Inner Michael » What Is Important?

What Is Important?

His music, certainly, and the man himself was enchanting. But his spirit is relentless. The research project I began six months ago has led me into some interesting and delightful places but it has also led me into the darkest regions that I have ever encountered. Those regions are in the human psyche.

The research project began, after his passing, with a cursory look into the life of a megastar. It began with a gesture of homage for the many gifts of music and dance given to us by a little boy everyone loved—Michael Jackson.

While I admired his work, I couldn’t call myself a fan and I certainly did not mark the milestones of my life with Michael’s music although that was how my children remember their youth. I was sad for his passing because it’s hard to lose an icon but it was a singular event and after learning some details I of course, moved on.

Until, that is, I went to see the movie “This Is It.” During the film released after his death and about the comeback concert tour he was planning in London, something happened. Call it curiosity, call it enchantment, call it enticement- it doesn’t matter but I was called somehow to look more closely at the man’s life and work.

That peek into genius has led me on a journey that was as unexpected as it is unlikely. But here I am and this moment, at a crossroad on the journey, has become the most important thing to me. Had you told me I would be placed at the feet of the Dalai Lama to learn about love in the world, I would have celebrated. Had you said that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar or Ganga Ji would become my spiritual teacher, I would have been surprised but pleased. Had you told me that I would find myself at the feet of someone wearing socks that sparkle from shoes standing on their toes, I would have laughed and dismissed it. Had you mentioned however, that my new teacher would be Michael Jackson, I would have run for my life!

But here I am on this journey with Michael, having traveled some of the darkest paths my life has presented so far. I have walked among “enemies” in Russia as an activist and citizen diplomat, been in the presence of stockpiled weapons of mass destruction and worked toward the decommissioning of such dark and destructive objects of doom. But there is an even scarier place and it is as effective and complete in its destruction as any chemical weapon I may have encountered and we are all downwind of it. My work with Sister Cites was an introduction to the real work of, as an artist and with words, painting the real picture and making the world a better place.

Of course, that is exactly what Michael Jackson sang about and worked for all of his life—to change the world, to heal the world for our children and make it a better place. But he was such a controversial and polarizing figure that I leaned in other directions to work toward accomplishing peace on this planet. A peacemaker for as long as I can remember, I worked toward humanity’s redemption from itself, having recognized that humans had developed the means to destroy the entire planet. Little did I know that was also Michael’s realization and it is showcased in his body of work with its abridged version especially glaring in his “Man in the Mirror” anthem.

As I began to research the man and his music, I discovered a completely different person than the one painted for us by the tabloid and medialoid journalists. It took a bit of digging past the sensationalism and into court records and interviews, but after scraping away all of the darkness, I found who Michael Jackson really was. And I was heartbroken. I felt cheated.

But most of all, I was devastated by how I unwittingly had contributed to enlarging the shadow side of humanity on this planet by my complacency and how it ended up taking someone’s life. With my naiveté and by not questioning or thinking critically, I also helped to deprive the future of a consummate genius, humanitarian and global cheerleader. I never questioned the tabloid portrayal of Michael or his trial. The transcripts and information portray an innocent man who was the victim of extortion by a family who had a history of shakedown lawsuits. The media did not tell me this. His innocence was being proven throughout the trial but that is not what the media reported. I don’t know what trial they were reporting on but it wasn’t Michael’s.

In uncovering the damage and utter destruction wielded by an industry out of control, I could not remain complacent for I am a minister with a conscience and a human with a desire to be more of the solution than I am a problem. I could no longer lurch headlong toward the tipping point where humanity’s shadow overtakes its brilliance.

What is most important to me now, is that my work as a writer has been featured by a global and humanitarian peacemaking organization and many have awakened to the WMD (weapon of mass destruction) unleashed by an industry in need of looking in its own mirror and one that either does not care about, or feels no obligation in featuring the brilliance inherent in humanity. Because of the whatever-it-was that pulled me into the research, I have been awarded the humbling but awesome privilege and opportunity to make a difference in the world, to make it a better place, to contribute to the realized brilliance of the children of the future who will build the improved version of this world and its humanity.

