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Michael Jackson: Spiritual Messenger Hiding in Plain SightSubmitted by One Wordsmith on Sat, 03/20/2010 - 1:15pm
There are those rare visionaries who come along, maybe a few every millennia: the Bodhisattvas of the world. They are usually empaths who begin in childhood to literally feel the pain of the world and make vows to the cosmos early in life to change or improve it. They go about spreading awareness and mobilizing forces for change in order to make the world a better place. Counted among them are: Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, John Lennon, Lady Diana Spencer, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mattie Stepanek, Nelson Mandela and a little Moonwalker.
The most famous man on earth literally stopped the world and the Internet when he became immortal on June 25, 2009. Michael Jackson was such a one— a cheerleader for humanity and a force for coalescing compassion and mobilizing global forces for change, philanthropy and social reform. A global messenger, Michael’s rise to stardom afforded him visibility and a worldwide platform from which to broadcast his message. His boldness and artistry garnered attention and Michael knew how to get attention. When he pulled enough people in and had everybody’s attention—he emphatically delivered the message. It was cloaked in a form that everyone could understand—the universal language of music.
As a child, he acutely felt the pain of the world and especially the world’s children. Michael’s words in his book Dancing the Dream reveal a thread of spirituality and mysticism rare for one so young. His body of work is filled with myth, metaphor and musical and visual story that encodes a stunning spiritual message for the human race. One has to look closely and deeper for the real message: his Ghost short film holds a jaw dropping message about humanity, mirror and shadow.
His Man in the Mirror song written by Siedah Garrett, became a Gandhi-esque anthem for a generation. He donated 100% of the proceeds of that song to charity as he did with many of his concerts including the Victory Tour with his brothers. Man in the Mirror encourages self reflection and mastery and being the change you wish to see in the world: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror; I’m asking him to change his ways; no message could have been any clearer; if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.”
Michael also produced They Don’t Care about Us and other songs to address police brutality and mistreatment by authority. His song and video Black or White changed minds and advanced racial equality and multicultural diversity. His We are the World composition with Lionel Richie and accompanying video gathered 39 of the most visible faces on earth to raise millions to save lives in Africa. Heal the World was sung by children around the globe and at the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show where the whole stadium became a collage of earth’s children of all races and ethnic origins. Michael was the impetus behind Live Aid, Band Aid and he is responsible for starting the trend for musicians and celebrities to engage in fundraising and philanthropy.
His environmental anthem and epic music video Earth Song, was a prominent feature of his planned comeback concert This Is It. Earth Song carries the message that we must become not only custodians but stewards of the planet or risk destroying or losing it. His spiritual messages in the form of self-reflection, commitment and action boldly took on: racism, inequality, war, poverty, gangs, illicit drugs, apathy, the misuse of power, evil, at risk youth, education, family bonds and a host of contemporary social issues. Videos of Earth Song Live can be found on You Tube stunningly raw in their emotion and stark in their message.
Michael’s Don’t Stop till You get Enough is about the Force featured in Star Wars by George Lucas; he was a fan of both Lucas and Spielberg and he understood the concept of The Force, an intuitive conscious energy that permeates creation. He often said it was that intuitive energy, Force, or God who wrote his lyrics, performed and worked through him. He denied his own genius saying that his creativity and power didn’t come from him but through him. He writes about it Dancing the Dream. The last album Michael produced, Invincible included Cry, a song about us—meaning humanity the collective, being the chosen one and needing some kind of sign that we are: ‘on it’… the mission to change the world and create a better version of the human.
Michael’s international concerts featured a military tank screaming onto stage and a soldier who lays down his weapon for a child who extends an offering of peace. He organized concerts at the world’s troubled spots like the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea asking his promoters to send him where he was needed. He teamed up with Pavarotti in benefits for the Warchild organization to help children in Kosovo and Guatemala. He organized a series of benefit concerts in Germany and Korea. He recruited Slash, The Scorpions, Boyz II Men, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, A. R. Rahman, Prabhu Deva Sundaram, Shobana Chandrakumar, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti for the Michael Jackson and Friends concerts. The proceeds were donated to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, the Red Cross and UNESCO.
After the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City, Michael Jackson helped organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., which aired on October 21, 2001 and included dozens of major artists. His song What More Can I Give was written for the benefit and he donated it to the 9/11 families. He founded the Michael Jackson Burn Center at Culver City Memorial Hospital in California. Attending President Clinton’s inauguration, he asked for more funding for AIDS research after Ryan White, another child he had befriended, died from the disease. Michael Jackson is listed in the Guinness World Book of Records as supporting the most charities of any entertainer—thirty nine of them. He met with heads of state and marched with armies round the world. The arm band he wore every day on his sleeve was homage to children and he vowed to wear it until there were no more wars on the planet and no more hungry children. His taped fingers were to remind him and us that there were still injured and suffering children in the world.
