Roshi Kitabu Turner
Vernon Kitabu Turner/Roshi first rose to prominence during the latter sixties and early seventies as a New York poet and writer at the time when African-Americans were establishing their literary voice post-Harlem Renaissance. During those years his poetry was published in national and international publications , such as Bitterroots, where his work caught the attention and praise of Publizer-Prize-Winning poet, Menke Katz, and Freedomways, the renown African-American literary publication. Kitabu, as he was generally called, also performed his poetry. Long before the advent of Rap, he appeared on stage with his own jazz combo, sharing his original work in rhythm. One such performance was held at The East, the famous cultural house located in Brooklyn, New York. The East was known for its progressive artistic soul. It was the place where the young Jean Carne found her voice and acceptance, also.
Kitabu saw the gift of writing as a means of serving humanity and advancing the cause of his own people. He used his pen sometimes like a tool, other times like a weapon. When he was no more than 19 years old he became the Senior Editor of ETCetera magazine. It was an international publication with a black theme and a revolutionary flavor. One issue featured Angela Davis on the cover. One of his most in depth articles was born after a traumatic encounter with police following a protest. It culminated in a near-death experience triggered by a sever beating under the feet of New York City cops. The sight of American flags stitched to police uniforms as they kicked him repeatedly and called him by the N-word was seared intohis mind. The incident unleashed a hitherto buried feelings in his soul. It was the beginning of a quest for a different kind of power. Kitabu became a warrior of a very unique order. The effects of that day have since affected people all over the world in a positive way.
In 1975, a collection of poetry was published called, Kung Fu: The Master:The Book of Kitabu. The book, was a panoramic view of life. It was considered unique among the works of modern black poets because it did not focus on just racial concerns but celebrated love and beauty, as well. The book also glorified the warrior's nature. During a time when so many black men were feeling powerless, that point became the main focus of many who discovered the book. In a short period of time, the poet, Kitabu, became known as the “Warrior-Poet.”
The cover of the book depicted Kitabu sitting in lotus position. The flavor of the book attracted attention to the nature of the man. Kitabu did not just write about things. He lives the things he writes about. He could demonstrate them.
His next book The Secret of Freedom, featured a foreword by L. Douglas Wilder, former Governor of Virginia and a foreword by Linda Goodman, the famed author of Love Signs, both of them praising the book for its keen insights. The hero of the short novel was a warror. Then came Soul Sword:The Way and Mind of a Zen Warrior, a book that many seasoned Martial artists and spiritual seekers called bible-like in its delivery of truth. Once again, Kitabu lived what he wrote. It was soon evident that he could live up to the book's claims by his actions.
Vernon Kitabu Turner is called, The World Zen Master in Europe and is recognized among Himalayan spiritual masters as a legitimate heir to to the wisdom of The East. The term, Zen master, is reserved in the East for persons who have realized the original genius of The Mind, that aspect that defies thought but expresses itself in enlightened action. It is because of the universal nature of this awakening that Kitabu has been recognized by such masters a bridge between east and west, Science and Spirituality. Another aspect of the mission given him is to help heal the perception of Black Americans.
Ironically, Kitabu criss-crosses the world, traveling to such places as Indonesia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland and points in between sharing the mind-freeing teachings generally known as Dharma, in Sanskrit. While Europeans recognize the need for such direction, Few Black Americans understand that there is something far more powerful than what we put in the mind. There is a difference between education and transformation. Transformation frees the soul and reveals the true power of person-hood.
The current book of Vernon Kitabu Turner is Soul to Soul: Harnessing the Power of Your mind. Everyone knows that words have power. The books and spoken word of Vernon Kitabu Turner deliver but there is much more than that. The title, Zen master implies one who has direct knowledge and instinctive wisdom. Being in the presence of a Zen master is a multi-dimensional experience. Being in the presence of a Black Zen master produces a Soul Sonic effect, felt, not just heard. Vernon Kitabu Turner/Roshi recently returned from Europe where he demonstrated just what is possible when your mind is free.
It is time to take back your mind, then everything else will be easy.The mission of Vernon Kitabu Turner is about restoration to man's original nature, a place of serenity and power. It is a message that resonates with people all over the world. It has no cultural bias.
