Oh How They Love To Control
Throughout human history there is a sad and never-ending scenario. That scenario is of one person or group maneuvering to control and gain power over another person or group of persons. Sometimes that maneuvering is done through brutal cruelty. Sometimes merely the threat of harm has been enough to gain control. Yet another way control is achieved is through psychological manipulation. Brutal mass controllers abound throughout history – Genghis Khan, Timur, Torquemada, Leopold of Belgium, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong and so on.
I am not advocating for anarchy. In order for a civilized society to function, there must be some control mechanism in place. This mechanism is necessary to keep a small minority from interrupting the peace and harmony of the large majority.
Beyond political and financial control is a far more insidious and toxic form of control. Humans just can’t seem to help themselves from trying to control the minds and thoughts of other humans. It’s a perversity without any redeeming value.
For example, your boss at work that almost has an orgasm when he or she arbitrarily exercises control. Next, there is the political authority who delights in lording over their position of control. Then there is the corrupt law enforcement official who gets a cheap thrill out of intimidating and creating fear. In addition, there is the husband or wife who use all manner of ways to subtly gain control in the relationship. And on and on and on, ad nauseum.
Stop Whining, Start Believing
Some human beings like being controlled. Most do not. The majority who feel aggrieved more than likely form resentments against their control. These resentments can be silent (within themselves). They can be verbally expressed. They also can take the form of various actions and reactions. The pressure for you to conform to be a certain way can make for an unhappy life.
The words of Jesus Christ in Mark 11:24 are essential truth as well as timeless in nature. “Whatsoever you desire, when you pray, believe that you have received it and it will be yours”. Do you desire to be free of being controlled by others? Then start believing that you are free. That is where you begin breaking free.
I can almost see the “yeah buts” coming forth like a horde of locusts. Yeah but if I do not do or be what he (or she) wants me to do or be, they won’t like me. They may try to hurt me in some way. The harm could be physical, emotional, mental or financial in nature.
Believe. Believe that you are free from control. In your inner mind, experience your life as you desire it to be. Free to be your real self. Free to think the thoughts and say the words that you choose. Your new belief is that you are living in a manner that expresses who you are. Make this your unchanging belief regardless of any circumstances. To hell with circumstances. Believe what you choose to believe. That is your power.
Daniel And The Lions Den
Many have heard the story of Daniel. During the captivity of the Jews in Babylon in the sixth century B.C., Daniel prayed only to the one true God. This was in direct violation of the decree of King Darius. This decree stated that for a period of thirty days all prayers and petitions be directed solely to King Darius. The decree was to force people to acknowledge that all substance came from their secular ruler, Darius, not from any other source.
Daniel ignored the decree. He was arrested and sentence to be placed into a pit of hungry lions. In fact, the lions were not fed the day before so that they would be good and hungry. Daniel’s focus and attention on the one true God remained steadfast. He turned his back to the lions the entire night. He emerged the next day from the lions den totally unscathed.
The story of Daniel is the story of every man. Daniel completely turned his back to the lions. He looked only at the light that is God. He looked only at the power that is God. In the same way, every manner of control that humans can come up with can likewise be neutralized.
Every problem automatically produces its own solution. The solution is to be free of the problem. Thus, with any problem, turn your back to the problem (the lions). Turn your face to the solution. Focus your belief on the solution (being free). Focus your mind’s attention on the solution already having occurred. Feel yourself to be that which you desire. If your desire is to live free in peace and harmony, then that is precisely what you believe and feel.
Not A Big Guy With a Long Beard
The famous painting by Michelangelo, “The Creation of Adam” is one of the most well-known paintings in the world, ranking right up there with Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. Michelangelo’s painting is the fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The painting renders a portrayal of God giving the spark of life to Adam. God is portrayed as an old guy with white hair, wearing a white robe and having a long beard.
Michelangelo’s painting of God creating Adam is probably the most reproduced artistic creation of all time. It is truly an impressive creation of art. It served to translate the image of God into an image discernable to the human mind. There is even a Family Guy parody that portrays God as an old guy with white hair, robe and beard. Peter is with God in an elevator that is stuck between floors. He starts asking God all types of questions. Peter: “God, are we just a computer simulation run by a higher species”? God: “Yes”. Peter: “OK, I wasn’t expecting that”.
Of course, God is not some old guy with white hair and a long beard peeking at you from behind the clouds. God is transcendent and unknowable. The Kingdom of God (Awareness of Being) is within each and every human being. That is the way in which you were created. The Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21). The peace, the power, the freedom of God is available to all within that Kingdom.
There Is A Way Out
If you do not enjoy being manipulated like some chess piece in someone else’s game of chess, there is a way out. The way out involves completely revising your perspective about everything in your current circumstances. You’re going to have to “go rad”. You are going to have emulate Daniel.
Is your spouse controlling you? Look only at God. Is your boss at work controlling you? Look only at God. Are your physical infirmities controlling you? Look only at God. Is your church or other social group controlling you? Look only at God. Is your depression controlling you? Look only at God. Is your financial situation controlling you? Look only at God. Are your friends controlling you? Look only at God. Are your fears controlling you? Look only at God.
There is only One Presence. There is only one Power. That Presence is God. That Power is God. There is a counter-logical solution to any situation where you feel controlled by your circumstances. Like Daniel in the lions den, turn your back to the circumstances.
Fix your mind, your thoughts, your vision, your heart, your entire being, solely on God. See only the One Presence. See only the One Power. Give up your belief in bad circumstances. Where there is strife, believe only in peace of God. Where there is weakness, believe only in the power of God. It is your way out.
Power – Use It Or Don’t Use It
Universal Intelligence, God, created you in the image of Universal Mind. The truth of Mark 11:24 reaches out to you every single day of your life. Whatsoever you believe, you will receive.
There is a critical “catch” to this power of belief with which you have been gifted. This “catch” is called free will. If you choose to make the decision to refrain from believing, your connection to the power is interrupted. Unbelief throws the power switch to the “off” position.
Your complete conviction, without any hidden doubts, without any secret fears, seals the deal for you. While in a relaxed state, employ your imagination to the fullest. Feel your desire as rock solid real. Your steadfast faith keeps the power switch in the “on” position.
Your power exists. It is yours to use or not to use, as you so choose.
Conceive. Believe. Receive.