How much space does the human mind occupy? Is “mind” a metaphor or an entity? Does it live inside the folds of the brain? Outside? Does it have edges, boundaries, or restrictions? Is your mind limited by what you believe?
Jeanne Houston, called the “planetary midwife,” Brian Swimme, mathematician and cosmologist, and Peter Russell (The Global Brain) among other twentieth century mind gurus, have spoken about the scope of mind and brain and the “leaky margins” of that.
I have always loved the term “leaky margins.” It describes precisely what the new quantum theorists have been saying —that the whole of creation is interconnected. James Redfield featured the workings of the mind’s leaky margins in his book series that began with Celestine Prophecy through his latest work The Twelfth Insight.
The prevailing direction of thought and explorations seem to point to the idea that science and spirituality are not so divergent as we once thought. Consciousness limited to brain no longer dominates modern thinking but examines consciousness as mind and genesis and the building blocks of reality. Running through it all like a river is this idea of awareness, deliberateness, volition, organizing principle in action, an alive kind of … perhaps mind? Is the Universe the brain of God? Therefore do we live in the mind of God? In the mind that creates us? Are we a creation of the mind of creation in the mind of creation?
Many are seeing the connections of mind, universe, thought and reality. The idea that we create our reality has been around for while now replacing the old concept of fate as a fixed destination predetermined or determined by a series of accidents rather than destiny as a flow toward something. Once seen as accidental, we now see the universe, life and events as more the outcome of something set into motion. Something moving. We view it as randomly purposeful. Can life be lived deliberately rather than being viewed as being the outcome of a random series of influences? Can we invent the self? Engineer who we are?
Michael Jackson thought so. He too was a cosmologist and metaphysician. He understood the workings of the mind. He knew the building blocks of creation—human thought, mood and belief. In studying Michael’s work it becomes evident that he knew the power of thought, the impact of thought and belief and self determination upon the individual and collective consciousness and he deliberately set out to influence it.
As with everything in existence, there is a micro and macro mirror effect at work in all of life and in the life of an individual. Quantum research shows us that what one person does in the world affects everybody in that world. An electron here affects the trajectory of an unrelated electron there. We are all downwind of the prevailing reality.
Michael knew about affirmations. Affirmations first appeared in the works of self help guru authors in the last third of the twentieth century. The concept of affirmations, once thought radical or “out there” has become an accepted premise in our culture—“you reap what you sow;” “your destiny is in your hands;” “life is what you make it.” And of course “never letting fate control my soul.”
The concept is not new. The Lakota Elders know it as Taku Wakahn Skan Skan—“something sacred in motion.” Michael knew it. Michael was moved by it; Michael was ever moving. From the day he was born, Michael moved. He kept moving. He acknowledged that “something sacred in motion” on stage when his eyes rolled upward in a spread arms gesture of gratitude for it’s the river that ran through him.
He used affirmations to remind himself of Taku Wakahn Skan Skan and to capture its essence in himself and infuse it in his work. Far from egotistical or megalomaniacal declarations, Michael’s repetitions of the “I am” declarations and affirmations were his way of invoking that “something sacred in motion.” When he did his Thriller album, he taped an affirmation to his mirror and looked at it every day—to project to the Universe the outcome that he wanted: the greatest selling album of all time. And to be in that elegant, conscious, and creation/creative flow—what the Taoists call “being in the Tao.”
Self help authors, gurus and modern spiritual leaders encourage us to use the “I am” affirmations to bring the spiritual energy into our lives and work. Michael knew about that magic early in his life and his career. He used it in a multitude of ways in his life and in his work. But the more cynical among his critics called it something else never realizing that they were projecting their own void or absence of Taku Wakahn Skan Skan onto him. Never realizing that their accusations of him were their own confessions disguised and projected onto another. Sometimes we expect others to live out our unrealized dreams and then we resent and hate them for doing exactly that. We behave as though they have stolen something from us when in reality, we gave it away because we gave our power away.
Michael embraced and explored his bright shadow. He continually invoked it in his life and work. It can be clearly seen in his stage rituals and body language. Michael explored and embraced his bright shadow and then allowed it to flow into his work. He was a conduit for the infusion of Taku Wakahn Skan Skan. It’s the ultimate way to honor our Divine origins, to pay homage to our Creator through how we express in the world. It’s our legacy to life, to the world and to God. Michael embraced and became Taku Wakahn Skan Skan through his art and creations—song, dance, aesthetics and lyrics, and he forever encouraged us to be and express it too. Keep movin.’
