We must understand that the concept of "power over others" has always been at the centre of the human conflict. The drive for "power over others", which emerges as a consequence of fear, energizes a worldview of competition and struggle. Thus, "power over others" has been believed to ensure survival. But this is only so within a world-view which supports a belief in separation.
I recently discovered that I share a very similar perspective to Bruce Lipton, as described in his book “The Biology of Belief”. This perspective is that Life is a cooperative endeavour, as opposed to a competitive one.
This, what he calls, “New Biology” has since stormed the dogmatic belief systems of Darwinian biologists, much in the same way that quantum physics is baffling the established beliefs about the physical universe as supported by proponents of traditional (Newtonian) physics. I believe this to be a product of changing consciousness amongst human beings, from the individual to the collective; from independence (survival) to interdependence (cooperation). Consequentially, this adjustment (more accurately, maturation) of our perspective, which comes as a result of a shift in consciousness itself, changes everything: Our collective world-view, our understanding about our place and purpose on Earth; as well as our relationship to the greater galactic neighbourhood of which planet Earth is a part.
Although survival and adaptation have been a pivotal perspective from which to view "organisms" (including ourselves) and their relationship to the world, it is actually non-adaptive to believe that competition is the only way of being in the world, or even, the intended way for us to be living. Why compete when you can cooperate?
Biological organisms do cooperate, (symbiosis) as well as compete, but might that not be a simple matter of our perspective and not a factual truth? (This raises the question of whether perception can reliably be taken for reality under most circumstances- a philosophical query for another time). And why shouldn't life forms cooperate when cooperation actually opens the door to better chances of survival than what competition offers, as well as enhanced living conditions!
In our cases as humans (though we are certainly not above the laws of nature) we've become quite able to secure our material comforts and ensure our survival. And while it has been socially programmed into believing that we must strive to survive, (work hard and make that money) we have the choice in each and every instance as to whether (or not) we make such beliefs our realities!
“Power within self” is the evolving paradigm pertaining to cooperation. It has been the message of many before us and as we learn to cooperate (and appreciate it) the dynamics for power shifts from "without", to within.
Circling back to the initial point, “power within self” knows not the need for competition.. It recognizes that the capacity to create and initiate abundance is within oneself as it is within another and that by joining forces, dreams can become realities.
“Power within self” shifts our focus so that can actually initiate and incubate our understanding of what power really is.
Perhaps you too, as I was, have been taught that genetics are responsible for determining most aspects of the human being; from our physical expression to the inner worlds of our emotions and psyche. This perspective suggests a certain mechanistic element to biological life, one which (conveniently) would be predictable and traceable. But we are human beings after all, not merely bio-mechanical organisms as a result of random genetic sequencing.
Do you really want to believe that Life is a mere clock-work complex anyway?
Kinda boring. And would require the denial (not smart, either) of surfacing evidence suggesting the contrary!
Example:
Bruce Lipton has demonstrated that the environment (experience) actually alters (modulates) genetic information over time (whereas it was once believed that genetic information remained fixed after birth). Furthermore, quantum mechanics (a branch of physics) has disproved the traditional model of the atom, demonstrating that it is in fact (almost entirely) "empty space"; the appearance of having some solidity to it, being an illusion. This revolutionizes the concept of “matter” if we can now even call it that!
For everything is, in fact, energy and that which appears to be empty is, in fact, teeming with life.
Bruce writes in his book about how he experienced insight into the cooperative “nature of Nature” itself while living on a small Caribbean island. He highlights how all biological organisms, which form part of the ecosystem he finds himself in are harmoniously thriving as one “integrated system”. Now, this is rather different than the picture portrayed by theory of evolution which suggested that the fittest survived and that the fittest was likely that which adapted most efficiently to the environment over time.
And yes, this feeds upon that and death is an inevitable part of the cycle of life, it remains the case that all ecosystems need every part of itself to survive.
It was when Bruce related his awareness that all organisms live “in a delicate dynamic balance, not only with other life forms but with the physical environment as well” that a knowing within me spoke up, indicating that “the physical environment is, in fact, a life form too!”.
Besides, how could life spring from and be supported by something that is not itself alive?
From life follows life.
(Of course, the Earth is itself alive and sentient- simply not in the way that we've come to understand the term "alive", nor are we capable of seeing from the perspective of ego.) It is extremely important that we move beyond a worldview which suggests that we are separate from the Earth.
We are a part of the Earth and the Earth a part of us, just as anything that exists within or upon it, is.
As the consciousness of human beings continues to rise, so re-emerges our memory of, and desire for Unity- of which a sense of Unity with our home planet is but one expression.
It is in unity with "others" that our true power lies. And it is a unified humanity that will serve as an uplifted expression of the One Self & Source of which all of Life is.
Integrating the understanding that all things are One is crucial for our survival, both as biological species and as Spirit embodied.
We've been operating within duality, but now are at the precipice of some major shifts in our worldview as the collective human mind remembers that it too, is a part of life, an expression of it and not some stranger to it.
Our evolution will no longer be directed by the fear-driven instincts of our animal natures, but by our conscious and loving intentions towards knowing ourselves and each other.
Our subconscious minds, I believe, to serve as portals to greater self-understanding.
Delving into them courageously is a plunge into the "deep end" (I like the term "shadow work") but it is a crucial element to excavating the aspects of self and ego that keep us in fear and separation.
Greater capacity for love, understanding and connection is the intention behind shadow work- and the understanding to emerge is that of the interconnectedness of all things living and unseen.
And this is the next step in our evolution.
Dare take it?