested in a hard-copy of the article expanded from this outline, please e-mail us (hot button on our Homepage). For information about our educational adjunct, Alexandria Academy, see the AAUM button on our Homepage.)

(To access information on Wicca, Paganism, Asatru and Druidry from the Canadian Prison System Chaplains' Manual see the last button on the left side of this page.)