‘In the sacred cocoon of secrecy, nestled within the embrace of the earth, I birthed “Daughter of Liberation” as my silent confidante, a clandestine diary breathing life into my innermost thoughts. Each word, a testament to the struggle and triumph, whispered softly, hidden from the watchful eyes of my preacher father. This diary became my refuge, a sanctuary where the inked pages held the fragile fragments of my spirit, resilient and unyielding.
In the quiet moments, I would return to those hidden musings, a ritual of solace and strength. My younger self, an unwitting beacon of hope, painted the pages with resilience and unbridled optimism. In her innocence, I found the wellspring of courage that would sustain me through the storms that brewed within the walls of dogma.
Yet, as I delved into my own history, I couldn’t ignore the call to share. The ink that flowed from my pen beckoned stories beyond my own, voices of brave women, the wisdom of elder sisters, and the silent echoes of others who sought liberation from their own shackles. “Daughter of Liberation” evolved from a personal refuge into a collective symphony of strength, an anthology of shared courage.
With love as my guiding force and compassion as my ink, I sought to craft not just a narrative of escape but a guide for others navigating similar treacherous waters. It is an embrace of the past, a conversation with one’s younger self, and an invitation for others to unearth the strength within their own history.
May these pages be a lantern in the darkness, a map to navigate the labyrinth of liberation. “Daughter of Liberation” is not just a tale; it is a tapestry woven with threads of love, compassion, and the unyielding belief that, like a hidden diary, each soul carries the strength to break free and soar into the boundless skies of total freedom.’
Alice Penrose forward introduction – Daughter of Liberation 1869
Alice Penrose created a universal secret movement with the book ‘Daughter of Liberation’ which started out as her own personal diary as a young girl growing up in a house of strict religious bias.
Her secret thoughts flowed endlessly like a funnel for all the good she was about to gift as a Pioneer of her times. This is how she described the process of releasing her thoughts and hopes for all from her soul to paper.
QUOTE: Alice Penrose 1873:
‘In the sacred refuge of my clandestine diary, the parchment embraced my secret thoughts and hopes, allowing them to flow freely, unencumbered by the chains of restraint. Each stroke of the pen became a liberation, an unfiltered expression of my innermost self. There, within the hidden confines of ink and paper, my aspirations danced without inhibition, unrestrained by the watchful eyes that sought to confine them.
As the ink mingled with the pages, it formed a river of untold stories, carving a path through the constraints that sought to dam its flow. There were no barriers, no dams to stifle the current of my desires and dreams. The diary, like a sacred vessel, cradled the authenticity of my thoughts, allowing them to cascade onto the pages in a torrent of unbridled expression.
In this clandestine haven, my hopes, fears, and aspirations flowed seamlessly, unblocked by the judgment or restrictions that lingered beyond its concealed confines. The diary became a haven where the stream of my consciousness could run wild, unrestricted and liberated, carrying with it the essence of a soul yearning to break free.’ – Alice Penrose
Hidden though heartfelt.
When Alice hinted at the book and her thoughts being hidden within the confines of ink and paper she was poetically describing the total secrecy required to protect her inner most vibrations. Literally keeping the diary hidden in a hole in the ground so her preacher father would not find it. His discovering such thoughts, whilst innocent and curious, would have resulted in discipline so far out of context you would have thought she was the devil herself. Such was the ferocity of her fathers biblical interpretations.
On many occasions Alice would tell those who attended her secret meetings, how she would read these diary pages and thoughts regularly as a source of strength for herself. The writing of thoughts she always found gave her an instant release, a birth of freedom within her mind, some clarity, some closure, some direction and space for the next thoughts but reading them back to herself would always without fail cement her self belief.
She spoke many times of her fascination for the amazing freedom and relief she would feel as she let go of her thoughts onto pen and paper in contrast to the amazing inspiration and strength she would receive by revisiting those same words at another moment of time, with a different mood and new experiences and expectations to add. She often spoke of her gratitude to her younger self for laying this foundation for her present self.
She would bounce off her past thoughts and experiences when she needed guidance. Her younger self was always as source of inspiration, on those dark days now when she felt she had no more steam to keep going, she would see herself at such a young age being so strong and hopeful. This image in her mind, this vibration recalled through her soul, was the fuel of her pioneering spirit.
Also. This made her think of others as she always did. Their benefiting from this inner strength. When you doubt what you can do, and yet its already there waiting to be awoken and released.
We all have it. Yet this world of dominant preacher fathers; the flock of self righteous, don’t want you to find it. The very nature of organised religion at this time was making sure you knew your place and the child inside would never be content with staying still, in one place. Especially a place dictated by some one else. Someone who only had their best interests at heart and not yours. The child inside wants to explore and grow and laugh and love and be part of a vibrating community that all move and bounce in the same direction. False Gods want that child chained deep inside.
So maybe Alice saw her role, in some ways, as the ante dote to this diseased way of control living. She didn’t have the cure but she had the choices to present to those who were struggling as she once did.
Those searching, as she once did alone, could benefit from the wisdom of her young self, teaching them to look inside towards their own young self for the same strength. To see where they had come from themselves, under such shackles, and so to see where they could truly go with total freedom and support and belief.
Genuine freedom is contagious.
So, without thought or fear, Alice started gathering other experiences. Published writers of her time. Elder sisters in her village and surrounding areas. Other brave women of which there were many. As well as sharing her own. Moulding them all into a handbook of liberation.
