Music was once an accompaniment to other things—movies, dance, variety entertainment, something to dance to with your main squeeze; it just wasn’t much of a standalone genre. Until American Bandstand; until MTV and music videos; until the 60s revolution with its Hendrix, Joplin, Beatles and the soul music of Motown. Then came the dance craze and 70s disco boogie. Before those times, music was something that accompanied something or led to something else.
Music was entertainment, a soul-soothing balm for those who came home weary of the work-a-day world. Maybe it even provided a short transcendental escape or vacation from the mundane. But it was never a Force—until Michael. The Beatles and groups of that era began to co-opt music for social revolution and change. But Michael brought it Force.
Force in that sense is hard to define; it may not even have definition separate from Michael. Michael didn’t just sing about social change, he engineered it. His “We Are the World” idea, songwriting with Lionel Richie and the concert record featuring 39 musical artists was a first. And a Force. Before Michael, philanthropy rested in the hands of social service, not the entertainment industry. Michael harnessed that Force and not only did it change the music industry, but it changed the world.
There is another kind of Force that pervades Michael’s music—the sheer Force of Energy. There is an enlivened and conscious energy that permeates the Universe, life and reality. It is the Force of Star Wars, the intuitive and powerful impetus inhabiting and animating all of life. The ancients, and even not-so-ancients knew of this force and they have had names for it—Chi, Qi, Ki, Mana, Reiki, Prana and Ruah.
Just as the circulatory system circulates blood around the body, and the lymph system carries away waste, there is another system of channels that circulates another kind of energy. The knowledge of this system is ancient and can be traced as far back as ancient China. Acupuncture maps these lines and channels of energy- the meridians and nadis. It is based on the principle that energy can get stuck or accumulates in the wrong places and a tiny needle is used to stir the block and stimulate the balanced flow of energy again.
Another esoteric parallel system is the Kundalini channel. Stemming from ancient Hindu scripture, Kundalini energy is described as mimicking a fiery volcano of energy that when fully activated, rises from the sacrum and sears its way upward through the spine and up to the top of the head. It is spoken of as a coiled snake that rises up the backbone and flows like a waterfall from the crown chakra over the top of the head. It can also be channeled back into the body by closing the circuit—and is depicted as the serpent swallowing its own tail. For those who have experienced it there is no mistaking it. Kundalini is sometimes associated with sexual energy as the two are closely related. Tantric Yoga practices capturing this energy and channeling it into spiritual enlightenment rather than allowing it to expel itself in the release of orgasm. It is possible that ancient Christians knew of this energy and its sublimation as priests were expected to remain celibate—possibly an attempt to channel the priest’s bio-energies into spiritual enlightenment rather than sexual pleasure or orgiastic release.
Michael’s performance in This Is It, during his attempt to hold back from “singing full out” in order to conserve his voice, reveals the kind of Force that moved through his body and he manipulated in vocal shamanism and dance. His body is visibly humming with it and his performance shimmers with it. If his manipulation of Chi was that powerful and forceful in rehearsal, what must it have been like in a live concert?
This Force of Michael Jackson explains a lot if looked at shamanically and metaphysically. His audience would have felt that Force from him—that is how much amplitude it had. He would have bathed them in it. There are gurus who can do this and their devotees will tell you that walking into the room where they are simply seated can cause whiplash, the force is so powerful. These advanced adepts can also create nectar and materialize things from thin air.
It appears Michael materialized a great deal more than is visible to the naked eye at his concerts. And he used powerful amplifiers to magnify the sound and music so that not only could it be clearly heard everywhere, but the force of it could be physically felt. Seems that Michael clearly knew what he was doing.
Michael allowed that Force to burn its way through him, and he allowed himself to become a container for its pure and raw power. When Michael sang, danced and performed, he gave himself over. He emoted because he couldn’t stem the force and power of the tide. Becoming someone else on stage, Michael stepped out of the way and let the power have him. And it took his audience too.
The Force that Michael channeled and that poured through his body was the creative Force—the creation impulse of the Creator of the Universe. Michael called this impulse “God.” It has been called by many names and “God” is certainly one. It is the intelligent awareness or consciousness of the Universe or God that can be harnessed and channeled into creative expression—music, dance, art.
