Bruce Newman’s "Open Doors #8" shines a spotlight on Jonlee Mendes, a former hardcore rap artist whose life and art embody poetry as a powerful driver of transformation. Mendes experienced a profound mystical awakening after surviving being shot multiple times on the streets in 2017 while under the influence of PCP. This near-death experience became a catalyst for radical change, leading him to embrace sobriety and dedicate his life to poetry and spirituality.Since that pivotal moment, Mendes has channeled his energy into his musical project “Amadeus Espiritus,” which blends poetry, music, and spiritual themes. Through this project and his podcasts, he explores mental health, emotional struggles, and the healing power of artistic expression. His work resonates with themes of addiction recovery, motivation, masculinity, and empowerment, reflecting his journey from darkness to light and his commitment to inspiring others through his art.Mendes’s transformation illustrates how poetry and spirituality can serve as vehicles for deep personal change and societal impact. His story is a testament to the redemptive power of creativity and the human spirit’s capacity to find meaning and hope after trauma. In "Open Doors #8," Bruce Newman presents Mendes not only as an artist but as a beacon of resilience and a guide for those seeking healing through the arts and spiritual awakening.