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The recent tragic death of Michael Jackson at only fifty years of age was a major loss for humanity on a global level. Michael Joseph Jackson touched the lives of millions people all over the world. His "USA for Africa Project" creating the song "We Are the World" was one of his greatest humanitarian efforts that brought many celebrities together for the common good. He showed the world that we are all one- that we as human beings are connected.
However, it seems there was a great human disconnection in honoring the life and soul of Michael Jackson. I was so disgusted by the media's negative focus concerning the events of Michael's life. It was so typical of the way we view things in our society. Our attention seems to be focused on tearing down one another, instead of giving love and building up our brothers and sisters. Michael was more than just a celebrity. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a father, and friends to many. Most importantly he is a soul. He was a shining light, and a star has gone out in our world.
Michael Jackson was a childhood friend to many of us, as we grew up listening to his incredible music- that seemed to come from a supernatural place. He was a selfless human being, and he gave so much more than just music to the world. He gave us his love. While Michael gave to everyone he seemed to be unable to give to himself the one thing that could have save him - the love of "Self."
Michael sang another song that was one of my favorites "The Man in the Mirror." In his song Michael challenged the selfish outlook much of society has today, and that places the burden of change on the external aspects of the world instead of the inner place within us. Michael sang the words below:
"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 then make the change
You got to get it right, while you got the time
Cause when you close your heart
Then you close your mind"
Whenever I heard this song it always reminded me to keep my heart open so that my mind would never close to the fact that my own healing begins with "self love." We cannot change the world until we begin to change our self, and do the inner healing work within in order to make any real difference in our lives. The work cannot be done from the perspective that change occurs only in the outer environment. Our outer environment is only a reflection of our inner environment. If we have inner chaos it will eventually begin to show outwardly.
It is well known of the many changes Michael Jackson made to his appearance. The numerous plastic surgeries, the skin color changes, and many other outward alterations showed a man that did not really know or love the man he saw in the mirror. Deep inside Michael was a lonely, tortured soul, in great need of love and inner healing. He tried to make changes but he focused only on his outer appearance, and did not seem to understand how to make the inner changes necessary to alleviate the obvious pain of his soul.
No soul can heal by making outer changes alone. No amount of money, success, or fame can heal a broken heart and a fragmented soul. The only remedy is love- and only love from the spirit can heal and transform one from the "man in the mirror" to the "soul in the mirror."
Michael mirrored the existing culture's consciousness which continuously focuses on having the perfect body, the perfect lifestyle, the perfect mate, and so forth. He was a child of the distorted human perception, that is obsessed with life only on the physical plane and gives very little thought or concern for the most important aspect of our nature- the spiritual "Self."
Human beings are not simply flesh and blood. We are also spirit. We come on the earth to have a human experience in order to learn and expand our soul's consciousness. We have work to do while we are in "Earth School." It will involve work of the physical or material world for which we are a part of, and it will also consist of spiritual work, as we also have a spiritual nature. In fact our spiritual nature is our true nature. It is our essence, and our true "self" is the one of spirit and not the flesh. While we are here, we cannot spend our entire life concentrating on just the physical aspect. If we do so, our time will end, and we will not have allowed our soul to grow and do the work that it came here to do in the first place.
Michael Jackson's death is a tragic one and it is a wake-up call for Americans and the world. It is an urgent call that we must move towards a spiritual evolution or we will continue to see individuals hurting and tragedies that could be avoided. No amount of physical alterations, medicines, or addictions to sex, gambling, drugs, or material things will ever hide or continue to cover up the pain we may be feeling inside. Eventually, the form we know as our body- which is the outward shell will release the soul. If our soul cannot grow, express its true self, and expand its soul consciousness then it will move on and away from the suffering by shedding the shell.
We do not have to suffer in life. We must get to know our true self, and if we are hurting the only true way that we can heal is through our spirit. How do you get to know the "true self" you might ask? Begin with realizing that you have a soul and not just a physical body. Then ask questions such as, what does my soul want? What does my soul need, and how can I align myself with my spiritual work? If you ask the questions the answers will always come in some form or another.
Another way for inner healing to begin is to work towards spiritual development. You can do this very easily by spending quiet time alone in reflection, journaling, meditation, prayer, and by reading the plethora of spiritual books available today. You may also enlist help and there is nothing wrong with seeking guidance, just as long as you realize that the change can only come from within, and no one can do the work for you. Seek the help of a pastor, rabbi, or priest, a counselor, or a spiritual life coach. The caution here is to not get caught up on any pre-conditions. Your spirit is not religious- it is divine and perfect as it is. Discover the path that is right for you, and that works for your soul's growth.
In addition, I cannot express the importance of setting clear intentions to heal the wounds that plague us. If we try and hide what ails us inwardly, and do not make a real effort to change then the consequences may be costly. Let your intentions be to grow and love your soul, and the universe will back you up and create the opportunities for healing and growth.
Finally, create a lifestyle that allows for the integration of the mind, body, and spirit. Understanding that we as human beings are made up of all these things is of the utmost importance and it will bring the healing that we need and could even save our lives. Learn to love the soul within by looking at the man or the person in the mirror. As Michael said no message has ever been any clearer- if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at your "inner" self and make the change.
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