Religion: Spirituality and Leadership class - Essay Example

? Bob Due Introduction The average person very likely knows very little about Jamaica, in fact, a lot ofpeople probably could not identify the land on a map. However, when you hear Jamaica or Reggae, there is one name that everyone has a familiarity, Bob Marley. Now, some people may only recognize the trademark music, dreadlocks, and open smoking of marijuana. However, there is much more to this inspirational performer, that goes beyond his gifts as a musician, but, also, as a strong supporter of activism, spirituality, and leadership and encouraged people do be active, bring about equality, and being grateful, as well as, positive, in the life that you have and all of the things that you do. What made Bob Marley so inspirational that his legacy, like his music, has survived long after him? Why did people perceive him as a potential leader of men? Background Born in Jamaica in 1945, Robert Nesta Marley grew up a child of poverty and struggle.(Farley, 2005) As stated before, many people associate Bob Marley as being the quintessential face of reggae music. However, there was time when the musician had a difficult time being accepted by the black musical community and was not, immediately, well received by white audiences. It is believed that his musical style, although, predominately reggae, has so many tones and moods that they evoke that placing them in any specific musical style can be quite difficult. Bono, lead singer of the band U2, once said of Marley, that he was, “…everything at the same time: Prophet, soul rebel, herbsman, Wildman, a natural mystic man…family man, showman, shaman, human…”(qtd. in Farley, 2005) Bob Marley’s music has had a profound effect on people through his music and the messages therein. But, how does a gifted musician earn the title of “spiritual leader?” Much of what made the much of Bob Marley’s work so insightful is that he relied heavily on his spirituality. Marley was a Rastafarian. This religion is considered to be quite young. It was founded in Jamaica in the 1930s. The faith centers around a single god figure, called Jah. The ideology of Rastafarians is a very much its own faith, with elements of Christianity and elements of eastern meditation based faith mixed together. They incorporate into their ritual and ceremony drumming, chanting, the regular smoking of marijuana, and meditation. They abstain from alcohol and, very often, meat, particularly pork. They seek greater spiritual awareness and rely heavily on inner reflection as a mean of self and world understandings.("Religions-rastafari," 2012) Bob Marley was uniquely capable of fusing his spirituality into something that could inspire others to his cause. That said, he already had a very powerful tool for leading others spiritually. What makes a strong leader to begin with? Most experts today are in agreement that patriarchal styles of leadership will, ultimately, be unsuccessful. In fact, there may only be two, potential, outcomes from any form of patriarchal leadership; “ …one is submission, the other is rebellion.”(Rebick, 2009) The kinds of leaders with the greatest chance of successfully inspiring those they lead are, often, spiritual leaders. Leaders with a strong spiritual element in goals and message grant higher meaning to the intentions to their words. Giving “meaning” is the surest way to motivate human beings. (Wheatley, 2005) People are, more likely, to do something if it matters, more so that if they are simply ordered to. Having meaning in your tasks keeps people motivated and focused. That said, this is probably one of the most important qualities of any leader; being able to keep people unified in a cause or course of action is paramount. Service-leadership is a leadership aspect that is, also, a wonderful way to motivate people, because it provides the ideals of doing for others even when there is no benefit to oneself. (Spears, 1995) Bob Marley was able to take his spiritual message and incorporate with the encouragement of service to community and the world. He used his music to attempt to spur the people into action. He was changing the perceptions and misconceptions that people had at the time and brought attention to the things in the world that he felt needed changing. Discussion Leaders influence people, by force or by status, Marley was different, he used music, which can be a powerful vessel in conveying messages, emotions, and leading others.(Rebick, 2009) It has universality, like laughter, to provoke passions, stoke fires, and do so in a way that can transcend the differences that keep people apart. Bob Marley’s music is a profound collection of work that is, both, diverse and inspiring. Marley’s spirituality, also, allowed him an ability to prevail on the hearts of more people because his messages were not conveyance of religion, but spirituality; the two are not the same thing, and experts speak of the importance of respecting the difference.(Brussat & Brussat, 1996) The power of his music was focused on three prevalent concerns that were, clearly, most important to him, be active in the world, bringing forth equality for all mankind, and, lastly, being positive and showing gratitude for all that you already have. By reviewing the music and analyzing the message within the music we can understand better Bob Marley and the inspiration and power that he possessed. The lyrics to these songs, “So Much Things to Say,” “Running Away,” and “Work,” talk of the necessity of doing what needs doing. We all have problems; problems that we can help each other solve. “So MuchThings to Say,” explains that when it rains, or when bad things happen in life, it does not just happen to a single man. We all have problems. “Running Away” is a very blunt in its admonishment of selfish thinking. Our own personal problems always seem so harsh, because they are our problems and we are experiencing them. But, compare your problems with those of others, and perhaps that will change your perspective. Step out of yourself, into the world, and help all of humanity’s “brothers and sisters.” He encourages working for others, as any good leader should, for long-term transformational changes.