“The Science Behind the Secret” Review

I’ll start with some extractions from the back of the book:

“For over forty years writers have described and pondered the aspects of The Law of Attraction in works such as The Power of Positive Thinking, Creative Visualization and the

phenomenal best seller The Secret… Now, Dr. Travis Taylor–scientist, engineer and science fiction writer who has studied the esoteric nature of quantum physics and the universe–takes the reader on an eye-opening journey of understanding this theory.

Through modern quantum physics Dr. Taylor shows that The Secret is actually a restatement of the accepted physical models of quantum coherence and entanglement… The Science Behind the Secret–Decoding the Law of Attraction shows us that with every thought we have we are creating our own reality and that we can control our own realities if we learn how…”

Recently I blogged about the cognitive dissonance with the LoA that I experienced during my fifteen month departure.  I read so many books, but it was after this one that I returned to blogging.  It’s not that this book had a transformative effect on me, but it was nice icing on the cake.

Let’s get clear on Travis Taylor’s credentials.  He holds a doctorate in optical science and engineering, three masters degrees–in physics, aerospace engineering and astronomy–and a bachelors degree in electrical engineering.  He’s worked on various programs for the Department of Defense and NASA for the past sixteen years.  His current work involves advanced propulsion concepts, substantial space telescopes, space-based beamed energy systems, and next generation space launch concepts.  Now to the review.

Taylor uses a very southern-U.S.-folksy tone.  I’ll admit that it seems like he reaches just a bit too far with this tone, and at time it feels goofily contrived, but it didn’t keep me from reading with interest and ultimately appreciating the book.

Taylor starts with his incidental viewing of the Oprah program, which his wife likes to watch.  One episode featured those who had appeared on and contributed to The Secret. The other featured an interview with author Louise Hay.  While a number of comments made him flinch, watching these programs brought him back to themes he’d become aware of in his study of quantum physics and human consciousness.

To start off with, Taylor makes clear that technically a “law” is something that people have hypothesized, theorized, experimented with and tested diligently, and then argued and debated through peer review, often over generations, until the scientific community finally verifies it as a “law.”  So we should be clear that, from a scientific viewpoint, the Law of Attraction is not really a law, but more a “maxim.”  A maxim is something considered a general truth or principle, which has not been subjected to the above scientific rigor.  (I think most people believe deeply in plenty of things that, for one reason or another, the multi-generational scientific community has not “proven” with such rigor.)

One thing I like is how he makes a distinction between two principles:  the one you hear all the time and the one that more specifically addresses what the LoA community embraces.  We always hear that the basis of the Law of Attraction is that like attracts like. But, as Taylor points out, often this isn’t true at all since science has often shown that opposites attract. Yes, there are a lot of other situations in modern physics in which like does attract like, but the more specifically interesting point is that (to borrow from my About page) our thoughts modify our reality.

“The idea behind it is deeper than just “birds of a feather” or “like attracts like.”  The idea is that you create your own reality.  You create your universe around you by how you perceive it, interpret it and feel it.  And if you don’t believe me…just wait until we get to the science.”

Taylor proceeds with a bit of a history lesson on the LoA, followed by the quantum physics of how it might work.  He does his best to describe quantum theory, waves and particles to us in laymen terms.  Not easy.  Then we get into the real substance of this book as he discusses “qwiff’s” (or quantum wave functions,) what they are and how they move and interact with each other, coming together to manifest an intention equal to or better than what we asked for.

For some, delving deeply into the (usually) very complex things associated with the LoA seems confusing and unnecessary.  And if you don’t have the interest in so delving, fine.  But still others think that the nature of the LoA is so unusual, so seemingly woo-woo, that it’s ridiculous or even embarrassing to admit an interest in it.  For them, I recommend this book.

In case you think the world and your relationship to it is basically defined, documented and understood, you’ll find that scientists have been making many bizarre discoveries for decades.  Consider the fact that a single particle can exist in two distant places at the same time.  Consider “quantum entanglement,” which shows that two different particles that were once “entangled” will remain such, and when action is performed on one it affects the other despite their distance.  Even Einstein called it, “spooky action at a distance.”

And, speaking of Einstein, he also recognized the nature of human consciousness when he said, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”

I found the book thought-provoking and stimulating.  I bought it for around $15 in an airport bookshop.  Since airports also charge three bucks for a bottle of water, I imagine you can find it for less elsewhere.

Holosync: Effortless Meditation

One of the things I’ve tried to do for the past few years is find myself in a nice, consistent

groove of spending time with my intentions.  My wife, Rachel, and I have experimented with a number of different meditations, guided meditations, etc., but we didn’t end up sticking with any of them for too long.  In Rachel’s case, she was always frustrated with meditation.  She just didn’t feel like she was doing it right.

I can relate.  You’re relaxed, listening to the music or waves or whatever, focusing on your breathing…but your mind keeps darting around.  At some point I decided this was okay.  I wouldn’t stress it.  But it really bugged Rachel.  She felt that, because of her sometimes distracted mind, her meditations weren’t very effective.

