Inner Michael » Working with Shadow

Working with Shadow

A message just showed up in the In Box that just reminded me of how much shadow there still is out there on this planet. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that there are lots of wounded people in the world. Whew. So here is a perfect example of someone who is obviously very creative and talented in service to shadow instead of light. What a shame. Imagine if this creativity were channeled into making the world a better place?

How to turn this around? Sometimes the kindest thing you can do when someone is falling into the pit is to step out of their way and let them fall. Darkness teaches too. The blackest places inside us and in our lives cause us to project the shadow onto someone else. Human nature has a long way to go.

This person does not know that Michael Jackson never harmed a child, that Michael Jackson was a target of extortion, that he was found innocent of 14 charges. Fourteen! It’s really sad that the tabloids made lots of money off the complacency and gullability of the people they pander to. This is how yellow press affects people. So prepare the light sabres- and point a little love and light at the shadow here. Thank you Obe Wans.

The bulk of the message excerpted below has been removed because it is so offensive and it has served its purpose. This gives you a taste but the original got much, much worse…

Message Body:

quote [your crap is so “Off the Wall” that any sane person would recognize it as “Dangerous.” If I had been asked to view your site I would have told you to ” was with his Leave me alone,” because of “The way you make me feel.” Look, “We’ve had enough” of your “Heal the world” crap, so “Beat it,” and “One day in your life,” if lucky, someone might show you the difference between “Black and White.” Don’t worry I will be “Gone too soon” but not before you “Give into me.”Come on, “It’s human nature” to follow the lead of the sane.

I hope you enjoy Hell.] end quote

I am going to write this commentary and then be done with it. This showed up in the world for a reason. So I share this with you because it illustrates how the shadow is still alive and well when it comes to Michael Jackson. Michael wasn’t just the man in the mirror, he was the mirror. Because he was so famous and so visible, the world projected its shadow onto this one skinny little man and asked him to carry it so we wouldn’t have to deal with it.

And here again Michael is being targeted because he is being asked to carry this man’s shadow for him. And now I, vicariously, am being asked to represent his shadow for him. Even in death, the expectation is for Michael to continue to be the shadow in order to avoid looking it in the eyes. If I can project my shadow onto someone else, then I don’t have to look at my real self. Do you hear and feel the loathing in this message? That loathing is self loathing. It has nothing to do with Michael or who he was. Or me. It has everything to do with what lives inside this person. Nothing can ooze out into the world that doesn’t already live within you. Understand? Would you want to live in here? Would you want your world to look like this? Would you want to spend this much time constructing this kind of world for yourself?

Would you want to find yourself so unacceptable that you had to look around the horizon of your life to find someone you could point to who is worse? Do you feel the desperation in that?

Some have written to say they are angry. Some have wanted to retaliate. I suggest to you that the misery here is palpable. Can you feel it? This is one of the most creative abysses I have ever seen. This took some thought, some planning, some execution. This person had to spend a lot of time in this vibration of hatred and loathing in order to create this reality for himself. I am glad it is not my reality.

This is not likely a person who would listen to reason although I hate to write him off completely. He has no interest in recreating his reality in a different way. He will never know who Michael Jackson really was. He may never know who he really is. Can you feel the sadness in that? Do you want to get in there, in the middle of that vibe with him? Do you want to allow him into your psyche?

This is like blaming the moon. It’s like making the moon guilty for shining or for being dark. The moon does not have light of its own. It can only reflect the light of the sun, or with lack of sunlight, the darkness. The reflection here is something to deeply ponder. For all of us.

32 Comments

  1. Andrew (MJsOldestfan said . . .

    My retort to the Hater who actually wote the body of the text above. Obviously there is too much hate in this individual’s soul for redemptiom in my opinion. Hate only begets hate. My response to this individual: KARMA!

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 1:58 am | Permalink
  2. BeGodsGlow said . . .

