Michael Jackson was student of the great thinkers says his former 'mind guru' from Marlow (From Bucks Free Press)

Michael Jackson was student of the great thinkers says his former 'mind guru' from Marlow

1:00pm Wednesday 22nd July 2009 in News By James Nadal

A MARLOW man who was Michael Jackson's 'mind guru' said he was “totally enthralled with the nature and pursuit of genius”.

Tony Buzan an international author, lecturer and education adviser became close friends with the King of Pop after spending a week with him and his three children at the royal palaces in Bahrain.

The writer said he wanted to set the record straight and put across an alternative view of the entertainment legend following his recent death, which has been shrouded in rumours of drug addiction and claims about his personal life and children.

Mr Buzan, whose office is based at the Harleyford Estate in Marlow, is renowned for developing mind maps, an alternative form of note taking using diagrams and images to connect themes.

Jackson became a fan of the author after reading 'The Ultimate book of mind maps' whilst staying with the Bahraini royal family in 2005.

Mr Buzan, also a friend of the Middle Eastern royals, was flown out to meet Jackson and his children and to teach them more about mindmapping.

“It was like meeting an old friend, he was very natural, very relaxed and very intent on learning he was a very good student – one of the best I've ever had,” Mr Buzan said.

“He had marked nearly every page of my book, it was battered, which was nice to see.

"He was really interested in all forms of thinking and learning.”

Jackson created a mind map combining themes of happiness, himself and what he was working on at the time.

The pop icon was widely read and had a huge library of intellectual works.

He loved reading the Greek classics and works by other great minds such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Mr Buzan said.

“He was totally enthralled with the nature and pursuit of genius.

"He was very modest but thought that genius could be nurtured and he worked very hard on developing his own.”

His relationship with his children – Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II – was “wonderful, loving, respectful and playful” and he was a “devoted father” according to Mr Buzan.

The pair requently spoke on the phone, often having long conversations, and became close friends following their initial meeting.

Jacksons death from cardiac arrest on June 25 had been “unexpected and very saddening” and further compounded by “negatively biased” press coverage, Mr Buzan said.

“I think it could be far more objective and it should now begin to developing into the true nature of his mind and spirit rather than digging up dirt and innuendo.”

He said he will remember his former pupil as “ a very natural, humorous, generous, creative man a brilliant respectful student.”

Mr Buzan has just been appointed as thinker-in-residence at Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshire.