Who Has Power and Dominion?
by Hal S. Lafler

Rather grudgingly, most of us, at least superficially, accept the idea that God has the power, yet we behave in a manner which wrests the power from Him. All of us have an authority problem, and that is reflected in everything we do. We are rebellious against many of the authority figures in our lives, and disguise it loudly stating to the world we are simply seeking independence. Here and there we acquiesce, but for the most part think we are forced into behaving in certain ways by our parents, teachers, ministers, counselors, friends, society, and even by God Himself. Like children, we rebel and make choices in our lives which have become so destructive and harmful to us that we fee constantly threatened at every turn. Where is our safety? Where are the assurances about life we seek? Where is our certainty?

We have become terribly afraid and completely obsessed with our need to protect ourselves against all odds. We build walls and iron gates, install burglar alarms, rent safety deposit boxes, have guns in our night stands, and attempt to find money through taxes to add manpower to our police forces. As nations, we spend billions of dollars to build up arsenals of weapons designed to “keep the peace” and prevent belligerent countries from controlling the world. We have formed entire world religions which, contrary to original intention, have resulted in separation, isolation, and hatred of others.

Those who have entered the new age and have become more “metaphysical” have often used these principles to escape the harsh realities of the world. As metaphysicians, we still have an enormous need to protect ourselves. We surround ourselves, our families, and our loved ones with “white light.” We use psychic intuitives and astrological forecasts in order to be prepared for the future. We use mediums to contact the spirit world so that we have less fear about the inevitability of death. And, like many orthodox religions, we insist that we are on the only true path, and engage ourselves in converting others so that they are saved from their own eternal destruction.

It is not my intention to be critical of or condemn other belief systems. Each individual certainly has the right to travel the path of her/his choice. I merely point out where our authority problem has led us. Certainly not less fear, but more of it. Many of those who have entered the various metaphysical studies have merely disguised their fears in more esoteric terms.

Could it be possible that God and His Love are the only authority, and that we are in reality always perfectly safe? Could it be possible that we are mistaken when we take a path that leads us away from the full expression of love? Could it be possible that the one thing that makes us feel unsafe is thinking that something or someone outside of us has power and dominion over us? I think so, and, furthermore, think that in such a case, we will always believe that where we are and what we are experiencing is not correct and therefore unacceptable.

Read the quote below from A Course in Miracles and take some time to think about and absorb its meaning:

"I am responsible for what I see.
I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide
upon the goal I would achieve,
And everything that seems to happen to me
I ask for, and receive as I have asked."
ACIM, Ch. 21.T.448.II.2.3-4-5

If this is true, and I believe that it is, then who is it in the world that really has power and dominion over our lives?