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Michael Jackson will be remembered, most likely, as a shattered icon, a pop genius who wound up a mutant of fame. That’s not who I will remember, however. His mixture of mystery, isolation, indulgence, overwhelming global fame, and personal loneliness was intimately known to me. For twenty years I observed every aspect, and as easy as it was to love Michael — and to want to protect him — his sudden death yesterday seemed almost fated.
Two days previously he had called me in an upbeat, excited mood. The voice message said, “I’ve got some really good news to share with you.” He was writing a song about the environment, and he wanted me to help informally with the lyrics, as we had done several times before. When I tried to return his call, however, the number was disconnected. (Terminally spooked by his treatment in the press, he changed his phone number often.) So I never got to talk to him, and the music demo he sent me lies on my bedside table as a poignant symbol of an unfinished life.
When we first met, around 1988, I was struck by the combination of charisma and woundedness that surrounded Michael. He would be swarmed by crowds at an airport, perform an exhausting show for three hours, and then sit backstage afterward, as we did one night in Bucharest, drinking bottled water, glancing over some Sufi poetry as I walked into the room, and wanting to meditate.
That person, whom I considered (at the risk of ridicule) very pure, still survived — he was reading the poems of Rabindranath Tagore when we talked the last time, two weeks ago. Michael exemplified the paradox of many famous performers, being essentially shy, an introvert who would come to my house and spend most of the evening sitting by himself in a corner with his small children. I never saw less than a loving father when they were together (and wonder now, as anyone close to him would, what will happen to them in the aftermath).
Michael’s reluctance to grow up was another part of the paradox. My children adored him, and in return he responded in a childlike way. He declared often, as former child stars do, that he was robbed of his childhood. Considering the monstrously exaggerated value our society places on celebrity, which was showered on Michael without stint, the public was callous to his very real personal pain. It became another tawdry piece of the tabloid Jacko, pictured as a weird changeling and as something far more sinister.
It’s not my place to comment on the troubles Michael fell heir to from the past and then amplified by his misguided choices in life. He was surrounded by enablers, including a shameful plethora of M.D.s in Los Angeles and elsewhere who supplied him with prescription drugs. As many times as he would candidly confess that he had a problem, the conversation always ended with a deflection and denial. As I write this paragraph, the reports of drug abuse are spreading across the cable news channels. The instant I heard of his death this afternoon, I had a sinking feeling that prescription drugs would play a key part.
The closest we ever became, perhaps, was when Michael needed a book to sell primarily as a concert souvenir. It would contain pictures for his fans but there would also be a text consisting of short fables. I sat with him for hours while he dreamily wove Aesop-like tales about animals, mixed with words about music and his love of all things musical. This project became “Dancing the Dream” after I pulled the text together for him, acting strictly as a friend. It was this time together that convinced me of the modus vivendi Michael had devised for himself: to counter the tidal wave of stress that accompanies mega-stardom, he built a private retreat in a fantasy world where pink clouds veiled inner anguish and Peter Pan was a hero, not a pathology.
This compromise with reality gradually became unsustainable. He went to strange lengths to preserve it. Unbounded privilege became another toxic force in his undoing. What began as idiosyncracy, shyness, and vulnerability was ravaged by obsessions over health, paranoia over security, and an isolation that grew more and more unhealthy. When Michael passed me the music for that last song, the one sitting by my bedside waiting for the right words, the procedure for getting the CD to me rivaled a CIA covert operation in its secrecy.
My memory of Michael Jackson will be as complex and confused as anyone’s. His closest friends will close ranks and try to do everything in their power to insure that the good lives after him. Will we be successful in rescuing him after so many years of media distortion? No one can say. I only wanted to put some details on the record in his behalf. My son Gotham traveled with Michael as a roadie on his “Dangerous” tour when he was thirteen. Will it matter that Michael behaved with discipline and impeccable manners around my son? (It sends a shiver to recall something he told Gotham: “I don’t want to go out like Marlon Brando. I want to go out like Elvis.” Both icons were obsessions of this icon.)
His children’s nanny and surrogate mother, Grace Rwamba, is like another daughter to me. I introduced her to Michael when she was eighteen, a beautiful, heartwarming girl from Rwanda who is now grown up. She kept an eye on him for me and would call me whenever he was down or running too close to the edge. How heartbreaking for Grace that no one’s protective instincts and genuine love could avert this tragic day. An hour ago she was sobbing on the telephone from London. As a result, I couldn’t help but write this brief remembrance in sadness. But when the shock subsides and a thousand public voices recount Michael’s brilliant, joyous, embattled, enigmatic, bizarre trajectory, I hope the word “joyous” is the one that will rise from the ashes and shine as he once did.
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My prayers are with all those who loved Michael. Thank you for sharing such a personal side of your friend. I know he is truly in a better place. With much Joy. This evening I picked up Book of Secrets and opened to “Changing your Reality to Accommodate the fifth Secret” , and my first thought was to MJ. In a way I feel like he let alot of people down in the end – going out this way. His family will be well taken care of from his legacy but I mourn the dance moves he might yet had to show the world.
Peace
I understand Michael more than I can say. At 40, I had the social understanding of a five year old and was constantly misunderstood.
I feel for him… and his intense misery. It was a learning disability, unable to
to learn from experience…
Dear Deepak,
Obviously Michael’s true purpose in life was to spread the message of love through music. Simply put – he did just that! He brought us joy and tears, and we’re grateful.
Being 3 years younger than Michael myself, his life literally played out in front of my eyes. Everyone could see he was just trapped as a preteen, and sadly no one could help him. The fact that he was famous in America — of that I was well aware. But I was truly floored by the worldwide outpouring of love concerning his death.