Enter Holosync.  Now I’d heard about this company over three years ago and had read a bit about it.  I’m going to keep it as simple as possible.  Holosync is a program that involves listening to audio tracks through stereo headphones.  What you consciously hear is waves and pleasant chimes, but in the background have been placed tones.  The frequency of the tone being played in your left ear is different than the one in your right ear by a measure of ten cycles per second.  When your brain attempts to process these two tones, something very cool happens.  Your brain waves will begin to resonate to the difference between those two tones.

Holosync audio tracks will take your brain waves from the ordinary waking pattern of Beta, then to Alpha, Theta and Delta.  As this happens the fluctuations in your brain are

continuously increasing.  These fluctuations give your nervous system input, but it’s at a level your brain is not used to handling the way it is currently structured. So your brain, being amazingly adaptive, is forced to reorganize itself at higher, more complex levels of functioning so that it can handle what it couldn’t before.

There are different levels to Holosync, and Rachel and I are still on the initial “Awakening Prologue.”  For the first two weeks you listen exclusively to the 30 minute track called “The Dive.”  Starting on week 3, you listen to “The Dive,” followed by another 30 minute track called “Immersion.”  That’s pretty much it.  There are other tracks you can purchase that include subaudible affirmations in a variety of areas–and soon Rachel and I will be able to record our own affirmations that the Holosync people will place behind their tracks.

After four months of The Dive and Immersion, we’ll then move onto other levels, which use the same technology, but which begin moving to deeper and deeper frequencies that will continue to keep our brains evolving.  But what’s the effect of Holosync?

This is something I deal with a lot.  Many programs or neurotechnologies seem to place an emphasis on overcoming emotional dysfunction or learning how to be a happier person.  These are not things I struggle with.  The good news is that you don’t have to be a basket case to benefit deeply from it.  Over time new neural pathways are being created between both hemispheres of your brain, which is purported to lead to what scientists call “whole brain functioning.”

I can testify that, over the past two months of using Holosync consistently, my ability to focus, concentrate and think more clearly has improved.  I notice it when reading or in conversations.  Also, while I used to stress when writing, now my ability to kick out a blog post seems much easier.  But the thing that keeps me coming back to it is this:  I enjoy doing it every single day.

The real beauty of it is that you don’t have to worry if you’re doing it right.  Your brain could be thinking about a thousand different things totally unrelated to your personal growth; it’s still working!  Bill Harris, the founder of Centerpointe Research Institute and Holosync, tells the story of a certain experiment in which several people were having their brain waves measured while using the program.  Afterward one woman told the researchers they may as well throw out her data because she just hadn’t been able to concentrate.  But they were able to show her that, despite what she thought, her brain waves had dipped deeper than anyone else in the experiment.

Now while you don’t have to reach deep levels of concentration while doing Holosync, you certainly can if you want to.  And I have been using these unbelievably relaxing periods of time to focus on my intentions, to see my life the way it will be and have deeply enjoyed the experience of doing so.

The upshot:  Holosync is pleasurable experience that helps create a positive routine for me.  It’s good knowing that my brain’s capacity is being improved, but it also gives me that opportunity to focus on my intentions every single day.  Thumbs up!

Dealing With Woo-Woo

Have you noticed that Law of Attraction and Personal Development experts from time to time like to remind us that these subjects need not be considered (here comes the term) “woo-woo”?

Many aren’t comfortable with things they think are “far out,” “New Age” or “spooky,” so these experts would like to separate their work from such a stigma.

Here’s the thing:  in attending several LOA and Personal Development gatherings and meeting many individuals associated with them, I’ve found that plenty of them are, well, kind of woo-woo.  Of course many aren’t, but you don’t have to look far to find people in loose, flowing clothing (sometimes even tye-dyed,) wearing crystals, passing around their aura photo, talking about their Spirit Guides and latest emotionally charged psychic reading.

Don’t misunderstand:  I tend to like and get along well with these folks, often finding them interesting conversationalists.  Further, I went to a psychic a couple of times, don’t necessarily think things like crystals or aura photos are crazy, and I kinda like loose, flowing clothes myself.  But I’m convinced that for some the LOA is simply an extension of the 60s & 70s hippie movement, and they seem shocked when many of us don’t fall in line with things they consider clearly connected.

For example, for a few months last year I met with a group that was studying Kabbalah, the discipline and school of thought that seeks to define the nature of the universe and the human being, the nature and purpose of existence, and various other questions.  We were a diverse bunch, but one lady in her late forties was what I would call particularly woo-woo.  She was very touchy-feely and gyrated as she spoke about mystical, groovy things.  Once when someone began to question a certain personal pattern of thought, this woman raised her hand emphatically and said, “Hold it!  That sounds like a lot of judgment to me.” She tilted her head to the side dramatically, whispering, “No more judgment.  No more judgment.”

I’d had it up to here with this chick.  Everyone else just seemed stunned by her, so I spoke

up.  I explained that while I could understand that being harshly judgmental of ourselves and others might be counterproductive, that didn’t mean we couldn’t come to certain conclusions about what worked for us and what didn’t.  What, after all, was the purpose of this study group if we couldn’t form judgments for ourselves about what was and was not beneficial?  And might her objection not be considered “judgmental” itself?

