When Unjust Power Comes at You - and What You Can Do about It with Rick Hanson
When power comes at us — through authority, intimidation, manipulation, or fear — it can stir old anxiety and self-doubt.
So this week I explored how power affects the mind, from personal relationships and childhood conditioning to social hierarchies and authoritarian appeals. We took a look at how greed, hatred, and delusion can corrupt power, how to recognize manipulation and intimidation, and how to reclaim your attention instead of letting fear run the show.
Key Topics + Timecodes
00:00–10:48 — Releasing unnecessary anxiety and finding the deeper place inside that is already peaceful.
10:48–14:40 — Why power is often the “taboo topic” we don’t talk about enough.
14:40–18:26 — How greed can corrupt power: manipulation, bullying, seduction, and being used.
18:26–22:34 — Recognizing hatred and delusion in power coming toward you.
22:34–29:24 — Social hierarchies, authoritarianism, and the Buddhist model of earned authority.
29:24–32:53 — Why fear, grievance, and chaos make people vulnerable to authoritarian appeals.
32:53–36:06 — Using your own power responsibly and noticing how power shaped you growing up.
36:06–41:48 — Getting tyrants “out of your head,” reclaiming your attention, and walking your path with care.
In this talk, Rick Hanson explores how to recognize unjust power clearly, reclaim your own attention, and walk your path with a peaceful, friendly, and fearless heart.
You can see the meditation that went along with this talk: https://rickhanson.com/talk-meditation-when-unjust-power-comes-at-you-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/
If you would like to join the free, online Wednesday Meditations, sign up here: https://rickhanson.com/wednesday-meditations-with-dr-rick-hanson/
If you would like to donate to the weekly Wednesday Talk + Meditations, you can do that here: https://rickhanson.com/wednesday-meditations-with-dr-rick-hanson/dana-offerings/
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