The day before the funeral I was moved to played “We are the World” and “Will you be there?” over and over again on youtube. Plainly the message is LOVE.
As a tribute to Michael’s unheeded message and the subsequent need for the world to come together in any act of love, the whole world should do a remake of “We are the World” with today’s musicians for tomorrow’s children. Today. Although the song was originally done as USA for Africa, sadly the words still apply on a worldwide scale.
“There comes a time when we heed a certain call, when the world must come together as one.” I’m afraid we still haven’t heeded that call – 24 years later. I know Africa did receive much needed help – I don’t mean to belittle the effect the song had. Actually, I’m honoring it. I am just insisting that we still need to come together as one in the world.
Michael showed us the reach music has. A revival of the original song plus a remake with today’s stars – but done in EACH country that has willing musical stars. AND do one that is truly worldwide with each country singing a line in their own language. Then we would truly have a first song to sing together – a song of love.
What an honor to Michael that would be!
May we always feel we are working to make a better NOW so that we can all BE the better tomorrow.
Love,
PJ Morrow
Michael’s music and overall talent has always been iwonderful to me and the person has always felt very special in a way I can’t describe. But I find it incredible how his tragic passing has made me feel more than just sad – even now the sense of loss overwhelms me. He was – and is – a truly special soul and messenger – barely even human somehow.
The strange thing is that I feel his energy all around me all the time now – as if he not only truly lives on, but bigger and grander than ever. His presence seems to be everwhere – I don’t just mean on the radio or tv or whatever – I mean in the very air and atmosphere around us. Is anyone else feeling this?
Dear Deepak, thank you for expressing your feelings and thoughts on the loss of our very wonderful friend.
Warm wishes
Jean
Food for thought….
I question whether this hoopla over the MJ death is getting a little crazy.
Is it really rational? One entertainer dies and it’s like we’ve lost the
second messiah….. To put it in perspective, our soldiers die defending
our freedom (the ultimate sacrifice), and no one knows their name…
Nothing against MJ, but enough already..
Hi H@ckm@n
I understand what you say, of course, about soldiers all over the world dying while defending the freedom of their countries, but I don’t see any value in comparing these situations with that of a person who surrendered his own life – for nearly 50 years – to give happiness and pleasure to millions with his genius and creativity. In fact, where’s the value in comparing the lives and deaths of any people, really.
And, here’s a thought: are you so absolutely sure, so totally 100% certain that Michael Jackson wasn’t the second messiah? The more I find out about his good deeds, his charity work, his donations, his gifts of time and physical presence to the sick, his gentleness and innocence, his extreme sensitivity – in the face of a cynical world press that tormented and hounded him relentlessly in latter years – well I seriously do wonder…
Things are rarely what they seem.
Jean
Thank you much Deepak for this lovely, kind summary of your life experiences with MJ. With all of the speculation, analyzing, opinions, media, etc., it’s so enjoyable to read someone’s thoughts looking at it from a higher level of awareness, seeing the bigger picture of MJ and his incarnation. Everything’s karma, just wish MJ could’ve been more aware of himself, but that’s where he was at. Thank you again Deepak (love your books).
Jean,
Second messiah? You can’t be serious…
I don’t think the first messiah would have pornographic magazines in his
bedroom where he “innocently” invites children to sleep with him. Nor
would he serve minors the “jesus juice”. How about dangling a small child
over the balcony?
You’ve just confirmed my fears…. It has gotten crazy! At the very best he had
amazing talent and was a creative genius… But this man had serious
psychological issues and behavioral problems… He is dead at the age of 50.
It is clear that he had a severe problem with narcotics and that he shut friends
and family off from helping him.
This man was no messiah…. He was a train wreck.
Dear Deepak,
You remained a loyal friend to Michael Jackson through his good times and not so good times, that speaks a lot about you. Your books are full of wisdom, but your example is best to follow. However at this point what really concerns me is that Michael’s body is still waiting for decisions, and that is not good for him, because the being tries to enter the body through Muldhara as long as the body is available, that is the reason why in India we burn the body as soon as possible. It sets the being free for futher journey, Michael has suffered enough while he was in that body, why make him suffer some more?
This is not a belief system from which I am speaking, it is the reality of human life. (Anyone wants to explore the reality, I will guide them in the right direction.) I hope Michael is set free for futher journey, I sincerely wish, I had gotten in touch with him while he was alive, with the knowledge that I have, I would have most certainly been of help to him. If you have any suffering freinds, please note, I will be happy to help them.
Sincerely,
Suma Shewale
Deepak,
I have just finished watching you on Larry King live w/ Dr Drew. You have this absolutely correct. I am a recovering addict w/ 21 years clean. When a person has become addicted the disease takes control of the addicts life. Dr take an oath to protect and care for their patients, and this on a daily basis is NOT done. Keep up your momentum, and please let me know if I could help. I sponsored a female once and she was on an antidepressant, I had asked her why, and she said 5 years prior, she went to her Dr and he said she was depressed because her mother died and she was divorced in the same year. He prescribed an antidepressant, but she was still on it 5 years later. I asked her to discuss this w/ her Dr, and he took her off! This is a negligent situation we are in.
Stay in Peace Michael..You were a very gifted individual, and Im sorry the world did not take better care of one of its children, when you helped so many millions.
I find Dr. Chopra’s comment come all too late. I think that revealing intimate information about a person after he is dead is in violation of the friendship. Why is it that all of these friends are on TV now. Where were they when it mattered to Michael. I pray my friends would not be so forthcoming with initmate information about me after my death. I think we should honor Michael by being kind, loyal and compassionate to him in his death. if we couldn’t help him when he was on this earth, it’s a bit too late. I am really disappointed in the media seekers.