I was listening to an Abraham-Hicks recording some months ago and heard a participant ask Abraham about how we should conduct ourselves in view of “global warming.”  Her question about this subject, which tends to blame humans for the fact that the earth has in recent decades (but not the past decade) been experiencing a warming trend, seemed to suggest this perspective was universally accepted.  Yes it must be a foregone conclusion that someone as wise as Abraham, a group of ancient, non-physical entities, would of course agree with this position.  What was Abraham’s reply?

“For those of you worried about “global warming,” we ask, Who burned the fossil fuels that melted the Ice Age?”

I did not have video of this, but can only imagine the reaction some people had to it.  Abraham expressed what I (and a growing number of others) believe:  that our planet’s temperature has always been in a state of continuous change and that the statistical blip people are all worked up over barely registers on history’s scale.  But this is a shocking apostasy for those who have created a religion around “climate change.”

While I don’t intend to make politics an important part of Law of Attraction Success Stories, I have wanted to make a distinction between this universal law and the politics some tend to associate with it.  I have come to understand why, in “The Secret,” Joe Vitale emphasizes that everything in our life is something we ourselves have created.

“This is one of the hardest concepts to get but once accepted its life-transforming. This is part of the overall giant secret here.” -Joe Vitale

My point is that looking to ourselves–as opposed to (for instance) the government–for our well-being is one part of taking responsibility for everything that happens to us.  Therefore, for me, any effort to have government assume a more important role in my life is an attempt to escape responsibility.

You and I might disagree about a few things in this regard, and I’m well aware that there are lots of “responsible” people found throughout the political spectrum.  But while “woo woo” is usually pretty harmless, I can’t help but notice some of the political positions taken by many who lean in that direction.  Positions that in the name of “peace, love & kindness” seek to transfer responsibility for one’s well-being from the self to the government.

But if like me you are a believer in the Law of Attraction–and want to improve your life through a better understanding of it–I encourage you to avoid supporting any effort that involves your reliance on government or anything other than yourself.

On My Long Departure

It’s been fifteen months since my last post.  I think I’m now in a position to understand why I stopped for so long.

I felt the need to challenge myself on the entire subject of the Law of Attraction.  While I had no trouble accepting it myself, it now appears that I was bothered by those who argue against it, and it resulted in cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive Dissonance:  Anxiety that results from simultaneously holding contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes or beliefs.

Those who dismiss the LOA say two things about it:  (1) it hasn’t been scientifically proven, therefore (2) it should be classified along with four-leaf clovers and unicorns as superstitious mysticism.

During my time away and while exploring and reading, I noticed my attention being brought to the truth that (indeed) “some people see the glass as half-full, others as half-empty.” And I admit to being affected by those who frequently dismiss things as hokum.  Their motives are often righteous, and if it weren’t for those who challenge

information we might still believe the earth is flat and supported by a gigantic turtle and elephants.

But it’s impossible to avoid that, while critical thinking has often been vindicated, it is just as often found to be short-sighted and false.  In paying attention to this subject throughout my life, I’ve come to the conclusion that some people are chronic and opportunistic faultfinders.  My theory is that being found a fool is their greatest fear, and in being critical of most everything they are thus playing it safe.

“New and stirring things are belittled because if they are not belittled, the humiliating question arises, “Why then are you not taking part in them?” - H.G. Wells

When investigating the LOA, there have been numerous controlled experiments that demonstrate our thoughts (in the very least) have an impact on our reality.  Imagine that in forty years a properly controlled series of experiments and subsequent studies prove, to the satisfaction of critics, that the LOA is scientific fact.  In the meantime how am I to lead my life?  Must I really wait until all the critics reach consensus before coming to my own conclusions?

Example:  I’ve never seen a ghost, and thus can’t say for sure they’re real.  But I knew a family in Michigan who told me of a ghost they’d frequently see in their home.  Each family member had seen it multiple times; they report it was a dwarf who would sometimes walk about and even sit down at their dining room table.  While they can’t really prove to me they saw a ghost, shall they allow my lack of proof to doubt themselves?  Shall they allow the fact that most scientists scoff at the existence of ghosts to dismiss their own experience?

And so this topic collides full-force with the realization I came to six years ago.  The one that led me to challenge and reject my family’s religion though they shun me to this day for it.  The one that led me to start this blog.  As I mention on my “About” page, “people usually accept the reality placed before them by other people.” The question for me now is:  If I can challenge and part ways with those who, in the name of religion, claim to represent The Truth, am I also willing to do so with those who, in the name of science, profess that if they have not proven it it isn’t true?

At age 44, I have yet to find a better worldview than the one that recognizes our thoughts modify our reality.  You don’t have to believe it; neither do most scientists.

Downstream vs. Against the Grain

One of the earliest memories I have, as I began to learn about the Law of Attraction, was the Abraham-Hicks recommendation to “go downstream.” This group consciousness from the non-physical dimension expressed their amusement that humans seem so intent on fighting the current of life.  “Nothing you want is upstream,” they communicate.

But there’s another popular maxim that seems to contradict the downstream approach.  Maybe you’re familiar with the Nickelback song, “If Today Was Your Last Day.”

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’ll never live it twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If you pay close attention to the other lyrics, it seems to be advising, ‘Life is too short to let your fears get the best of you.  Go for it!’ And, while that certainly seems like common sense, you can’t escape the underlying message:  ‘Go against the grain!  Take the path less traveled!  If you want life’s prize, you need to fight for it!’

