The Hard Knox of Metta: How to Survive Prison, Forgive Your Prosecutor, & Love Anyone | Amanda Knox

In this interview, Ajahn Nisabho speaks with Amanda Knox, who was falsely convicted of murder in 2009, about her journey to find meaning in prison and forgiveness afterwards. The conversation delves into Amanda's practice of meditation, loving-kindness (metta), and advice for those struggling to forgive.BioAmanda Knox is an exoneree, journalist, public speaker, author of the New York Times best-selling memoir, Waiting to Be Heard, and host of the podcast Hard Knox. Her second book, FREE: My Search for Meaning came out in 2025. Between 2007 and 2015, she spent nearly four years in an Italian prison and eight years on trial for a murder she didn’t commit. She has since become an advocate for criminal justice reform and media ethics. She sits on the advisory council for the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, serves as an Innocence Network Ambassador and is on The Innocence Center Board of Directors. And she is the recipient of the 2024 Innocence Network Impact Award and the 2025 Catalyst of Change Award from the Washington Innocence Project. To find out more, visit https://www.amandaknox.com/.00:00 Introduction01:48 Amanda Knox's background and bio03:06 What led to the Italian prison05:22 Wishing for a meditation practice during the darkest times05:49 The moment of conviction — an existential crisis08:27 Accepting "this is my life"10:14 Surviving day by day without a practice12:44 Life after prison: who am I now?13:32 The Vipassana retreat disaster15:56 What brought her back to practice18:48 Don Salo: the Catholic priest who became her lifeline22:31 Plagued by "why" questions — and metta practice24:50 The idea of reaching out to her prosecutor27:28 Questioning her own motives29:33 Showing up to give, not to get32:16 The Four Noble Truths and turning toward suffering35:44 Reaching out to the prosecutor38:01 Finding common ground with the man who imprisoned her40:59 The meeting in Perugia — arriving without attachment41:28 Delivering her message: "I see you"43:37 His unexpected response: "I love you"45:25 Advice for those who can't forgive46:52 The distinction between forgiveness and understanding50:11 Has the forgiveness settled in the heart?51:16 The ongoing splinter: society, not just one man52:25 Buddhism's joyfulness in the face of darkness53:24 The Puget Sound Zen Center and building a practice54:30 The sangha's card after her grandfather died56:19 Meditating as a family with young children58:37 Closing reflections-----Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!