Looking backward from This Is It and into the archives of Michael’s performances will reveal this phenomenon to the aware observer. It was often said of Michael that he became dehydrated and would persevere to the point of exhaustion yet he could not sleep after concerts. That spotlights the shear power of this kind of energy when amassed, harnessed and used for creative expression. It’s explosive; it’s fire; it’s the burst and birth from the Cosmic Virgin, pregnant with creative genesis. Michael knew both sides of that Force. Intimately. And we knew it through him. It can still be felt and experienced in his music, videos and tapes of concerts.
You don’t become the most famous man on earth and amass audiences all over the world and sell 750 million records and you do not hold 70,000 people in the palm of your hand during one concert without some kind of alchemical magic. People don’t faint from the sight of someone wielding that kind of power; they faint from the power. People don’t cry because they feel emotion for, or in the presence of a pop star; they cry because they are in the presence of Divine Spirit. It’s a mass immersion, a baptism, and a healing not from Michael, but from what came through him. And as Michael knew well, sometimes you use it and sometimes it uses you. It used Michael a lot.
20 Comments
This is so amazing. Some months ago as I began my journey to discover
who Michael was/is, watching his concerts was one of the most pleasurable
ways to study him. I remember thinking that that mass of people were
responding to something besides Michael. Either the expression of
his talent from the Creator that he so perfected; or it was a communal
recognition of God/Love itself. Different levels for different souls
but still the same. That was my rudimentary thought at the time.
Now, with this wonderful explanation of the Force/Creator moving
through that man, what I feel is wonder and longing for that emotion
again. So that’s why I spent hours watching; that’s why I can’t get
enough–
The most wonderous thing is it is still palpable on tape, sometimes
pretty old tape—the living human being is gone but the power and
love expression remains always–amazing.
Simply beautiful…………
Once again, Barbara Kaufmann, you have done the impossible. You have described Michael’s transcendental power in words any layman can understand. You have a gift of bringing the esoteric into everyday consciousness with ease and flow. I am breathless after reading this piece. I am so glad you got Michael’s invitation to delve into his magic and to be moved and enchanted by it.
Thank you for this Easter offering. It is appropriately timed. I read it on Easter morning. The Resurrection of Christ … and the resurrection of Michael. How fitting!
Dear Barbara, Another powerful piece of writing from you that goes to the heart of Michael. He always said that the gift he was given was from the Creator and that it flowed through him. We are so lucky that we do have the tapes of his concerts that we can still experience this force from Divine Spirit, even though the messenger has gone. I can feel it strongly when I’m watching in my front room. I can only imagine how powerful it became when you were there in person. I so agree with Jan when she said it was appropriately timed for Easter.We discover a little more about Michael each time you write a new article and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.This journey of discovery that we are all on together is bringing me so much joy and comfort. Love Anne, UK
Dear Barbara: Once again, thank you for putting into words what I have felt in my heart for so many years. I was never able to articulate how I felt after seeing Michael in concert. The wave of love and embracing warmth that emanated from the man came to every individual in the audience, no matter how far removed one was from him. The love and embrace of the Creator, through his messenger. Often the tears were simply the pain of not wanting to let got of that warmth and that embrace. I am so thankful that you have answered the call to be the Creator’s messenger also, and so grateful that I have found your words over these past months of mourning. Love and Peace, Sue, Mesa, AZ
“It’s a mass immersion; a baptism…” Yes, that is exactly what it felt like, Barbara. In all honesty, a Michael Jackson concert was like, well, a ‘religious experience’ of some sort. You walked out of there changed; changed, exhausted, totally loved and totally loving every atom of the Universe. It’s true. I was blessed to experience this at least once in this life. I wish everyone would have. As Bob Geldof said at the 1996 Brit Awards: “When Michael Jackson sings, it is with the voice of angels and when his feet move, you can see God dancing.”
It is wonderful and painful to read a description of what it
was like at a live concert. It is confirming and soothing. We
as a global human community are so blessed to have had Michael
among us. And I am so grateful for Barbara’s ability to shine
a light on this messenger, who he was, what God gave us through
him and what we can do to really make this world better.
Thank you for this perfect post. You are such an inspiration. There is such a sense of unity and completeness – I can’t explain it, but the universe is starting to make more sense to me, reading your words.