Let’s put a finer point on this apparent opposition by looking at an actual situation involving two good friends of mine.  One is strongly encouraging the other to overcome her fears of public speaking and begin making group presentations.  She seems torn between the satisfaction that may come from rising to this challenge–and the considerable dread she feels for actually doing it.

Isn’t it true that many people have found incredible success by overcoming their fears?  Isn’t it true that many are deeply grateful they were able to conquer them?  Isn’t it also true that taking fears head-on is also perfectly contrary to Abraham’s advice?  Isn’t it strenuously paddling upstream instead of pulling those oars in and drifting with the current?

I’d love to get your thoughts on this one.  Are these two schools of thought able to coexist peacefully–or are they impossibly contradicting one another?

Feeling Good…

In my travels across America, I’ve already found a good number of Law of Attraction enthusiasts who’ve had enormous head-starts on me, some of them being aware of it for more than twenty years.  As they tell their stories, I always try to nail down what their process is.  Meditation?  Affirmations?  Writing scripts?

All of those things come up from time to time, but one thing rises to the fore.  No matter our intentions, we will manifest positive things in our lives if we keep on feeling positive.  To the degree that we do, The Universe will bring to us more things that help us feel that way.

“The Highest Thought is always that thought which contains joy.” -Neale Donald Walsch

Think I’ll make a turkey sandwich and go for a swim!

Anita Stoudmire of Richmond, Virginia

I can’t believe I’m finally typing this, but here it is:  We finally have video! And I’m going to start at the beginning; (seems like the only sensible place.)

I found Anita Stoudmire on my trip to Richmond, Virginia, this past April.  Anita is the founder of What’s U.P.?, a company focused on personal growth and self-development. She is the creator of the “Unlock Your Unlimited Potential!” workshop series and is a Life Coach and Author.  She is passionate about helping people to live their best life now and to create all that they want and desire!

Anita had a joyful, enthusiastic spirit, and as I watch her video now, I am realizing some of the things she shared three months ago–are things I’ve only come to grasp very recently.  “Feel good… Do it now,” she says.  I concur.  Make sure you visit her website:  www.YourUnlimitedPotential.net.

Michael Jackson: Why Are We Crying?

It’s the question I keep asking.  Why?

On Tuesday, July 7th, I should have been working in my studio as normal.  My wife and I should have driven to our health club for a workout.  We should have done the things we normally do, along about the time we normally do them.

But we didn’t.

Instead we spent that Tuesday, watching the memorial service held for Michael Jackson, subsequent televised coverage, listening to his music, and talking about all things related to his life and death.  I’m wondering why.

And my question shouldn’t be misunderstood, because I’m not suggesting he is undeserving of our tears, or that any of us should be expected to explain them.  I just want to understand why, because I sense the reasons are more profound than we think.

ANSWERS

They’ve been quite simple, and mostly revolve around one realization:

“He is simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.” -Berry Gordy

Yes, in answer to my question, I hear…

-”His music and performances have inspired people everywhere on earth.”

-”He was a true innovator; a legitimate genius.”

-”He changed the direction of and set all-new standards for the music industry.”

Sometimes people make noteworthy comments about Michael’s contributions as a humanitarian.  They also point out the positive messages often found in his music.

So is this it?  Is this the reason why the world has been put on “pause”?  Why nearly every media form seems to be dedicated to coverage of his funeral and retrospectives of his life?  Why almost all of the conversations I’ve had in the last two weeks have had a Michael Jackson component?

Again, I think there’s more to it.

RIVETING ENTERTAINER

I haven’t heard anyone attempt to deny that Jackson was, at the very least, one of the greatest entertainers in history.  From his early days with the Jackson 5 to the recent images we’ve seen of rehearsals for anticipated, upcoming concerts, Michael dressed, sang and moved in ways that both delighted and captivated the world.

I grew up in a small town in northern Michigan, then an entirely white region in which the music–especially the music listened to by teenage males–was predominantly hard rock.  Van Halen, Ted Nugent and Ozzy Osbourne blasted loudly from our cassette decks.  Still, when Thriller hit, it hit hard.  This sound might not have been what we were used to, but it oozed an intensity that seemed new and exciting.  And who was that playing guitar on “Beat It”?  Jesus H. Christ, if it wasn’t Eddie Van Halen himself!!!

In the years to come, even when my musical tastes took me down another path, Michael was hard to avoid.  You had to give him credit for his talent–and his awareness of what people would like.  He achieved a worldwide recognition that (in my knowledge) only Elvis Presley and The Beatles might have been able to claim.  There were stars, and there were super-duper stars, and Michael Jackson was at the top of the latter list.  With reports of unbelievable riches and a team of bodyguards to protect him from insane, screaming fans, his fame was awesome to comprehend.

COMPELLING STORY

The story of the Jackson family is the sort of thing we like to hear about.  A dirt poor family figures out a way to make it big.  Though Dad is demanding and abusive, he fuels the children from dire poverty to fame and fortune.  The fact that the lead singer of this family band was just a little kid made other little kids amazed–and their parents amused.  But that wasn’t the only reason I paid special attention to them.

