The origin of control, power and violence.

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During my stay in the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro, the most renowned Brazilian city worldwide, the first city on the planet to be included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List for its beaches, climate, and natural beauty nestled between mountains and sea, which attracts thousands of tourists each year, it is impossible not to notice and be alerted by the population about the pervasive violence resulting from the conflict between police, different drug trafficking groups, and various militia groups.

Spirituality is often seen as synonymous with “good vibes,” neglecting the darker aspects of human emotions and actions that stem from our individual and collective shadows. These are the parts of ourselves we prefer not to recognize, projecting them onto the external world until we are ready to confront and integrate them. However, power, control, and the use of violence, whether emotional, psychological, or physical, are responses to competitiveness, insecurity, and fear.

When individuals feel threatened or inadequate, they may resort to asserting power and control over others as a means of self-protection or dominance. This often leads to a cycle of violence and aggression, perpetuating a vicious cycle of harm and suffering. True empowerment, however, comes from within, through self-awareness, acceptance, and the cultivation of inner strength and resilience.

Understanding the roots of power dynamics and violence requires delving into the depths of human psychology and social structures. It involves exploring the underlying fears and insecurities that drive individuals to seek control and dominance over others. By shedding light on these dark aspects of our nature, we can begin to heal and transform them, paving the way for greater harmony and compassion in our relationships and communities.

Breaking free from the cycle of violence requires a collective effort to dismantle systems of oppression and create spaces where all individuals feel valued, respected, and safe.

The Path to Empowerment

The journey toward peace and empowerment begins with recognizing and accepting the full spectrum of the human experience, including our shadows. By confronting our inner demons with courage and compassion, we can transcend the cycle of violence and build a fairer, more equitable, and compassionate world for future generations.

What we refuse to confront within ourselves is often projected onto the external world until we have the courage to face it and integrate it.

The desire for power, the longing for control, and the resort to violence, whether emotional, psychological, or physical, arise as responses to competitive impulses, insecurity, and fear that reside in our psyche. These dark manifestations emerge when we feel threatened, vulnerable, or powerless, becoming a distorted way to seek safety and protection in an uncertain and often hostile world.

However, the pursuit of unchecked power and the use of violence as a tool of dominance only perpetuate a cycle of pain and suffering, both for the individual and society as a whole. True transformation can only occur when we confront our own shadows and find more compassionate and constructive ways to deal with our fears and insecurities.

We are all vulnerable and imperfect.

By recognizing and accepting our own vulnerabilities and imperfections, we can begin to cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. Empathy and compassion then become powerful tools for dissolving the barriers that separate us and building bridges of mutual understanding.

The journey toward inner and outer peace requires courage and authenticity. We must be willing to explore the darkest recesses of our psyche and confront the parts of ourselves we prefer to ignore. Only then can we begin to undo the patterns of control and violence that keep us trapped, paving the way for a fuller and more meaningful existence.

In this path of self-discovery and transformation, it is essential to cultivate a profound respect for the dignity and humanity of all beings. Only when we recognize our fundamental interconnectedness and honor the sacredness of all life can we truly transcend the divisions that separate us and create a more peaceful and harmonious world for all.

How does strengthening the mind create a more peaceful world?

The expression of domination only occurs in people who are fearful and insecure. People who are not fear-based do not need to express domination.

By expressing the idea of trying to dominate, it means that you don’t believe you really have any power. If you truly knew you had power, what would be the point of dominating?

If you know that with the use of your mind you are already as powerful as you need to be to create any reality you prefer, what is the point of dominating?

If you have to dominate, you are saying that you are powerless. Those who seek domination as an answer to their fear and insecurity are actually saying:
“I have no other way to create what I prefer than to try to control the world and other people and force them into this idea that makes me feel safe.”

If you don’t have the tools to connect with your own empowerment, strengthening your mind and your state as a co-creator of your reality, you feel powerless, insecure, and vulnerable. That’s why strengthening your mind, having control over your thoughts and perspectives of the world is what will give you the real sense of power and inner and outer peace.

Image: Christophe Simon