Vernon Kitabu Turner/Roshi first rose to prominence during the latter sixties and early seventies as a New York poet and writer at the time when African-Americans were establishing their literary voice post-Harlem Renaissance. During those years his poetry was published in national and international publications , such as Bitterroots, where his work caught the attention and praise of Publizer-Prize-Winning poet, Menke Katz, and Freedomways, the renown African-American literary publication. Kitabu, as he was generally called, also performed his poetry. Long before the advent of Rap, he appeared on stage with his own jazz combo, sharing his original work in rhythm. One such performance was held at The East, the famous cultural house located in Brooklyn, New York. The East was known for its progressive artistic soul. It was the place where the young Jean Carne found her voice and acceptance, also.
Kitabu saw the gift of writing as a means of serving humanity and advancing the cause of his own people. He used his pen sometimes like a tool, other times like a weapon. When he was no more than 19 years old he became the Senior Editor of ETCetera magazine. It was an international publication with a black theme and a revolutionary flavor. One issue featured Angela Davis on the cover. One of his most in depth articles was born after a traumatic encounter with police following a protest. It culminated in a near-death experience triggered by a sever beating under the feet of New York City cops. The sight of American flags stitched to police uniforms as they kicked him repeatedly and called him by the N-word was seared intohis mind. The incident unleashed a hitherto buried feelings in his soul. It was the beginning of a quest for a different kind of power. Kitabu became a warrior of a very unique order. The effects of that day have since affected people all over the world in a positive way.
In 1975, a collection of poetry was published called, Kung Fu: The Master:The Book of Kitabu. The book, was a panoramic view of life. It was considered unique among the works of modern black poets because it did not focus on just racial concerns but celebrated love and beauty, as well. The book also glorified the warrior's nature. During a time when so many black men were feeling powerless, that point became the main focus of many who discovered the book. In a short period of time, the poet, Kitabu, became known as the “Warrior-Poet.”
The cover of the book depicted Kitabu sitting in lotus position. The flavor of the book attracted attention to the nature of the man. Kitabu did not just write about things. He lives the things he writes about. He could demonstrate them.
His next book The Secret of Freedom, featured a foreword by L. Douglas Wilder, former Governor of Virginia and a foreword by Linda Goodman, the famed author of Love Signs, both of them praising the book for its keen insights. The hero of the short novel was a warror. Then came Soul Sword:The Way and Mind of a Zen Warrior, a book that many seasoned Martial artists and spiritual seekers called bible-like in its delivery of truth. Once again, Kitabu lived what he wrote. It was soon evident that he could live up to the book's claims by his actions.
Vernon Kitabu Turner is called, The World Zen Master in Europe and is recognized among Himalayan spiritual masters as a legitimate heir to to the wisdom of The East. The term, Zen master, is reserved in the East for persons who have realized the original genius of The Mind, that aspect that defies thought but expresses itself in enlightened action. It is because of the universal nature of this awakening that Kitabu has been recognized by such masters a bridge between east and west, Science and Spirituality. Another aspect of the mission given him is to help heal the perception of Black Americans.
Ironically, Kitabu criss-crosses the world, traveling to such places as Indonesia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland and points in between sharing the mind-freeing teachings generally known as Dharma, in Sanskrit. While Europeans recognize the need for such direction, Few Black Americans understand that there is something far more powerful than what we put in the mind. There is a difference between education and transformation. Transformation frees the soul and reveals the true power of person-hood.
The current book of Vernon Kitabu Turner is Soul to Soul: Harnessing the Power of Your mind. Everyone knows that words have power. The books and spoken word of Vernon Kitabu Turner deliver but there is much more than that. The title, Zen master implies one who has direct knowledge and instinctive wisdom. Being in the presence of a Zen master is a multi-dimensional experience. Being in the presence of a Black Zen master produces a Soul Sonic effect, felt, not just heard. Vernon Kitabu Turner/Roshi recently returned from Europe where he demonstrated just what is possible when your mind is free.
It is time to take back your mind, then everything else will be easy.The mission of Vernon Kitabu Turner is about restoration to man's original nature, a place of serenity and power. It is a message that resonates with people all over the world. It has no cultural bias.