“Did you hear the Jackson 5 are Jehovah’s Witnesses?!”

This gave me a thrill.  Being raised in a religion largely regarded as a kooky cult by the rest of the world, hearing that The Jackson 5 were JWs provided a bit of credibility.  “We might be religious nuts, but we’re religious nuts who call the Jackson 5 our spiritual brothers!” Later Michael would tell stories about going from door-to-door, just like us, but in disguises so as not to draw attention.

Now and then some of the people in my congregation expressed doubts that the Jacksons truly were Jehovah’s Witnesses.  But my brother-in-law’s brother once wrote me after traveling to a JW convention in California, sharing that he sat right next to Rebbie and LaToya, and chatted with them a bit.

I heard about how The Watchtower Society, the legal body behind Jehovah’s Witnesses, spoke with Michael about some of his Thriller video imagery.  For us, this sort of thing was considered spiritistic and demonized.  As a result, Michael provided a disclaimer on the video…

“Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.-Michael Jackson.”

Michael was also quoted in the May 22, 1984, Awake!, a JW magazine, as promising that the content in the video was a mistake, and exclaiming, “I would never do it again!”

In the book, Michael Jackson: The Magic and The Madness, by J. Randy Taraborreli, the author indicates that this was not what Michael wanted, but “when the elders threatened to force him to leave the religion, Michael became extremely upset,” and provided this statement to keep from being disfellowshipped.

I found out that, in 1987, Michael did what it would take me another seventeen years to do:  he left the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Perhaps, like me, he came to see that the religion wasn’t what he thought it was, and that subjecting oneself to the moral dictates of a group of men was wrong.

While I remained a zealous JW–even becoming an elder myself and assuming a position of authority in my congregation–I still found certain negative comments made about Michael to be unsettling.  Another elder, an African-American who admitted he’d grown up enjoying Michael’s music, now smirked at his lyrics from “The Man in the Mirror.”

“He says, “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.” But the only way this world is gonna be a better place is through God’s Kingdom, which Jehovah God will bring himself–not through the efforts of any man!”

This seemed like a reach to me.  Was there really something wrong with ‘taking a look at yourself and making a change?’  I knew Michael was no longer one of us, but I considered it petty to find fault so easily.

APPARENT STRANGENESS

What do you get when you take Michael Jackson, and subtract all of the weird stories and reported eccentricities?  I’ll suggest that you get an entertainer who is every bit as talented–but somewhat less famous.

While the adage, “no publicity is bad publicity,” may not always hold true, it often does when you’re a marvelously gifted entertainer.  The glove on one hand might have seemed like a simple gimmick, but when the media and the rumor mill started speculating about it, it became something more.  Then came news about him sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber, submitting an offer to purchase the Elephant Man’s skeletal remains, and traveling around with a chimpanzee.  Some called him a nutcase, while others stood back and smiled.

From an early age I tended not to trust everything I heard.  I had enough personal experiences to demonstrate the folly in doing so.  I didn’t know what was true and what wasn’t about this guy, and these things seemed harmless enough anyway.  I formed the impression that Michael was, if nothing else, an interesting, multi-dimensional character.  While I knew that these oddities were contributing to the attention he received, I also got the impression that he (usually) came by them honestly.

What happens when you get together with old friends?  You remember stories.  Stories, which among other things, recall the intimate details and unusual minutiae that form your fondest memories.  In the same way, over the course of many years, we had plenty of stories to tell about Michael Jackson.  Celebrities whose lives seem normal are not as interesting to us as celebrities whose lives are unusual.  Through all the bizarre stories, he gave us a lot to pay attention to, as he worked his way into our lives.

ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE

In 1993 Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse by a 13-year-old boy and his father.  A few years later I would have the experience of chairing a judicial committee, hearing the case of an elder in our congregation who was similarly charged.  I’ve found this subject one of the most difficult for persons to cope with rationally.

People are clearly filled with disgust at anyone who would harm a child in this way.  But I’ve noticed that some exhibit a disingenuous demeanor when the topic arises.  In dramatized tones they call for the death or dismemberment of any so accused.  “Innocent until proven guilty” does not seem to apply when it comes to pedophilia.  Does it seem to you that people are often just posturing when they seethe about things like this, hoping to prove by their passion that they are not themselves pedophiles?

In the committee that I chaired, the accused was found guilty.  To this day, I am confident that we considered all the evidence fairly and gave this man every opportunity to provide facts and testimony to the contrary.  The experience was exhausting, swallowing up four months of my life, but I’m left with some important conclusions.

1) Pedophiles were, in most cases, victims of this abuse themselves.  When they are ten year old victims, we want to gather them up in our arms and protect them, but later when they’re thirty year old perpetrators we want to kill them.  Yes, we must ensure they are kept AWAY from children, whether that’s in a prison cell or some other secure arrangement.  But let’s not let our anger at the individual overshadow what we really need to do here:  attempt to halt the cycle of sexual abuse by identifying it quickly and providing the child with the most effective therapy we can give them.

