Mastering others is strength, Mastering yourselves is true power
In physics, they say, the reality is always the best theory at the present time. During the mid-seventeenth century, it was Newton who devised new set of laws which could be used to overpower nature. So did James Watt, Sadi Carnot and Rudolf Diesel when they mastered the art of using machines to produce industrial goods.
But, a revolution was to follow two centuries later where Einstein has realised we were doing it all wrong. He realised that we have true source of power and energy which got reflected in the famous equation E=MC^2. Knowing the absolute infinite bliss of power that can be harnessed we have been able to not only run machines but create our own infinite source of energy using nuclear fission/fusion.
Knowingly or unknowingly, new physicists had realised that one can gain true power only if we find out our own true nature. Merely knowing the facts of reality is one thing but recognising the inportance of these leads to mastery. In short, Martery of our own selves is true source of power.
This quote by Lao Tzu holds as much true for nature as much of individual. Individuals particularlyin a social dramatic hyrarchy rely on ability to overpower each other. It is what tthey live for die for. this overpowering of others is known as mastering by strength or by force.
Ashoka had long recognised this mastering by strength in his Kalinga war. Before the was, he held the strength of sword to be supreme. but suddenly, grief struck upon him where all his strength faded into ashes when he realised he had been doing it all wrong.
The goal was never to master others, but to fight the most difficult opponent. Al the most difficult opponent is none but our own vices and evils nature of human mind. Ashoka was smart enough to pursue the peace by overpowering his own nature of evils. Truth be told, Ashoka was called “the great” only when he had mastered himself through the vices. Even if we consider Ashoka as someone who overcome temptations of violence, it is hard to overcome the temptations of evil mind. The former is dependent on eternal influence/ control and directive. One can control the violence by restraint by controlling the anger that preceded is very hard to master.
Such is the nature of things, the more difficult it is, the more rewarding it would be. If Buddha had south to take on a seemingly difficult task to conquer the world like Alexander he would not have been the spiritual power that encapsulated the present and future. instead, he took on more difficult task of mastering ‘“Mara” the army of all evil combined.
Strength, by its definition requires in born variation in resources of money, energy, power. The richest being captures the territory, the most energetic wrester defeats everybody, the powerful politicial muzzles dissenters, But never has the king, wrestler or the politicial won the heart of the people, opponent or opposition.
Power by definition is an imagined infinite capacity to influence and control. That control could be over oneselves or the others. But it is seen that conquering by power not only required physical capacity but indomitable will to influence hearts and ninds of people. Akbar was not made powerful due to his territories, but by the consent of the people to call him “Great Akbar”.
Thus, of mastery between strength and power the lastter is desirable. A country that masters or bullies other nations will no doubt have the say at that moment, but never the trust that is reuired. On the other hand a country that not only gives power to the weakest but stays true to its commitment is empowering everyone is bound to succeed.
Soft power is the true power of todays time; where one masters the spirit, culture intent and democracy of ourselves. Hard power with guns and bullets can only be a fickle strength which can cripple at any times when the tables turn. No wonder why India has captured the imagination through soft power where it has mastered its democracy.
Similarly, power vs stregnth game is visible even in totalitarian states as well. The Nazis of yesterday, Kim Jong of today; all pursue strength of coercion to master others. The result was self-evident. Nazi Germany will always be in bak books and North Korea a rogue state. Instead if the democratic ideals of liberty would have been provided; the individuals would have been able to master themselves reflecting true power.
Even when the history has shown numerous examples; why is it that almost everyone is overpowering others and not mastering one-selves? One reason is that mastering other is a sign of status quo and power politics. It is about evil intentions doing everything to stop the change of order. Feudalism was built on this status quo which certainly gave them strength but never the praise. Enlightenment was seen to be turning the eyes of improvement on the individual and not on everyone else.
Conquerring the other by using machiavelian tactics is not sustainable in long term. It leads to strength that is temporary inspite of power that is permanent or eternal. Today the similar ideas are utilised in corporates where emotional intelligence is not only seen as a way of conquering or manipulating other’s emotions; but the very understanding of one’s own behavious. That is why most successful CEO’s have been able to demonstrate high EQ, in short true power.
If this is true in corporate so is true in societies/organisations and even nations. Patriarchy is a name of strength that means mastering of women by men. Those societiees which have shed away this notion of conquering and adopted introspecting have shed away patriarchal notion. They have been able to harness the true power of women economically, socially and politically just by introspecting instead of mastering others.
No doubt that it is hard task to do. Putting the limelight on our own leads to criticism and drawbacks. The leackages of individual in his/her conduct will only be revealed when the fire of criticism burns the stinking drawbacks. Thus day by day; year by year individual becomes aware and thus more powerful. This power is so true that it can never fail whereas stregnth is bound to fail as some point of time.
We can learn to be more powerful by being coherent in our own rules. Coherency is mastering thought, action and deeds. Stoping the blame gaming and power politics that has only given the world false wins is the need of the hour.
Today, the looming problems globally give us a chance to redeem our pledge in quest for true power. Mastering the democratic ideals of liberty, equality enshrined in our constitution will certainly make India as the global power in minds of people. Economic power of trade wars and short term coercion will not set a lasting example.
Climate change further shows that it is we who need to control and master our own climate pledge. Simply y relying or coercing others will not give the world the breathing space to live freely and calmly.
It is a high time when we hark back to great ideals by our sages. Adishankaracharya said that if we see us in world and the world in us, your is the true power. Banking on very same principle can surely make the world a better place to live in and put every individual on a powerful pedestal.