    Hmmm… light instead of shadow. Ok. Well, although I completely disagree and feel this person is seriously misinformed and harbors a great deal of hatred, I can commend them for their creative use of song titles and quotes within the text. I mean, that must’ve taken some time to write! L.O.V.E. to those who see the light and yes, to pliants and tractables too. After all, “We Are The World”. And to leave you with something that always makes me laugh joyfully from that innocent place inside the soul, here’s a quote from someone in the trailer for an upcoming documentary called The Way He Makes Them Feel: “If your heart is not open – ok, then you don’t like Michael, but you probably don’t like puppies or kittens either.” 😉

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 6:18 am | Permalink
  3. Dalia Burgos said . . .

    As this person there are many in the web full of hate and envy for those who achieve success and emphasize doing good things and earning the affection of many people, that deeply hurts them and the only thing they are able to do is to bark frustration. They are definitely retrograde people that have taken the wrong way to self realization.

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 6:28 am | Permalink
  4. Suvie from India said . . .

    You are the “Tabloid Junkies”, the “Dangerous” “Smooth Criminals” of the world…who tried to break the “Unbreakable” Michael…stole his “Privacy”…lost no chance to “Trip on him”….you are his “Heartbreakers”, you “Threatened” him unceasingly but you know what, he is “INVINCIBLE”. Just watch Michael will take a worthy place in “HIStory”.

    “Is Michael scary for you”? “Who is it” you see in him? A Pedo, a freak, a weirdo? Yes? Good. Now, take a good look inside your heart, see really well and SEE “The real EVIL FREAK is YOU!”.

    “Too Bad” that you and your like had a field day until 25th June, 2009 but now “We can FEEL it”…we hear his “CRY”…”He is not alone” for you to feast on him anymore. Stolen of his “Childhood”, we see his love in “Heal the World”, we see his passion in “Earth song”, we see his compassion in “The Lost children” and “Little Susie”.

    He is “Gone Too Soon” but has found his resting place not in the Golden casket but in our Hearts. We have had enough of your deceitful “SCREAMS”…but “This Time Around”, we see the “Man in the mirror”, and we see the Mirror in Michael. “We will be there” for him and his mission of L.O.V.E. “Who are we to be blind”?

    “The Way You Make Me Feel”, I wish I could wish you ill but then I know you are just “Another Part of me” but only a rotten sample of “Human nature”!

    To Michael’s lovers, “Keep the Faith”, “Whatever happens”, “This time around”, we will “Rock the world” with Michael Jackson and the naysayers, will be, “Speechless”.

    We love you MOST Michael,I am Not a fan but a follower. Remember: “The lies run sprints but the truth runs Marathons.” -Michael Jackson. Barbara, we are with you and Michaels army of love; we will see Michael’s dream come true and Michael’s rightful place in world history. Amen.

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 8:39 am | Permalink
  5. LMT said . . .

    Whew. So much hate. Imagine living with that inside you everyday. And then it leaks out and tries to infect and soil whatever target it finds. Barbara is right–the more light, the more of this shows itself. A bulldozer is needed to shift this much shadow.

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 2:19 pm | Permalink
  6. Susan t said . . .

    One can only imagine how empty, how dark and cold this person is inside the deep recesses of his mind and heart. I feel a deep kinship with Michael Jackson and I was recently listening to his beautiful, “Will You Be There?” He sang with such heartfelt emotion. I listended to each word and felt the sting of persecution, misunderstanding, and hatred. For a man gifted with such profound caring and sensitivity, the treatment he received by so many “dark shadows” must have been an unbearable burden at times. “Seems like the world has a role for me”–Yes, it did and it was not a kind one, at times, until the Father stepped in and said, “Enough!”

    What many people don’t recognize (and this hurting shadow person who darkened your door is one of them), is that Michael sought to bring light into a rapidly darkening world through his many talents–not in a self-aggrandising way, but in a humble, joy-driven way.