The project has been initiated and the work has begun to develop a comprehensive curriculum for educators called “Violence and Words” which will examine the violence that humans do to one another when they use words as weapons and the violence done to a person and the world when a gifted human being is targeted by tabloid weaponry for profit. It’s a deadly weapon and a deadly game. It kills. It kills people like Lady Diana and Michael Jackson, those who are global treasures of humanitarianism. It paints them as distorted and sensationalized caricatures of who they really are. It kills the brilliance of humans. Yes, that means us– you and me! It kills the brilliance because it cloaks us in the shadow side of human nature.

And it kills the future enlightened human who might have evolved and emerged because generous human beings made a commitment daring to leverage their fame to encourage a more humane race and planet for the future. For you and for me.

© B. Kaufmann 2010

Here is how you can get involved:

Note: Anyone who would like to join the project to develop the curriculum is welcome. You do not have to be a teacher or educator nor in the education system to work with us or contribute to this project.

Voices Education Project and I invite all Michael and Diana admirers as well as interested persons to join the team. If you are weary of the media highlighting the shadow of humanity instead of its brilliance or you watch the news or Tv programs and find programming devoid of hope and filled with despair, we need your voice!

If you want to honor Michael Jackson, Lady Diana and their legacies, here is the place to do it. Help us to give the world a mirror and to make that change to heal the world and make it a better place.

We invite you, if you want to be a part of a team that means to change the world and make it a better place with the awareness of how words used violently can hurt, cause harm and even kill.

Have you ever been hurt by the power of words? We are calling for case studies. Case studies are stories from you about how words have harmed or hurt you, have prevented you from finding or expressing your brilliance, or have had an impact on your life or the life of someone you know and love.

We also welcome case studies that highlight how people in the public eye have been targeted or harmed with words.

Writing your case study can be the most empowering thing you have ever done. It reclaims the power that was lost when the words impacted you. I encourage you to try it. There are volunteers who will help you construct your story. If you have questions write me or write Marilyn at Voices Education Project.

There is an outline for writing a case study on this website under “Making that Change” Resources tab.

Visit the links below for the whole story– articles and links to the project

Curriculum Initiative sponsors:

Voices Education Project


WMD: New Weapon of Mass Destruction


Michael Jackson: Spiritual Messenger Hiding in Plain Sight


Join us on the Curriculum Project
We are the first group listed: Violence and Words

11 Comments

  1. Greet Boete Belgium said . . .

    Again, thank you Barbara, well said. We, Michael Jackson fans and admirors, are thirsty and we really try to change the world. I hope time will bring a solution. We will succeed in the end if we have the courage to continue to spread our message, little by little. LOVE

    Posted May 6, 2010 at 7:33 pm | Permalink
  2. marga1961 said . . .

    Thanx for this article, Rev. Barbara. This world can’t go on like this, and Michael said in T.I.I. [This Is It- the movie] we’ve only 4 years to go, to save this beautiful planet. When I’m surfing the internet now I can see there is so much going on that involves Michael. Several sites with L.O.V.E. messages. Unbelievable. The impact this man has! He wants (yes: wants!) to spread his words through his awesome lyrics, books, dvd’s , cd’s and he is reaching us I guess. Your words are telling us the truth. Keep on doing that. We keep spreading the message too. Greetings from the Netherlands.

    Posted May 7, 2010 at 7:54 am | Permalink
  3. Suvie from India said . . .

    In India, many people have spiritual mentors. They are usually sobre looking, ochre robed monks. I craved for mine for many years and none came.

    And post June 25, 2009; I have a very strong feeling that this moonwalking pop star with messy hair, fedora hat, sparkling glove…and a heart of GOLD full of love and kidness is going to be my “TEACHER”! WoW!

    Welcome to my heart, Michael Jackson, my “Teacher”. I will clean it up for you, I will remove “judgement”, “jealousy” and “hate” and fill it with things you liked “GRACE”, “LOVE” and “KINDNESS” to make your spirit comfortable. Is that a deal? Will you stay? Will you inspire? I love you MOST.

    Posted May 7, 2010 at 10:43 am | Permalink
  4. Nicole P-H said . . .

    Yes, just like Suvie, I want to open wide my heart for Michael. I feel sad because I was complacent too, in believing the things the medias were saying about this beautiful human being. I know that by doing so, I was a part of this dark shadow…

    I failed Michael when he needed us the most and while I am so sorry about it, I also understand that we are not together connected to this website and reading Barbara’s articles “by accident.” I believe that Michael is inspiring you, Barbara, and that we all have met you because he guided us. Michael’s hand is in our encounter and connection. Michael is a guide and a messenger. Barbara thank you for helping us with our Michaeling! Nicole P-H

    Posted May 7, 2010 at 12:39 pm | Permalink
  5. Jan said . . .