Dearest Dr, Chopra thank you for the brief heartfelt message regarding MJ. This was a surreal experience it stung the pit of my core. I am grieving, but found comfort in knowing that he appeared to be in a upbeat mood and making the best of life within the moment he was in while speaking to you. Although deep down inside he was burdened with his physical/mental afflictions he was struggling and trying to make life work for the benefit of others and himself. It is next to impossible to change a already madeup mind once a person has a fixed view and is feed constant misinformation ,fragment infomation, misguided untruths, inflammatory rhetoric, all at the driving force of “greed and jealousy” I have experienced great tragedy as the world looked on with undeniable hypocrisy, flawed judgement and comdenation. I am not world renowned but the event has gone down in world history and it hurts still after 31 years like it was yesterday. The media is at times relentless and saturates the airwaves with too much negative energy hiding behind a “greed” driven disguise . I understand and empathize Michael’s pain. I shall stand on the promises of God in meditation and prayer and know that truth will come into the light of knowledge. For I am convenienced that nothing is impossible with God my Creator. I have endured the wrath of evil only by the Grace and Mercies of God’s eternal Love. I am less than jiffy or speckle in God’s infinite time and space. God sustaines the renewing of my mind and spirit, I am grateful. I disagree with Angela 161 completely. I believe that through intimate relationships you know people best and it is healing to the human spirit to read what I percieve to be a truthful and genuine message from your heart. I know MJ would be grateful & thankful for your words. I am certain that you hold your relationship in the highest regard and still have other memories and intimate discussions that you hold personal and private. Thank you for your time and all that you do to bring understanding and enlightment to us. May God have you continue to be a vessel! Most sincerely
Thank you for this intimate thought about Michael. I grew up listening to his music and as the press started to dig up all this ugly stuff about him I too experienced being dragged into the mud. All these years I stood silently by his side, cheering him on and praying to the Lord to give him strength. After reading your thoughts and witnessing the enourmous love that was showered upon him on his funeral (I watched it Live from thailand Midnight to 3 a.m.) I am now complete, and know that all is well!
Martina
what great words about MJ.
he will be sorely missed.
rest in peace MJ…
May Michael’s sould rest in Peace. And a Thank You to you Dr. Chopra, for being always such a kind human being. You, sirji, truly practice every ounce of what you teach. You are always a surprise and delight to read and always someone to enhance and restore one’s faith in goodness and humanity.
Thank You
Brinda
Dear Dr.Chopra,
Michael lived a full life and obviously had very good friends. I just want to say that I’m sorry you and your son lost a friend that you obviously loved. I am sorry for the ones he left behind who he so unknowingly brought such joy to.
Thank you for being his friend.
Deepak, you love and remember Michael as we should all love and remember him – as a fellow human and traveller in this consciousness. And I believe that you love him no less than you would love any other human being. I believe that when a human being has suffered so publicly, they represent to us, ourselves. And each time we witness the suffering and dying of another, we are reminded of how precious we each are and of how vital it is for us to give and to love. We are reminded to do what we can to end all suffering. I didn’t know Michael as you did and cannot feel your loss as deeply as you do. But I have shed tears for him. I believe in cherishing the good that I see in every person I encounter. I believe genuine good lived within Michael and I believe it still does. He is still near you, Deepak…as you so well know. And you will continue to make music together. You and Michael are both in the business of inspiring others to love. I don’t think either of you have any intention of quitting on that. Peace to you.
Dear Deepak,
Thank you for your kind words on Michael.
I can really see you really loved him dearly.
I have shed many tears that he is no longer here,
of course i have never met him. He seemed like such a kind
soul, with never any malice in him. Which is so amazing to me
after all he’ has gone through!! His kindness and love for people
has truly been an inspiration to me. May he rest in peace now.
I believe his spirit is still here and i can feel it.
I did not know Michael Jackson personally, but he did effect my life over the years. He was a huge star, and a little strange as well. I know that he had a tough childhood, he has a, in my opinion, a strange family and he had to grow up so early. Plus the media really does not care about people, they would not leave him alone. But at the same time he did so many things that would make people want to take notice and point fingers at him. I think his life is very sad. When I look back now, I don’t think that I ever imagined MJ as an old man. I guess without really thinking about it, I didn’t expect him to grow old. I do think MJ is special in many ways. I’m not sure what happened with the child molestation accusations, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he did it but I also wouldn’t be surprised if things were just as he said they were. it’s just a shame. Biggest artist in my life time as far as I’m concerned. People do die everyday and we don’t know their names and their lives are just as important. but MJ was an extremely talented talented person known all over the world. His life was not like ours or anyone elses. He was the biggest star at times. What was it like to be him? He touched a lot of people. This is why there is such a big deal made of his passing. RIP MJ. Thanks for what you gave and I hope you find peace.