    My work exposes me to some of the most vile acts that humanity can carry out. I struggle to not HATE with a vengence. I try to understand that they were once, tiny, innocent infants, incapable of expressing any of man’s destructive actions. A baby–innocent, helpless, completely dependent on the care, love and protection of his parents. Somewhere along life’s path, this hurting soul was cast aside and has never had anyone reach out to him in love. That is profoundly sad.

    No matter how much hate and derogatory words are spewed at Michael Jackson, the love flowing from this planet to him is like a bright light that shines instantly into a pitch black room. Light always chases away darkness. It’s really why each of us is here.

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 6:54 pm | Permalink
  7. admin said . . .

    I have to tell you that my initial reaction was one of shock; the force in this is fierce! And my second thought was an angry “how dare you?” My third thought was: (imagine an evil grin here) I have this guy’s IP and email; does he really want to mess with a shaman? Whoa! Here shadow, shadow; back on the leash! So I really had to work at the LOVE thing. My last thought (wish) is light for him. And I love how perfect this all is. I just wish I lived it as well as I know it. It’s all a perfect work in progress, you know. Rev B

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 7:33 pm | Permalink
  8. Christine - FRANCE said . . .

    What a connection! In my religion it is said that even a bad connection is a good connection (with holy beings like a bodhisattva …) because it’s a connection … and it’s a seed for the future. “The opposite of Love is not Hate, it is Apathy. Hate is not the opposite of Love, Hate is Love in it’s angriest, ugliest form.”

    Michael would want us to send love and light. Of course it doesn’t mean that we have to accept bad things but this person deserves love, like all the sentent beings. It is my goal to be able TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY! Thank you all, especially Barbara, for sharing all that.

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 8:03 pm | Permalink
  9. Anne UK said . . .

    My goodness,I just feel so sad that someone who can use so much creativity, can use it for such negativity. You can feel the darkness and hatred all around this person when you read what they have written. I also feel sad that something so terrible must have happened in their life to make them so comfortable in the dark shadow. Michael had to fight this kind of darkness all his life and still even after he’s passed on from our realm, it continues. It is a mark of cowardice that they have picked an easy target to vent their venom. This person is sadly not the only one who is surrounded by dark shadow. Michael always knew this. Our combined light will work miracles in the end. I found what Suvie from India had written to be so uplifting; she has used creativity in such a positive post. Thankyou Suvie. I know your light sabre is more than sparkling; it illuminated the whole page.

    Posted April 21, 2010 at 8:14 pm | Permalink
  10. pediadoc said . . .

    Wow! This person needs a lot of healing inside. In the goodness of Michael’s heart, he composed the song HEAL THE WORLD not only for the children but more so for these people who need healing. I felt the same way while reading his “masterpiece of destruction”- a feeling of pity for the emptiness in his heart and his envy of the love given to Michael. If he happens to read these comments, this is for you: We invite you to join us in our circle of love. Michael never said a mean thing to his detractors, never gave up on them. We wish you the same. If you feel the world has given up on you, Michael’s legacy of love and forgiveness to his fans will care enough to bear you. “This is our mission to see it through. Don’t point your finger, not dangerous, this is our planet, you’re one of us. We’re sending out a major love. You’re just another part of us. Got this love. And I know it for sure it is real.”

    Posted April 22, 2010 at 3:07 am | Permalink
  11. Greet Boete Belgium said . . .

    The first thought that comes to me, always, when I read something like that, is sadness, anger. I feel the immediate need to answer posts like that. But then I read it again, then and I see how bad, and hurt these people must be. They must be devastated; I start to feel a kind of pity with these persons. They do not know better. How did they became like that ? Something must have happened in their lives that they could not cope with.

    Not everybody can survive what Michael had to. If this person that wrote the hatred message would clean up and clear his mind, and opened up to learn about Michael, he probably would find out that there is a different way of living, a life with joy, happiness, faith, trust, kindness. But we cannot change people; it has to come from within. Maybe this person will ever find real love, I hope so for him/her. Michael can really change one’s life. He changed mine for the better. Thank you Rev for this beautiful site.

