Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic A Psychological and Spiritual Guide from Fear to Freedom by Duane Campbell Smashwords Edition Copyright 2006 Duane Campbell Self-Help Spirituality Psychology ~~~~ Dedication This body of work and all else that I do, is dedicated to that awesome power which is often silent, but forever quaking to shake into consciousness, the oftentimes sleeping souls of men. To that one whose light shines so brilliantly that it dares to crack the cloak of our darkness; but is not blinding to our inner eye. To the seed which manifest itself to give birth to the genius within; of which I cannot explain, nor can I comprehend. You are the power within, though somehow beyond my self, who has granted to me the vision and the reality to know that all things are indeed possible. Duane Campbell The Awareness Project ~~~~ Appreciation For my Mother: I see you seeing me from your special place-You will forever live at the very roots of my sensitivity and at the greatest heights of my spirituality For my Father: I never knew what wisdom and manhood was, until you taught me to be still and know the levels of myself For "T" (My Brother): After our father, I look up to no man, but you? For "Ralph" (My Brother): The wars that you have fought within have shown to me the true meaning of freedom For "B": If the world decides to turn its back, I know that you would love me still For Gloria (In Spirit), Aunt Mary, Lynn, Dina and your Families: Our closeness and our love is not defined by sight, nor by words For Lisa and "The King": You have given to me the reasons to care and to be responsible far beyond my expectations For Ms. Davis: Within me, your memory will live forever, you have filled my great emptiness with the greatness of your love For The Davis Family: You have assured me, through your kindness and love, that I will never be alone For Reg "Chuck" Roberts: Your advice and your wisdom took me through a different school For Ms. Woods: You came into and left my life with such a great and loving impact For "E" "Sister" and the Woods Family: You kept my mind alive and my spirit awake For Natalie "DD": Sensitive and intelligent beyond your years, your insight and sincerity made me see more clearly For Allison: Your entrance into my life was so very special-You enhanced my faith in love, hope and compassion; even now within the distances that we both may share forever For Judi J., Keith "Tiny" Collins, Greg "Big Red" Terry, Robert Tinker, Arthur "AC" Cox, Aubrey Williams, James "Harry" Harris, Danny Kanipe, Ms. Logan, Ms. Rikki L. White, Lorraine Cunningham and the Stith Family For My Publisher Rodney Ohebsion "Immediex Publishing" For All of the youth and families that I have been touched by For My enemies Who serve as a defying catalyst For Those who came before me and for those who shall come thereafter ~~~~ CONTENTS Introduction What Is: The Awareness Project? About: Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic About the Author Part One: Outreaches The Psychology of Oppression Who I Am Sincerity To Lose Yet Never Lose Vision Prayer (the hypocrisy of man) Faith Denial of Self Guidance Part Two: The Flow ~~~~ Introduction The only distraction that I faced in the writing of this book was controlling the overflow of creative expression as it was to be translated into tangible and understandable book format that conveyed a powerful, ideological and productive message. When the words one writes are transcribed directly from the practices of one's lifestyle and inner being, one must be cautious to not overstate or over articulate the intended simplicity of the work itself. This work Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic is intended to convey a message of simplistic thought, analysis and perception that may be applied to the interactions of everyday life. When one is in a deep and unconscious sleep, they don't hear or respond to the communication efforts of those who are awake unless they are at first, vigorously shaken into consciousness. So it was abundantly clear to me that I must first deliver to my intended listeners, that which would awaken the sleeping mind and the sleeping soul into consciousness. This task was most challenging to the reality that the seeds of spiritual, psychological and mental conditioning are deeply rooted within the conscious, as well as the subconscious mindset; and are indelibly etched into the cycles of our perception, implementation and productivity. Even before I set out to create this vast umbrella which is "The Awareness Project," I had to first transcend and escape from subservient ideologies that existed within my own mindset and manifested themselves negatively through my own productivity. This meant that although I had to adapt and exist in various arenas that were totally parallel to my own analytical thoughts and perceptions; I had to draw a line within the sand, if you will, which served as my catalyst to rebel against the negative and/or counter productive. This personal commitment that I had made to not solely reject, but to neither hold sacred, the social, spiritual and developmental scrolls of an oftentimes oppressive and systematic hierarchy, enhanced my own avenues of search and development within my self. One of the more interesting challenges was to hold true to my own analysis and perceptions of spiritual self development, and to sometimes compromise but never succumb to influences which served to alter the course upon the pathway of inner strength. Now the mission was clear. To be true to the self, regardless of the obstacles set before me. This meant that the words which flowed from my mouth during lectures, seminars, or workshops; or those which flowed from my pen through my poetry or were the script of some developmental ideology, were spoken or written in statement format and not within the terminology of the theoretical. Within this book Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic, I have stated within the outreach "Who I Am": "Of time gone by, I thought it more appropriate to speak within the way of questioning, or to address true belief, by way of the theoretical." "No longer for the acceptance of the social hierarchy, shall I balance justification based upon the levels of the morality of others." This book is not as much about me explaining to you what I have discovered within myself, as it is about freeing what you know not of your self. "The Awareness Project" as an entity, is far more than an outreach of literary expression. "The Awareness Project" is an active and participating empowerment program. The basics of this concept are based upon the realization and conquering of obstacles from within, before attempting to bring about change through the social and/or systematic process. Oftentimes, systematic oppression and injustices are viable because of a breakdown of the will and the positive mindset of the oppressed. It is vital that the oppressed are not only awakened to the reality of their plight; but are also conscious of the realization that "The