Society broke his heart for years and years… Now our hearts are broken forever.
hello deepak, i’m zinniya from India i read ur post ’cause i’ve heard earlier that u are a close friend of Michael. no matter whatever the media says, whatever Michael’s family says, we, the members of MJHD.com are never going to believe the supposed truth about our adorable star. sorry to make this public ’cause there’s no other way i can contact you. we are not putting forward our theories in the site out of wishful thinking. they are not the fan wishing of his love-sick fans. we’ve strong reasons to believe. if u wish to know about the theories just visit the site once( i hope u work out the fulform of MJHD. ’cause i don’t want to hurt Michael by publicly stating what we think in a site which believes the ’supposed truth’). we just want him to know that no matter whatever the media says about him, tries to put him in bad light, talks rubbish about him & his children, he’ll always remain our idol & hero with a golden heart n iron strong mind. we love him from the core of our heart n he’ll always remain the PRINCE OF OUR HEART. unchallenged n unbeaten.
hello deepak, i’m zinniya from India i read ur post ’cause i’ve heard earlier that u are a close friend of Michael. no matter whatever the media says, whatever Michael’s family says, we, the members of MJHD.com are never going to believe the supposed truth about our adorable star. sorry to make this public ’cause there’s no other way i can contact you. we are not putting forward our theories in the site out of wishful thinking. they are not the fan wishing of his love-sick fans. we’ve strong reasons to believe. if u wish to know about the theories just visit the site once( i hope u work out the fulform of MJHD. ’cause i don’t want to hurt Michael by publicly stating what we think in a site which believes the ’supposed truth’). we know that whatever he does, he has a reason for doing it. we just want him to know that no matter whatever the media says about him, tries to put him in bad light, talks rubbish about him & his children, he’ll always remain our idol & hero with a golden heart n iron strong mind. we love him from the core of our heart n he’ll always remain the PRINCE OF OUR HEART. unchallenged n unbeaten.
It really saddens me to see Michael’s alleged “friends” repeatedly describe him as some kind of naive man-child with a Peter Pan complex, an obsession with certain famous dead entertainers, and an irrational suspicion of “them” being out to get him.
I never spent a minute with the man and hadn’t thought of him in ages before June 25, but I’m certain he wasn’t gullible, immature, delusional, bizarre, perverted, or anything other than a complicated, intelligent, and gorgeous musical genius, albeit with innumerable very real, very stressful responsibilities and quite legitimate fears.
Unfortunately, his great talent, wealth, generosity, and kindness attracted a never-ending circus of leeches and selfish pseudo-friends wherever he went. How can you be his true friend, Deepak Chopra, when you clearly failed, or didn’t even do your utmost best, to help him overcome his dependencies?
That was Michael’s biggest problem: the people closest to him were too self-involved to bother intervening effectively, and too busy judging and analyzing him to accept him for what he truly was. If only he had associated with more “real” everyday people like me–untainted by celebrity excess, greed, nonsense, and pompous infallibility–he would still be here today. “Real” people would have kept him grounded in reality and mindful of what’s truly important.
All Michael needed was sincere people who genuinely valued him and wanted nothing from him but him; people who would have forced him — somehow and some way, if it was the last thing they did — to overcome his demons so he could have a more enjoyable life. Instead, he had people like you, Deepak Chopra, so-called “friends” who cop out and run to the media after his death to note the numerous signs they saw yet apparently ignored or did next to nothing about.
I was unaware of the depth of Michael’s difficulties because I never believed any of the garbage the media spit out about him. Every time I encountered another ignorant Whacko Jacko comment or vicious lie about him being a pedophile or trying to become white, I rolled my eyes and said to myself, “Please!” I never doubted that Michael was anything other than a wonderful, decent person with his share of expected problems.
Why? Because I never expected him to be anybody but himself, and it was clear from his childhood that despite his superstar status, he was as sweet and as human — yes, *human* — as can be. What’s the purpose of analyzing him and categorizing him when all humans have unique peculiarities, unless you think you’re somehow better and in a position to judge?
I know you mean well with this post, Deepak Chopra, but you and the rest of the people from Michael’s world coming out of the woodwork now that he’s passed make me literally sick with anger and disgust. Michael deserved far better.
Again, I wish he’d had more real people in his life who know what life is actually about. He wouldn’t have been so anguished, isolated, lonely, paranoid, “pathological,” judged, or gone before his time. You “friends” failed him big time, and I hope that colossal failure haunts each and every one of you forever.
RIP, Michael. Your immeasurable fans will always love you more.
Hi Deepak
My name is Laura and I know this is going to sound nuts and maybe it is(not)
I love Michael Jackson he truly is a gift from God.He will be missed more than he could ever know not because of his death here it goes because I don’t think he is dead like I said nuts right? Not so fast let me tell you what I think happened. I think Michael needed to get away from everything he wanted to retire and live with his children in peace. He didn’t want to do a 50 date tour in London that was AEG Live doing I read somewhere he wanted to do 10. So when Michael saw his chance he took it (good for you) I’m making it sound like it was easy to do but that is not what I’m saying. I’m sure it took alot of hard work and planning from everyone. There are alot of things being put out there that just don’t add up from day 1 when I first hread the news about Michael the first words out of my mouth was “oh my GOD” then no way he’s not dead. I’m sorry like I already said I know this sounds nuts put me in a rubber room and all that. I’m sorry I’m not trying to upset you as I know that you and he are good friend’s but at the same time I can’t help what my heart is telling me and it’s telling me that Michael is still alive(thank you God)Everything is just so crazy so many diffrant stories going aound he on drugs (bull sh#t)he’s sick he’s not sick ahhh. One thing I can say is that I lost my older brother to cancer last year he was 54 and I’m still not over the pain of his lost I know everyone deals with death in diffrant ways and God forgive me for saying this but his family didn’t seem to upset to me.I’m sorry to say such things and I hope I’m not wrong after saying that about his family But I really do think Michael is still with us oh god I hope so I really do love him and this world is so much wrost off if he really is gone. Please if I may Leave a message for Michael Michael I just want you to know the people who really care about your well being understand why you had to do it this way I just hope you have a long and happy life and know this Michael I love you more 4ever and 1 day Thank You Laura Chingo
I am glad someone finally said this. I knew of this in my heart before reading this and all other things considered through soo many people and no one had put forth this syntiment of a hurting soul.