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Reply to Gertrude and others interested…
10 Comments
Thank you Rev. Kaufmann 🙂 LOVE and GRATITUDE 🙂
Thinking of affirmations and the concept of being in charge of your own destiny brought to mind the wonderful poem “Invictus” by English poet William Ernest Henley [1849-1903]
“In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced or cried aloud
under the bludgeonings of chance
my head is bloody but unbowed
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul.”
What a powerful belief, to guide us through life! Blessings and love from Scotland
Thank you Rev. Barbara. I have used affirmations quite often as a means of positive thinking. As I learn about more about the universe and various esoteric topics, I find these affirmations have more meaning. It doesn’t surprise me that Michael used them. Perhaps his way of thinking in general was an affirmation, because believed so deeply in what he was doing, but perhaps that was the whole point of your article. I think I have some post-its hanging around somewhere. 🙂 Namaste!
Thank you Rev. Barbara. This article reminded me of something that I have forgotten. It made think about what Michael said about being careful what you think of yourself because whatever you believe about yourself is what you become. “So a man thinketh so is he”. Thank you once again.
Michael knew the “something sacred in motion” to the point that he WAS something sacred in motion. And we know he was and is, and that is why we will never let him go. Honestly I wonder where my life would be sometimes if someone hadn’t directed me to Barbara Kaufmann and Inner Michael. The void gouged in my heart when he passed was screaming for the recognition of Michael as the metaphysical/spiritual soulquake that he was, a recognition found here that let me fully breathe again. And the idea you have presented of us living in God’s mind has galvanized and thrilled me. Man am I going to be spending a lot of time going down THAT fascinationg road, THANK-YOU VERY MUCH.
Am lloving and appreciating the video. looking forward to the others that are there, but just so you know, that one little question YOU asked, ‘do we live in the mind of God?’ has cracked my own mind open in a way I swear it has longed for. I felt my whole being yell THIS IS IT! Even though I am familiar with much of the same thought expressed in the video, for some reason I have never resonated to “God is within you.” But the concept and image of MYSELF being IN GOD – now that takes me back to a feeling I had, but of course could never articulate, as a very small child. The fearless feeling of being cradled in something invincible and in unadulterated love. To the days when a lady bug landing on my finger would fill me with astonishment and ecstacy. It may sound wierd that that one little question could have this effect, but it has.
: )
Wow! In sync again, That’s all I can say…Well other than.. Taku Wakahn Skan Skan We all are one. With Love & Light souldreamer7
Thank you Rev. Barbara for this astoundingly thought-provoking article and video. I am familiar with the originators and you can imagine what effect these kinds of teachings had on my very fundamental Christian beliefs but I was born curious and really never stop searching and learning more about who we are and why we are here. I, too, use affirmations and keep a journal of gratitude. The law of attraction is immutable–what you give thought to, you bring into your being. That which is like unto itself is drawn. Like the thousands of others who were awakened and “called” to embark on this path of enlightenment, I am amazed at how truly evolved and metaphysically engaged Michael Jackson is, but also not a bit surprised once I began studying his life. His life is like a vast mansion with many rooms. You open one door into this mesmerizing place and become so totally immersed that you forget you have many more rooms to visit–all unveiling incredible revelations about his mind and character. If we do indeed reside in the mind of God, then I have no doubt that Michael discovered it very early on, perhaps even in his mother’s womb. His unwaivering belief in his enormous talent and God-given ability was nurtured by that beautiful child that always lived inside of him. Children simply believe! Thank you again, Rev. Barbara! I loved the video and the message! It was a sweet and powerful reminder of how we can all live if we consciously control and direct our thoughts. I highly recommend two wonderful, affirming books….As A Man Thinketh, by James Allen, and Key To Yourself, by Venice Bloodworth. Blessings to you and all members!
One of the things I most admired in the person of MJ is his ability to recover from the blows of adversity. What is written on that piece of laundry makes me understand how Michael was able to survive and continue in circumstances where another would have collapsed, given up, defeated or simply dead. Michael since a child was psychologically and physically prepared for the “hits” and perhaps as the saying goes: “What does not kill you makes you stronger” while others may think of an egocentric arrogant to say to yourself “I am beautiful” I see a man whose intellect made him recognize his value as a person in their environment and as part of the cosmos. It is very interesting because he was very young when he wrote this note. It amazes me that despite the “cheap shots” of the 93, Michael never deviated from the target, and while I thought everything would end with his creativity, by contrast emerges with more creative force in his compositions.I see a strong spirit that does not give up, never lose hope or confidence in humanity. A man with a big heart so full of love felt, still feels.