The spiritual lessons of Michael Jackson's life

It felt like the world stopped. People were stunned, saddened, and a few, even, angry at why the King of Pop garnered such attention given the rumors and mysteries swirling around his personal life.

Yet, Michael Jackson was a shining star in the firmament of the Zeitgeist. He defined and redefined pop culture for over four decades. He stretched us with his resonant music, bigger-than-life videos, iconic moon walks, and unique style. Before his death, Michael Jackson had sold over 750 million records. He was a stand-out, and some might, even, say a stand-alone entertainer.

Michael Jackson´s unexpected death at the age of 50 was like a raging fire through the Internet. His death catapulted the broadcast world into a frenzy; there were hours of television programming devoted to his iconoclastic life. Magazines raced to the newsstands with his visage on the cover; radios played his music non-stop. Everyone wanted to know and remember all they could about Michael´s life and legacy.

For many, Michael´s death felt personal. Like a stone throne into a lake, the reverberations of grief expanded in ever-widening circles across the globe. Spontaneous gatherings of fans bonded together in their shock and sadness. People waited in hushed reverence, for hours, in the summer heat, to sign a huge poster board in Los Angeles or to enter the Apollo Theater in New York City. All over the world, people wore sequined gloves, sang his music, created signs, moon-walked, left flowers, burned candles, tattooed their bodies, wrote on their skin, and decorated their clothing, all in memory of Michael Jackson.

It is reported that over 1 billion people across the globe watched his memorial service. Clearly, this was more than a media blitz; this is people feeling deeply about the influence of Michael Jackson and his music.

Michael Jackson, a man-child, who was, alternatively, wildly creative, humanitarian, eccentric, savvy in business, strange, fragile, extravagant, mysterious, inventive (he held a patent for his anti-gravity dance move), talented, generous, visionary, pained, press-pummeled, attention-seeking, barrier-busting, outspoken (think Ryan White´s death and Jackson´s call for HIV/AIDS research), secretive, record-shattering, award-winning, addicted, subject of rumors, changeable, androgynous, crotch-grabbing, make-up-wearing, unwell, driven, inappropriate, philanthropic, public and private person. He straddled the spectrums of race and sexuality. He was a man of many faces. In other words, he was an enigma – at least on the personality level.

On a soul level, Michael Jackson might be seen a bit differently. The soul level speaks to the bigger picture. Things are not always as they seem. There is more beyond the 3D world.

Those on a spiritual path believe that we are all here taking part in Earth School. We are here to learn lessons that expand our consciousness; open our hearts wider and wider; develop our capacities for compassion; and teach us that each and every one of us is connected. Essentially, we are one. And, ultimately, we are all here to develop the sine qua non of spiritual practice: unconditional love and acceptance for all.

Every life, good, bad, or curious, leaves a legacy. Michael Jackson is no exception. Some of his legacy includes what I call spiritual lessons, and they are evidenced by his music, videos, long-range humanitarian work and philanthropy:

The Lesson of Oneness:

We are all one; we are all connected. Your hunger is my hunger. So, Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie wrote the rallying anthem, "We are the World," which garnered awareness and raised millions for the poor and hungry in both the U.S. and Africa.

The Lesson of Responsibility:

Michael Jackson did not turn away from those in need; he felt a sense of responsibility for his homeless, sick, hungry, and disenfranchised world brethren.

Think, again, of the evocative song, "We are the World." The lyrics say it all: in order to save ourselves, we need to help each other. Jackson understood this and acted accordingly; he shared his considerable wealth across the globe. He was, even, awarded a Guinness World Record for his long-standing support of 39 charities.

Further, from 1985-1990, he gave $500,000/per year to the United Negro College Fund. He also donated all profits from the single, "Man in the Mirror" to charity. His $5 million share from the Victory tour was also given to charities. Hospitals and orphanages regularly benefited from his largesse.

The Lesson of Sameness:

Think of the video from "Black and White" where the images morphed and shifted across racial and gender lines. The message here: we are all the same. It does not matter if we are black, white, male, or female; we are all souls in human outerwear.

The Lesson of Courage and Vision

Michael Jackson thought big. He had large visions; he did not rely on the tried and true, or what had been previously done. He morphed the music video into an art form. He created dance steps and choreography that influences dancers today.

For all of the discussion about who he was or wasn´t, Michael Jackson was not afraid to be himself, his full, out-in-the-world, out-of-the-box self. That is a huge lesson to all of us. Give up fear, think above and beyond, and do not be afraid to let your light shine in its fullness.

Karen Bishop of www.whatsuponplanetearth.com sees Michael Jackson as a high vibratory soul, who had completed his soul work.

And if you are interested in taking more of a walk on the wild side and are a believer in reincarnation, Walter Semkiw, M.D., is noted past-life researcher as well as a psychiatrist, author, and lecturer. Dr. Semkiw (www.johnadams.net) posits that throughout various lifetimes the soul carries forward some facial features, personality traits, passions, talents and skills. Semkiw has written about Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop," being the reincarnation of Charles Dassoucy, the "Emperor of Entertainment," as well as his lifetime as part of the Child Crusades.

Whatever you believe, it is clear that Michael Jackson left the world a more soulful place.

And if you are listening, Michael, may you find the healing and wholeness you so desperately need on the other side, and may you rest in sweet peace. We will be dancing and singing to your music for a good long time.

Copyright 2009 by Adele Ryan McDowell