It is a shame as mentioned, that there was no one close enough or able to foresee this to step in or help (ultimately) along with the peole within his circle and living amungst.
I hate that he was mis-understood, and had to endure soo much and no one taking the time (as we all do in own lives) with soo many things going on and not having the ultimate heart to visualize someone else’s internal thoughts, soul, and overall feelings in one’s life, let alone their own.
I loved how he looked before and after, he was GORGEOUS to me and I look at him and like it “then and now” so to speak.
I really feel deeply for him in just being a fan and really think of and hear over and over through his somgs (even the ones that were under-rated or not taken) when he was shouting out through his “Invisible” cd of how people “used and abused” him and in som many words “I told you so”, this is what I was feeling all along…about him
I still cry for him and feel that hurt in seeing videos of him, interviews, and tributes all over the place…I spend 10 hours per day…looking at him and crying and feeling so sick and sad and wishing I was there around him to see and help….
I wish he had quieted down in making the projects he was thinking of , but hadnt followed through probably due to the inconsistancy of the internal obsessions of “drugs” no matter of what sort…I wish he had developed another type of beautiful music other than the “hard beat” that everyone was used to in the past …no matter how great they were/are…He had some “Hidden Jewels” in between and inserted within each CD not taken by others…I wish he had incoprated his own Label so he wouldnt have had to depend on those other corporate A.H. taking advantage of him…on and on and on…I could go…
I feel soo hurtful that he never was able to to even have a love (other than his kids) for a second to experience and couldn’t have anyone close to him to have a somewhat normal relationship or relations…even though I see time and time again of videos of him looking happy and playful and smiling, but when I hear of him being inverted and sitting along in some respect, it gets me SAD again and I cannot stop mourning his sadness while living…..instead of mourning him being dead and gone….this is what HURTS MY SOUL for him….
Well enough said…I got MINE out!
HE LOOKS SO CUTE IN THAT PICTURE
x
Michael is still alive,
Deepak how can you so easily believe he is dead? none of the stories add up..he has hundereds of decoys around..Yes call me CRRAZZY but there Is “denial” and there is “mourning”..i heard about his death..was shocked at first but when I feel in to this along with several dreams I have had for weeks..my intuition, my heart, my sixth sense feels something different! I am not even a die hard fan..but I always felt his heart and how much he cared and wanted to help humanity .My favorite song is “Earth song” and After all we are all interconnected and interrelated.. “. I have had dreams over the 4 weeks..i know ones brain can sometimes project what ever is on your mind in your dreams but the dreams came first and then came the deep feeling..”OH GOD HE IS ALIVE”…I SAY THIS BECAUSE I HAVE THIS ABILITY TO SOMETIMES SEE THINGS..I SAW THE MAJOR EARTH QUICK IN CHINA 2 DAYS BEFORE IT HAPPEND..any way that’s how i feel and so be it !!..
With deep love and respect for all that are mourning and feeling the loss!!
Shanaz
Firstly, that is a beautifully written tribute by Deepak to a a person that was completely misunderstood. Thank you Deepak for putting this glorious light on a man who changed the lives of many, just as you have done, and still do.
To Michael: thank you for the music. You started a revolution, and your music will be a legacy for many years to come.
May you find rest at last.
Vanessa
I have read this entry many times since Michael’s passing. I still seems so surreal to me. I applaud you for your heartfelt, honest expression. You truely shed a clear light on the complex person that was Michael Jackson. As a young African-American child in the late 60’s there were no positive images on TV or in the music industry that we could relate- and then there was the Jackson 5, kids like us, looking like us and doing things we had never dreamed of.
I remember seeing the Jackson 5 at a charity basketball game in the mid 70’s. I was 11, Michael was 13. He was not playing-the rest of his brothers were though. I was not very far from him in the stands and I remember he had a box of candy in his hand, so did I and we met eye to eye. Michael was very normal and we had a very normal interaction for two children. We made fun of the others candy choice. When I hear all the odd, negetive things about him I remember my Michael the 13 yr old that was just a regular kid. I am really dreading what is about to surface about his death. It seems as though he fell prey to Doctors who forgot that ” First, Do No Harm”. Deepak, you put a bright, honest spotlight on this issue-Thank you for that. There are too many medical professionals willing to practice recklessly all for the sake of money and celebrity. My dear brother Michael, find peace and repose. My prayers are with you.
thank you…
the pic says ALL!
LOVE!
Carolyn
Dr Chopra:
).
I can see warm thoughts expressed by you in this “tribute” to Michael … but it is also full of qualifications as if you were ashamed of him or want to distance yourself from him. I think that this and many of your other comments/interviews are disrepectful in that way and below what I would expect from you.
Now that he is gone, everyone near him is talking about him out of one side of their mouth and crying for the cameras on cue out of the other side of their mouth … the final disrespectful blow. My parents taught me that if I did not have anything nice to say… then say nothing, especially if it is about my elders or those that cannot defend themselves — like those that have passed.
No wonder this poor man got lost in his fame, overrun by his demons and felt utterly alone except for his dear children.
I do not know from personal experience, as I did not have the honor of meeting Michael in person … but I do know that I would never speak of anyone after their passing like you and others have felt obligated to talk about Michael.
Rest in peace Michael… I hope you are in “forever land” now with no pain and finally surrounded by the unconditional love you needed so desperately… and that you are already planning the ultimate show with the old masters you so respected (ie: Astaire, Kelly, Brown, Davis, Tchaikovsky, Debussy… just to name a few
Much love and good energy to all…
As a kid growing up in the 70’s I loved the Jackson Five and specially the voice of Michael Jackson As we all know, he grew up in front of the public eye at an early age. Therefore, a natural response of protecting himself was to build layers upon layers to be or not to be. The reality is that we did not know him, or his family or even maybe he, himself. We knew his work and his work was beautiful. It is not important to know people but to love them and accept them because we are all part of each other. It is sad how people dwell more in the negative aspects of humanity than rejoicing in the beauty and magical aspects of it. To every soul that departs every second my prayers for a beautiful transition is in my heart.