Psychology of Oppression" is the catalyst and most detrimental tool utilized within the construction of systematic and social non development. "The Awareness Project" strives to address these issues, both socially and psychologically, by first addressing the current mindset and spiritual power (or lack thereof), of those who are victimized by a newly constructed reality which dictates that their inadequacies are not only deserved, but are in direct accordance within the natural process of their development. "The Awareness Project" statement that, "within the seed of an apple, there lives an orchard invisible" speaks to the untapped powers and desires that exist within the inner self. From Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic, in the outreach entitled "To Lose yet Never Lose," it states: "What one man can write the epitaph of the defeat of another, lest the defeated one consents to the struggle." It is the purpose of "The Awareness Project" through its outreaches of empowerment programs, lectures, seminars and continuing literary works to demonstrate that we are only as strong as the limits placed upon ourselves, and that the defiance and conquering of hypocrisy and oppression that exist within the reality of our lives are first fought upon the battlefield of the mind and the spirit. If the mind and the spirit does not crave change, then there will be no change. I have found that through my own personal experiences while embarking upon the avenues of positive perception and development, and then applying the discovery of my inner strength to withstand the elements of defeat and negativity; that we must step beyond the shadow of manmade ideologies which have attempted to define the levels of our capabilities. I have found the catalyst within the elements of defeat. Though I have conquered, I have lived life before, upon a wayward existence. I have been homeless, criminal minded, negatively rebellious and without positive direction. Within the mind and spirit of this existence, lived the soul and the genius of the inner self, which dwells within each of us. It states in this book, in the poem within the outreach entitled "The Psychology of Oppression." "Without the hardness of your struggling hand, there would be no catalyst, and without the tears you sometimes bring like rain, there would be no smile, upon the face of the genius." I know that this concept is new and also frightening to some because it seeks to free the will of men, women and children to create a more positive existence. It taps directly upon the catalyst within. I am well aware that the agents of deception will attempt to silence that which makes others free to dream upon the realm of possibilities. This work is timely and essential to the creation of an alternative avenue to pursue the development and manifestation of the inner strength which dwells within. This first release from "The Awareness Project," titled Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic (A Psychological and Spiritual Guide from Fear to Freedom), is the first of many more to come. Each new outreach will encompass a new and innovative concept which will continue to test and to question many "old school" ideologies and perceptions, and will offer progressive developmental alternatives which are currently silent within the status quos. Remember: "The most lethal threat to the oppressive state is the awakening of the sleeping mind and the sleeping soul." ~~~~ What Is? The Awareness Project The Awareness Project is the basic foundation and symbolic reference to all of my work. It is the common denominator which encompasses all of my theoretical, philosophical, artistic, psychological and creative expression. The Awareness Project is designed to reach out to all facets of people, regardless of age, social class, racial or religious background, economical or educational level. In the end result, the purpose of The Awareness Project is to enlighten and empower individuals, families, groups and communities to achieve a greater sense of self worth; to realize the constructive power of positive perception and action; to understand the meaning of and how to relate to positive and negative cycles; and to positively enhance, illustrate and develop the power of the inner self, and maintain a desire and a thirst for knowledge. Since its inception, The Awareness Project has been an active vehicle in the arenas of lectures, consultations, seminars, poetry readings and interpretation. The Awareness Project has reached out to organize and empower individuals, families, groups and communities to address issues and concerns relative to the positive development of their lives. No arena is too small or too large for the message of The Awareness Project. Each new literary release from The Awareness Project illustrates a new conceptual outreach that is intended to not only challenge many old school ideologies, but to also present new philosophical, psychological, theoretical and artistic concepts that enhance the thinking process, and are catalytic to the development of positive perception and implementation. ~~~~ About Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic This "Awareness Project" release, Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic (A Psychological and Spiritual Guide from Fear to Freedom), was a test in thought development and process theory from its very inception. The flow within the chapters of this work, which are the analytical thoughts and perceptions of the writer, causes the work itself to transcend from basic theory, into a cornerstone of truth and reality. The contents of Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic intentionally test the boundaries of contemporary developmental thought and perception; to shake the very foundation on which they currently stand. Some may consider the outreaches of "Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic" to be radical and/or confrontational Outreaches such as: "Prayer" (the hypocrisy of man), "Who I Am," and "The Psychology of Oppression," among others, directly challenge "old school" perceptions and ideologies. The technical, yet, artistic flow of Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic sings in an almost melodic rhythm, to dance along the borders of grammatical correctness. Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic dares to challenge the reader to search deeply within him or her self to realize that within the realm of reality, we truly and ultimately sculpt our own design, be it by rebellion of an oppressive state of existence or the acceptance of a corrupted social and/or psychological hierarchy. To think and to perceive beyond the most common ideological, spiritual and philosophical standards of man is essential; and to search, instead within the self, to discover the catalyst of truth and positive direction. Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic is the most simplistic of logic, which seeks to remove the masks of our own hypocrisies. This work is an endeavor to expose the contradictions of mans words from his works and his reality from his rhetoric. Remember: The most lethal threat to the oppressive state is the awakening of the sleeping mind and the sleeping soul. ~~~~ About the Author I was born in the projects of Buffalo, New York and moved with my two brothers and parents to Louisville, Kentucky at an early age. Some thirty odd years ago I began to realize what it meant to not only become a product of one's environment, but to be a contributing factor to the actual construction and development of that environment. My parents were dedicated to the positive upbringing of myself and my brothers. They both instilled within us the pride of growing up with less materialistically, but still possessing great wealth within our own spirit and our capability to expand beyond the negative tapestry of our surroundings. While my brothers excelled greatly in school, I was never one to fully grasp the trick and trade of academia. I remember when I was coming along through school that many of my teachers, (despite my average grades), often spoke to myself and my parents of some great potential, or unexplained gift that I possessed to articulate various subject matter on an extremely high level. For some reason, I was always rebellious, in the home, within the school and other social circles, as well. This rebellious nature at the beginning of my mature development, often served to my detriment, as well as to my benefit. My mother, being spiritually sound and my father being a writer instilled within me the curiosity to read and become informative of a vast level of subject matter at an early age. At the time, I did not possess the necessary skills to express myself upon a threshold that did not lead to my own anger and frustration. I was blatantly opposed to the treatment of poor and black people in America and challenged the righteousness of this oppression. This lead to many troubles in my growing development, in school and various other social circles. Eventually, I began to reject the educational process through school, and felt that I was capable of excelling without the apparent benefit of using that medium within my development. We always lived within the lower economic neighborhoods and were exposed to all aspects of what one might call "survival living." There were some very hard working, honest and brilliant people in our neighborhood; and I did not distinguish them from their various professions. While some worked at what one may call "conventional jobs" were close to me, I also had no negative discriminatory feelings to those who chose other avenues of employment to supplement their incomes and take care of their families, and the like. Drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes and gang members were among those with whom I also considered friends and associates of mine. With my already growing distain for the "system," I was even more vulnerable, or willing to do what was considered parallel to most common beliefs and values. As I became more and more indoctrinated into the so-called subculture of this out of the mainstream lifestyle, I became well versed in the hierarchy and inner workings of what was necessary to excel in these various fields of expertise. While I was an active participant with the drug dealing, pimping, prostitution, and lived a gang life mentally; I still maintained a high inner spirituality, and still searched and thirsted for information and knowledge. It was through this mixture of experiences that led to what I call the "Genius"; which I sincerely feel is developmentally accessible within each of us. When I became increasingly frustrated with my progression in the attainment of my more lofty goals, I sought an escape from my present environment. It was then that I enlisted in the U.S. Army and did close to two years of service. While this was a necessary and fruitful experience for me, as it gave me the opportunity to embark upon new avenues of self development and also exposed me to a more globalized perception of thinking and personal interaction with a more diverse array of people. When I returned home, while still embracing the roots of my development, I set out to create positive change upon the same neighborhoods and social systems which were once my home as well as my battlefield. This led to the development of what is now The Awareness Project, which encompasses all of my outreaches as well as my literary and creative expressions. I have received awards from cities, mayors, organizations and educational institutions. I have also received the love and respect from gang members, their families, the poor and oppressed, and a host of others searching for the development of their own inner strength. And more important than any of these accolades, is the reality that I have compromised and worked with, but have never sold out, or given up any of my spiritual integrity or the sincerity of my inner being. Remember: "Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic" ~~~~ PART ONE Outreaches ~~~~ The Psychology of Oppression adversity i have touched thy face? whose jagged edges express the complexity of your beauty and tho your ways are hard and steep i would live to cherish the lesson of your experience without the hardness of your struggling hand there would be no catalyst and without the tears you sometimes bring like rain there would be no smile upon the face of the genius? ~~~~ And as a man thinketh in his heart- So is he? The greatest fear of the oppressor and the greatest awakening of the oppressed is the perceptive expansion to visualize the concept and the attainability of freedom. Many social hierarchies are constructed in accordance to the positive and negative perceptions of its people. When all is said and done, we are a society of concepts, based upon psychological influences. How influential the psychology, dictates the development of its population, its social structure and order. The developmental building blocks of man's inner self, which dictates the production of his acts, are deeply rooted within his own hypocrisy. Vainly calling himself master, while he himself, is in need, of a master. The most dehumanizing act of one man to another is the intentional and absolute robbery of the self. To rob one of his faith, his history and his quest to dream, is greater than any manmade prison. When one has no catalyst to defeat the negative, as his whole persona is sketched by self destruction. His family, his offspring, fall victim to a perpetual cycle of self defeat; while shaping the negative reality of present and future generations to come. The psychology of oppression is a process of mental, physical and spiritual conditioning. Perhaps it is more appropriate to say, re-conditioning. The psychology of oppression strikes at the very seed and growth process of the inner self. To rearrange one's processes of thinking, as to where the most extreme opposite becomes the new truth and the negative cycle evolves to dominate the positive. Eventually an aura of self loathing and learned