Your perception of power, and what makes anyone powerful, no matter who it is, is all in your mind. It is what you believe it to be. 

If you attach your sense of power and control to sources outside yourself (eg. job, status, relationship, money, car etc), you become vulnerable and fearful because these can be lost. In a state such as that, you might then try to take power and control from others. 

In general, we tend to place too much emphasis on power that comes from external sources. The more of it people have, the more value we place on those people. But if you take away whatever it is that we see as giving them power (money, status, job etc.), they become just like everyone else – vulnerable and fearful. 

I remember Edith Bunker on “All In The Family” saying, “I can imagine the Queen brushing her teeth, but I can’t imagine her spittin’ it out!”

Well, the truth is, if you take away the title of “Queen” and everything associated with it, she’s just a regular person like the rest of us. 

The lawyer gets turfed from the Bar. The doctor loses his license. The priest leaves the church. The perfect face is scarred in a fire. The athlete ends up in a wheelchair. The wife is abandoned by her husband. 

If these people had their identities and sense of power tied up in their jobs, their accomplishments, their relationships, they would perceive these changes as catastrophic. But if they have authentic power, they won’t feel as though they’ve lost control of their lives. They won’t be feeling vulnerable, fearful, or powerless. 

Feeling powerless is not the same as being powerless. In reality, most of the time when you think you’re powerless in a situation, you really aren’t. But this feeling prevents you from seeing the truth. It prevents you from seeing your options. And usually, it comes from something outside of yourself. 

If you have a weak leg and rely on crutches, you will fear someone knocking your crutches out from under you, or you might fear dropping them, because this would make you vulnerable. The crutches make you think you’re okay but take one or both away and you become fearful, weak and vulnerable. 

Authentic power is generated from inside you and it is the only kind of power that is lasting, and that gives you complete control. No one can knock you off balance; no one can take it from you so you never have to feel fearful or vulnerable. 

When you’re operating out of your own authentic power, it drives every choice you make. You will never need or want to control others, or situations. 

What is authentic power?

It is the energy produced and felt when focused intention is based in love and guided by the wisdom of your Higher Self. When you are following that wisdom, your life and choices will reflect this. You will feel strong, confident, in control of your life. 

Living in your authentic power means speaking your truth, and walking in it, too. It means accepting all parts of yourself and loving them unconditionally. It means accessing your Higher Self, the wisdom of your soul, and letting it guide you in all your thoughts, words and deeds. 

This is the greatest power there is and it offers the greatest possible freedom and ability to be all you’re meant to be. 

Spiritual Arts Mentor and Master Teacher, Liberty Forrest, guides you in discovering who you are, why you’re here, and how to follow that path.

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