Universal Power: Configurative and Emergent
Universal Power is the newest type of power that Right Use of Power Institute has been exploring. How do we talk about Universal Power–power that is both all-inclusive and beyond our human capacity to understand?
An interesting distinction that we are making is between the emergent experience of Universal Power coming through us and all creation, and the configurative experience of Universal Power, which is felt outside of us, shaping and influencing us within the largest possible context.
This distinction between ‘configurative’ and ‘emergent’ is particularly useful in understanding how Universal Power intersects with systemic power and collective power, role and status power, and of course personal power.
Let’s talk about it together. This program is an introduction to these concepts and also to our exciting upcoming online course for spiritual leadership.
Thea Elijah
Maryam Thea Elijah is a Murabi Ruhi of the Shadhuliyya Sufi order under Sidi Muhammad al-Jamal ar-Rafa’i ash-Shadhuliyya. She grew up in the household of Lex Hixon, a multiply ordained adept in a number of sacred traditions, and so from childhood, she has been immersed in earnest and honest interfaith conversations. She is also a Chinese medicine practitioner of 40 years with a particular delight in ‘interfaith healing’ conversations between medical modalities that are rooted in spirit. Maryam Thea Elijah is currently designing and preparing to teach the Right Use of Power Institute’s “Right Use of Power for Spiritual Leaders” program.
Cedar (she/her) is the developer of the Right Use of Power approach to issues and dynamics of power and ethics since 1994. Cedar’s background includes 30 years as a psychotherapist and 25 years as a teacher.
The Founder of The Right Use of Power Institute (RUPI), she and her colleagues continue to grow and evolve the concepts, skills, books, embodied exercises and courses that are accessed through the website.