helplessness becomes the norm of negative developmental thought and self perception. Mankind, throughout its history, has utilized the elements of the psychology of oppression in many ways. The era of American slavery of the African people, the holocaust of "Hitler's" Germany against the Jews, the decimating apartheid regimes of European nations upon the original people of South Africa, the treatment of the Indian during the era of the American settlers, and the racist bigotry of American racism during the "Dread Scott Decision" and the "Jim Crow" era as they relate to American Black people-these are among the most egregious examples of the psychology of oppression. The engrained thought processes of fear and in many cases a hatred of self due to a demeaning process of humiliation and shame, perpetuate themselves deep within the subconscious mindset and serve the oppressor well, in that it conditions the oppressed to self maintain the process of re-creating the initial cycle of negative development, and consequentially, a lowered level of positive expectation and productivity. Let it be clearly established, that the psychology of oppression is not confined only to implementation upon masses of people, but also within individual relationships, as well as self inflicted through individual life circumstances and perceptions. When one has experienced throughout his/her life, a certain level of set back and defeat; that has in effect compromised, or even lowered the expectations of self. The psychology of oppression is then self inflicted and becomes the new negative norm. The psychology of oppression is the stagnation and removal of free thought and positive development. When one ceases to dream upon the realm of possibilities for self and their sketch of reality is limited to the confinement of manmade ideologies and accomplishments, one has then limited their ability to expand the mind and development of the strength of the inner self. The revelation of self realization is to understand that no one can define the essence of your inner strength, and that the catalyst of your development dwells not only within your triumphs, but more-so within the challenge to overcome adversity within the mental and spiritual consequences of life. Mankind, in a sense, is in a constant struggle as he hypocritically creates and quotes standards of life that he himself perpetually contradicts. He then seeks to destroy he who strives against his own grain of self deception. Remember: He who is blessed to live beneath the sun, which rises and sets and dictates the seasons, need not be denied the creativity of dreaming, or the catalytic process of creating reality, from the boundless reaches, of a wish, or desire. ~~~~ Who I Am of a sudden i feel this surge of freedom no more envy of the eagle? for i dwell within its perception victimized by my own suppression this bondage lived was all my own? to change the mighty course of seas is not within the range of men to shift direction of the breeze is but a dream and a wish and as empty as the echo? ~~~~ It is who I am to speak of the far reaching inner strength of mankind. To tap upon the source that is perhaps known though not realized due to its lack of actuality. Of times gone by, I thought it more appropriate to speak within the way of questioning, or to address true belief, by way of the theoretical. No longer for the acceptance of the social hierarchy, shall I balance justification based upon the levels of the morality of others. It exists within the essence of the inner self to realize the evolutionary force of the inner strength which dwells within. I search not of the acclamation of men; for the ways and the results of my actions shall serve as the sketch of my reality. Suppression of the self is suppression of one's growth and development. How many times has the truth of mankind been smothered and snuffed out by the often selfish and arrogant ideologies of a given society. And is not fear of truth, the greatest fear of all? I have endeavored to question many facets of our systematic ideals and philosophies. Oppressive, dehumanizing acts of psychological conditioning used to defeat the inner strength of the individual and to replace it with a self defeating lesser self; who in turn, lives in a negative process of lowered self worth and a perpetual legacy of self destruction. These have been the tools of humanity. The theft of one's realization of who I am is within itself, a testimony to the power of the knowledge of self. Who I am is the catalyst of our inner faith and the removal of the limitations imposed upon us by ignorance. It is essential that I endeavor to confront and to accept the vision, the quest and the actuality of who I am. I shall exist to speak and to live by the ways of reality and truth. No production of mankind shall corrupt the strength of the inner self to realize the vision and the power of who I am. And if by circumstance that I might stumble or falter in the darkness as I embark upon this quest of self discovery. I shall rise by the strength of my own convictions and walk within the light of my own sincerity. ~~~~ Sincerity i challenge those of disbelief who would seek the path tho deny perception as does ideology dwell within its source escapes outside the dream if i would quest of hopes manmade and sought to reach his tired goal it would be much as the one who walks tho contemplates the eagles soul? ~~~~ How important is sincerity? Ask yourself- What of the person who is cold and afraid; that he would seek the warmth of the flame of truth, who knows within that his fear is justified not by his lack of understanding, but by his own conscious rejection to confront his own true philosophy; which exist within direct contradiction of that of which he knows within, would make him a better person? He who laughs in the midst of his lies and then cries when he feels that the truth has betrayed him. He who looks in disgust at weaker ones, but knows within that if he would only give of himself, he could make them stronger. It is sincerity which validates the potential reality of our fondest dreams. It is sincerity which also creates the pathway to positive development. Why should it be left within the often selfish wisdoms of others, to surmise and to dictate the pathways of your own productivity and evolution? Each man or woman is catalyst of his or her own positive ideologies and actions. Many social and moral philosophies were built upon the wisdom of the hypocrite and their followers. Being blind and aimless, they would perform within the shadow of good deeds, while in reality, were the very architects of oppression and injustice. Is this productivity of the heart sincere; or self serving ideology, born of mass deception? This sincerity; perhaps it is one of the keys? Sincerity is the pathway of reality and truth. It is the contradiction of the hypocrite, who would forsake his own belief and dwell in fear of his own positive vision. When one is sincere, he must confront himself and be truthful to analyze the positives and