    Posted April 22, 2010 at 4:39 pm | Permalink
  12. marga1961 said . . .

    What a negative person this will be! I read the article two times and realize what a lonely person this is. No L.O.V.E. in his heart. What a shame, once he was a helpless little baby; where did it go wrong? There are so many bitter people in this world. I can’t understand this bitterness and hate. Michael was just singing the song Cry (beautiful song) before I read the article, I wish this person could understand the meaning of Michael’s words in his songs, but that is wishful thinking I guess. Suvie from India: you said the right words in your post, thanx. Greetings from the Netherlands. May God Bless Michael and R.I.P. It’s all for L.O.V.E.

    Posted April 22, 2010 at 6:27 pm | Permalink
  13. Janet Matthews said . . .

    I was fortunate enough to be brought up with love and affection; so was Michael. He had the loving support of family and fans. This man however, doesn’t sound as if he had that support. Maybe there was no one there to show him or to care about him and if he hates this deeply then there won’t be anyone there for him now either. I hope he finds peace within himself and the only way he is going to find that is through LOVE; this is going to be a difficult battle for him. I know he has directed his hate towards The Rev. B but what he fails to realize is that he is directing this hate towards millions of other people who love Michael too and always will no matter what. A few drops of hatred in an ocean of LOVE will be so diluted that the hatred will disappear as if it had never existed. We will always be here to support you Rev. B.

    Posted April 22, 2010 at 6:50 pm | Permalink
  14. Debbie Jackson said . . .

    “Now if people would let the ******* die…” It has always baffled me since Michael’s passing why people like this care that we love him so much. Why do they follow the path of our outpouring of affections only to curse them? Are they wishing that this could somehow be bestowed on them? How would he benefit from the burial of Michael’s memory? I guess the last question of mine will never be answered because this love is undying. Followers of our affections: are you looking to be loved or willing to spread love?

    Posted April 23, 2010 at 3:41 pm | Permalink
  15. Irina said . . .

    Hm, maybe that person just wanted to prove duality in a practical sense? You know, when you have light, you’ll have plenty of shadow SOMEWHERE. That kind of creative energy could be channeled (pun fully intended!) into some brighter activities. It’s sad when people are out to attack another just because the light hurts in their eyes. May that someone find a decent pair of sunglasses and move on…

    Posted April 24, 2010 at 1:28 am | Permalink
  16. Karen said . . .

    “Let he who is without sin,cast the first stone.” There is already too much darkness in the world and the closer we get to the light, the harder darkness trys to lure us back, the author of the e-mail is just an example of what is out there and how we must stay focused on the good (light) and live in love. As far as his opinion of Michael, to him, I say “Before you judge me, try hard to love me, look within your heart.”

    Posted April 24, 2010 at 11:05 pm | Permalink
  17. Paul said . . .

    One can only imagine how empty, how dark and cold this person is inside the deep recesses of his mind and heart. I feel a deep kinship with Michael Jackson and I was recently listening to his beautiful, “Will You Be There?” He sang with such heartfelt emotion. I listended to each word and felt the sting of persecution, misunderstanding, and hatred. For a man gifted with such profound caring and sensitivity, the treatment he received by so many “dark shadows” must have been an unbearable burden at times. “Seems like the world has a role for me”–Yes, it did and it was not a kind one, at times, until the Father stepped in and said, “Enough!”

    What many people don’t recognize (and this hurting shadow person who darkened your door is one of them), is that Michael sought to bring light into a rapidly darkening world through his many talents–not in a self-aggrandising way, but in a humble, joy-driven way.

    My work exposes me to some of the most vile acts that humanity can carry out. I struggle to not HATE with a vengence. I try to understand that they were once, tiny, innocent infants, incapable of expressing any of man’s destructive actions. A baby–innocent, helpless, completely dependent on the care, love and protection of his parents. Somewhere along life’s path, this hurting soul was cast aside and has never had anyone reach out to him in love. That is profoundly sad.