2) There is a strong archetypal model of “protecting innocent children,” and for good reason.  But our heroic zeal can handicap our good judgment.  Sometimes we can think something is true when it really isn’t, can’t we?  And when the charge is pedophilia, we had better have a lot more than a “strong gut feeling” to so condemn a person.  Further, if someone is found “guilty” of sexual abuse, there should be powerful consequences, but if he is found “not guilty,” we cannot fairly continue to brand him as evil for the rest of his life.

I know that some of the stories surrounding Michael Jackson’s sleepovers can sound bad.  And I do not blame you for thinking there might have been something very wrong going on there.  But it reminds me of another judicial committee that came before another body of elders when I was a JW.

There was a JW woman who was both mentally impaired and (for clarity’s sake) considered extremely unattractive physically.  A circumstance arose in which she spent the night at the

house of a particular non-JW man.  Now, official Jehovah’s Witness guidelines provided to elders stated that “spending all night alone with someone of the opposite sex” could be used as evidence of fornication.  Let’s skip past how weird it is for a bunch of guys to sit around and cast judgment upon someone like this, and move on to the conclusion they came to.  They recognized that, although spending all night with someone of the opposite sex can mean they had sex, it does not mean that they must have done so.

“I would say that an adult male who sleeps with young boys is a child molester.” -New York Congressman, Peter King

Again, I’m not bothered by people who question what was going on at Jackson’s pajama parties.  Sorry to say, after seeing what I have seen, I can’t say I’m completely convinced myself.  But I’ll also admit I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing sexual occurred at all.  Looking at him myself, in all honesty, I see a fragile little kid.  The idea that he somehow lost his childhood and was trying to recapture it is perfectly consistent with everything else we know about him.  Neverland? During the investigation, Michael was examined by mental health professional, Dr. Stan Katz, who, after spending several hours with him, concluded that he was a regressed 10-year-old, and did not fit the profile of a pedophile.  The mother of the original accuser came forward to say adamantly that she did not believe Michael did anything wrong.

How many times have we heard this question:  “So would yoooouuu let your child stay all night with Michael Jackson???” A fair person can certainly answer “no,” while still choosing not to forever demonize a man whom twelve people in a court of law agreed was “not guilty.”  An honest person might privately express their personal doubts, but the idea that an elected State Representative would go on national television to both dishonor our nation’s legal system and angrily denounce a recently dead man is preposterous.  If he disagrees with the media’s intense focus on things like this, (and there are valid points to be raised in this regard,) maybe he could make his point without spitting on the man’s grave with such a slew of thoroughly ignorant statements.

Okay, I’ve gone off on a tangent; sorry.  But let’s apply these allegations of abuse to the question asked by this article.

Michael had (wittingly and unwittingly) already maneuvered his way into our hearts, and now he’s being accused of an horrific act.  Regardless of your particular viewpoint, this controversy injected even more emotion into our “friendship” with the man.  These accusations cut right to the heart of who he is and who we are, based upon the position we take regarding the accusations.  Did you immediately defend him as you would a beloved brother?  Did you feel disappointed in him him as you might have in a friend with whom you were frustrated?  Did you become righteously indignant and denounce him as you might a castoff cousin?  Despite the specific reaction, one thing is certain:  your virtual relationship had become bigger.

HUMANITARIAN

I have found the following statement posted all over the internet…

“In the Millennium-Issue of the “Guinness Book of World Records,” Michael Jackson is named as the Pop Star who supports the most number of charity organizations.”

I have no trouble believing this is true, but I’ve become suspicious since I cannot find any verification of it.  Although the Guinness site contains plenty of MJ records–and even a video in which Michael is welcomed and lauded by the Guinness Editor in Chief–I find no reference whatsoever to this claim about charity.

Regardless, there is no question that Michael Jackson spent an extraordinary amount of time and energy on humanitarian causes.  In addition to personally contributing to many, many charities, he also launched enormous campaigns to raise more funds for them too.  The sources I’ve found indicate that the grand tally is at least in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

If you ever listened to Jackson speak on the subject, you know he did so at length and with strong feelings about helping others.  As compared to the number of celebrities who appear to be so self absorbed, this quality has endeared him to many throughout the world.

“He epitomized the words of our father that an individual hasn’t started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of humanity.” -Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., during Jackson’s memorial service

THE MEDIA

“The mainstream and once contemplative media has now become infused and morphed as one with the Paparazzi. As a seasoned journalist, I am now thoroughly embarrassed to call myself one, hence the hatred and scorn of what my profession and what I once felt was my “calling”. To admit one is a journalist now is akin to confessing an immorality of the worst kind.” -Francesca Biller-Safran, as appearing in The Huffington Post

In his 1964 book, “Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man,” Canadian educator and philosopher, Marshall McLuhan, coined the phrase, “the medium is the message.”  I recall being exposed to his writing around 1993, but confess that I have only truly grasped his meaning in the last two weeks.  He makes the point that the content offered by media has less impact on a society than the nature of the media itself. He likens the media’s content to a juicy piece of meat carried by a burglar to distract the watchdog of the mind.  His point was that, while we are focusing on the obvious, namely the content intended to educate or entertain us, we are largely missing the structural changes in our affairs that are introduced subtly, or over long periods of time.  Again, McLuhan made these points in 1964! My take?  He may turn out to have been one of the great prophets of my lifetime.  And it applies to the subject at hand.