the negatives of his inner being. Sincerity itself is catalytic to the growth process. He who lives within the shadow of his most true self, exists within perpetual denial and dwells within an obscure reality. I ask: How can one dare to truly believe, if, within the essence of his own heart, he is not sincere? ~~~~ To Lose Yet Never Lose and often from the learning tree there would grow bitter fruit? and as waters trace of heavy salt and are harsh of taste i would still thirst and bow thy head? to drink deeply from the stream thereof- and somehow within i would cleanse thyself and once again grow strong- for i am the challenge of adversity the light that is positive the example hope everlasting to lose yet never lose? ~~~~ What is defeat? Is it reality or perception? Or is it reality, based upon perception? Mankind has gone as far as to the taking of his own life, as he struggles with what he perceives to be defeat. The mind and the will of men does not cease to attempt to conquer negativity, or to master adversity because of a specific limit or level of circumstances; but instead, ceases because within ourselves, we succumb to the pressure of our own insecurities, hypocrisies, and lack of inner strength. The arrogance of man is self defeating. Dwelling within a perceptive ideology where hypocrisy breeds the concept of reality. And within a strange twist of this hypocrisy, there are those who would seek to judge others by moral standards of which the judges themselves cannot abide. What we perceive to be defeat is in reality the catalyst of the development of inner strength. To lose yet never lose is to taste of defeat and to realize the elements of its substance, not of its starvation. One must realize that the development of the inner self dwells within the construction of not only the positive, but the negative as well. To cast defeat aside as a total loss is discarding an important ingredient to the food of the soul. To lose yet never lose creates the catalyst and is the discipline of positive perception and action. The life obstacles before us are vital to the achievement of any tasks. We are incomplete without our pain. To know not of our pain, we would know nothing of our joy. To lose yet never lose is the adversary of our weaknesses; it is the counterpart of our doubt and the flame of hope which dwells within each of us. Ideologies, manmade, have sketched the perceptions of our successes and of our failures as well. Social systems have misdirected the hierarchy of the needs of men. Our dilemma dwells within the mental captivity that we as individuals construct and design our self worth in accordance with the standards of the manmade social order. What one man can write the epitaph of the defeat of another, lest the defeated one consents to the struggle? Defeat dwells within the acknowledgement of the individual; not within any standards or judgments idealized beyond the perceptions of the inner self. The sun would set, to rise again, the seasons fall, to rise again, the ocean tide subsides, to rise again, as men would fall, to rise again? ~~~~ Vision what is wisdom without a cause but a genius with no scheme as the desert sun digest the stream and silence dwells within the scream as realities logic crushes the dream oh? what a shame who is he who breeds the odds which dictates laws reserved for gods who stumbles as the great one trods and he whose wisdom blinks and nods of these men i shall pay no mind i conquer goals thought undefined i search of hope no man shall find i see that which most men see blind? ~~~~ What is to be said of the one or the many who see not beyond their own environment? And is it not true; that the wall invisible, is yet, still a wall? I know of no tower which rests not upon the cornerstone. And do not growth and ideology walk hand in hand with vision and perception? Vision of attainability is the catalyst of the quest thereof.... It is synonymous with the philosophy of living not by bread alone. It is the contradiction of your doubt and the flame of hope within your heart. For the visionary may be left cold and alone; a subject of ridicule perpetrated by others who dwell aimlessly; wanderers, lost within their own darkness. One cannot embark upon a journey from the realm of negativity without the vision of the more positive destination. And the shackled one shall speak not of freedom, lest he has visualized and perceived what it is to be free. If we are to consider the actuality and the circumstances of an individual, or society related dilemma, perhaps we should take into account the elements of vision and perception. Have you ever witnessed one who has lost even before the battle or the endeavor has begun; he who has become a negative victim of his psychological self prophecy and conditioning? As well as in the reverse of this; there are those who actually visualize the reality of their own accomplishment, before and during the quest thereof; and within that vision, perform works which are relevant and consistent to the creation and actuality of their achievement or desire. Vision lends its substance to the dream or ideal. It is essential to the construction of positive development within the heart and mind. He who exists without vision, stagnates the very essence of the quest and the endeavor of life. One must strive to see beyond the immediate. Vision is the catalyst which has set the shackled free, erected the pyramids, created music, poetry, and art. It has given strength to those who were once weakened psychologically and spiritually raped. Vision is the seed of desire and positive action. Vision, itself, makes prophets of men? When one is voided or denied of his vision and perception to see beyond his immediate circumstances or condition, it stunts the entire positive developmental growth process and, casts one into a perpetual cycle of learned helplessness and self defeating perception of self. One must break free of mental and spiritual bondage, before the physical can obtain the vision and the reality of freedom. Those who are misinformed of their history, their spirituality, and who are mistaught of their seed to overcome adversity and to tap into their unseen power, have been denied the developmental elements of positive vision and perception. To attempt to suppress one's developmental growth processes of positive vision and perception is most truly an act of spiritual and psychological warfare. There are those who are served through the infliction of oppression upon others; who have delved to steal the identity and rob the true spirituality from the inner strength of men. Through these means, they attempt to misdirect the avenues of positive vision, which serve to overcome obstacles and to visualize ones self through greater perceptions. To rewrite the triumphs of one's history within the negative; attempting to instill within their inner being, a legacy of non development and an everlasting cycle of perpetual stagnation. Though, through each rebellion, each achievement and each conquered obstacle dwells the catalyst