Post by shawnhartnell on Jun 29, 2017 9:27:54 GMT -6
Originally posted on Venger's CoCSN blog on May 11th, 2011.
Power
What is power? Power is control, influence, the ability to do. It gives us those capabilities while facilitating our struggle for them. Simultaneously, it either informs or becomes our goal. You might want to read that again since it's a concept that defies rationality. Basically, I'm saying that power is not only the car and the fuel for the car but the motivation to drive some place. That's how multi-dimensional power is just on the surface! Power is generally thought of only as energy, a means. Because power is the ultimate means to an end, whatever end you happen to choose, it is universally acknowledged as the end, in and of itself. Power for power's sake.
I'm here to tell you, that power is more than that. Much more! Have you heard the saying, "power makes its own rules?" Ok, now we're getting a glimpse of how ineffable this concept is.
A full understanding of power is inconceivable. I believe that's what gives power its allure. We are drawn to it, occasionally repelled by it, and juxtapositionally lustingly fearful of it. Yes, lust. Power can give us anything we desire if only we acquire enough of it. And fear as well. Power can so easily destroy us if the powerful wish it (or the power Wills it - more on that later). The lust for power can lead to abuse which has been the ruin of many individuals. Therefore, it makes sense for us to strike a balance. But what kind...?
Is it reasonable to strive for only a moderate amount of power? Not really. Where do we draw a line? Moderate power is arbitrary and reeks of that same middle ground compromise nonsense which the Awakened despise and reject. Should we be selective about what kind of power is sought? Within the slimy green walls of the Cthulhu Cult, we pay attention to the individual, to the self. We observe, dissect, examine, analyse, and come up with theories. Oh yes, very scientific. Then, once we believe that truth itself is wriggling inside our firm grasp like an ooze-covered tentacle... it slips away. Truth and power. Power and truth. They are like cousins, like Cthulhu and Yog-Sothoth; both concepts almost too large or substantive to discuss in ordinary circumstances. Use "power" on the street or talk of "truth" in the gutter; such a one-dimensional comprehension cannot be called understanding without insulting the word "understanding".
The Cult of Cthulhu is concerned with every aspect of power; however, we go after only those facets which are worthwhile; those which suit us and our purposes. Of course, they are usually hidden... sometimes in plain sight. Power over our machine is probably the most valuable. Try to envision self-control writ large or mindfulness on seven different levels. What could be more fundamental to an individual's continued evolution than self-power?
If power had a thousand tentacles, then how many of them could we grab in a single moment? I ask because it's important to know. A lifetime is only a series of moments. Try to grab them all and a Cultist might find that every tentacle has eluded him. Conversely, only focus on one and that may not be enough.
The will to power (German: "der Wille zur Macht") is a prominent concept in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. The will to power describes what Nietzsche believed to be the main driving force in man; achievement, ambition, the striving to reach the highest possible position in life; these are all manifestations of the will to power. ~ Will to power - Wikipedia
I could hardly write an essay on power without at least mentioning Nietzsche. Friedrich Nietzsche was a huge influence upon me as a youth. Just as much as Anton LaVey. One thing that bothered me about the "will to power" was this - not everyone has it. Sure, it seems like everyone wants what they want, desires to get ahead, has passion, ambition, and so forth. But that just isn't true. Not everybody shares that drive which Nietzsche had, which I have, as well as, hundreds of Cthulhu Cultists. In fact, relatively few indiviuals continually seek to become that which is higher. If I'm wrong, then where are all the Super-Men?
This quantum religion recognizes this cold, hard fact: man does not yearn for power and an even smaller minority actively will it day in, day out. Yet, we do! Yes, the Cult of Cthulhu summons up the will to power! Again, let us not forget that focus must be given to the right kind of power. However, the masses... they don't have such need. As a whole, humanity is content to sleep.
Now that we've talked about the "will to power", what about the will of power? Power has a mind of its own, a will of its own, an agenda! Power, sometimes only a taste is enough, has the ability to change a man. Is this corruption? That depends. Is it good or evil? Again, it's relative. Power is a mystical force. What if power activated some dormant faculty? What if power is a key that opened a secret gateway... a part of ourself which is always silent, save for this energizing force? Recognize the will of power!
I do know this: the wielding of it shows us things. Not only the fearful lust for power, nor the claiming of it, but it's use. Wielding power builds certain muscles within us, essential muscles, which otherwise cannot be exercised.
