We’ve all heard the phrase, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, and all of us have no doubt experienced the truth of that statement. Overt abuse of power is obvious and we know it when we see it.
But power can also be subtly abused. When given a chance to acquire power, most of us are more than willing to take it on. We think we can use it constructively to get things done. But often it backfires and we are corrupted too.
What is it about power that corrupts? How does it seem to seduce even those who start with the best of intentions?
One way to understand our addiction to power is to see it in terms of energy exchange.
All humans need nourishment for their physical bodies. If we are denied food we die. But we are also energy beings, so we need energy nourishment as well. If we are denied energy we die too.
But unlike food, which can be a scarcity for many in the world, the supply of subtle energy available to us is infinite. It is always there whenever we want it. We can download it from the universe, generate it through play, laughter, and/or creative expression, or exchange it with another person in a healthy way that leaves neither lacking. We can also generate energy with a healthy, positive sense of self.
Unfortunately, most of us don’t realize this, and don’t like ourselves very much either. We are dependent on others’ attention as a way of validating ourselves in the world. We are unconscious of our energy needs, but nonetheless think of energy as finite and limited, just like physical resources. So when we find ourselves depressed, burned out, fatigued and/or drained, we often just reach out and steal energy from our neighbor.
We steal energy by whining, being a victim, talking all the time, dominating in groups or by manipulating, coercing, abusing or seducing others into giving up their energy to us. Attention is energy, so all attention seeking behaviors are energy seeking behaviors. Any act that demands the attention of another is likely an act of energy stealing.
The secret of power is that a powerful person is in a position to steal energy any time, anywhere, and in a variety of different ways. A person with power can command people’s attention at all times for many reasons.
Some people fear the person with power, and rightly so, because powerful people can control others’ lives. And fear is the ultimate attention getter. If you are afraid of someone, you pay strict attention to everything they do or say, hoping your vigilance may somehow save you.
People in power steal energy by arbitrarily exerting control over other people, or by outright acts of coercion, physical, emotional or energetic abuse, and by disrespect. Even the act of ignoring someone steals energy. Any time one person can make another feel bad about themselves, that person is stealing energy.
Some people might want to ask the person in power for favors, and there is no one who will gladly give more attention than a toady. The toady often realizes the price he/she is paying for the favor, and does it gladly, but may, in fact, be bled dry because of it. Then the toady will need to steal energy from someone else.
And some people just like to bask in the shadow of power, hoping it will rub off on them. They gladly give up their energy to the person in power, but then use that shadow of power to steal from others lower down on the ladder.
All these people are addicted to power.
However, power is an uncomfortable acquisition. People addicted to power are always uneasy, always looking over their shoulders and behind their backs, because this kind of stolen energy can always be stolen back. The more afraid of losing their power, the more vicious powerful people can be. And the more a person’s self-worth is dependent on external sources, the more addicted to power they are. Like any addict, they can never get enough because they never know when someone’s going to steal it back.
Conversely, person who can download their energy needs from the universe, and/or generate energy through self–love, laughter, play and healthy, fair exchange, is truly empowered. They can freely share their power with others because they have no fear that it can be taken away, or that they will be unable to generate more when needed. There is no need to coerce, manipulate, deceive, threaten or abuse anyone. There is no need to control or dominate. They are sovereign beings, powerful in their own right with an inner strength and light that no one can take away. They use no force and have no agenda for others, because they know the only person they can really control, is themselves.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
Abraham Lincoln
For more on energy and energy reality, see my book “It’s All About Energy: Adventures in Expanded Reality”, available on Amazon, at local bookstores and on my website: wwwtransformationalexpansion.com