Is there any significance for us to Charles Manson’s passing on? I like to think, yes. I’m sort of a self-proclaimed aficionado on that true crime case specifically, having been drawn to the psychological implications. In a reaching out for love, young women and men (mostly women), found comfort in someone 10-20 years their senior, who had studied philosophy and religion, who knew the magic words we all long to hear – “I love and accept you exactly as you are.” That was the bait, but it came with a price… that of forgetting who you are – and denying your own ability to access wisdom and truth.
There is no need to obey a guru over what your own heart tells you. From Manson to the Pope… Trust only your own intuition. Manson specifically appealed to young girls. He wasn’t always wearing that crazy look featured on the cover of Life magazine. And he didn’t have anything carved in his forehead. He had a guitar and thought-provoking riddles… and LSD. The 60’s and 70’s were a time of great expansion and contraction here in America. Freedom of mind was so important to those young girls… so important that they left their families to get it, and then handed it over again to a man who treated them quite abusively, quite brutally. Yet they stayed, some even participating in the notorious crimes.
I see Manson’s death as yet another symbol of the turnover to a softer world, where we are guided by the “feminine” aspects of intuition and heart-centered decision-making. Can we as women, and men, know that we are enough? That we don’t need the approval of anyone outside of us? That we deserve unconditional love? That we know when we feel bad in our belief system that it’s time to leave it behind? That we don’t need to be obedient to any guru but the guru within?
With Manson’s energy now in the ethers, can we do an unpopular thing and wish it love? Can we send it good thoughts, and see it as neutralized, so that it dissolves and goes forth in harmony?
We have so much to learn from those who lived that story, and I whole-heartedly choose to believe that the victims knew, on a spiritual-level, that they’d be part of a very significant lesson that we all needed to learn – and I honor those beings for that from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. Namaste. Peace to you all.
As a non-religious person myself, I have always found it hard to understand why people choose to follow or believe in things that have very little backing or facts and are centuries old. I believe some people need a sense of purpose, belonging, and why they believe in and choose to follow certain people or religions. I do not think someone can truly believe in one thing without fully understanding all of them collectively – which is next to impossible…. so I believe in just being a good person, following my heart and intuition. Do not follow the path , create your own path and leave a trail.
“Do not follow the path , create your own path and leave a trail.” I love that! Thank you for sharing your perspective Jessica!
I’m not sure I’ve quite gotten to the place where I can wish Charles Manson peace – he stole so much of that same peace from the families impacted by his existence, and that pains me. Still, his passing must allow some closer for those touched by his life, and I hope his death brings peace to them.
As for the intuition, I am with you 100%. We must all learn to accept that change is okay, and that when we’re walking a path that no longer fits us, it’s perfectly alright to choose to follow a new path – or to create one of our own. Too many of us have been taught otherwise.
I appreciate your perspective, Brandi. Sending peace and love can be really challenging because it feels as if we’re saying what he did was ok. The intention is not to condone or approve of the people or their hurtful actions, but to transform negative to positive. When we make a conscious decision to put positive energy out into the world in the form of peace and love, I feel we can truly heal not just ourselves, but our planet as well.
When feeling incomplete or inadequate, we are always left grasping for something to fill that void. The danger comes when we reach outside of ourselves, toward another person, in order to fill that void. When this happens, it doesn’t matter who the person chosen to fill the void is, the result will always be a loss of self and a dependence on someone who is equally as incomplete and inadequate as we are. Rather, when feeling incomplete, we should reach toward understanding, self reflection, and self love. This post does a great job of explaining why you should never depend on anyone, whether they are divine or maniacal, to live a happy and fulfilling life.
“The danger comes when we reach outside of ourselves, toward another person, in order to fill that void.” I love that Jolyn! Thank you for your insight and perspective!
I think organized religions, cults, neo-nazi groups, etc. absolutely prey on the desire to belong and be loved. While some do it intentionally (like Manson) and others do it more by proxy, I think it definitely primes us to be followers and to rely on others’ judgment rather than their own. I wish American culture focused less on teaching us to find completion in a soulmate or career or church. It’s very hard to unlearn. Wise words I hope to work to follow more closely in the future. Thank you for sharing!
I agree with you… It’s challenging to unlearn some of the beliefs that have been ingrained into our psyche by parents, religion, schools, etc. You CAN DO IT! Awareness is always step one. Once you are aware that you have a belief that you would like to change, the next step is to decide what you would like to believe. I was taught to consult other sources, and I had a belief that life was meant to be hard. Now, I totally changed my perspective. I now believe that life is supposed to be fun and that even self-growth can be fun – and that happens we start to view our limiting beliefs as opportunities to change.
A soul mate or career can be part of what we love about life, but we need more than that. We need to connect with who we are when all that is striped away. That part of us which remains when we are alone in a quiet room. What do you love? What are you passionate about? What pisses you off? What turns you on? – Find out who you are and fall in love with that!
Hello Alyssa,
Interesting article, and interesting thoughts !
I also see the death of Manson as another symbol of the current world that is collapsing to leave the place to a softer, more “female energies oriented” world.
All the women that were attracted to him were in lack of self esteem and self-love, indeed. And by extension, the same scheme is repeated over and over with every sect and gurus…
The best way to make a better world is to start by making a better “self”. Well said !
Alexis
Hi Alexis! Thank you for sharing your insight. It’s so great to connect with like-minded folks. Cheers to a softer world! XO