Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power – Abraham Lincoln
Mahatma Gandhi, defined power in two forms, one – fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. According to him love is thousand times more effective and permanent than the one derived from fear of punishment. However, the world that we live in today has a different scenario wherein power spells authority, strength, capability and superiority.
The Quest- where to begin?
If we walk down the history lane, we can see that all good and bad endeavours by individuals or groups in the past were directed at garnering power. Be it the world wars, political uprisings, revolutions, religious propaganda, scientific research, technological innovations, economic strategies, ethnic-cultural dominance, almost everything was aimed at being powerful or being in the seat of power. So what is it that makes most of us go crazy after it? Well!! the simple reply to this would be… Who doesn’t want to be powerful & experience the adrenaline rush? Of Course, all of us just love the moment that allows us to do what we want to do on our terms.
Power has different meanings for different people, but it is commonly associated with money and that is why the rich and the powerful people in society always make headlines due to their high net worth. Another common image that comes to mind is that of political leaders. In the 21st century, science and technology combined with marketing have also become another means along with media which has emerged as a highly influential medium of power.
In fact, it won’t be exaggerating to say that the media is one such source that affects all other powers as it can help to highlight or downplay or even destroy the value of all the above-mentioned powers. However, in reality, these are all outer forms or sources of power and since they are based on the outer reality they tend to deplete or change and perish with time and also they are unstable, unreliable and often disempowering. If that is so then what is True power?
Most of us are unaware that true power is rooted in human consciousness i.e in the soul. Most of us forget that money or status are the only means from which temporary power can be derived. All these sources of power are limited and changeable with time. They give temporary support. The sense of ‘I’ and ‘mine’ turns such power into a limitation and it has its influence for a limited period on a limited area of life to a limited degree. On the other hand, true power will be unlimited, benevolent and universal in its impact & hence it will automatically empower others.
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Therefore we need to first understand who we are and live life from a spiritual perspective because when the spirit is awake and aware it is indomitable. When we become aware of how powerful we are from within, we become free from all kinds of desires and attachments. Remember ! a person who can control his thoughts and emotions and live by the highest values of peace, love, truth and joy under all circumstances is truly powerful.
Such a person is able to influence and bring about change not only in his life but also in others’ lives and the world around him. As children of the Supreme, every human being is a soul inherent with core values like peace, joy, love, purity, wisdom, power and bliss. Due to gross ignorance about these very values, we lose our true power and start searching for it from the wrong sources.
That is why today the whole human race has become weak and impure. But! Now the Supreme Source of Power himself is guiding us all to regain our lost power and sovereignty by imparting knowledge of spirit (soul) through which we would become the rulers of our inner kingdom. So what are we waiting for ?? Let’s just begin the journey to experience real power by connecting to our true self and Supreme Source.
