It is likely that there have been both questions and issues of power for dwellers on Earth since before the Lemurian time. Indeed, different civilizations have defined it differently. As you probably recognize, the more patriarchal a society, the more you get the definition of "power" as "power over." In the older, particularly the more feminine-centered societies, the definition of "power" is more "power for," which may be "for the family," or "for the community." While these differences may seem slight in terms of words on paper, they are profound in terms of philosophy.

In more patriarchal societies, one is taught to evolve through comparing oneself to others. This, of course, can breed fierce competition, and a powerful, often conflictual, relationship of polarity between winner and loser, masculine and feminine, good and bad, etc. Of course, these notions are mere perceptions, but such does not diminish the felt experience of being on one end or the other of the polar arrangement.

Because the West has been so strongly influenced by the Judo-Christian beliefs, I think those beliefs are a good place to begin. In both these traditions power is ascribed to God. In both these traditions, strong emphasis is placed on doing the "will of God." Such is supposed to bring a good life, filled with health, wealth and power. To some extent, we can generalize to many, even older, traditions, where power was supposed to come from outside oneself. Again, this is generally true of patriarchal systems, of which most spiritual traditions you know of are part. Power, whether we speak of spiritual power, governing power, educational power or political power, has traditionally been conveyed from man to man. Originally, this notion of power coming from God meant that the man who had it should be like God, or he would lose power. However, humans being what they are, there have always been those who found that they could "steal power," as it were, from God (or whatever they deemed to be the true source), and apply it as they chose.

If you look at some of the teachings in the Hebrew tradition, God's power is often described in terms of wreaking havoc on humans in one way or another. The bad experiences that happened (plagues, insect infestations, floods, fires etc.) came about as a result of God's wrath toward humans. These stories demonstrate over and over the power of God to interfere with human workings. Now if such is one's basic understanding of God, and one believes he or she is supposed to be like God, how do you think they might act out, perhaps unconsciously, from the basis of their beliefs in or about God?

If one believes in a harsh or punishing God, that belief will be reflected in how he/she creates relationships with others. Such can result in people who are punishing of others, but it can also result in people who are victimized by everyone. If their encounter with God feels highly punishing, how can they avoid drawing some kind of punishment from their relationships with people, as well?

Perhaps there is a way to discover empowerment without playing out all those patriarchal notions about power. Of course, this might involve throwing out everything one believes about, or experiences, as power. When you look around at world events, you can see power issues everywhere. Whether it's nation struggling against nation, corporation struggling against corporation, or individual struggling against individual, you have myriad examples of people trying to understand and work out power issues. In truth, however, it is unlikely that these demonstrations of power will ever lead to true empowerment, because they are focused in the wrong direction.

One possessing real spiritual power has no need to work out power issues outside him/herself. True, you can overcome another by sheer force, but that does not really make one empowered. The empowered person has no need to force anyone. True empowerment is simply the ability to transform one's own mind. This is what every spiritually realized individual has learned along their spiritual journey. A truly powerful person has his/her hands full managing their own mind, deciding what kind of thoughts they want to pass through their mind and holding the mind to task.

All spiritual transformation takes place in the mind. You should all know by this point on your spiritual path, however, that transformation is no accident. It takes focus, mindfulness, and lots of effort to bring such about. This is where you see the fruits of real power. Removing the mind from objects of thought (sometimes obsession) that pull it into a downward spiral and placing the mind on objects of thought that will raise one's vibrational frequency are acts of power. Refraining from taking the events and circumstances in your life personally is an act of power. Reframing the way you look at yourself and others is an act of power. Forgiving is an act of power. Freeing your mind from negative self talk is an act of power.

What's even more profound is the fact that these acts of power can never be overthrown by another individual or another nation. In the world, you are continually flooded with images of one regime toppling another, one corporation swallowing another, or even one person killing another. How can this be when each situation was founded on power, or so perceived? The answer must be that in these events there is no real power -- only force. If real power were involved, there would be no need for force.