Thank you for your beautiful books, music (poems) and programs. Now that I live abroad (books are so expensive), I am so happy that am able to continue to have access to your books and programs with ITunes!!!!
Good Morning Deepak
Having always had ambivalent feelings about Michael Jackson, your tribute has given me an honest insight of him. He was an entertainer, icon, musician extraordinaire. One of a kind and his untimely death is so very sad – more especially for his children. They do not deserve such a loss.
Thank you again for your tribute. I now recognise Michael for the great person that he was and not the dreadful person the media often portrayed him to be.
There is no such thing as DEATH ~ regardless of circumstances/choices, we have to let go of the physical body in order for the Eternal True Self to continue the journey. Therefore we must rejoice and celebrate ~ the Being you called Michael in this lifetime is moving forward and has grown from his Earthly experiences ~
~ AS ONE IN LIGHT ~
Thank you for a touching and real picture of Michael. He was a gift, a treasure that God gave to us for a short time. Corrie ten Boom once said that a life can be measured by its contribution not its length. Michael gave us so much through his music and his desire to “Heal the World” and inspiring us to come together to make this world a better place. I have had many personal struggles but I find myself smiling, laughing and enjoying myself as I listen to his music. Thank you for being there for Michael.
Dear Mr. Deepak,
Thank you very much for sharing this with us. The time you had together is priceless. And thank you so much for being there when he needed you. I am still speechless that now he is really gone, sometime, i just wish that i am dreaming and someone wake me up and tell me that he is still alive.
He is just such a genuine humble person . Thank you Mr. Deepak. I love you Michael. RIP Michael…
Dear Mr. Chopra -
Thank you very much for sharing this with us. Thank you for sharing the love that was him. I wonder how well I would handle immense global fame, beyond what any human being has achieved. I think that paranoia w/b almost a given by-product of his life, considering the depths that people stooped to shamelessly glean millions of dollars of profit from him…I include Martin Bashir in this and then Tom Snedden, who tried to make himself rich and famous from Michael’s persona, using in a stupendously overblown trial with people who had previous histories of trying to glean money from celebrities. I am surprised the Santa Barbara police and courts allowed this circus trial to go on, without suffiecient evidence for a charge.
I feel like Michael was sent here to give us messages of love, and we unfortunately, destroyed him in the process. People were drawn to him for his love and purity, and we all wanted some of that. And he paid dearly for it, losing his childhood, not able to function normally in society, becoming the target of jokes and hideous accusations and eventually succumbing to addiction to numb the pain.
I appreciate his messages and will always cherish the love.
BTW, I read abt the exercise you did for the Intention Experiment team members on the day of his memorial. It sounds as if we put Michael on the outside.
thank you , with love and respect, Kathy
I am very happy to hear someone speaking gently about Michael Jackson. I have loved him and his music of a very long time. I am so very broken hearted about his passing. The only comfort that I have, and believe should rest with us all is that he shared truth, through many of his songs; that we should never deny. I pray that a time came in his life that he realized and accepted Christ Jesus as his savior, his true answer. I saw so many faces at his memorial that I know ( have heard speak out) have accepted the Gospel of Truth. We all love Michael, but what a joy it will be to see him in heaven. Finally, in the love of the Father
I have grown with Michael’s music too. but it is now that his music makes even more sense to me. it tells me how we failed as fans too! we failed to understand him. we failed to listen to the real words in his songs. why if we had heard his pain and anguish -we would have helped him. he would have listened to us – he loved his fans dearly and would have done anything to please them and keep them happy – that was Michael. so if we listened to him – we could have put up those very posters and sent those very messages that requested him to be out of trouble and stop taking pain medications and look into some serious options as alternatives. we should have helped him. instead we left him to die at the hands of inexperienced doctors and impractical businessmen. The so-called nutritionist and doctors and everybody else who knew what was going on – never bothered to really follow-up on his troubles and turn around and help him – nope never ! when she got the call from Michael asking for the pain medication, its good she refused it – nut being a person from the medical field she should have known better- she should have followed-it up with updates to family, call to cops and hospitals to help Michael in the true sense. she never followed-up seriously – knowing how great an icon he is and how dangerous a medication he was asking for – it was her duty to follow-it up with calls to the right people to make every effort to take care of him. even all the so-called doctors. there seems to be a gap. ok, we are told he never listened to people, and shut them off if he was advised – but darn it~ no matter if our child stares at us sometimes – dont we still try to make our point or scold them or whoop them if required to get them back on track? that is love. we should hv done that to Michael – shown some tough love – it might have kept him alive today – but not! and today we lost him! he is no more in person with us —we have lost a gem – a human who i think is really on par with great people like Mother Teresa and Nelson Mendela. He suffered all his life – just like Jesus and died for us – and now when he is gone – we are crying so much – whats the use? can he come back? i wish he could , but i dont know if that can happen in this world! but i do believe in miracles!! but please there’s a lesson to learn here – even if we had to show some tough love – show it- the important thing is to save the person, than to show love and lose the person!! he or she will realize eventually, though initially they may hate, but it is our duty to save and safegarud our loved ones, even it means whooping them or showing some kind of tough love when really needed! dont forget – even God does to us the same – he does show us tough love – to teach some very important lessons in life!! Michael – we failed you – but we love you. its no use now, but we will always remember you and your teachings and try to live your dreams!! and try and change the world and make it a better place —just for you!!!!
