Finding your own power

We live in a world that is moving at breakneck speed. Humanity has achieved more in the last 100 years than in the previous 500. With all of our advancements in medicine, technology, mobility and our connectivity, we are still seeking more. We seem to be more disconnected today than ever before. I’d like to propose a few ideas from my personal experiences that will attempt to explain why we have such a yearning, and perhaps provide some guidance in filling that hole that so many of us have. 

Firstly, let’s talk about power. Most of us fall somewhere within a societal hierarchy where there are those with more perceived power than us, and those who have less. If you have a boss, or a corporation from which you earn your living, you are beholden to them. We often substitute the idea of currency capital as a proxy for your power in society. Those at the very top echelons of society can even eschew the idea of currency simply based on the very idea of their name and place in society (think Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Warren Buffet). Those at the very bottom are invisible because of their lack of power. Most of us fall somewhere in between, and through our fortunes and decisions in life, will move on this spectrum. This movement on the societal power spectrum is based on how society perceives you and rewards you. It is an external power system. 

What if it wasn’t society and external factors that gave you your power? Deepak Chopra, in ‘The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success’ talks about the law of pure potentiality. This is power derived from yourself. It is found by the act of recognizing that you are a unique part of the universe and have a part to play in it. With this recognition, you see and find your true self and are not dependent on external factors to give you your power. Your power does not come from the recognition from your peers, your career, your possessions or the approval of your friends and family. You simply are your true self, and you fulfill your purpose in the universe. 

You find joy in simply doing the thing or things you are meant to be doing. Very often, we take years to pursue an education, higher degrees and credentials, and then an extremely long career with success measured in your salary and years of service. While not discrediting that path, most people retire in their twilight years after a career spanning over 30-40 years. Often, because of demands from the powers that you are beholden to, you prioritize career over personal health, fulfilling family relationships and even mental well being. You don’t own the things that you have as much as they own you. Then when you are ready to retire from your career, you have perhaps 10, 15 or 20 years before the end. The math doesn’t add up. If you could achieve your own power and unique place in the universe, then why wouldn’t you? By doing so, you will be the source of your own power, and the universe will respond in kind.

For many years, I have been caught in the same trap. I pursued and achieved advanced degrees and higher education. I followed that up with a long career making other people and corporations successful. I did so with the rationale that I needed to be successful and needed the approval of my parents, my family and the admiration of my friends. I got that little shot of dopamine when my parents told their friends that they were proud of me. I got that little momentary bump in my self esteem when my friends admired my car. I felt pride when my colleagues at work saw me in leadership roles. Through it all, I have always felt that there had to be more to life. 

I began my martial arts journey over 20 years ago. I was much more naive and immature at that time. Even then, I was seeking to use martial arts training and prowess to achieve power through admiration and fear. At the time, I wanted my peers to know not to “mess with me” as I would swiftly dispatch them through my martial arts training. I was very quickly disabused of such notions through repeated tough training sessions by various teachers. However, over time, my notions of power persisted as I was known as a martial artist in my circle of friends and family. As the years wore on, my thoughts on martial arts changed, but there was always the perception of power that persisted. I often wonder why that is. I believe that it has something to do with fear. 

We are all afraid as we walk through life. We have a primal fear of loss. We think about loss of life, health, income, property and family. In the center of all of this fear is the self or the ego. We are afraid of the loss of our power in the societal hierarchy because our ego loves the daily stroking. However, what if we didn’t derive our power from external sources, but from finding our unique place in the universe and were true to ourselves. At that point, we aren’t beholden to any external factors for our power. For me personally, this manifests in putting my thoughts out into the universe without regard to who disagrees, agrees or even reads them. It also manifests in my continuing to train in martial arts every day without regard to who gets the better of me or whom I can defeat. I don’t care if you don’t like me. I like me! This starves the ego and pretty soon, it is an insignificant factor in life. 

This is, of course, easier said than done. It takes conscious effort and practice to be able to get over one’s own ego and fear. It also requires reflection and moments of stillness in order to ask the universe where you are meant to be. My martial arts practice and daily meditation helps me personally to get in touch with the universe and answer those questions for myself. Admittedly it is a struggle to battle the ego daily. We’re not always perfect in that battle and sometimes, we lose. However the key is to keep the long term goal in sight and to strive towards that. It is worth it to find your own power through the self as that will sustain you through your life.