Power vs. Force

In the United States, and in most developed nations, there is an intense obsession with the pursuit of and the acquisition of Power. Most individuals who crave this power, seek to obtain it through the use of Force.

In their minds, "Power" equals strength, control, respect, relevance, purpose, identity and wealth (riches). And "Force" is exercised and found in many forms: Violence, Manipulation, Deception, Destruction, Leverage (i.e. "Bribery and blackmail"), Crime, and Punishment, just to name a few.

But true power in the purest form, can only be achieved through compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, purpose, generosity and love. It is at best temporary and ultimately destroys the one seeking it.

When I reflect on the last decade of my life, I see a life where I somehow attracted three types of people. One group, were individuals who for one reason or another were "incomplete" and were attracted to my energy, wanting it for themselves ("drain people"). Another group, were individuals who have evolved and recognize this potential in me and thus committed to help nurture this in me (these people are still in my life today). And the last, are people who sought to exploit my power and manipulate it to their needs.

This last group, I have cut away from my life (funny enough, these people are still pursuing me today, because it takes a lot of inner strength to escape what would have destroyed you, and it has made their interest in me stronger).

It's funny: I can remember the very first time I ran into someone who sought the dark side of power. His name was Assan Kimara, and he is from Senegal, West Africa. Assan played a role in my parent's breakup and is a master at insinuating himself in people's lives and manipulating their emotions to his end. This was a very dangerous and powerful man, and he took an unnatural interest in me for as long as I've known him.

You see, I had the great misfortune of being the "first son" of my parents, and Assan used my brother and I to gain leverage with my parents. It's a long story-I'll spare you, let's just say he was successful in breaking my mother's heart and betraying my father.

I remember one time Assan demonstrated his power-during a Monopoly game of all things. We were playing, all adults and me, the sole child in the game. This guy accurately predicted not only what he would roll and buy, but what others would roll and buy. People in the game saw this as boastful jousting, but when his predictions were borne out, it turned to amazement and then something else.

Some part of me sensed it was a lesson, a demonstration of power on my behalf. I was always apprehensive when in his presence and thinking back on it, he probably knew this. For me, he was a dangerous and interesting person, one I chose to study, not worship. Everyone else was mesmerized-I was simply curious, and that made me a target...

Interesting enough, on my 16th birthday, just five years later, I played a game of Monopoly in just the same way he did: accurately predicting rolls, and purchases. I won, just as he did (my friends never played Monopoly with me again :(

Yeah, Assan, was the very first dark soul I encountered. Perhaps I'll share the story of how he tried to separate me from my family by having me spend a year with him in Senegal.

Regardless, I'm very fortunate to have come out of that period of my life unharmed, and since have had the great fortune of having some of the most generous soulful, spiritual people nurture me along the way. It is to these individuals I dedicate the following poem:

Shimmering with brilliance,
she gently tugs, caresses,
intoxicates one's very being.

She races across the path of the living,
leaving the spirits encountered,
trembling in her wake

All at once,
she excites the weak,
making one feel
as though all is possible

She frightens the strong,
making them drunk with sudden doubt,
as to the purpose of one's life

Hunters can not escape her beauty
Prey become vigorous in her wake
And evil becomes impotent

Like water, she cools and nourishes all who partake of her
Like the sun, she blinds all who dare attempt to understand her
Like the glowing embers of wood and fire,
she reminds us that simplicity can be comforting

She travels invisibly,
touching all those who despair
At the moment of death, like at birth,
she disguises herself, briefly, as peace

One can travel an entire lifetime
and be touched by her many times,
yet, still not know of her existence

She is patient, always waiting for one
to see that, indeed, she has always been there,
always been close by your side

She resides within the most empty of souls
She encompasses all living beings

One is truly wealthy
if one recognizes her presence
All is available to those who envision her

She is Love.

~ Lee Christopher Grant, 1992