POWER

”The object of terrorism is terrorism. The object of oppression is opression. There object of torture is torture. The object of murder is murder. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me? ” –George Orwell- 1984

The point Orwell makes from the depths of a horrible distopia is akin to the point made by Nicollo Machiavelli more that 5 centuries ago when he observed that there is , “no morality in politics”. In short the primary goal of power is to perpetuate itself…come what may. Humans are unique in crafting an idea of power. We alone see power in wealth, strength. celebrity, military might political and corporate influence. The simple fact is we admire power in all its forms and most of us seek to get some. A cogent argument can be made that all religion and law-all moral precepts of ant kind- are created to curb power . We abhor the naked use of power by others but will exercise it with impunity if we have it.

Power is the drunken careening that comes from overindulgence in a cocktail of ego, anger and delusion. Autocrats wield power that ironically leads to their walk to the guillotine, or the pistol at the temple. Economic power does not always lead to a happy life; physical strength wanes and the great athlete becomes ungraceful and doddering. Power is fleeting.

Spiritual leaders have been able to reconcile the differences between power and morality with stunning results. These instances are rare but world changing when they happen. Ghandi, MLK and others were aware enough to understand the power of right actions and they had the courage to take those actions. Most of us are not that enlightened. I have often been a bully , overestimated my abilities ; I’ve seen a handsome devil in the mirror…delusional.

I agree with Plato when he said that the, “measure of a man is what he does with power.” with that in mind, I always try to wield what little power I have with a bit of morality and realistic self assessment. I hope to deal in the power of words.

We are currently in a long national meditation on power. Let us all exercise our powers in the interest of others.