ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to acknowledge the incredible bravery and commitment of people who are willing to trust and open themselves up to involvement in a program which attempts to balance and de-toxify the mind, body and spirit of those who have custodial and non-custodial sentences. Balancing Awareness Community and Empowerment works with people who are in the probation and parole system to assist them in identifying the choices they have in the lives they lead. It attempts to work not only from a cognitive approach but from the heart and at a spiritual level too. Using principles common to many spiritual traditions and cognitive behavioural techniques, the program attempts to increase awareness, respect and discipline, capacity for good and service to others. Discussing and encouraging participants to engage in selfless service and compassion for others is part of a spiritual practice and acts as a bridging mechanism allowing for possibility of a connection with other people on a deeper level.