Thank you Rev Barbara for this amazing post. I found myself nodding my head in complete agreement to every single word. I was very blessed to have witnessed this Force of music through Michael in the live concert experience and give thanks to God often for that blessing. I was trying to explain as best I could on an online MJ discussion forum group exactly what this experience was like. I couldn’t do it justice- what I felt and experienced. I found it to be so totally overwhelming and completely ‘out of body’ and my words fell way short of what I was hoping to convey because of that emotion. I love your words ‘its a mass immersion; a baptism’. Yes! And I also experienced it to be as intimate as a ‘one on one’ or private audience moment at one time throughout the concert. Thank you again for this spot-on rendering of Michael’s musical life-force. You have given a voice to what I feel in my heart and soul but couldnt adequately express to the forum group. God bless you!
Barbara, thank you! You have expressed so clearly something that I have attempted to explain to others who ask why Michael’s fans are so “out of control” at his concerts or at any time when in his presence. I have watched Michael’s “Live in Bucharest” DVD many times over, each time feeling that Force more and more, and understanding it more and more. I’m amazed to witness this on my television screen…I can only imagine what that force must have felt like in person!! I heard someone say in an interview a while back that Michael Jackson was the only entertainer ever that required 12 medical tents to be set up outside the stadiums at his concerts. Who else has that kind of effect on people?! I feel tremendously blessed to have received this wonderful gift – the awareness of that powerful Force in Michael. It amazes, feedsm nourishes me, and adds to my own light and energy. And it will keep me going when I feel like I don’t have it in me to be his voice in the world. He won’t let me back away from this contrat; his Force is that big and that powerful!
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for putting into words what I felt in my heart many years after seeing him in concert in my home town in Italy, in ’88. I felt ‘something’ coming through him and it was so energetic and strong but at the same time so sweet, I remember thinking: “I don’t understand what it is but this is ‘something else’… I was moved to tears and at the same time felt so happy and energetic that I felt like running and jumping all over..
Thank you for this. I remembered U.S. Andersen’s book “Three magic words.” Or in Andersen’s words: “that man’s consciousness is God’s consciousness in process of becoming.” I then remember what Michael said in his 1993 interview with Oprah where he revealed the reason for the very existence of Art:
O: And I believe everybody comes in, comes to the world for a reason, I think. Most of us have spent the life trying to figure out what the purpose of our being here is. What do you think yours is?
MJ: My purpose? Oh boy. I think to give in the best way I can, through song and through dance and through music. I mean I’m committed to my art. I believe that all art has its untimate goal,the union between the material and the spiritual of the human and the divine. I believe that to be the reason for the very existance of art. And I feel I was chosen as an instrument to just give music and love and harmony to the world,to children of all ages, adults and teenagers.”
Of music Michael said it was given to him from above. He even said he was channeling it. He simply was the one that was open and willing enough to let everything come through, that wanted to come through. You do not write the songs he wrote without your own consciousness being affected. One does not dance like that, without effect. When music and dance become the air that you breathe, the water around you, the fire engulfing you- that was the call he heeded. It was that willingness to open up. And to surrender to it. And effect he had.
Thank you Rev Barbara for this amazing post. I found myself nodding my head in complete agreement to every single word. I was very blessed to have witnessed this Force of music through Michael in a live concert. I was trying to explain on an online MJ discussion forum group exactly what this experience was like. I couldn’t do it justice. I found it to be so totally overwhelming and completely ‘out of body’ and my words fell way short of what I was hoping to convey because of that emotion. I love your words ‘its a mass immersion; a baptism’. Yes! And I also experienced it to be as intimate as a ‘one on one’ or private audience moment at one time throughout the concert. Thank you again for this spot-on rendering of Michael’s musical life-force. You have given a voice to what I feel in my heart and soul but couldn’t adequately express to the forum group. God bless you!
Thank you Rev Barbara for this amazing post. I found myself nodding my head in complete agreement to every single word. I was very blessed to have witnessed this Force of music through Michael in the live concert experience and give thanks to God often for that blessing. I was trying to explain as best I could on an online MJ discussion forum group exactly what this experience was like. I couldn’t do it justice- what I felt and experienced. I found it to be so totally overwhelming and completely ‘out of body’ and my words fell way short of what I was hoping to convey because of that emotion. I love your words ‘its a mass immersion; a baptism’. Yes! And I also experienced it to be as intimate as a ‘one on one’ or private audience moment at one time throughout the concert. Thank you again for this spot-on rendering of Michael’s musical life-force. You have given a voice to what I feel in my heart and soul but couldnt adequately express to the forum group. God bless you!
