Which Of Six Power Types Will You Embody And Support?

Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Building China S Large Scale Power Transmission Infrastructure Nature Sustainability

Source: Adobe Stock Image by Tarun, licensed to Ravi Chandra.

As Dr. Martin Luther King said, "Power without love is futile and cruel, and love without power is impulsive and weak. The greatest power is love, which enforces the demands of justice, and the greatest justice is the power which corrects all that is contrary to love."

American culture and the world have long fought for power, love, and justice. Many of us struggle with our inner self. How do we understand the power and opportunity to help us as individuals and communities in this process?

Power can be defined as personal or emotional. In sociology, power is defined as the ability to influence others. At any given moment in our individual psyche, we can imagine what power and influence they have over us. We can think about what we value and want to develop in ourselves, our relationships and society.

Stephen Hassan, PhD, has studied and written extensively on cults, most notably in the best-selling book Fighting Cult Mind Control. As shown in the image below, it has marked effects ranging from healthy to destructive. On the right, we see the destructive or unhealthy effects that follow hierarchical control and oppression using the control of behavior, information, thoughts, and emotions (BITE model). On the far left, we see constructive and beneficial influences that relate to personal well-being and growth rather than selfish control and dominance.

Source: Stephen Hassan, Ph.D

As a psychiatrist, in general, I understand that people are destructive to fear, danger, tranquility and vulnerability, as well as compassion for themselves and others. A healthy flu is transmitted in conditions of protection, love and compassion.

Safety, love and compassion help us deal more effectively with fear, insecurity, insecurity and vulnerability. Respect for human dignity and equality pushes us towards a healthy sustainable end. They are encouraged to develop healthy forms of influence and interaction that establish good and secure relationships and value individuals and institutions that ensure good, secure and trusting relationships.

However, we must contend with a variety of forces, most of which destroy empathy and destroy relationships, love, and compassion. The desire to influence others and gain fame and power is the opposite of empathy. As Lord Acton wrote in the late 19th century, "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts". Clearly, in order to maintain a healthy state of influencing society, we need to control our internal and interpersonal capacities as well as empathic development in our communities.

1. Mental stimulation

Dutcher Keltner, a social psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, confirmed Lord Acton's views in his research and book The Paradox of Power. According to Keltner's research, groups provide trust, influence, and power to those who empathize with the group. However, when people gain power, they lose empathy, hence the paradox of power. Therefore, if we are alone and without self-awareness, self-control, and human interaction, we all have the potential to shift from healthy influences and energies to unhealthy forms.

2. Gaining power through skill

Of course, some gained power and influence by excelling in various fields. But this talent or ability is not always accompanied by the need for empathy or sympathy. Therefore, some gifted people act in selfish, negligent or harmful ways. Their power may influence one faction but not other factions. A classic example is a highly skilled and respected department head sexually harassing junior interns or faculty members. Talented people may gain power and then abuse it or use unhealthy influences to maintain their power.

3. Gaining power with advantage

Some use power for their own gain. In American society, whites, especially the wealthy, enjoyed socioeconomic, political, and cultural advantage. Because power undermines empathy, some of those who wield it may have less empathy for those outside the group. As I wrote in a previous post (see link), we are all blinded by the "perception bubble" and it takes mental and intellectual work to think outside of your group to see what's best outside of your group. A privileged person can fight death individually or work with other members of their group to protect their rights. They tend to ignore the needs of others and think that they don't care about other people's problems. Therefore, destructive types of flu increase.

4. Gaining power through violence

Others use violence, coercion, fraud, deceit, and power to intimidate and silence dissenters and control all members of their group for hierarchical control. Clearly there is no principle or compassion involved. There are those who think that this criminal path is the path of peace, thereby justifying their actions. Machiavellian power is the prime example in the world. These individuals and groups clearly have a destructive influence and leave behind broken relationships and failed communities. (See links below to new standards describing Soviet, Bolshevik and Stalinist atrocities.)

5. The power of megalomania

Megalomania is the desire to dominate and control others, subjugating them to one's own will. Control is defined as an individual's agency to achieve a desired outcome. Megalomaniacs use their free will to manipulate others and devise strategies to achieve desired results. Megalomaniacs and Machiavellians use other people to get what they want. The ends justify the means and people become tools to be used rather than ends and values in themselves. As I've written before, "Those who can't control their problems try to control others." So, my professional understanding is that megalomaniacs are experiencing some sort of internal pressure to dominate and control rather than dealing with them in a mutually beneficial way. It is clear that compassion goes a long way when we are "tools of their machinations". If you feel that your thoughts, interests, feelings and personality are not important to others, then it is time to value yourself more and think about how they can use you. Do you know someone who is used to taking advantage of others?

6. Eternal Power

As shown in the image below, Daher Keltner defines enduring power as a power that continuously promotes empathy and compassion. This approach to mutual empowerment encourages self-discipline and mutual control to promote deeper health at the internal level, in groups, and within the writing community.

Lasting power, he writes, "comes from focusing on other people." The operation and support of such power reduces suffering and creates conditions for ownership.

Lasting power comes from compassion.

Enduring power comes from giving. (I changed it to "share")

Lasting power comes from expressing gratitude.

Lasting power lies in telling stories that bring people together.

To Keltner's list, I would add a fifth force:

Enduring resilience shows the ability to apologize and make amends. Residual energy remains humble and knows that it is possible to make mistakes and hurt others, because we all act from our perspective and by misunderstanding others we can undermine their interests for our own. (For more on humility, see my recent post.)

I hope it helps us focus on healthy and lasting impact and empowerment that nurtures empathy and connection and unlocks our full potential as individuals and communities.

Stay tuned! I can't wait to see how we handle what's on our plate.

Source: Photo by Ravi Chandra, Article by Daher Keltner.