The Ocean Inside Me: A Spiritual Memoir on Healing Racial Trauma

by R.G. Shore

The Ocean Inside Me is a spiritual memoir about healing racial trauma as a person of color incarcerated in an almost all-white prison. Amidst harsh conditions and blatant racism, R.G. Shore learned to meditate by going into his body, befriending his shadow, and learning to sit with the traumas held by his younger self.

In The Ocean Inside Me, R.G. Shore learned to love and accept the cause of his deepest pain, his brown body. His prison radio became the conduit by which he transcended the limitations of prison. The static white noise helped transform a world of concrete and injustice into a world where he could connect to nature and find healing through the element of water. His embodied spiritual journey eventually led him to studying law where he advocated for the very men who oppressed him.

A Master in meditation, R.G. Shore found a way to liberate his inner child in the most unlikely place, and is now offering a path for you to find healing as well. This spiritual memoir also offers practical guided steps for you to begin your healing journey.

R.G. Shore is the founder of a nonprofit called Northwest Wisdom, where he teaches people the tools and techniques to go deeper and heal the spiritual wounds within.

263 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2024

Reviews

[Emlynn McDermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ocean Inside Me is R. G. Shore’s unflinching memoir of incarceration and escape, although not in the way you might think. Told in the first person, the story opens with Shore listening to radio static to drown out sounds of life in “the dorm.” Had I not read the Author’s Note prior to Chapter One, I might have thought Shore was referring to college life. He is, of course, speaking of his time in prison, and radio static is the tool that helps him to free his mind to travel beyond those confines to the titular “ocean inside” himself through meditation.

Although Shore’s story is deeply personal, it’s clear from the onset that he hopes his book will assist readers on their own journey to spiritual healing. In my case, the author succeeded, although almost certainly not in the manner he imagined. As a survivor of a serious crime, I was at first hesitant to read his tale. I wasn’t sure whether it would bring back painful memories and, like the author, I, too, have used similar methods to move through and beyond that period in my life. In the end, I compromised. Shore structured his book so readers can follow along with the meditations, but I highlighted exercises to try later rather than diving in.

Instead, I read The Ocean Inside me as one might any other book. What I discovered within its covers was both an introspective and expository description of inmate life that changed my entire perspective on the American penal system. I have long questioned that system’s effectiveness given high recidivism rates, but after reading Shore’s memoir, I have gained newfound compassion for the men (and women) serving sentences in these institutions. And yes, that new knowledge is healing. The Ocean Inside Me deserves a place on every adult’s bookshelf.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ocean Inside Me, R.G. Shore’s impressive debut book, is a memoir about using meditation as a tool for healing. Shore is a Firebird Book Award winner, earning the award for his incredible spiritual writing throughout this book. Shore’s story is a deeply personal reflection of universal lessons learned while incarcerated as a person of color in a mostly white prison. While these lessons are framed against the backdrop of prison, all readers can glean insight into their own healing by reading this book. Anyone interested in exploring ideas of spirituality, meditation, racism, and personal growth would benefit from Shore’s book. Whether you are new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, Shore’s writing is accessible and valuable for all readers.

Shore’s memoir begins with vivid imagery of his meditative practice, which he engages in on his prison bunk. Beanie pulled down over his eyes and headphones emanating static noise from a radio, Shore describes his visualizations of floating in the ocean, moving through the waves, and meeting with his younger self. Throughout the book, Shore describes the static white noise of his radio as a representation of the sound of the ocean, waves crashing around him. He uses the sound to transport himself out of the dangers of prison and into his safe yet vulnerable internal universe - one that is vast and expansive like the ocean. Shore describes how he’s able to embark on a healing journey despite being in a destructive, often racist, environment. Meditation activities designed to support readers through their own healing practices are dispersed throughout the book and provide meaningful opportunities for personal healing.

The Ocean Inside Me explores themes of healing and justice, racism and community, and honoring our past selves. Shore effectively analyzes these themes and offers readers insightful wisdom about universal experiences, he writes, “But things are not in a vacuum. Just as violence is not in a vacuum, pain, hurt, and injustice are not separate.” Whether you’ve experienced incarceration or violence of any other kind, Shore’s words ring true. As he delves into these themes, he consistently approaches them with gentleness, understanding, and care for others. Shore also explains, “I have found that, most often, people aren’t willing to face their shadow until they’re put in a situation where they no longer have access to the sun.” One of the things I appreciated the most about Shore’s writing is that he never asks his readers to be vulnerable without first being vulnerable to his readers. Shore encourages readers to face their own shadows by discussing his. Shore asks readers to examine their beliefs about incarcerated people by exposing his own humanity. Shore implores readers to recognize their connectedness with others by highlighting the times he has been most disconnected.

