Weekly Guiding Teacher Reflection

Dear Common Ground Friends,

I imagine the Buddha had a nuanced understanding of power and likely recognized power as neither inherently good nor bad. Power is something we are all familiar with. In fact, we use power every day in small and big ways… power to speak, power to listen, power to take action, power to restrain action. Power operates in subtle ways in all our relationships and interactions, not just in formal positions of authority. What matters is how we wield the power we have, skillfully aligning our actions with beautiful intentions behind our actions.

Our mindfulness practice can be a great support as we learn to be good students and good stewards of power. Learning to be intimate with power can help us understand the ways we use it, so we can discern the most skillful use of power in all the many important moments of our lives. Can we explore power as a way of understanding how often we’re in a position to help or harm? Can we feel the embodied difference between the power of generosity and the force of dominating or controlling impulses? When we can, we come into the power of choice. Power without wisdom and love is irresponsibly wielded while power guided by integrity and compassion can be responsibly applied in our lives and in the world. As stewards of power, we have abundant opportunities to use power to express the depths of care. May we all learn to be good students of power and the way it guides our lives so that our many unique expressions of power collectively align with our genuine aspirations for freedom and wellbeing.

Shelly Graf
Co-Guiding Teacher