The changes that have occurred–in the news media alone–over the last three or four decades are utterly astonishing.  Television news prided itself on being unbiased and no-nonsense.  This is just not something that can be claimed today.  CBS network news anchor, Walter Cronkite, would have briefly reported the death of Michael Jackson on the evening news.  If he had known Jackson or any of his family, he probably would have phoned to give his condolences.  He would no doubt have been personally saddened by the news.  But he most definitely would not have set up his news desk outside the Staples Center for a multi-hour extravaganza, joined by music producer Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.

This isn’t something easily explained to those who are too young to remember–or who just weren’t paying attention.  They may seem offended when such a thing is questioned, as if this inquiry is an attempt to somehow discredit the genius of Michael Jackson.

Imagine there’s a traveling circus of epic proportions, featuring all of the world’s greatest entertainers.  In each country where they perform, they find some high-profile individual to act as the clown for this event.  Who will they pick from the United States?  Robin Williams?  Jim Carrey?  “I know!” someone says, “let’s get Barack Obama!”  And imagine Barack Obama actually does it! He dons a furry, orange wig, puts on a big, red clown nose, and drives in on a little clown car.  The leader of the free world jumps out, honking a horn, juggling balls and waving all day long.

An exaggeration?  Sure, but I’ll bet “clown” is just what Edward R. Murrow would have considered himself if he ended up spearheading an hours-long broadcast from outside a celebrity’s memorial service.

Walter Cronkite was affectionately referred to as “the most trusted man in America,” not because of the celebrities he snuggled up to, a knack for generating advertising revenue, nor for his political correctness.  You know how “fair and balanced” he was?  Only in recent years have his personal political perspectives been identified.  Turns out he leans quite left–but, unlike today, you’d never have known it from his reporting.  The news was considered something serious; a newsperson’s credibility and reputation could not be jeopardized by anything that distracted from the sober, objective reporting of the news.

“The network news anchors seemed befuddled by their roles in an unprecedented bit of communal mourning.” -Mark A. Perigard / Television Review

“Some network anchors seemed a bit mortified by their own unstinting and reverential coverage. Brian Williams of NBC, who sat on a special platform outside the Staples Center, told his colleague Lester Holt that the public had a way of deciding for itself what matters, “despite, at some times, the news media’s better wishes.” He added ruefully, “And this is an event because it is.””-Alessandra Stanley, writing in The New York Times

Even the aforementioned Babyface, both a successful performer and accomplished producer who knew Michael personally–and did a fine job in doing what he was asked to do–seemed uncomfortable in his role as “color commentator” alongside CBS News anchor and managing editor, Katie Couric.  Shouldn’t CBS have sent their “entertainment reporter” for this?  Well we can’t have that.  If the other networks are sending Charlie Gibson and Brian Williams, we have no choice but to send Couric, do we?  And this is the case why?  Because what mattered more than credibility and reputation was ratings. And ratings mean…money. End of story.

Again, to people who are unaware of the role major news organizations used to play in our society, this is worthy of a simple shrug.  To them, the idea that a tragic event surrounding a celebrity will be hyped day and night, seems perfectly natural, be it from “Entertainment Tonight,” “The National Enquirer,” or “NBC Nightly News.”  And in the end…they’re right.  When are the rest of us going to get it?  The major news organizations are just not what they used to be.  Journalistic judgment has been replaced by the pursuit of ratings, and there is precious little attempt to deny it these days.  The medium has indeed become the message.  What were the rest of us waiting for?  A leading story simulcast on all the networks entitled, “You Can Stop Trusting Us Now”???

All right, so this has been yet another apparent detour from the primary purpose of this article.  But if we are to understand the reason why much of the world is crying over Michael Jackson, we cannot ignore the role the media has played.  For we (in the main) have become fixated upon it.  Jackson would not hold the meaning he does for us were it not for our present relationship with the media.  And, since the media has assisted in administering our ongoing, quarter-century-plus infusion of Michael Jackson, to borrow from NBC’s Brian Williams, he is a part of our lives…because he is.

ATTENTION = ENERGY

“Energy flows where attention goes.” -James Arthur Ray, as quoted from “The Secret”

The above axiom is primary to the Law of Attraction.  Whether it is war, pain, peace, love or our income potential, whatever we give our attention to receives energy and becomes stronger.  And who, over the past few decades, received more attention–in more ways–worldwide than Michael Jackson?

In considering the attention he received for his abilities as a performer, I think Martin Luther King III said it best when recalling his father during the Jackson memorial service…

“Finally, Martin Luther King Jr. said that in life, if it falls ever your lot to be a street sweeper, you must sweep streets so well. In fact, you must sweep streets like Beethoven composed music. Sweep streets, he said, like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets like Raphael painted pictures. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heavens and earth and would have to pause and say, here lived the great street sweeper that did his job well.

On June 25th, because he was the best, I believe heaven and earth did pause, indeed, to say of Michael Joseph Jackson, here lived a great entertainer who did his job well.”

But I’ll suggest that it wasn’t only for his accomplishments as a performer that ‘heaven and earth paused.’  Attention had been given him as a singer, dancer, songwriter, performer, oddball, abused child,  accused abuser, timid boy-man, kind humanitarian, and on and on…

For all of those things, with their accompanying range of emotions, there had been an unprecedented, universal focus on one person, magnified by a powerful and new sort of media.  That our relationship with Michael Jackson might have been created artificially is beside the point.  Energy flows where attention goes. And that accumulated universal energy is, I think, behind our tears.

