Power in Practice

I have experienced many times in my life as a priest that talking to people of good faith about power can be uncomfortable. We have heard many times that power corrupts. Many people involved in organized religion have been hurt by institutional betrayal at the hands of powerful people. Some describe this phenomena as power over. Power over is a tricky thing. It can come out anywhere. When subjected to power over for too long, some (including myself) begin to practice power over. It can take a lifetime to break an addiction to power over.

Many have been taught to be humble, meek, poor, and maybe even docile in response to this power over. Some people say we must leave the arena of power to the violent since they so often have control there. It is a nasty business, not fit for people of Good Faith. Meanwhile, the faithful are thrown to the proverbial lions of corporate greed and manufactured scarcity. 

There is, however, another side to the experience of faith. The prophet Mohommad (PBUH) is held to be a miracle performing person of power. Guatama Buddha found power in clarity, focus, and love that was used to heal and teach others. Taoist master, Lao Tzu teaches that, “Understanding others is strength. Understanding ourselves is power”. Jesus Christ tells his followers that “power and the Holy Spirit” will come upon them, and Paul prays that the early faithful are strengthened with power and Spirit (Eph. 3). 

Power is something each of us has. It is one of the qualities of our species. 

This power can take many shapes, and has many expressions. One of these is the capacity for love and friendship, courage, trust, hope, and sustenance. These are considered attributes of spiritual power. This is sometimes called power within. Many of us have spiritual practices that reinforce th​is power and build our capacity​. 

Sometimes one can be moved by the power of the other. Sometimes others are moved by our power. Many have experienced this at a concert, or a sporting event, or a religious service. Sometimes I experience this moving power when I hear someone’s story with empathy. This kind of power is sometimes called power among or Relational Power. Relational power is an outlet of our inner, spiritual power. It is relational power that moves the levers of bureaucracy and system.

Power is something each of us has. It is one of the qualities of our species. Most often, when someone is not using their power with agency, someone else is using that power toward their own goals. Recently, people of Good Faith have begun uniting around affordable housing in Portland. Trusting in ancient spiritual practices and using latest models and best practices, the Leaven Land & Housing Coalition has become an exciting and groundbreaking demonstration of translating power within into power among. A work whose seeds were planted generations ago has blossomed into an interfaith and ecumenical coalition that has a strategy and stands a serious chance at healing broken parts of our housing system. They stand on the precipice of translating the power within and power among into the power to. Among this Coalition’s leaders are Melissa Reed and Julia Nielsen. Along with all involved in this specific coalition, they are demonstrating power to affect the change for which their spirits’ yearn!

The inner spiritual work must flow out or it becomes stagnant. The home and family is one natural place for that to happen. Another is our work. When together with others in a supportive practice environment it can become the world, and one becomes liberated in eternal time.

Everyone has a spiritual practice. Each practice has an outlet. What are the outlets for your spiritual practice? In what stage is your journey? With whom are you sharing it? Help and support are there for those who seek.