NEW YORK—A ceramic and porcelain artist, professor, and published writer, Carolyn Jones has embarked upon a new and exciting life experience as a self-published author. In her new book "Anthology of Souls," Ms. Jones and eight of her former College of New Rochelle (Harlem campus) students talk about their lives, creating a social platform for people to soul-search and rise above the shame of personal violation—including incest, molestation, and physical abuse.
The Epoch Times (ET): "Anthology of Souls" is a book written by yourself and eight of your former students. How did this project come about?
Jones: "Anthology of Souls" came about as a result of our discussion of a quote that I brought into the classroom by Frederick Douglass. … As we began to discuss social problems, we went from international to domestic to personal, and then the stories and testimonies started coming out.
ET: Describe the cycle of shame and personal violation talked about in the book.
Jones: The cycle of shame and personal violation is often spoken of by ministers who call it "generational curses." That's when generation after generation of a people decide to hide family secrets instead of airing them out—if not to the public then to those who are most affected—so they can stop the victimization within their own families. Incest is a prime example of this.
ET: In "Anthology of Souls," you revealed a lot. How did sharing your story help in the healing process of your suffering in silence?
Jones: The sharing of my story helped in that I was able to close the wound that stayed open from the secrecy that was perpetuated by my mother and other family members regarding the birth of my oldest daughter.
ET: After the completion of "Anthology of Souls," what significant transformation did you find within yourself and your students?
Jones: To answer this question I have to refer to one of my favorite gurus for self help, Dr. Deepak Chopra, where in one of his CDs he mentions that when you create to help others earn money you heal yourself financially and spiritually because you're adding benefit to the planet. And that is what this project has done for all nine of us.
ET: What positive advice could you give our readers to break the cycle of shame and personal violation?
Jones: I would give the readers the same advice that I gave myself before I even thought of embarking on this project, which was be honest with yourself. I had to be honest with myself first, and that was the only way I could be honest with others. Often we lie to ourselves to minimize the pain when in essence we're only making it worse.
So when you see the truth, you should respond to the truth in a positive way because that pain is far less than the pain of lying to oneself. Don't be afraid to change. Change is a willing angel.
ET: Besides ceramics, what are some of your other hobbies? Jones: My other hobbies include doing kundalini yoga, chanting, walking the lambent in Battery Park, reading self-help books, biographies and just enjoying the better things in life.
ET: What do you love about New York City?
Jones: Well the first thing is, I was born in Harlem, so my spirit holds the flavor of artists who have gone before and inhabited that wonderful space. But all in all, I love all the boroughs of New York because they each have a different rhythm that my soul responds to and appreciates.
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