(Spears, 1995) “Work” is a very self explanatory song, but the message is simple and implicit. You can make change, but you have to make the effort, together there may be a chance of succeeding. There are a plethora of songs in Bob Marley’s collection that speaks to the need of activism among all peoples. “Zion Train” is a profound song that urges one to remember that there are so many things that are more important than materialistic gain. It, also, appears to give a warning against allowing those things to cloud your judgment and blind you to what matters most. “Zimbabwe” is an out-pouring to encourage an end to violence. Internal power struggles are counterproductive. Unity is the way to overcome all the major struggles in the world. Lastly, “Wake Up and Live” is a song intended to inspire listeners not to give up. Even when there is misery and hardship there is, also, still hope, and still a reason worthy of remaining positive and seeing things through. When people face difficult times it can be hard to keep pushing forward, Marley’s music led by encouragement and that can be very powerful. True equality is a goal that is still struggled with all over the world today. In the years of the majority of Bob Marley’s life, the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, were times when equality, especially, racial equality, was an uphill battle with many causalities. Racial equality was likely, very relevant to Bob Marley, because he was, in fact, biracial. As neither a black man, nor a white man, he is placed in the awkward middle. From that place he must have truly see how awful and purposeless the inequality of racism really is and always had been. The issue of racial inequality inspired many Marley songs. “War,” in fact, is poignantly saying that as long as people are still judged just on the color of their skin then the struggle is not over. There is still a war to be fought. Until racial intolerance is eliminated absolutely, the struggle will go on. “Top Rankin’” explains that the “powers that be” want people to remain divided. They want to see the rich vs. the poor or white vs. black. “Slave Driver” is a sharp reminder that the atrocity of slavery has not been forgotten. He, also, points out the irony apparent in the fact that now, the slave drivers, the white men in power, are now slaves to the materialistic system they created. The monstrous “machine” is capitalism. He felt strongly that mankind had the potential to be united, to embrace the energy of connectedness that we all share. The sense of connectedness is part of a fulfilling human experience.(Yasuno, 2008) It was not only racial inequality that he struggled to abolish, it was all inequalities. All of the differences that keep people from unifying. It focused on the issues of the rich, poor, and all the inequalities that keep some individuals down in a materialistic world. “So Much Things to Say” in this instance is referencing how the innate inequality of the world has left him feeling that there is no chance if sincere justice. He no longer expects it, but he finds his absolution and justice in his faith, instead. The “Babylon Song” is an extremely powerful piece that equates the materialistic capitalist society with a vampire. A parasite that takes drains the life out of people as surely as blood. It, also, references the children and the ever important question all parents ask. What will be left for my children? What world will we be leaving for them? Bob Marley saw the potential for a failing social system and a world left drained dry. This song addresses the issue of slavery, as well, discussing how there are still reparations and restitutions to be made.(Winant, 2004) The last and, probably, the most important thing that Bob Marley tried to share in his music, along with all the serious and heartfelt social issues of which he sang. He believed that one must always be grateful for what they have and be positive in your endeavors, even the difficult ones. It is very easy for all of us to become so heavily weighted down with all of our troubles and setbacks in life that we become blinded to whatever joys and blessings we have and take for granted every day. “Positive Vibration”, by its title alone, should speak to the intention of this song. It talks to focusing on the positive. That allowing negative thoughts to creep in is like allowing evil inside. “Wake Up and Live,” is very similar to the former song. It finds another relevant metaphor for describing the struggle to overcome adversity. “So Much Trouble in the World” has a message of positive motivations to express. The song opens with praise, not criticism, for the new dawn; like it is a privilege to awaken each day. Teaching that each day is something that in and of itself is worth being grateful for. There is an encouragement to see the sacred in the mundane and commonplace, being grateful is essential to that.(Brussat & Brussat, 1996) Conclusion Bob Marley’s life came to an end in 1981. There are many who believe that that end came much too soon. However, like many legendary individuals his profound messages, do not grow old. Marley’s music remains astoundingly popular today, and continues to intrigue new listeners. Awareness, persuasion, empathy, conceptualization, foresight, and commitment to the growth of people, these are all the required traits of a characteristics of a servant leader.(Spears, 1995) A strong spiritual leader should possess similar qualities, but, also, bring people hope, wisdom, inspire meaning and teach reverence and gratitude.(Brussat & Brussat, 1996) Bob Marley possessed all of these traits. If there was ever greater proof that Bob Marley has earned the status of leader of people, I cannot imagine what it could be. Even if that was never his intention, his guidance and wisdom in his work is still being sought. Bob Marley’s inspirational music unwavering stances, and his strong spiritual belief that people could unify, contribute to change, and make a better world; one with honorable activism, universal equality, and ever-encouraged gratitude. His messages transcended racial and cultural lines that are ever significant. The depth of his music is the key to his longevity and loyalty that his followers have, both, old and new, could be best summarized by the title of another of his amazing and popular songs, “One Love." (Farley, 2005) References Brussat, F., & Brussat, M. (1996). spiritual literacy: Reading the sacred in everyday life. New York: Simon ^ Schuster, Inc. Farley, C. J. (2005, Feburary 4). remembering bob Marley. TIME, 1. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1024886,00.html Rebick, J. (2009). Transforming power: From the personal to the political. (pp. 154-168). Toronto, Canada: Penguin Spears, L. (1995). Introduction:servant-leadership and the greenleaf legacy: In reflections on leadership:how robert k. greenleaf's theory of servant-leadership influenced today's top management thinkers. (pp. 1-13). New York: J. Reily. Wheatley, M. (2005). Leadership in turbulent times is spiritual. Leadership in Uncertain Times, 125-133. Retrieved from http://www.academia-research.com/filecache/instr/r/e/742727_reading1.pdf Winant, H. (2004). Babylon system: The continuity of slavery. The New Politics of Race: Globalism,Difference, Justice, Retrieved from http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/winant/Babylon_System.html Yasuno, M. (2008). The role of spirituality in leadership for social change. Spirituality in Higher Education: Newsletter, 3(4), 1-8. Retrieved from http://www.academia-research.com/filecache/instr/r/e/742727_reading2.pdf All lyrics included in this work were obtained from the site below. Discogs-Bob Marley Collection http://www.discogs.com/Bob-Marley-The-Bob-Marley-Collection-4-Compact-Disc-Set/release/2517415 Religions-rastafari. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/ Read More