of the oppressed and the development of positive vision. Vision is the developmental mindset of seeing beyond the current; it is the perceptive cornerstone of transcending the negative element. Vision is the dreamscape of man's inner self; it is the infinity of the realm of possibilities and the inner strength of men. When one discovers the developmental power of vision, it dictates to one man that he never dwell beneath anything, but the stars themselves. ~~~~ Prayer (the hypocrisy of man) you are the one who walks perplexed and who stumbles along the pathway of truth your ideologies dwell in anguish within darkness you reach tho cannot find you search the skies in quest of answers the magic dwells within the soul the hypocrite would speak the message tho live to contradict the goal ~~~~ Prayer is the mental and spiritual process of man reaching for his deeper inner self. No magic words scripted from yesterday, chanted verbatim from the book, spoken with familiarity in place of sincerity, is influential to the power of the one. Remember- Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic The very essence of the inner strength of mankind is not beamed down from the heavens above, but is a seed, sprung to life, that cultivates and grows within. The higher power that we search in futility, in fact, dwells within our very selves. By our own arrogant and egotistical designs of self perception we have segregated ourselves from the supreme. This mindset serves as our loop hole to justify the negativity of our production. All things living are the offspring of the one. The one is the love, as well as the evil which dwells within. The one is your confidence and your doubt, your faith and your falter. To tap upon the source, one needs only to seek within. We are the victims of our own form of self deception. Mankind, through our hypocrisy, preaches of the sincerity and necessity of prayer; though we live within direct contradiction of the mental, physical and spiritual power of prayer. Prayer is the meditation of man to tap into the source of that which has created him and who he, in turn is a part of. Prayer awakens the power of the sleeping self to seek and to find, often within the darkness, the light and hence the way. Prayer, in reality, is based not within religion, but within spirituality; of which there are many distinguishable differences. Religion; idealized and created by man, is good in the sense that it is often a source of inspiration, as well as a text of great philosophical wisdom. However: There have been more wars, evil and genocide in the name of religion, than any other manmade ideology. This is not the fault of the course of history or the deeds that inspired the concept of religion; but more-so within the misguided perceptions of man. Religion in no way is synonymous with the inner strength that dwells within the meditation of prayer. Prayer dwells within the unseen spirituality of men. Spirituality is the ghost of the inner self. It is the invisible power that manifests itself in the sheer desire to grow and to become more complete. Mankind himself dwells within the seed of the creator. To separate yourself from the one is to dilute and diminish the potential of your own inner strength. Prayer is often the silent self tapping upon the source of all things. Through our arrogance, we have fashioned a battle of good verses evil, which dwells high within the heavens, when in reality it exists only within the very seed of our being. ~~~~ Faith i am the glow of the light fantastic and there is no shade nor storm manmade that could counteract my brilliance i am the bloom of the genius the flower and the oak tree as well? i know of the foot who steps to trample i in the garden and also of those who would scheme to chop i down in envy of thy greatness my seed is planted deep and these roots cling mighty in their nature within thy soul breaths the very first breath of the very first life i am the production eternal and the perpetuality of all things? ~~~~ What is the quality of life of one who lives and exists with no faith in self? One cannot possess faith within the miracles of the higher order, when void of faith and belief in self. That of which one would need to strive and to accomplish, has been provided from the very beginning. Remember: Inner Strength Defies the Skeptic. There are those who would live of this life void of purpose and aspiration; falling in line within systematic, manmade ideologies and standards of life; never expanding or wondering of the potential of their own untapped productivity. The key is not always equated within the strength of the soul; but more within the sincere desire of the attainability of strength of soul. Faith itself is not magical, but developmental. Many variables can serve to enhance the thinking; but it dwells within the reaches of the individual to unmask his hidden faith. How many can veer from the road of which the masses walk; to walk alone, upon the road never treaded? The true test of faith often dwells not within its success, but within its adversity. Perhaps it is within the perception of imminent defeat or failure, when the power of faith seeks its own level. When others speak negativity of your desires and your quest have perhaps produced more losses than gains; it is then that the inner strength would reach deeply and unveil potentials of which you had not yet realized or experienced. As it is said of the eyes, faith itself is the mirror of the soul. And each individual knows the deepness and the reality of his own inner faith. Are the fulfilled or the unfulfilled, truly surprised by the reality of their result? The evil elements which dwell within the oppressive state, strive desperately to suppress the faith and the power of the inner self. While manmade ideologies have us reaching for faith through corrupt teaching and confrontational misunderstanding, we are being robbed and misdirected of our own untapped power. To attach a face to the faceless power and to give the keys to the gateway of inner strength to the ideologies of mortal men, speaks to the very hypocrisy of man's twisted relationship with himself and his own spirituality. Do not demean yourself to look to the skies. Spirituality from the godsend dwells within. If the desire of one's faith is to move the mountain, then search within the self for faith to move the mountain. ~~~~ Denial of Self to exist without the flame of truth there is no quest without its basics and tho its arrow pierces sharply i marvel at its perfect aim there are those who fear there own aloneness living not to ponder deeply squandered secrets never ventured waters shallow never still the skeptic dwells in days of darkness unknown he shuns the ways of wonder he searches rain upon the desert as silence dominates his thunder ~~~~ One cannot excel or expand developmentally when there is denial of the self. Be it from the positive or the negative aspect, objective self analysis and realization is essential. There are those who dwell within the facade of false self image