    No matter how much hate and derogatory words are spewed at Michael Jackson, the love flowing from this planet to him is like a bright light that shines instantly into a pitch black room. Light always chases away darkness. It’s really why each of us is here.

    Posted April 24, 2010 at 11:29 pm | Permalink
  18. Steven said . . .

    I was fortunate enough to be brought up with love and affection; so was Michael. He had the loving support of family and fans. This man however, doesn’t sound as if he had that support. Maybe there was no one there to show him or to care about him and if he hates this deeply then there won’t be anyone there for him now either. I hope he finds peace within himself and the only way he is going to find that is through LOVE; this is going to be a difficult battle for him. I know he has directed his hate towards The Rev. B but what he fails to realize is that he is directing this hate towards millions of other people who love Michael too and always will no matter what. A few drops of hatred in an ocean of LOVE will be so diluted that the hatred will disappear as if it had never existed. We will always be here to support you Rev. B.

    Posted April 25, 2010 at 7:44 am | Permalink
  19. Marlena said . . .

    People like this eventually drown in their own hatred and misery. Hate stagnates. Love grows. Michael knew this and lived it. Now it is up to us to continue on, with his example to guide us.

    Posted April 25, 2010 at 4:18 pm | Permalink
  20. Dennis said . . .

    “Let he who is without sin,cast the first stone.” There is already too much darkness in the world and the closer we get to the light, the harder darkness trys to lure us back, the author of the e-mail is just an example of what is out there and how we must stay focused on the good (light) and live in love. As far as his opinion of Michael, to him, I say “Before you judge me, try hard to love me, look within your heart.”

    Posted April 26, 2010 at 6:26 am | Permalink
  21. Keisha said . . .

    Dear Barbara,
    Thank you so much for your lovely website. I am so sorry for the hateful email you received. Someone must be really blind to have so much venom for people they have never met– people such as Michael, and now by extension you, who are spreading messages of upliftment in the world. I fail to understand how anybody familiar with MJ’s extensive body of work – his songs, lyrics, etc would not at least give a second thought to these accusations given just how many beautiful messages were intertwined in his creations. Can people truly have such poor judgement of character and of the world they live in? I guess so, looking at this person’s hateful email. Either that or they haven’t looked at themselves as the man in the mirror, and are oblivious to the darkness which they harbor. Never mind, please carry along as I know you will. All of us soldiers of L.O.V.E are solidly behind you! Regards, MJ fan cause MJ was THE man

    Posted April 26, 2010 at 1:45 pm | Permalink
  22. Patrick said . . .

    What a negative person this will be! I read the article two times and realize what a lonely person this is. No L.O.V.E. in his heart. What a shame, once he was a helpless little baby; where did it go wrong? There are so many bitter people in this world. I can’t understand this bitterness and hate. Michael was just singing the song Cry (beautiful song) before I read the article, I wish this person could understand the meaning of Michael’s words in his songs, but that is wishful thinking I guess. Suvie from India: you said the right words in your post, thanx. Greetings from the Netherlands. May God Bless Michael and R.I.P. It’s all for L.O.V.E.

    Posted April 26, 2010 at 2:44 pm | Permalink
  23. maggie said . . .

    It’s a pity some people have nothing better to do than spew such hatred out about a person that they don’t even know or have actually seen, To sit there and pass judgment on him as if Michael was some vile evil being. What they say don’t matter, those of us who have been with Michael know better. Like the post said above and it fits…”let ye who is without sin cast the first stone.”

    Posted April 26, 2010 at 3:47 pm | Permalink
  24. Dave said . . .

    “Let he who is without sin,cast the first stone.” There is already too much darkness in the world and the closer we get to the light, the harder darkness trys to lure us back, the author of the e-mail is just an example of what is out there and how we must stay focused on the good (light) and live in love. As far as his opinion of Michael, to him, I say “Before you judge me, try hard to love me, look within your heart.”

    Posted April 26, 2010 at 11:34 pm | Permalink
  25. Ian said . . .