As an visualization experiment, allow yourself to go mad with power for a time. Just to see what it's like. Because you never know.
Awake!
What is power? Power is control, influence, the ability to do. It gives us those capabilities while facilitating our struggle for them. Simultaneously, it either informs or becomes our goal. You might want to read that again since it's a concept that defies rationality. Basically, I'm saying that power is not only the car and the fuel for the car but the motivation to drive some place. That's how multi-dimensional power is just on the surface! Power is generally thought of only as energy, a means. Because power is the ultimate means to an end, whatever end you happen to choose, it is universally acknowledged as the end, in and of itself. Power for power's sake.
I'm here to tell you, that power is more than that. Much more! Have you heard the saying, "power makes its own rules?" Ok, now we're getting a glimpse of how ineffable this concept is.
A full understanding of power is inconceivable. I believe that's what gives power its allure. We are drawn to it, occasionally repelled by it, and juxtapositionally lustingly fearful of it. Yes, lust. Power can give us anything we desire if only we acquire enough of it. And fear as well. Power can so easily destroy us if the powerful wish it (or the power Wills it - more on that later). The lust for power can lead to abuse which has been the ruin of many individuals. Therefore, it makes sense for us to strike a balance. But what kind...?
Is it reasonable to strive for only a moderate amount of power? Not really. Where do we draw a line? Moderate power is arbitrary and reeks of that same middle ground compromise nonsense which the Awakened despise and reject. Should we be selective about what kind of power is sought? Within the slimy green walls of the Cthulhu Cult, we pay attention to the individual, to the self. We observe, dissect, examine, analyse, and come up with theories. Oh yes, very scientific. Then, once we believe that truth itself is wriggling inside our firm grasp like an ooze-covered tentacle... it slips away. Truth and power. Power and truth. They are like cousins, like Cthulhu and Yog-Sothoth; both concepts almost too large or substantive to discuss in ordinary circumstances. Use "power" on the street or talk of "truth" in the gutter; such a one-dimensional comprehension cannot be called understanding without insulting the word "understanding".
The Cult of Cthulhu is concerned with every aspect of power; however, we go after only those facets which are worthwhile; those which suit us and our purposes. Of course, they are usually hidden... sometimes in plain sight. Power over our machine is probably the most valuable. Try to envision self-control writ large or mindfulness on seven different levels. What could be more fundamental to an individual's continued evolution than self-power?
If power had a thousand tentacles, then how many of them could we grab in a single moment? I ask because it's important to know. A lifetime is only a series of moments. Try to grab them all and a Cultist might find that every tentacle has eluded him. Conversely, only focus on one and that may not be enough.
The will to power (German: "der Wille zur Macht") is a prominent concept in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. The will to power describes what Nietzsche believed to be the main driving force in man; achievement, ambition, the striving to reach the highest possible position in life; these are all manifestations of the will to power. ~ Will to power - Wikipedia
I could hardly write an essay on power without at least mentioning Nietzsche. Friedrich Nietzsche was a huge influence upon me as a youth. Just as much as Anton LaVey. One thing that bothered me about the "will to power" was this - not everyone has it. Sure, it seems like everyone wants what they want, desires to get ahead, has passion, ambition, and so forth. But that just isn't true. Not everybody shares that drive which Nietzsche had, which I have, as well as, hundreds of Cthulhu Cultists. In fact, relatively few indiviuals continually seek to become that which is higher. If I'm wrong, then where are all the Super-Men?
This quantum religion recognizes this cold, hard fact: man does not yearn for power and an even smaller minority actively will it day in, day out. Yet, we do! Yes, the Cult of Cthulhu summons up the will to power! Again, let us not forget that focus must be given to the right kind of power. However, the masses... they don't have such need. As a whole, humanity is content to sleep.
Now that we've talked about the "will to power", what about the will of power? Power has a mind of its own, a will of its own, an agenda! Power, sometimes only a taste is enough, has the ability to change a man. Is this corruption? That depends. Is it good or evil? Again, it's relative. Power is a mystical force. What if power activated some dormant faculty? What if power is a key that opened a secret gateway... a part of ourself which is always silent, save for this energizing force? Recognize the will of power!
I do know this: the wielding of it shows us things. Not only the fearful lust for power, nor the claiming of it, but it's use. Wielding power builds certain muscles within us, essential muscles, which otherwise cannot be exercised.
As an visualization experiment, allow yourself to go mad with power for a time. Just to see what it's like. Because you never know.
Awake!