Powerful

 This weeks topic for reflection is powerful. Do you see yourself as being powerful? If yes, why? If no, why not? What have you been told about your power? What have you believed about your power. What makes someone a powerful person? What is the nature of power and what is the source of this power? Please take some time with this. Have you ever discovered that zazen or meditation can be a source of the energy of power and confidence? This is not confidence in being able to control outcomes but confidence in oneself. We can recover this power if we try and believe in ourself.   The power I’m talking about here is clear, open, alert and balanced. Anger is a similar kind of power but it’s not open and balanced. We can transform anger into samadhi (clear, open, alert, balanced and confident), by becoming aware of this anger and owning it. It’s our anger we’re experiencing. Once we own it we can work with it. Is it helpful to express this anger? Sometimes it might be. Notice when you’re angry especially when it’s a reactive anger. Try to use the technique of counting to three before you act. This will help allow you the opportunity to make a choice about what to do. Anger is filled with determination, focus and passion. These are good qualities when expressed compassionately and appropriately. What’s your relationship with anger?   We’re born being powerful. It’s our birthright. Then overtime things get complicated. Ms Marianne Williamson wrote, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” Does this seem true to you? I’m not saying we can live outside of our situation and conditions. Just that our beliefs can limit how we see ourself and consequently our potential and opportunities. Why sell ourself short or limit ourselves unnecessarily? We can return to being clear, open, alert and balanced. Powerful.