Leonard Cohen: the occult background of a prophet

[Anndiamo]

I just found an article that describes how Leonard was questioned over the lyrics of "First We Take Manhattan" after September 11, 2001.

It's by Wolfgang Eggert, who wrote it in German.

http://www.henrymakow.com/_first_we_take_manhattan.html

It also touches on Leonard's interest in the Kabbala, and possible connections with the Lubavitch movement -- and I stumbled on it at Henry Makow's website, Save the Males.

[seadove]

This is awsome as well as amazing!

I myself find Leonard as being a master of mysticism, take for example in his song "The Tower of Song" it appears to me that he also believes in the evil eye. He sings about himself as having the gift of a golden voice and immediately thereafter he mentions something about it's no use to prick your needles into the voodoo doll simply because he does not resemble it. I will explain here that within the belief of the evil eye system when you praise somebody or even yourself you immediately utter something against the evil eye should it reach you. So on the one hand he says he has a golden voice, by mentioning stick your little pins, etc" it the anti evil eye utterance.

[mnkyface]

I don't know...this author is a TAD manipulative. The song is prophetic, but I think it is accidentally so. LC saying “First we Take Manhattan might be understood as an examination of the mind of the extremist” does not neccessarily mean he envisioned the catastrophe ahead of time, as the author claims. Also, the author says Leonard Cohen was "questioned in NY, after the events of September 11." Really? Like, by the FBI? Who questioned him and under what circumstances? Do the questioners also know that he once wanted to change his name to September? hmmmmm

[Anndiamo]

As I recall, the song was removed from station playlists after 9-11, and some people at the time interpreted as a sort of "terrorist anthem. I never thought so. But the lyrics have always mystified me. As in a number of Leonard's songs, I'm left wondering who is the "we" -- and why are "we" taking "Manhattan" (reference to the old Frank Sinatra song "I'll Take Manhattan"? reference to Leonard's belonging to a generation that listened to Sinatra and liked that kind of lounge music?) .. and why is taking Manhattan a stepping stone to taking Berlin? Is he invoking the holocaust, and calling for some form of (spiritual?) revenge as suggested by the lines "I'm guided by the signals in the heavens"? What sort of "birthmark" is he referring to? Does he mean some genetic predisposition to violence, or prophesy? Do they go together? And what kinds of weapons are "beautiful"? Can you juxtapose "Beauty" and "weapons" without creating dissonance, or at least surprise?

So, although it never occurred to me that Leonard's song "predicted" the attack on the WTC, I always felt it could be indicative of some kind of hidden program, or plan, or worldview that believes in the necessity of violence.

[Anndiamo]

The real crux of the article comes in the second part, in which he describes the politicized mysticism of the Lubavitch sect, its global reach, and its peculiar brand of Messianism which includes a belief that the apocalypse -- followed by the triumphant arrival of the Messiah -- can be triggered by terrorist acts. This seems to stem from a certain school of the Cabbala which some consider heretical.

Imagine religious fanatics with roots in government and finance, armed with the notion that disastrous events like 911 are useful in inciting "holy wars" which can in turn be used to incite mass hysteria, hatred of the Other ... much like what we're seeing all around us these days, supported by government policy.

How did we get from "Give Peace a Chance" to this?

Personally I think we got here by a long series of shock-and-awe events which were planned and executed for the purpose of bringing on a second, totally-unnecessary holocaust.

[Anndiamo]

Another look at Chabad Lubavitch sect's connections to the Bush regime, and influence on global politics.

http://www.apocalypse-no.net/en/

Does this seem "Messianic" -- ?

[GinaDCG]

OK. The X Files music is playing in my head. But I do not wish to sound a flippant response to this -- I will have to ponder this a while. I have long suspected the neocons of something similar to this -- some of their most aggressive policies have no basis -- NONE -- in the reality that I inhabit. Yes, Saddam Hussein was a monster -- but the world is full of monsters. How did the Republicans get from "we shouldn't and can't be the world's policeman" to "we must bring about regime change in Iraq?" Answer: Enter the neocons, who seem to feign selective ignorance of some of the lessons of history -- like VietNam, Bosnia, the decline of the British Empire (and the Alexandrian, Persian, British and Russian Empires/Hegemonies for that matter!)

Personally, I believe that G-d does not pass out "get out of consequences" free cards. What will be, will be. We are each individually called upon to work for the social justice outlined in holy text (as well as that present in our consciences.)

[holydove]

What an interesting article, thank you for the posting.

I too see Leonard as a great mystic and prophet. I feel that spiritual/mystical teachings pervade his music, and his artistic talent allows him to clothe the teachings in the most exquisite forms ever, and these beautiful garments are a vehicle which enable us to receive the teachings. The teachings/insights are beyond word or form, but Leonard is a master at using word and form to deliver the teachings. In Tibetan Buddhism these teachings would be called "Crazy Wisdom" teachings.

As a prophet, he also conveys visions that have to do with earthly/worldly events. Those messages are easier to put into words, once the prophetic language and symbols are decoded. Of course, different people might have different interpretations of these messages.

As for the lyrics of First We Take Manhattan, Leonard says it is an examination of the mind of an extremist. This doesn't necessarily mean that he was predicting 9/11 per se, but terrorists have existed throughout history, in various parts of the world, and perhaps Leonard, in his wisdom, saw that America, and especially Manhattan, was a very likely eventual target. Israel has been dealing with terrorists for decades, and as someone who feels very connected to his
Jewish heritage, Leonard would be very aware of this; and with his brilliant insight into the minds & hearts of others, the terrorist mindset would be a very interesting contemplation. This contemplation, in my view, is a manifestation of compassion; a level of compassion that only a mystic/prophet would be capable of. Rather than just labelling such a person as evil or cowardly, etc., and hating them or just wanting to get rid of them, the impulse to really know what is going on in that mind, is a level of compassion unknown to most of the world.

Although Leonard's involvement with Kabbala is generally known, my understanding is that Chasidism is a different story,(maybe there are some overlaps). and I think there are various sects of Chasidism. I know the Lubawitch Rebbe was a very beloved figure, and many would have been interested in him as a person, regardless of their belief systems. I tend to doubt that Leonard would espouse any kind of violence, especially given his involvement with Zen. Kabbala really has to do with mystical/meditation practices, and doesn't require involvement in any kind of traditions or politics.