'...it is important to look at the nature of power' Photo: Jenny Kaczorowski / flickr CC.
Presence and inner power
Ruth Tod concludes her series on Quakers and spirituality
At Yearly Meeting Gathering (YMG) in the University of Warwick last summer there were several opportunities to look at empowerment and engagement with those in power.
We are faced with so many challenges and concerns that sometimes we feel overwhelmed, which is why it is important to look at the nature of power. We can attempt to challenge the powerful by trying to match their power with more of the same. Or we can tap into a more egalitarian, compassionate kind of power. What is that power and how do we access it? How can we use it to make a difference?
Different kinds of power
In some YMG workshops we looked at these different kinds of power. The power of global elites tends to be controlling and manipulative; this power over people and situations is either implicitly or explicitly violent. It will concede nothing unless we demand strongly enough that it does. Understanding who holds power over us can help us to be more aware and effective.
Together with others, we can offer a different kind of power that is based on equality and compassion, and is engaging and creative. We can harness power in ourselves: the power with people working together for the same purpose and the power within each one of us. When we do this we are building the kingdom today; we are living the way of peace, justice and equality now, not with confrontation, but with connection and engagement.
Recently, I have been reflecting on what I mean by power within and the practice of presence, which helps me connect with it. For guidance, I have been inspired by stories of past and present day Quakers. I am sure they have much to teach us. George Fox spoke about being in the power of the living God, walking cheerfully over the world answering that of God in everyone and living in that life and power which takes away the occasion of all wars. Filled with the love and support of the Light within, early Quakers preached in churches, kept their hats on before their social superiors, refused to pay tithes and suffered in prison for their faith.
Moving to the present time, in one of his workshops at YMG, the Quaker activist George Lakey told us about a campaign to stop mining in the Appalachians. His group tried to make contact with one of the banks involved and when attempts to arrange a meeting failed, they decided to hold a Meeting for Worship in the lobby of one of their branches. The manager came out to talk and eventually the bank withdrew its funding.
Faith in action
You may have experienced the power of Meeting for Worship in difficult situations yourself. I think this is a great resource that we could use more often to challenge the powers that be. An act of worship is not just a group of people getting in the way; it is an act of prayer in the presence of God or the Spirit. In my experience the stillness and serenity can create a tangible sense of power and presence, which may invite surprise, curiosity and even attraction. Being nonconfrontational, it can open the door to dialogue.
Whether we see it as Spirit-led or not, the capacity to be present with our surroundings and ourselves allows us to connect to our inner power. At home, we have a rather difficult neighbour who is quick to anger and thinks we are all against her. At first I was anxious about her habit of hacking back bushes and shouting at us. However, now I remind myself that she is human like me, so I can just be myself, present, connected and grounded. I am open, non-judgmental and calm with her, which in turn calms her and we are able to talk more easily. I think this works because I am neither backing away in flight mode nor falling forward into fight mode. I am present, balanced, and at peace.
In community meetings, where people were arguing about issues such as traffic-calming, I used to find that a few minutes silence had a similar effect of stopping people in their tracks and making them remember that their purpose was to find solutions together. This, in my experience, is inner power in action and I believe is available to us all when we are present, in touch with our own inner energy and reaching out to the other.
We can consciously choose to do this by focusing on our physical presence. For me the key is to be aware of my feet on the ground and aligned so my energy is free to flow. With my eyes open and soft, I can receive what is. I am balanced and in my space. I am present and aware. We can practise this habit for even a few moments, when we have grace before a meal, for example, or when we pause before a task or take time out to reflect. It may help us in unexpected ways.
If you would like to explore ‘presence’ and inner power in a group, you could talk people through the ideas I have outlined. This could be at the beginning of a meeting that has been called for a specific purpose or to start a workshop. You could begin by explaining that the purpose of this exercise is to explore being present and in one’s own power. Ask everyone to sit upright, arms and legs unfolded, feet resting on the floor.
Imagine your energy flowing up your spine to the crown of your head. Check the crown of your head is highest because that is when your head will be balanced and the flow of your energy will be complete. Keep your eyes open and soft. Wait in the Light. You may be familiar with this from meditation; the main difference is that we are seeking to be aligned, present and connected, not only with our inner self but also with what is around us.
Being present
You can take this further in different ways, for example exploring difficult situations. As a starter, ask people to get into pairs, look at each other and make their hands into fists. Hold the position for a while and ask them to notice what happens in their body. Now relax and face each other with open hands. Centre yourselves and come back to presence, still with open hands. Notice how you feel. After a while relax, give your hands a shake. I find using mime is a very revealing and thought-provoking way to explore such issues so I recommend you are as clear as possible in your instructions and then people can be silent as they work. Debrief with questions such as, what happened in your body when you were clenching your fists and how did you feel about it? What happened in your body when you were present and open? How did that feel?
Being present for me can be a place of prayer. I am less judgmental. I see a bigger and more open perspective so I am able to reach out and connect with others in challenging situations. This is the best way I know to access power within me and an invaluable resource in challenging situations.
Correction: In last week’s article by Ruth Tod, ‘Discernment and inner values’, a reference was made on page 13 to the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) fair held ‘last year’. The editor added these words by mistake. The event being referred to was one held in 2001.