“It’s a mass immersion; a baptism…” Yes, that is exactly what it felt like, Barbara. In all honesty, a Michael Jackson concert was like, well, a ‘religious experience’ of some sort. You walked out of there changed; changed, exhausted, totally loved and totally loving every atom of the Universe. It’s true. I was blessed to experience this at least once in this life. I wish everyone would have. As Bob Geldof said at the 1996 Brit Awards: “When Michael Jackson sings, it is with the voice of angels and when his feet move, you can see God dancing.”
It is wonderful and painful to read a description of what it was like at a live concert. It is confirming and soothing. We as a global human community are so blessed to have had Michael among us. And I am so grateful for Barbara’s ability to shine a light on this messenger, who he was, what God gave us through
him and what we can do to really make this world better.
Thank you for this. I remembered U.S. Andersen’s book “Three magic words.” Or in Andersen’s words: “that man’s consciousness is God’s consciousness in process of becoming.” I then remember what Michael said in his 1993 interview with Oprah where he revealed the reason for the very existence of Art:
O: And I believe everybody comes in, comes to the world for a reason, I think. Most of us have spent the life trying to figure out what the purpose of our being here is. What do you think yours is?
MJ: My purpose? Oh boy. I think to give in the best way I can, through song and through dance and through music. I mean I’m committed to my art. I believe that all art has its untimate goal, the union between the material and the spiritual of the human and the divine. I believe that to be the reason for the very existance of art. And I feel I was chosen as an instrument to just give music and love and harmony to the world, to children of all ages, adults and teenagers.”
Of music Michael said it was given to him from above. He even said he was channeling it. He simply was the one that was open and willing enough to let everything come through, that wanted to come through. You do not write the songs he wrote without your own consciousness being affected. One does not dance like that, without effect. When music and dance become the air that you breathe, the water around you, the fire engulfing you- that was the call he heeded. It was that willingness to open up. And to surrender to it. And effect he had.
Thank you Rev Barbara for this amazing post. I found myself nodding my head in complete agreement to every single word. I was very blessed to have witnessed this Force of music through Michael in the live concert experience and give thanks to God often for that blessing. I was trying to explain as best I could on an online MJ discussion forum group exactly what this experience was like. I couldn’t do it justice- what I felt and experienced. I found it to be so totally overwhelming and completely ‘out of body’ and my words fell way short of what I was hoping to convey because of that emotion. I love your words ‘its a mass immersion; a baptism’. Yes! And I also experienced it to be as intimate as a ‘one on one’ or private audience moment at one time throughout the concert. Thank you again for this spot-on rendering of Michael’s musical life-force. You have given a voice to what I feel in my heart and soul but couldnt adequately express to the forum group. God bless you!
Thank you for this. I remembered U.S. Andersen’s book “Three magic words.” Or in Andersen’s words: “that man’s consciousness is God’s consciousness in process of becoming.” I then remember what Michael said in his 1993 interview with Oprah where he revealed the reason for the very existence of Art:
O: And I believe everybody comes in, comes to the world for a reason, I think. Most of us have spent the life trying to figure out what the purpose of our being here is. What do you think yours is?
MJ: My purpose? Oh boy. I think to give in the best way I can, through song and through dance and through music. I mean I’m committed to my art. I believe that all art has its untimate goal, the union between the material and the spiritual of the human and the divine. I believe that to be the reason for the very existance of art. And I feel I was chosen as an instrument to just give music and love and harmony to the world, to children of all ages, adults and teenagers.”
Of music Michael said it was given to him from above. He even said he was channeling it. He simply was the one that was open and willing enough to let everything come through, that wanted to come through. You do not write the songs he wrote without your own consciousness being affected. One does not dance like that, without effect. When music and dance become the air that you breathe, the water around you, the fire engulfing you- that was the call he heeded. It was that willingness to open up. And to surrender to it. And effect he had.
“It’s a mass immersion; a baptism…” Yes, that is exactly what it felt like, Barbara. In all honesty, a Michael Jackson concert was like, well, a ‘religious experience’ of some sort. You walked out of there changed; changed, exhausted, totally loved and totally loving every atom of the Universe. It’s true. I was blessed to experience this at least once in this life. I wish everyone would have. As Bob Geldof said at the 1996 Brit Awards: “When Michael Jackson sings, it is with the voice of angels and when his feet move, you can see God dancing.”