With all the respect, I found this tribute very impersonal, very „dry” and without the sparks of love.
You are one of the few who knew closely Michael, shared with him many moments and I true believe that he considered you as a mentor. I don’t understand where is the vibration of love in your words? All over the world the fans grieves for Michael with no consolation except his music and videos. One of this fans is asking on the forum – how is possible to love so much someone who don’t even meet in person? I ask myself how is possible to love someone like a close relative, feel the need to take him home and blessed his wounds, cry and suffer deeply for his death, feel a strange pain in the stomach when his tragic life comes into the light, feel shame and remorse for the way that other „human beings” treated him. Who knows how tortured was through his entire life? It was called „the king of pop” but these words are too little for him. It was a GENIUS of music and dance and as I know from history most of the genius are weird people, beautiful „mad” people who can push the world forward and leave traces in history; from the start they are not like us, they are tortured and ripped apart between the desire to achieve a major opera and the fear for failure.
I saw on Larry king show your declaration that you never heard Michael’s Morphine song („Demerol, Demerol, oh God he’s taking Demerol…”) but what is this song? Is a cry for help, is a person who need a strong hand from a friend, from a relative, from anyone who want to save without judging his life. The tragism is that Michael never find this person, or may I say, nobody loved him with a „madly” love (in the good sense of the word) to try the impossible to save him. Is tragic because no one from his large family, close friends and advisers, didn’t tried to involve in that mission. I didn’t read even one declaration with remorse, someone important in his life who can say I’m sorry for my behavior, I am sorry for my decision, sorry that I was so indifferent … What is with all these declarations, statements, tributes-song and others? What can they change? For Michael is too late. Now we can help him only with our prayers and I really believe that we, the fans, we are praying from the bottom of our souls putting in our prayers the deepest pure love for him and the hope that he will find the peace in the God’s kingdom.
A fan from Romania (1992 the year when Michael came in Bucharest and showed what really means – a genius on stage).
Thank you for sharing these beautiful memories of a very special entertainer whom we all loved so dearly. A link to your tribute was sent to me by my daughter, Carina, who is in the process of organizing a benefit tribute on Michael’s birthday, August 29.
Let us not forget that Michael did so much for so many charities. I believe he holds some kind of world record for giving. How sad that he lived his life in loneliness when so many of us cared so much for him. May his spirit find all the joy he deserves.
Love & blessings, always, Susan Estrella
Michael was not the Second Messiah. He was just a normal human being like you and the man or woman in your mirror. It’s just that everything said/told about him that was not actually himself being quoted in the proper context was 99.9% fallacious.
It’s a fact that thousand people die every day, soldiers falling too, and children, shame on humanity, die from acute poverty, sickness arising from failing or inexistent hygienic conditions.. The list is non-exhaustive. Shame on us.
In the song ‘HIStory’, Michael Jackson sang the words ”Every soldier dies in His Glory”, and to me, these few words are striking.. Be it about the soldier’s own Glory or the Glory of God, this line opens my mind every day (because I do listen to Mj’s songs every day). I can’t explain how this happens, but as I hear those words, it’s like a 3rd eye opening each time for a miilisecond, and an armageddon-like imagery of dead soldiers lying on the earth surface amidst a kaleidoscope of colors brightening the dark ground and skies.. Every dead soldier lies however before my eye as the ‘King of the Hill’ , and although I see dead soldiers, I visualize Heroes and Conquerors who have given their Life without second thought to protect our right for Freedom.
Even after his death, Michael Jackson was the media’s favorite, just like he was tabloid media’s plaything during the greater part of his life. Was it because he tried so hard avoiding them? Both the question and answers are irrelevant. He is now away from all of this, not having to care for his privacy..
My biggest question about the issue is:
Why is proper and fair coverage denied to the anonymous soldiers of our Freedom, to the dead men and women, tragically wounded Heroes (who will be forgotten before they have the time to mourn their own tragedy), and to those who return without having been crowned as ‘Kings of the Hill”?
Has the world become so indifferent that the media will look out for less important matter, web of lies that will become the tabloid junk of tomorrow?
We have had enough of that sort of coverage. Let us extend our hearts to our fellow companions, (this includes the anonymous we come across and ignore everyday) on our journey in this present Life.
A few weeks ago, outside the baker’s, a man, apparently a homeless beggar, asked me for ’something to buy food’. I gave him some of the change in my hand, and later, on my way out, handed him a loaf of bread I had bought for him, then turned around swiftly because I did not want him to thank me.(I was instead thankful to Him for some reason I could not figure.)
As i turned around, I was however surprised to see a young man, a few yards away, apparently amused and laughing silently at what ‘happened’.
What kind of world are we living in?
H@ckm@n , You don’t get it and that’s okay. Try to respect the other people that do and their sincere pain and loss- millions of them. They get it. His essence..can’t you feel it when you look at him? I hope some day you can. Were you a John Lennon fan? I’m not a christian or any other religion , but when Michael left I knew that people would be saying that he was the second coming. I checked and they were. One girl said that he was the second coming and “we missed it”. So scratch your head and ask yourself, hmm…what is it that millions of people see in this one man that I don’t see? He was real. Gosh, there was one gal that panhandled with a sign over in London, I think….to get plane fare so she could attend the memorial. What did she see that you don’t see.
He was real. You say he was a train wreck. That’s not a nice thing to say to people that are in pain. I know people that are train wrecks – they are strictly consumers to the extreme and don’t produce a darn thing. They sit on their butts and whine. That’s a waste; that’s a wreck. Michael wasn’t sitting on his duff. Michael did his best. He wanted to make a difference and he did. You can’t ask any more from a person than that.