    Michael would so get behind this “Violence of Words” project because he voiced his own admonitions against the tabloids and medialoid from every platform from which he spoke. “Don’t believe the tabloids … because you are my messengers to heal the world … and because I love you.” (Oslo, Norway 1997) It doesn’t get much clearer than that!

    “Relentless:” Yes, he has a tendency to turn you every which way but loose! If you let him into the tiniest corner of your heart, Michael moves in lock, stock, and barrel. Give him that inch, he will take the mile but NOT by force and not by fear. He will “blanket” you in his love and compassion, lift you up when you are despairing of effecting meaningful change. He will encourage you to keep trying, cry with you when you feel defeated, express your anger and frustration through his own. For 18 years now there has been enormous pain and sadness during my sojourn with Michael Jackson, I can only count the steps along the way as an unqualified blessing in my spirit and in my life. Keep up the good work, Barbara. Your words and articles are encouraging us to continue on our own individual journeys.

    Posted May 7, 2010 at 1:47 pm | Permalink
  6. Kim said . . .

    Beautifully stated Barbara. Michael is also my teacher. He has led by example and I humbly follow his lead in everything I do in my life. Thank for your efforts to heal the world, bring peace and make the world a better place. There are many of us who desire to do the same thing and we are working on it in various ways. Michael’s message was heard loud and clear. L.O.V.E. will win. I truly believe that. Namaste!!

    Posted May 7, 2010 at 5:08 pm | Permalink
  7. Janet Matthews said . . .

    We know that we can never have Michael back and there is still so much pain attached to his passing, but if anything good can come of this tragedy then positive actions speak volumes. I’m sure there are many people who would not feel quite so helpless if they could be involved in something so worthwhile, to make a difference for us and generations to follow. This is such a worthwhile project.

    Posted May 7, 2010 at 7:10 pm | Permalink
  8. Dalia from Mexico said . . .

    What a lump in the throat. Someone tell me how to deal with this sense of justice unsatisfied. Weapons of mass destruction, the arms of the tabloids damaging to who is the target of attack. In this case Michael and also those who love him and deeply admire him. Nothing will bring him back. If only one would say “I lied, Michael was innocent,” my soul could be at peace.

    Posted May 7, 2010 at 9:15 pm | Permalink
  9. Guo Yan said . . .

    I am very excited to see many Michael Jackson’s fans in everywhere. I bless Micheal is happy in the heaven. I just started listen his songs, watch his MV and the many his tour several months ago, but I enjoy it, I love all of them.

    Posted May 11, 2010 at 7:46 am | Permalink
  10. iklnMJ said . . .

    Barbara, thank you so much for all your effort. I have much to say as I’ve also gone through this spiritual journey since 25 June 2009. The journey’s full of curiosity, sadness and heartbreak. As a result, most surprisingly, Michael led me to the wisdom of life. And My life also CHANGED since then.
    Sometimes, I, as a normal person, also get hurt if I act in a way smarter than others expected. So when it comes to Michael, the dark sides of human nature, especially jealousy hurt him dramatically. Did those people choose to believe the tabloids are evils? Did they hurt Michael intentionally? All are human beings.
    I do want to say more but my English… I’ll try my best to join the project. Love this website.

    Posted May 24, 2010 at 10:13 am | Permalink
  11. gertrude said . . .

    I will join and try to write my case study- something that seems quite daunting to me presently. I feel we are in a holy war of mind and soul, that the battlefields are real. I am relieved when I find someone who is part of the Resistance – that would be you Barbara. Thank you for all you are doing here. OUR weapons in this battle must be love and faith and TRUTH. Our “bomb” is God, from whom all things come, as Michael would say when giving thanks to God for the umpteenth time for yet another award for simply being the greatest, the best, the most giving. Again God sent an example to follow, again we crucified them. I believe we must constantly pray to the Creator that He/She and the Light tratriumph here in our realm.

    It is important to arm ourselves with truth. Read the books by those who knew Michael or defended him. Look at his fan sites and the information they archive. Search for trial transcripts from the 2005 trial that include the brilliant closing arguments by Tom Mesereau, defense attorney for Michael. He was exonerated of every single garbage charge against him. Peace.

    Posted May 28, 2010 at 2:57 pm | Permalink

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked *

*
*