Michael, while on tour, would visit orphanages and hospitals in the countries where he played to concert audiences. He often met with leaders and if he found deplorable conditions during his visits, he would threaten to cancel a concert unless the conditions improved within 24 hours. No one ever ignored his demands for it would likely have caused citizen revolts. There are also hundreds of stories from people who were personally contacted by Michael Jackson. After a sniper opened fire at Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California, Michael called the local sheriff to request an escort from the airport to the school to visit the children; Dave Dave was a child who was badly burned when his father doused him with kerosene and lit him on fire and Michael, upon hearing the story, insisted on meeting and befriending him; Bela Farcas needed a liver transplant when Michael met him at Bethesda Hospital in Budapest so Michael paid for his new liver; he funded burials for children whose families couldn’t afford them and in one case, he sent his sequined jacket and a glove for the child to be buried in; he donated clothing and belongings for fundraisers and was the recipient of humanitarian awards too many to mention during his life and more since the recognition of his contributions since his death.
For decades, his Neverland Valley Ranch hosted monthly guest vacations, whether he was there or traveling, for children who were: gravely ill, inner city, handicapped, poor, at risk youth, gang affiliated, disenfranchised and disillusioned. The video for his famous Beat It featured real gang members Michael recruited—the Crips and the Bloods who collaborated to film it; the two groups had never before cooperated on anything except violence. His work with children was legion and very dear to his heart. Twice during his career, his celebrity, wealth and deep pockets brought accusers and accusations into his life—of improprieties with children. The accusations hurt him deeply and were later proven false and attempts to extort money from him. Although found innocent, the ordeal of his 2005 trial had harmed his reputation and was deeply wounding causing him to never host children at his fantasy ranch, nor live there again. He left his home feeling it had been sullied irreversibly by unscrupulous accusers and underhanded law enforcement personnel. He would never again sleep in his bedroom, in fact sleeping at all became rare; his sleep problems escalated and eventually led to his untimely and eerie death.
Most of Jackson’s work asks us to be emissaries of change and the evolution of human consciousness. The man leaves in his wake, an unparalleled humanitarian legacy, planetary midwifery and the alchemical power of the Bodhisattva used to enhance humanity and the planet. Using voice, magic, majesty, artistry, dance, mystery, sensuality, musical genius, enchantment and colossal talent to get their attention, pull people in, and marshal forces to deliver his message Michael trumpeted the message: Heal the world, make it a better place; make that change and change the world.”
If one digs underneath the hype, sensationalism and medialoid portrayal of Jackson, one finds a visionary and true humanitarian. If one looks beyond the label of “crazed” attributed to his fans, one finds mostly intelligent, thoughtful people who quite possibly are the greatest legacy he left this world. As the world’s most famous and visible global humanitarian and cheerleader, he leaves behind a worldwide family of 250 million admirers who are taking his teachings seriously. Michael always said his fans were his legacy. Many in the media have given them a cursory dismissal because of the “fan” label. But they got the message and they mean to be the change they want to see in the world and make it a better place. They are an army of humanitarians who are being the change. They mobilize themselves and resources for causes like the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and others. They got Michael’s message and are weaving it into their lives.
Perhaps it’s time Michael Jackson is recognized for who he really was and not for the media frenzied and tabloid portrayal that pandered to a sophomoric public drunk and fixated on the cult of celebrity. His genius is there for anyone who wants to take a closer look, who wants the truth and not the tabloid caricature version. If he were recognized for his real accomplishments we would see an unappreciated visionary and genius, a spiritual teacher among us who was hiding in plain sight and masquerading as a Moonwalking Maker of Magic. If you feel impelled at all to take a closer look you may find your mouth agape and your surprise staggering. And you might even come to understand the Force that was Michael Jackson; then the real legend continues.
(c) B. Kaufmann One Wordsmith
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quote:
Spiritual Messenger Indeed!
"Once every several centuries of mankind, God sends somebody special. A wake-up call. Somebody to enlighten the people in the way to be. Somebody to excite the people. Somebody to bring people together. And I think Michael was a gift from God that he sent to show people how to be, how to love."
~ Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett, Michael Jackson's drummer for 30 years (quote from This Is It "Memories of Michael")
"He was an angel walkin' the planet!" ~ Kenny Ortega, This Is It "Memories of Michael"
Michael's spirit will live on within the hearts of those who love him and who continue to live their lives to carry his message to the world. He has inspired us all to be the best we can possibly be - discovering new gifts, new courage, learning the lessons he tried to teach in his lifetime, we are forever changed in our hearts because of him. This is the stuff of miracles in life - what God is all about!
by Heather H. - 03/28/2010 - 1:43pm
Celebrating Michael
A million people can tell us how to live and we'll never change, but oh-so-rarely a person comes along who can truly show us -- and this is priceless. Michael was given so many talents and worked so hard to cultivate them that he was able to show, not 50 or 100 people what it means to do right, but billions. The thought is staggering. Michael was appreciated by so many during his lifetime, and after his death the reverberations of this Supernova must only increase outwards. I am only one person among millions learning from his example but already I feel a change in myself, I see it: new determination, new strength, new understanding. If Michael hadn't been put through the hell that he was we could not have known everything he had inside him and would not have been so deeply moved. I believe that even in Michael's darkest hours he understood that God had a plan for him and believed he was strong enough to carry it out. Thank you, Reverend Kaufmann, for using your talents to introduce the real Michael to even more of us. One by one we are changing the world and inspiring others to do the same.
by pediadoc - 03/28/2010 - 12:15am
The Miracle of Michael Jackson
I am a 43 y/o pediatrician in the Philippines who didn't follow Michael Jackson much when I was a teen. And in medical school, my world was pretty narrow- school, work, sleep. After his death, i saw This is It and instantly knew this man was not who they are saying he was. He was radiating kindness and love through the whole film. I would not say I am a fan, but ceratinly I am a believer because since his death I have revisited his work. I think Michael was at peace when he died because he was at peace with GOD and at the end of our journey in life, that's what matters most. He died not waiting for the sun to set but eagerly waiting for the dawn of performing again to his fans. The workaholic that Michael was, he would not have tolerated idleness in his twilight years. He left this earth as vibrant and as young as when he came. GOD, in His wisdom, gave him a better way of exit in his career- that of performing around the globe with the documentary movie. London would have witnessed the miracle of his last concert, but now Michael is reborn to a new generation. In the past, fans were so mesmerized with the visual grandeur of his performances that maybe they forgot to listen to his prophetic words.That changes now. Once again children are dancing the Moonwalk. There is a renewed energy of singing and dancing his songs. He may have leftt this world physically but his spirit is very much alive!
Thank you Reverend for being a light. Michael's fans are still hurting about his death and you are an anchor in that sea of emotions.
I wanted to say here at Voices for Education Project that I have this club of college girls who teach children the song HEAL THE WORLD so that they may grow up with that hymn in their minds and in their hearts so that hopefully when they become adults they will remember the song and work to bring it into reality.
by Nina Hamilton - 03/26/2010 - 4:05pm
Celebrity victims of the media i.e. Michael Jackson.
When I was working for a weekly provincial newspaper even back in the 1970's, I often found that some facts had to be presented with a certain bias or twist, that I did not always agree with; facts were even omitted sometimes. So it's true, you can't always believe what you read in the newspapers!
Tabloids print their titillating lies about others' misfortunes - not their own, of course - only to make money. They give people the sensationalist thrills that consumers don't realise appeal to a baser human nature. They believe that somehow the world of celebrity brightens up their lives; are their lives really so sad and drab that this is necessary?
Bad news sells, and it sadly appeals to the not-so-lofty part of human nature. The tragedy of all this is; people believe it because it's in the papers so it must therefore be true! This highlights an ugly form of human greed, competition and survival at any cost. Those of a certain mentality, not their fault, of course, because they haven't learned differently, accept things as gospel.
Television advertising for questionable products is but one example of media manipulation; because it's made so attractive, people believe they must have the product even when it may be of poor quality.
As you write: 'Words can kill', and in these cases they did. I believe that the human spirit and goodness will triumph even if it takes a while.
Michael Jackson was an unstoppable juggernaut in life, in death he is certainly that, and more, for the aftershock wave is global.
I support your words and I wish you every success with this to 'make that change' to 'heal the world.'
by JacquelineMinarick - 03/26/2010 - 7:36am
Michael Jackson: Spiritual Messenger
I do believe that life as I knew it ended on June 25, 2009 the moment that Michael Jackson left this earth. I did not know exactly what was happening, because I had never experienced such a feeling before, therefore I had no point of reference. I describe this awakening as a kind of shift in the universe, for lack of better words. In the days, weeks, and months that have passed since that day, which is now a marker on the timeline of my lifetime, I have discovered that there is a worldwide phenonenom in motion and I am a part of it.
