Love Is The Answer

Love is the Answer. We’ve heard the phrase countless times... used these very words ourselves, undoubtably. Seen them on tee shirts and bumper stickers... even on protest signs!  Read them in poetry, and heard them in songs.  But most memorable of all, of course.....  when Michael sang them to us for the first time, with His incredible, angelic voice in the beautiful Love ballad, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.”  Oh, how I was swept away... sigh... I wondered though, had I ever really thought about what those words actually mean? First of all, Love in the Divine interpretation teaches us that all life is part of a sacred Oneness, and requires us to love one another equally and without condition.  It seems, at first, like a fairly simple and logical approach to life.  I mean, just be loving to everyone... you can’t go wrong. How hard could it be? But as with everything - and especially with Michael - there is always more to the story than meets the eye

In “Man In The Mirror,” Michael tells us if we want to make the world a better place, to take a look at ourselves and make that change . Gandhi expressed exactly the same sentiment when he said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”.  Not a complex concept, and certainly not a new one.  It’s my guess that it has probably been around for as long as people have been seeking Peace. Yet, even after all this time, humanity as a whole has still not applied it. How discouragingly this speaks of our willingness to change. But there is some miraculous thing about Michael Jackson that makes people jump into action. I really am so deeply moved by the level of participation and depth of devotion that exists within His fan community. It’s so beautiful to witness all the selfless, charitable, incredible things that Michael’s Love inspires in so very many. From raising funds, volunteering time, hosting events, campaigning for human rights, publishing books, crusading for justice, promoting the arts, erecting memorials.... even building orphanages. Michael’s fans do it all! I think it is more than safe to say, He has made a significant impact on the hearts of a great many people. Ain’t Love grand?! Now, for the hard part... 

Beyond the joy of giving, how do we, as Michael’s followers - whom He told, and who believe that Love is the Answer - how do we find the strength within ourselves to be loving towards people who commit heinous acts and show no remorse for their actions? Or do we? Is it possible? And more importantly, is it at all appropriate?  Is it even fair to ask this of us?  Maybe Love is really not the Answer....

Personally, I don’t believe in punishment as a response to violence, hatred, or any other type of crime or form of atrocity.  We only have to look as far as our own prison system to realize how ineffective this approach is.  Any fear-based attempt at control heralds, at most, very temporary results.  Not only does the threat of punishment not deter people from committing crimes, but often the application of it increases the impulsion for violence and the inability to empathize.  Eye-for-an-eye mentality only establishes a pattern of vengeance. It does not increase compassion, promote rehabilitation, or expand a person’s capacity for Love. How can anyone learn empathy for others through the threat of their own well being? It is a deeply selfless act to teach a person something that will undoubtably and profoundly change their life.  Ask any parent and they will tell you that Unconditional Love isn’t easy.  In fact, I believe in my heart of hearts, that it is ultimately the most difficult concept there is to understand, and continually the most challenging one required of us spiritually.  We can resist if we choose... insist on hanging on to antiquated, ineffective thinking. Or indulge the ego by convincing ourselves that an emotional response is appropriate - call it justice even, if we like... but in the end we are only prolonging our own agony.  I don't think any of us know what the process might be for restructuring the entire direction of humanity.  But maybe we don't need to know. Maybe we just need faith enough to take the first step, knowing that any step towards Love is a step in the right direction.

Sometimes it’s scary to think of the enormity of what must be accomplished... all we must overcome... all we must let go of... and the absolute blind determination of us as a society to hang on for dear life to things that are destroying us. But talking about Love and Oneness means nothing if we are not prepared to live it. I don’t want to only do what is easy. I don’t want to Love in a shallow pond. I want to Love like an ocean... like Michael did.  I want to do it because HE asked me to.  I want to Love in His name with such force that I can watch its waves gain momentum and sweep across the globe. He was the Demonstration... we SAW Him do it... so it IS possible.   Imagine...

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as One

- John Lennon

Think you know Love?  THIS is the ultimate surrender.  

Give In To Me...

Copyright © by Siren 10/21/2013