and self realization, choosing to ignore or to escape from their own individual strengths and weaknesses. How can people tap upon their deeper region, not knowing or endeavoring to know the true substance of themselves? And what would be the essence of one who knows not of the truth of his or her own levels of character and morality? Imagine (if you will) the utter confusion of the inner self, when one would live in denial. Could you laugh all of your laughter and cry all of your tears, if you delve not into your most true self? It is essential to realize the depth and perception of your values and substance. Ask yourself- Are your limits and potentials dictated by reasoning and ideologies other than your own? Perhaps, influenced more so by environmental and/or social circumstances, than by your own independent thinking processes. Have you actually and truthfully delved to realize the depth of your own potential and limitations? You shall never actually touch upon your strengths, if you know nothing of your weaknesses. Denial of self is as the foundation void of the cornerstone; appearing to be strong within its structure, while its reality is but an image of deception How shall one exude the strength of self to challenge the psychological and social seeds of negativity that create the down trodden and the very definition of the permanent underclass? Denial of self is the contradiction of the catalyst to tap into the inner strength. If the warrior were to wear the garment of the shepherd, or the slave beheld the whip of the slave master; the inner self would still speak to the soul of the warrior and to the soul of the slave, as well. To be deceptive of one's reality and to embrace the teachings of false ideologies of self does not eliminate the rage within; but spiritually and psychologically, enhances that rage. When one becomes a clown, simply to adapt; when he has not the soul of a clown; when one would become a sellout, simply to adapt; when he has not the soul of a sellout; hence becoming a contradiction of his most true self; he is but a hypocrite of his inner reality, and the soul mate of mass deception. ~~~~ Guidance i am all that you had thought you knew yet never knew? the scheme of the dream logic of your illogic your cup not yet runneth over i am its anticipation i am your faith and your doubt ecstasy of your deepest passion i am your scream and then your silence thereof and when you are lost i am your direction and if you would thirst fear not? for i shall flow perpetual and behold i am your stream ~~~~ Where do you go in search of guidance? And of what is the source of which you seek of your direction? If you would search of guidance upon avenues that you know to be untrue, then hypocrisy and negativity would dominate the direction of the self. . Guidance is sought as well as found within the regions of the inner self. It may very well be from the darkness of the pit, where you would discover the light of your ways. Searching within the essence of your pain, may serve to be the catalyst of your newfound joy. And it is the wise man who would walk his pathway filled with curiosity and wonder, and would walk knowing and yet not knowing at the same time. There are those who truly see their pathway; but because of fear of truth, prefer to remain, yet lost. As there are those who exist within the realm of their own small world or environment; who know all that there is to know within. They exist within fear and denial of all else, and refuse the challenge and the search of true guidance. Guidance dwells within truth, as truth within guidance. One cannot tap upon the inner strength of guidance when his own self perception dwells within the eyes of other men. No man or woman, no institution, religious or social, can dictate the pathway of inner strength, or the guidance of others. The power and guidance of the inner self speaks of scriptures not yet written and of words not yet spoken. Real truth and direction dwells within the trust between you and your most secret self. If you are in fear of sorrow, you are but a perpetrator of joy. If you are not a seeker of truth, your reality, is but imagination. If you believe, not in yourself, you are but a hypocrite of your faith. True guidance leads to the challenge of your most true self; to contradict the elements of doubt and to become a creator; not just a user of creation. ~~~~ PART TWO The Flow ~~~~ perhaps somehow i have been wrong the gifted one perplexed by logic as i would ponder of thy own convictions for first time it seems i walk in doubt the winds which blow of lost direction would dare to whistle just the same? and of those who quest the ways of kindness may find their justice crucified the genius feels his own aloneness tho inner strength defies the skeptic thy visions dwell within the eyes of the master as thy cup perpetual would overflow _________ i have bowed and i have scraped my emotions have been raped my ambitions seem suppressed within my goal i have learned and i have taught i have chased and i have caught elusive dreams which somehow haunt thy soul i have begged and i have borrowed i have joyed and i have sorrowed and i have cringed and i have cried of lost domain i have slept and i have wept i have stolen i have kept corrupted hopes of abstract foreign gain i have flow and i have landed i have asked i have commanded that my realities metamorphosize my dreams i have walked and i have run my aspirations touch the sun perpetually as i master gifted schemes _________ forgotten is the great one? the overflow is now the drought as scorched desert lands digest the rain forest and who is he who would speak that silence is golden never before victimized by logics man made wasted tears for the hypocrites and tired prayers to make a rat race of the heavens beware the genius the simple one himself production of the turmoil who would speak of truth and condemn the twisted wisdoms ideologies of the evil ones _________ the change this time it must be drastic crossroads a fork in the road turning the page any tired metaphor would explain this deep intention who is he that quest of answers scattered as the countless stars no escapade shall last forever and that which dies shall be reborn to live the life in shock of wonder perpetuality breeds its own surprise for he who lives to seek no further shall visualize with empty eyes _________ some things duane? you cannot change and perhaps there are pathways better left never ventured? each star that glows is not your quest and there are wonders to gaze? tho to not encounter be wise to challenge not the ocean when rage would flow of violent force follow not the winds of lost direction remember truth shall guide thy course _________ soul of my soul touch of my touch you are the scheme of the dream of the genius my tender tease and thy caress everlasting you are the lyric of the flow of the poet and into thy keeping i share with you the treasure which is thy sensitivity for as it is that i would feel deeply so it is that i am strong in character as i am open to