The people of the world are hearing, and spreading Michael's message of L-O-V-E. The thought that people throughout history have spent zillions of dollars and invested years of time and taken countless number of lives along the way is incredulous to me, when, in my opinion, the answer to the world's problems comes down to one four letter word and that is the word "love". This is Michael's message. The world needs more love. At times it has been difficult to put this experience into words because the more that I learn about Michael Jackson's legacy as described so beautifully by Barbara Kaufmann, the more at a loss for words I become. I am astounded by Michael's achievements for the earth and it's inhabitants because he was only one man yet he did the work of millions. I only know about what achievements were published, and factual. There is a whole other half of Michael's lifetime achievements that were done anonymously. People who spent time in Michael's enchanted presence will be coming forward and talking about these secret visits and donations that Michael insisted on keeping private for decades to come. I believe there isn't enough paper in the world to record Michael's Jackson's legacy. I conclude that Michael would be the one to invent the right word that encompasses his existence on earth because no word currently exists in the human vocabulary.
by Marilyn Turkovich - 03/24/2010 - 11:53am
We Are the World: For Africa and For Haiti
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by Tania Dunkley - 03/24/2010 - 6:43am
An Inspirational Figure of Our Time
Michael Jackson is truly an inspirational figure of our time. And indeed, need we look no further than the extraordinary example of his life, of how one human being can reach out and touch so many lives and affect such a positive change on our world.
His influence, through the awesome power of music and dance, has extended to every corner of our planet and moved millions of hearts to take up the challenge of healing our world through positive and constructive actions.
The light that shines through Michael Jackson's example of a life well lived and served, has now become the legacy of his fans. We now gladly take up that torch and vow to continue the work he has started to bring about positive changes for the benefit of all humanity.
It begins in the hearts and minds of those who are open to the call (and challenge) of looking in the mirror and making that change firstly within ones's own self.
Michael Jackson's untimely passing forced me to take a look in my own mirror - and I didnt like what I saw or the shadows I was casting. It was in researching his life more deeply and learning about his awe-inspiring humanitarian efforts, listening much more intently to the words and meanings in his songs and being truly amazed with his strength of mind and character that the light finally 'switched on' in my own heart, mind and soul, and demanded that I become the change I wanted to see in the world. I now carry this with me in everything I say and do.
Thankyou for this beautiful tribute to a truly wonderful and awe-inspiring human being.
His legacy will live forever. Love is stronger than hate.
Tania from Australia
by Suvie - 03/23/2010 - 4:57am
The lover of humanity
I was no Michael Jackson fan, I had not even heard a single song of his and over the years I had dismissed him as a super famous weirdo and that was it. Thats what I had "heard" and "read" and I had not bothered to explore more.
When Michael Jackson left his physical form last year thats when I started exploring the person he was out of "curiousity" and I must admit that I had a preconceived notion of what I will find...I was sure I will find how super rich and super famous self destruct because they are not connected to something higher than fame. They are destined to go down spirally...
But boy was I WRONG!! And how wrong? 7 long months of scraping the media dirt off Michael Jackson...I found something incredible...
I found out that if he was not an unparalled mega star he would be known the world over for his kindness, for his love, his genorisity of spirt...for his unstoppable mission of "healing the world".
I found the Michael jackson who united the world, its races and genders through his music and the deep message in his music and songs. A man with a heart of a child and the drive of a warrior.
And its a miracle that all the non-stop and cruel attacks against this man did not make him a junkie, suicidal or bitter. God protected Michael Jackson because he tried his best to be Godlike in his actions. He never stopped giving...
Michael Jackson was indeed odd, he was the most famous person on earth who oddly LOVED VERY DEEPLY...when he could have easily cared little.
Knowing the truth about Michale Jackson, the lover of humanity, its children and planet earth, I am a new fan who vows to carry the torch from where he left.
Suvie from India.
by LMT - 03/22/2010 - 7:44pm
Spiritual Messenger
This is a wonderful testament to the extent and reach of Michael Jackson's life work.
His humanitarian efforts and determination to deliver his message is quite
remarkable. In my own journey to discover the man behind the media veil,
I found evidence everywhere of his special light in our world. There is so much
clarity and consistency in everything he did, it's amazing and awful that
the media managed to affect our perception of the man to such an extent.
Thank you so much for clearly and precisely revealing his legacy. Terrific.