What power does

Contemplation on a multifaceted concept in three acts

What power does

The curtain rises

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One

First, there is the “power over” and with it the separation between those who have it and those who are subjected to it, over whom it is exercised – the un-powerful. It is a power associated with physical violence, a power enforced with violence, and violence causes fear. This triad of power-violence-fear is stored in memory and cellular consciousness. In many countries of the world it still resounds, dissonant and loud. One would like to cover one’s ears and sing against it.

Two-one

Here and now is another form of power, quiet and subtle; it is power over people’s thinking. It cannot be gained by force because, as the saying goes, “Thoughts are free!” Are they? They are quick and unsteady creatures, easily caught with the net of manipulation or with a carrot and stick.

The carrot of desires first evokes and then fulfills. Thoughts circle around what I could do, what I would like to do, what I want to do (in exactly that order). It lures me and the dance around the golden calf keeps spinning and spinning.

There is also the whip of fear: fear sown to keep man down and controlled. Fear in all its variations, but always the same at its core, i.e., fear of what life might bring, of the future, of illness, of poverty (… and very topical for many, fear of contact with other people).

Two-Two

But there is also fear of the freedom of life. The systems we live in, the correctness of which we have agreed upon, the narratives that limit our reality, they all have great power. They offer security, and so we subordinate ourselves. The step into self-empowerment is a big step, because there is fear of what might happen if I leave the conditionings behind, step out of the mental systems that have shaped me; if I take back my inner freedom. And so I voluntarily remain in the power realm of general opinion to think, speak and act as one does.

Three

And there is Variation Three. We consciously give power to another person because we trust them. This variation evokes the image of the good ruler (as opposed to the image of the tyrant from One). What exactly makes the difference? It is the will that tips the scales. Is it that of an ego (or group of egos) that focuses its power and strength through the will and directs it toward personal gain – of whatever form? Or is it a will that rises from a loving, “big” heart? The will of a person who is ready to take on the responsibility that arises from this power also encompasses a readiness to serve. Thus arises the paradoxical image of a ruler who uses the power conferred upon him with humility and love for the benefit of those who have conferred it upon him. This can also be applied to our time, to leaders or the elected representatives of groups or of a people.

And finally:

“As many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God“ (John 1: 12)

God is LOVE, is CONSCIOUSNESS.

To accept Him means to open the heart – to go into resonance with LOVE.

Accepting Him is allowing my will to go into resonance with CONSCIOUSNESS.

To accept Him is to say, “Thy will be done!”

And that does not mean submission, but freedom and power.

For whom?

For the “children of God” – that is, for people who live and act from the connectedness with LOVE and CONSCIOUSNESS. They are receiving impulses and implementing them according to their own being consciously and powerfully, committedly and creatively. “God can do nothing that He does not do through us.” And that can bring much joy to others and to us as well.

“Love, love is a power from heaven.” [1]

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The curtain falls.

 

 

 


[1] The Gypsy Baron, operetta by Johann Strauss

 

 

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Article info

Date: April 30, 2021
Author: Peri Schmelzer (Germany)
Photo: Suzanne Rowcliffe on Pixabay CCO

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