    Dear Barbara,
    Thank you so much for your lovely website. I am so sorry for the hateful email you received. Someone must be really blind to have so much venom for people they have never met– people such as Michael, and now by extension you, who are spreading messages of upliftment in the world. I fail to understand how anybody familiar with MJ’s extensive body of work – his songs, lyrics, etc would not at least give a second thought to these accusations given just how many beautiful messages were intertwined in his creations. Can people truly have such poor judgement of character and of the world they live in? I guess so, looking at this person’s hateful email. Either that or they haven’t looked at themselves as the man in the mirror, and are oblivious to the darkness which they harbor. Never mind, please carry along as I know you will. All of us soldiers of L.O.V.E are solidly behind you! Regards, MJ fan cause MJ was THE man

    Posted April 27, 2010 at 10:13 am | Permalink
  26. Lee said . . .

    People like this eventually drown in their own hatred and misery. Hate stagnates. Love grows. Michael knew this and lived it. Now it is up to us to continue on, with his example to guide us.

    Posted April 27, 2010 at 11:31 am | Permalink
  27. Zara said . . .

    I never understand why MJ haters seem to spen most of their lives on MJ fan sites spreading hate, and rumours. If I don’t like something I just ignore it, why put all that time and effort into something you don’t even like? And why talk about something you blatantly know nothing about, if you read that comment theres no justification for the stuff they say, no evidence, just pure blind hatred, coming from nowhere and going nowhere.

    It’s hard no to be angry at this stuff. But by doing that your simply putting more hate in to the world, and making yourself as bad as them. If we all spread love maybe one day these people will wake up from the dream world they live in.

    Posted April 27, 2010 at 1:29 pm | Permalink
  28. Simon said . . .

    People like this eventually drown in their own hatred and misery. Hate stagnates. Love grows. Michael knew this and lived it. Now it is up to us to continue on, with his example to guide us.

    Posted April 27, 2010 at 7:59 pm | Permalink
  29. Rob said . . .

    I was fortunate enough to be brought up with love and affection; so was Michael. He had the loving support of family and fans. This man however, doesn’t sound as if he had that support. Maybe there was no one there to show him or to care about him and if he hates this deeply then there won’t be anyone there for him now either. I hope he finds peace within himself and the only way he is going to find that is through LOVE; this is going to be a difficult battle for him. I know he has directed his hate towards The Rev. B but what he fails to realize is that he is directing this hate towards millions of other people who love Michael too and always will no matter what. A few drops of hatred in an ocean of LOVE will be so diluted that the hatred will disappear as if it had never existed. We will always be here to support you Rev. B.

    Posted April 27, 2010 at 9:17 pm | Permalink
  30. Simon said . . .

    It’s a pity some people have nothing better to do than spew such hatred out about a person that they don’t even know or have ever seen. To pass judgment on him as if Michael was some vile evil being? What they say doesn’t matter; those of us who have been with Michael know better. Like the post said above and it fits… “let ye who is without sin cast the first stone.”

    Posted April 28, 2010 at 3:26 am | Permalink
  31. jeanne said . . .

    We will all just have to send as much love and light as we can right now. Sometimes anger is not about about the peas on the plate . Or even about Michael. This person needs us more than even we realize. I will send my love and prayers for the healing to begin .

    Posted April 29, 2010 at 7:35 pm | Permalink
  32. Bruce said . . .

    I never understand why MJ detractors seem to spend most of their lives on the Internet spreading hate, and rumours. If I don’t like something I just ignore it. Why put all that time and effort into something you don’t even like? And why talk about something you blatantly know nothing about, if you read that comment there is no justification for the stuff they say, no evidence, just pure blind hatred, coming from nowhere and going nowhere. It’s hard not to be angry at this stuff. But by doing that you’re simply putting more hate in to the world, and making yourself as bad If we all spread love maybe one day these people will wake up from the dream world they live in.

    Posted May 21, 2010 at 8:57 am | Permalink

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