Overall, R.G. Shore’s The Ocean Inside Me is a gentle reflection of finding healing through meditation, which would benefit a wide variety of audiences. I would recommend this book to anyone going through personal challenges, people who are looking to begin a meditation practice, and individuals who are interested in healing themselves and their communities. If you are passionate about the criminal justice system, racial inequities, and building better systems, this book is also for you. Shore’s writing is vivid, emotional, accessible, and insightful. I believe I am a better person after reading this book, and I hope you will find the same.

[C. Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.G.’s debut memoir is raw and insightful. There was a vulnerability in the writing style that lent well to the deep spiritual messages. His ability to not only survive, but also turn inward in such dark and trying times was inspirational. I enjoyed reading about the underwater meditations as well as his inner parts work, as he sought healing for his younger self. I’ve read a lot of spiritual non-fictions over the years. It is oftentimes a topic that gets very heady, yet he introduced it with a level of simplicity that only comes from real life experience. Overall a great read with a thoughtful point of view.

[Rai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings - Racial Discrimination, Mental Trauma

The Ocean Inside Me: A Spiritual Memoir on Healing Racial Trauma by R.G. Shore is a compelling narrative that delves into the author's journey of self-discovery and healing during his nearly three-year incarceration in a predominantly white prison. Amidst an environment rife with racism and violence, the author turns inward, using meditation as a tool to confront and mend the deep-seated wounds of racial trauma.

The memoir opens with a striking and vivid depiction of the author's out-of-body experience in prison, where the static from his radio morphs into the soothing sounds of the ocean, guiding him to encounters with his younger selves. This transformative practice becomes his sanctuary, allowing him to navigate the harsh realities of prison life and fostering a profound connection with the element of water. Through this introspective journey, the author learns to embrace and heal the pain associated with his identity as a person of color in a hostile environment.

I found this memoir to be insightful and deeply explorative of tapping into the spiritual side. I could feel the author's pain which is poignant and heartfelt. Most importantly I was immersed in the prose of the book which can be healing for all the readers who have a soft corner for good literature.

Beyond recounting his personal experiences, the author extends an invitation to readers to embark on their own healing journeys. The memoir includes practical guided steps for meditation and self-reflection, making it not only a story of personal triumph but also a resource for others seeking solace and understanding. Since the author's release, he has founded Northwest Wisdom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching meditation and healing practices, particularly aimed at assisting incarcerated individuals in addressing racial and spiritual trauma.

The Ocean Inside Me stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of introspection. The author's narrative offers a unique perspective on confronting and healing from racial trauma, providing readers with both a poignant memoir and a guide to finding inner peace amidst external turmoil.

This cannot be considered as a light read. Any reader who would like to partake a journey to remedy a traumatic experience through spiritual healing will find this book helpful.

[Rebecca Weinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shore paints a picture of what it feels like to be a minority in a prison setting, while bringing you along on his spiritual journey. I found myself reading and then wanting to actively try some of the meditation exercises he describes in his book. Ultimately I found myself folding over pages so I would remember to come back and practice the exercises so that I could allow myself to be engaged in the story. I appreciated Shore’s vulnerability in telling his story and admire his ability to challenge himself to see others pain not just his own. I can’t wait to see if he writes a follow up story about how his life has changed since his incarceration. I feel like that could be another great story.

[H.H. Rune · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met R.G. at a book event and waited way too long to read his book. I found it enlightening in so many ways. His sharing of his time in prison opened my eyes to just some of the situations inmates deal with on a day to day basis. The noise that he worked hard to block out. Keeping his head down to stay safe. I am in awe of his ability to keep himself whole while still believing that a better day would come. I recommend this book not only to everyone who is curious about what it would be like to walk the planet in another body, but also to writers who may find real understanding about those who have been locked up.
These men, these people, have real and raw stories to tell.
Grateful I found this read on my own spiritual path,

[Pamela Kleinberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shore’s memoire of his journey of self-healing through Reiki and meditation takes the reader through a kaleidoscope of meditative explorations filled with self-wonder and intrigue. His prose is poised and thoughtful, although somewhat repetitive in parts. His strength and determination are admirable despite his dire circumstances and I do admire him for overcoming many obstacles and for achieving so much in spite of them. The ending made me smile.

[HRF · Rating 1 out of 5]

He's a pedophile. He raped and sodomized a girl. What he calls "racism" is just men's hated for men who hurt kids. He's changed his name. It was Rohan Cordy.

[Erin Leigh Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Ocean Inside Me: A Spiritual Memoir on Healing Racial Trauma” is a profoundly captivating book that demonstrates the transformational power of embodied spiritual practices. Author R.G. Shore invites readers into his metaphysical journey from within, juxtaposed by his confinement within a US prison. Shore’s skillful storytelling demystifies meditation practices demonstrating the ability to connect and heal traumas from within, all while being physically immersed inside a hostile environment. If you’re looking to be challenged, enlightened and inspired, then this introspective book is for you.