trust within your thoughts great meaning i would also cast thy shield across the light of reality the ally of contradiction and perpetual within its unpredictability? _________ it is not wise to mourn of empty spaces that of which was never really mine useless tears alone within their falling and dreams without pictures only shadows cast in darkness i have found wisdom within my own illogic and strength within thy realm of pain and when aimless i have found direction and when empty i have found thy gain _________ if thru thy pain you would find your strength tho it hurts i wish you well and i have heard before that there are many truths this is not my way tho i understand for whatever course you would find your freedom i would sacrifice and love you still? _________ so this is how it taste this bitter abstract waste and this is what it feels to touch defeat i have finally reached the plain which contradicts the gain that would challenge my strong soul with harsh conceit how violent the eruption the distortion of corruption volcanoes overflow to singe the hope this once complete terrain now just potholes catching rain obstruction marks thy path tho i will cope _________ i? am the heat and the rage of fire burning scorching destruction indiscriminate blazing? wild in all direction result of too many dry and dusty days without rain the anger spreads without an aim the rushing tide would curse thy flame i? am the volcano overflowed explosion of the star suppressed an act of nature cause and effect my cup runneth over inevitable? evolution? the bird whose wings are too mighty for its cage _________ mankind i sense shall not be proud whose logics dwell with the shroud and as death seems silent? not aloud destruction storms within your cloud babies die and flowers rot the icy slopes become too hot and how dare you to pace the trot to decide who has and he who has not your conceptions spend the evil seed your wisdoms cry and ache and bleed you twist a full yet hollow breed with barbaric mentality you seek not to concede your stream it flows of raging fire as echoes ring of lost desire you feign of greatness behold the liar you fashion goals which dwell not higher _________ perhaps i live to dwell alone the laughter sprays in precious moments never really singing truly but fading as the echoes fades the caress i thought would last forever the genius often thinks too much forever seeks the other level just a bit deeper than his own understanding i have come compelled to speak of truth perpetually it would flow it seems it is said its message pains too much reality often conquers dreams hope sometimes is wrapped in silence the sun would blaze tho make no sound the great one lives to quest unending for wisdom dwells on higher ground _________ oh? the ecstasy passion overflowed to be blessed to love you black woman? precious one like gentle breeze sexual tigress- tender tease your mellow waters bring i ease artistic lover sure to please perfection of the sculptors hand flower from the motherland with you i rule the lost command deep your passion endless sand? nevermore to wear the chains your starlight perpetuates my gains your healing touch makes well my pains your tears my love erase thy stains proud i am to be your mate my dream my key to freedoms gate my gift my rush this cannot wait you are my hope my joy my fate? _______ i? the endangered one black man dropping off more frequent than the flies who would smash against the window transparent for they no nothing of the concept of glass babies born then left unguided picking up dirty needles scattered in front of liquor stores or somewhere in the park occupying themselves because they have been given no books to read and the whispering sounds of constructive ideologies spoken of in the back room is drowned out by the rattle of machine gun bullets that echo in the hall way tiny conflicts in the neighborhood while there is yet a greater conflict and of our children if they are smiled upon to live and to grow strong are left to ravage thru the ruin and to wonder what war zone was this? _________ have i? misused love taken advantage of its infinity to obstruct the serenity that was never really meant to be mine i would thank you if you will to ignore the reality that tedious formality that dares to say in many ways i have been quite in the wrong? _________ the genius fooled by paradise realities spin defies the illusion and hope which dwells on the edge of the dream exist it seems to corrupt the scheme the ways of love may flow unkind perplexed by logics undefined when the heart is freed to search in wonder it would seek to dominate the mind the garden tho would bare its fruit its pathway paved with sweet intention as truth would glare its blinding light exposing visions we fear to mention _________ i miss you so? i often ache to ponder what i have at stake i miss you so? it tempts my tears to fall like rain and test my fears i miss you so? it pains inside for to be with you has been denied _________ the rich arid smoke rises to the top then dissipates? as do these dreams like blazing sun which dries the streams as echoes smother distant screams i listen to gain perspective of thy schemes _________ my inner lodgings run deeper than the still waters and higher than the steps to heaven for i flow perpetual as the silent stream my reality is your wildest dream thy silence dwells within the scream to counteract lifes complex scheme i know not why i sketch the score in abstract verse of poet lore i know not why i speak in rhyme of logics that shall outlast time _________ no rapture lives without the soul there is no quest without the goal no raging seas possess control no doctrine lives without the scroll no eagle soars without the breeze no apples where there are no trees no frost then there would be no freeze to not know pain there is no ease it is said consult with counsels wise not hypocrites in weak disguise who speak of truth by way of lies and sleep and dream as reality cries _________ your heart? as vast as what would dwell beyond the mountaintop and your sincerity too far exceed the depths of the deepest ocean for what other reason would flowers grow if not in expression of your love? you are thy catalyst as it is of you that i have come to realize the perpetuality of life? _________ i remember when i thought that i would never walk again unbalanced thoughts before i that would shimmer in the wind scattered hopes and scattered dreams left squandered by the breeze obstacles before i now are mastered with great ease to rediscover lost desire escape from shackles of defeat to challenge those who would profoundly speak of production incomplete _________ perhaps beware of the agreeable one for of his gold there is often fools gold and of his logics there is the tricky interplay of mass deception? _________ For lectures, seminars, workshops, booksignings, artistic showcases, etc. Contact: Duane Campbell The Awareness Project P.O. Box 2952 Louisville, KY 40201-2952 Email: duanecoolife@hotmail.com Ph- 502-802-2813 The Awareness Project