WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
A section of the audience holds hands in affirmation at 'A Triumph of Spirit' with Iyanla Vanzant's public forum held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Thursday.
Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
On Thurday evening the public came out to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, for the forum dubbed 'A Triumph of Spirit with Iyanla Vanzant.' The famed author, teacher, inspirational speaker, life coach and attorney-at-law, Iyanla Vanzant, came to Jamaica on the invitation of attorneys-at-law Nicholson, Phillips.
It was not her first time here however, she says, 'It is my first time here to share with you my thoughts and experiences as they relate to our collective and individual healing as African people.'
Before her presentation, there was a musical interlude with Dr. Kathy Brown, followed by the usual high-energy performance of the ASHE Ensemble.
Master of ceremonies, Michael Anthony Cuffe warmed up the crowd before Carrole Guntley's, greetings. Ms. Vanzant made her entrance to thunderous applause from an audience who were like eager sponges, ready to soak in Ms. Vanzant's presentation.
She began by instructing everyone to take the hand of the person next to them. "see it, feel it, imagine it, intend it to be so," she said. She instructed and they wilfully obeyed. "Visualise the light of your life coursing through every part of your body. Imagine it moving through you, then pass it to the angel whose hand you are holding and receive their light. see it, feel it, imagine it, intend it to be so."
insightful words
This was only the prologue to what would be two hours of upliftment and spiritual fortification initiated by the insightful words of this remarkable woman, who had her audience fully engaged throughout the entire presentation. To close, the audience was given the opportunity to direct questions to Ms. Vanzant and she answered giving the perceptive and practical advice that they expected of her.
Ms. Vanzant spent Friday morning counselling the mother of seven-year-old Shenique Anderson who was raped and murdered in the Coronation Market, after which she visited the St. Andrew Parish Church Home for girls, before her book signing at the Kingston Bookshop at noon.