Eventually, Alice’s secret journey and exploration of the experiences and thoughts from these female authors and women of the country, fuelled her determination to break free from the confines of her village and advocate for women’s rights. Each blank page she turned, to begin again, was a step toward her own liberation, and she could feel her spirit growing stronger with every word she wrote and read. Every image she conjured. Every breath of every hopeful vibration.
Alice Penrose always commented on her energy being so consuming as she was a vibrational being. That, despite the isolation of a curious child having her soul being shackled against her will by the control of what she considered false teachings, she had developed a connection to the universe that often uplifted her. Often as in a constant state of uplifting.
Sometimes she could sense herself chasing that feeling of a weight being lifted from her shoulders, that relief which enlightenment would bring to her. So light would her soul become, she would say, especially in moments of an instant clear mind.
She aptly described this sensation in a pamphlet she wrote and distributed, considering contrasting feelings. ‘Would you stay with those dark heavy shadows tying one down, climbing towards a hope that may be a mirage when you could float from hope to hope to joy.’ She wrote.
QUOTE from hope to hope to joy 1867.
‘The sensation of relief and lightness that follows the lifting of a heavy problem is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s as if a burden, once etched into the very fibres of your being, suddenly evaporates, leaving behind a profound sense of liberation in both the body and the mind.
Physically, there’s a tangible release of tension. Muscles, once coiled tightly in response to stress, gradually unwind. The weight that seemed to press on shoulders and chest lifts, allowing the body to expand and breathe more freely. It’s a sensation of unshackling, as if the heaviness has been replaced by buoyancy, and the body feels as though it can move more effortlessly.
Mentally, the lifting of a heavy problem creates a space where clarity and calmness can flourish. The mind, once entangled in the intricate web of worry and stress, experiences a sudden release from the relentless grip of negative thoughts. There’s room for optimism, creativity, and a renewed sense of purpose. It’s like stepping out from the shadows into the warm embrace of sunlight, where everything seems clearer and more vibrant.
The emotional response is often marked by a surge of positivity. The heart, no longer burdened, beats with a lighter rhythm. There’s a feeling of elation, a sense that the clouds have parted to reveal a brighter, more hopeful sky. It’s a profound emotional shift from the weight of despair to the lightness of hope.
In essence, the amazing feeling that accompanies the lifting of a heavy problem is a holistic experience that involves the body, mind, and emotions. It’s a liberation that allows you to stand taller, breathe deeper, and move forward with a newfound sense of freedom and resilience.’
The decision was as big as the book…
The moment Alice made the decision to write “Daughter of Liberation” was a turning point, a convergence of emotions and circumstances that propelled her towards a path of self-expression and advocacy.
It began with an unshakeable sense of internal unrest, a growing realization that her experiences within the confines of her village and the struggles she faced as a preacher’s daughter held a broader significance. The walls of silence that surrounded her were suffocating, and the weight of unspoken stories echoed in her heart. It was a simmering discontent, a call to break free from the chains of secrecy that bound her.
Emotionally, Alice felt a mix of fear and determination. The fear emanated from the potential consequences of exposing her innermost thoughts and challenging the norms of her community. The determination, however, was fuelled by an intrinsic belief that her story, once set free, could be a catalyst for change—not just for herself but for other women grappling with similar circumstances.
There was a moment of clarity, a realization that her words had the power to transcend her own narrative and become a source of strength for others. The decision to write became a declaration of agency, a refusal to be silenced by the expectations and limitations imposed upon her. It was a moment of emotional liberation, where the yearning to share, connect, and empower overcame the fear of judgment.
As she put pen to paper, the initial trepidation transformed into a surge of empowerment. Each word penned was a step towards reclaiming her voice, a gesture of defiance against the silence that had held her captive. The emotional landscape she navigated during this decision-making process was a complex interplay of vulnerability, courage, and a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the lives of women who, like her, longed for liberation.
Letting go, that you too shall receive
Alice later paraphrased the pamphlet as she released “Daughter of Liberation” into the world, a profound sense of purpose and fulfilment enveloped her.
The weight of her words transcended the pages, carrying with them the potential to ignite sparks of liberation in the hearts of women across the globe.
In the quiet moments before the world would unfold the tapestry of her story, Alice felt a blend of vulnerability and empowerment. She felt the weight of the Universe leave her for the calm open arms of those who would need.
There was a deep satisfaction in knowing that her experiences, once hidden in the secret recesses of a diary, had now transformed into a beacon of hope for others. The thought that her words could be a lifeline for women navigating similar struggles resonated within her, creating a profound connection that transcended geographical boundaries.
Alice envisioned her book as a gentle hand reaching across cultures and societies, a testament to the universal strength found in breaking free from constraints. The anticipation of her words resonating with women in distant corners of the world fuelled a sense of responsibility—a realization that her narrative could be a source of solace, encouragement, and empowerment for those who felt trapped.
The knowledge that “Daughter of Liberation” might serve as a guide, a source of inspiration, or a companion for someone seeking their own path to freedom brought tears of gratitude and humility to Alice’s eyes. It was not just a book; it was a contribution to a collective narrative of resilience, a ripple that could extend beyond her own experiences to touch the lives of women she might never meet.
As the book embarked on its journey into the hands and hearts of readers around the world, Alice stood at the intersection of vulnerability and strength, aware that her words had the power to echo in the hearts of others, whispering, “You are not alone. Liberation is possible. Your story matters.”