That’s why we’re so affected by the death of someone we didn’t really know.  That’s why nearly my entire Tuesday, July 7th, ended up being dedicated to his memory.  And that’s why we’re crying.

Podcast #3: Sonia M. Miller

Interested in finally making this LoA thing work?  (If not, why are you here?  ;o) ) Well today you’ve come to the right place.  I’ve subscribed to Sonia Miller’s blog for quite awhile, and now I know why.  Really well-written information for people struggling with manifesting their intentions, from someone who has been studying, experimenting and working on it for over twenty years.

You’ve heard of the three-step process popularized by “The Secret”?  (1. Ask  2. Believe  3. Receive)  Well Sonia agrees with it wholeheartedly–while identifying an incredibly important step she squeezes in between Steps 2 and 3.  Find out what it is.

Oh, and check out the reviews of her book on Amazon.  It will be hard to resist adding it to your Shopping Cart.  It’s entitled, “The Attraction Distraction:  Why the Law of Attraction Isn’t Working for You…and How to Get Results–FINALLY!”

Enjoy the interview!

 

Click here to save as mp3.

This Weekend’s LoA Success Story!

I suppose one way of manifesting your own Law of Attraction Success Stories is to start a website called, “Law of Attraction Success Stories,” and travel the entire country in search of them.  Let me tell you how this past weekend went…

As usual, last week, I attempted to connect with LoA enthusiasts in two ways.  Formerly I just sent direct messages to LoA groups via the Meetup.com website.  But, then I met Brittany Rose, a 21-year-old college student who operates More Than Cheer!, a cheerleading consulting company in Richmond, Virginia.  For some reason I felt moved to ask her for suggestions as to how I might reach more people in the various cities where I’d be traveling.  Her response?

“Maybe try Facebook ads.  They’ve worked for me.”

So I did.  In fact it was a Facebook ad to which Herbie Muench responded last week prior to my trip to Chicago.  Herbie is a fantastic guy with many years of experience in the area of Personal Development, Life Coaching and the Law of Attraction. We originally planned to meet Saturday evening, but he later called to reschedule for Sunday evening since he also wanted me to meet his lovely associate and life partner, Shakti Bracilano, herself a Certified Life Coach through the Hendricks Institute and an Osho Meditation teacher.

We met in the lobby of the Embassy Suites Hotel O’Hare for a preliminary introduction.  Shakti asked me about my work, and I explained that on weekends I travel the country, putting on group presentations, but that my primary career has been as a Voice Talent.  (See JonathanLockwood.com for my voice talent website and to listen to my demos.)  Both Herbie and Shakti fell back in their chairs in amazement.  It took them a couple of minutes to recover, while I tried to guess at the reason for their reaction.  Understand that I very rarely run into anyone who does what I do, and people are normally quite uninformed about the field.  Finally Shakti spoke…

“For years I’ve been a talent agent–specifically focusing on Voice Talent.  I work with a major agency in Chicago, and as a rule do not accept calls from prospective Voice Talent. But you, Jonathan Lockwood, are the Master Manifestor, because you somehow found a way to get me to drive right to your hotel to meet you!”

At the beginning of each day, I meditate, asking the Universe to bring me certain things “in ways I both expect and don’t expect, so that I am constantly amazed at my ability to co-create these things.” (This language was borrowed from Dr. Joe Dispenza’s “Create My Day” piece from the film, “What the Bleep Do We Know?”)  I start by asking for more and bigger clients in my Voice Talent work, then move on, asking to find interested and interesting people as I make my way through the U.S. in search of Law of Attraction Success Stories.  It’s true that I see myself as already having manifested these things, and I feel the wonderful feelings of already having them.  But I can say without question that I never imagined finding an LoA Success Story participant who was ALSO a Voice Talent Agent at a major market agency!  This combined both my primary requests of the Universe–and, although I’m not sure how or when Ms. Bracilano and I might work together in the future, indeed brought me this potential in a way I did NOT expect!  And the fact that this manifestation WAS so unexpected is further motivation to continue doing what I’m doing, both manifesting my intentions while remaining open to new inspirations.

Another thing worth mentioning…  A young man named Frank Serritella responded to one of my meetup.com messages, and I gave him a call.  He told me that he was relatively new to the LoA, and didn’t think he yet had any stories worth mentioning–but would certainly enjoy connecting with others who did, so I encouraged him to join us.  To me it felt like a universally-arranged evening.  Herbie and Shakti were positively flowing with rich experiences and wisdom, I was the facillitator feeling his way along a similar path, and Frank was the eager beginner, soaking it all in and enjoying it thoroughly.  I have at least a couple of hours of video, including all three of them, and we later were even joined by a couple of my close personal friends who I hope benefitted from the experience.

My former video editing tutor has become unavailable, so I’m presently looking for a new one.  Then I’ll finally be able to get these fantastic videos posted for everyone’s edification.

Friend, I don’t know where you are with the Law of Attraction, but I’m living in almost constant astonishment.