Depak, you shouldn’t have said all that stuff on Larry King.
Deepak, thank you for such a beautiful tribute to Michael. He was such a special person. It is nice to hear all of these special memories that you had the chance to experience with Michael. I did not. But being just 2 years younger than him, I grew up with him and his brothers and their music. Yes, there may have been some mystery to himand he was misunderstood, bu t he was a talented and giving person who was also a loving father.
I find myslef crying day after day when seeing his photos, listening to news programs, hearing his music(which I continue to do everyday). I am just heartbroken. I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet him. I feel like he was a part of my extended family.
I am sad that he will not be able to see his beautiful children grow up.
It saddens me to think of all of the pain that Michael had to endure in his short time on our earth. He gave so much of himself to make a difference in the lives of those who needed it. His legacy will live on forever. He was the greatest entertainer in the world.
I just hope he is at peace now and wish all the bad things being said about him would stop.
A poem for celebrating Michael’s 51 yr Brithday.
Live to Inspire: Inspiration from Michael Jackson
If you can’t live to inspire the world
inspire your country
If you can’t live to inspre your country
inspire your circle of friends
If you can’t live to inspire your circle of friends
inspire your family
If you can’t live to inspire your family
inspire your children
If you can live to inspire your children
inspire yourself
If you can’t live to inspire yourself
life, is empty…
Michael, you insipred us all,
the world, the country, the friends, the family, and your children.
But, the most inspiration from you is,
your love and passion
to pursuit
what you believed are the most beautiful things to the world
By Jennifer J.
I wish I had known of your friendship w/him while he was alive, most especially during the time the accusations re:sexual child abuse monopolized the media. How important it would have been for him to have had credible advocates like yourself. Perhaps you did, I am not someone who watches news a lot, especially celebrity news shows but I had no way of knowing the truth.
It was only after his death, while watching an interview apparently done awhile after the period off these accusations that I trusted my own instincts and decided he was innocent of these accusations.
Thank you for putting what you wrote about him on your front website page and thank you for all of the work you do.
Sincerely,
Sara Zephynz
It is so sad…
After so much time, I still don’t have words to describe how sad this story is for me. When I try, tears find their way out. I only know that Michael’s presence is so, so much stronger after June 25, and I am on a quest to understand that.
Thank you, Deepak
Thank you Deepak
You are so lucky to have met him and became close friends with MJ He will always be remembered and loved. Always…..
I will always have a tear for him till the day i die, what happen to him should have not…. we all knew he needed help, all around but the people that were suppose to help him let him down……..
thank you for sharing the story with us. Love the picture. God Bless. effe
This is a good tribute for someone you have known well.
It is good to read your highlight on truth about Michael. Certainly the one who has spent substantial amount of time with someone knows him or her better than anyone else does. Unfortunately, many people purport to know others too well even if they only hear about them through media. In that manner, many who have never even seen Michael at close quarters have judged him so negatively and condemned him based on media reports. Attention has focused on reported negatives and yet there are many positive deeds from Michael. No one pays attention to his service to needy children and concern for environment. Driven by greed to exploit his fortune, some have tarnished Michael’s efforts to provide care and love and consequently created an opposite image of who he actually is.
Now Deepak, having known Michael for a while, your report bears credibility. Further to that, your authority as an inspiring writer adds more credibility to that report. You are not a tabloid writer and as such, those who are still confused on what to believe about Michael may take time to reflect on your tribute and possibly view Michael positively.
However, I have one million dollar question for you Deepak. In view of what you know about Michael, plus the crucifixion he has received from the society, why have you expressed yourself only after his death? There is a saying that a friend in need is a friend in deed. Your tribute indicates that you saw no less than a loving father in Michael. Why did you fail to come out publicly when others were condemning him as child molester? During the court trial, Michael desperately needed the support of the friends who understood him. Some truly stood by him including his ex wife. I have high respect for those who opted to stand up for the truth and particularly his ex wife who could have chosen to damage his reputation further maliciously as it would happen with many ex wives. Some would try to exploit the situation to prove to the world why they could not live together. Such is credibility of report from someone close to the other that the court often accepts even malicious false reports as truth. If his ex wife had testified against him, surely Michael would have died in jail.
I am not judging you Deepak but I still cannot help asking why you have written the positive side of Michael only after his death. May be you had done so earlier or even supported him during his trial but missed to know. If that is the case, please forgive me for questioning. If you did not and have a reason for not doing so, I am curious to know that reason.
Thanks for the tribute regardless of whether it is belated or not.
Paul.
Dear Mister Chopra,
nobody had to knew Mike personal to understand what kind of person he was. I knew him and I had exactly the feeling you describe to protect and to love him, but how? He was to sared to come out of his own cage (what he didn`t built, but he stabil it), to let his soul be free or to trust hisself. His first drug was the music, but after he was on the highest top, he couldn`t find no satisfaction no more. But he tooked the wrong way to find his freedom. For everyone it is unbelieveable that he is he`s no more under us, like I do. So I thank for the moments Michael touched us with his never ending warmness.
In my deeply thoughts…
Gaby
dearest deepak – thank you so much for sharing your gift of language with those of us who have difficulty at times like these. i’m so grateful michael had a chance to know you and to keep you close to him. i’m sure your guidance and protection were an important piece of his life. i’m part of “the public” who has been bombarded with the many images and descriptions of michael throughout his lifetime, and i truly have no opinion of all that has taken place over these past weeks, except to say i am grateful he had some opportunity to know love as it should be, from someone who knows that true love has no opposite. thank you.