Claiming Your True Power
Introduction to Empowerment
As we continue our exploration of our innate spiritual abilities, the month of May is dedicated to empowerment. We’ll specifically look at empowerment through personal expression—whether creative or by claiming our voices to express our inherent power.
Throughout the year, we are exploring different faculties of our spiritual nature. Inspired by Charles Fillmore and his Twelve Powers of Humankind, we delve deeply into personal empowerment.
Divine Spark & Innate Power
Nearly all spiritual traditions indicate that we exist on this planet for a reason. Nature itself illustrates continuous movement and transformation. From the many diverse expressions of nature to the evolutionary patterns that we’ve identified through scientific research we can see that physical existence is change and growth.
Spiritually, each of us is an emanation of a creative source. Traditions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Taoism, indigenous traditions, and many more affirm that we each carry a spark of divinity within. In Judeo-Christian teachings, we read that humans are created in “the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:27). In Hinduism, the concept of Atman—the divine self—emphasizes our inherent spiritual essence. These teachings show us that the characteristics of the divine are hardcoded into our spiritual DNA.
Understanding True Empowerment
While empowerment sits at the core of many spiritual teachings, it’s essential to differentiate spiritual power from modern societal definitions. Often, society equates power with status or wealth. However, a majority of spiritual traditions consider these points of view related to power superficial or counterfeit. True empowerment is not about accumulating external things but about expressing ourselves in ways that profoundly impact others. Authentic power arises when we tap into our inner spiritual nature and express our innate creative spark.
Empowerment Through Expression
Creativity and self-expression are central to empowerment. Charles Fillmore, one of the co-founders of the Unity movement, placed our capacity to express power at the throat, underscoring that our authentic self-expression is the essence of our spiritual empowerment.
Empowerment Across Spiritual Traditions
We can see this clearly across various traditions:
- Judeo-Christian Tradition: Jesus emphasized reliance on the kingdom of heaven for daily sustenance and well-being. In the Gospel narratives Jesus expressed his own divine power by introducing new ideas into the popular religious practices of his day. Jesus, often referred to as Jesus Christ, embodied the idea of the Christ, which the Apostle Paul indicated was intrinsic in each human. Saying, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
- Buddhism: Teaches empowerment through disciplined practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and clear perception of reality, seeking liberation from suffering for the entire universe through compassionate awareness and understanding.
- Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma): Offers many yogic paths—Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja Yoga—that empower the mind, body, and spirit, guiding individuals to realign with intrinsic spiritual power and unity with the divine.
- Islam: Empowerment comes through surrender to Allah (Tawakkul), meaning complete trust in divine guidance and embracing one’s worth and capacity through spiritual dependence on God.
- Judaism and Sikhism: Both traditions emphasize empowerment through social responsibility and action. Judaism highlights ethical living and community service, while Sikhism underscores empowerment through Seva (selfless service) and communal harmony, exemplified by community kitchens (Langar).
- Taoism: Teaches empowerment through harmony and surrender, represented by Wu Wei (effortless action). The Tao Te Ching captures this wisdom: “In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired. In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.”
Patterns of Spiritual Empowerment
Patterns across these traditions reveal essential insights. First, spiritual empowerment is inherently service-oriented rather than self-serving. Its purpose is to uplift and benefit those around us, making empowerment a sacred act of service. Second, surrender is frequently a critical aspect of empowerment across traditions. Mystical elements within spiritual teachings highlight surrender and unity with the divine, suggesting that true empowerment occurs when we relinquish our ego, the false self that obscures our inherent divinity. We see in each tradition that aligning with our true power and the expression of it is not solely to benefit our own selves. As we step into our authentic power it is for the benefit of humanity. Ultimately, empowerment is less about becoming powerful and more about realizing and expressing the divine power already within us.
About Folx with Faith
At Folx with Faith, we believe that each person’s voice matters and that spiritual empowerment includes embracing the full spectrum of gender, identity, and experience. We are committed to creating inclusive spiritual spaces where LGBTQIA+ individuals can explore their divine identity, connect with supportive community, and grow in alignment with their own authentic path.
If you’re a queer person or ally looking for a space to grow, share, and explore spiritual truth, we invite you to join us. Together, we reclaim our voices, recognize our divine worth, and support one another on the journey of becoming who we truly are expressions of divine love in action.
Upcoming Event
Empowered Living with Skip Jennings
Join us for an inspiring gathering with Skip Jennings—minister, spiritual coach, author, wellness expert, and host of The Shift with Skip podcast—as we explore empowered living. Deeply influenced by yogic practices, Skip integrates spiritual wisdom and mindful movement into his teachings. At the 2024 Folx with Faith retreat, Skip shared his personal journey and metaphysical practices, encouraging participants to activate the throat chakra—the energy center of communication and self-expression—to align with their divine power.
We eagerly anticipate Skip sharing his insights during our next Folx with Faith gathering.
How You Can Support Our Mission?
You can help us fulfill our mission by donating to Folx with Faith or starting a local group. It is our mission to create safe spaces to explore and experience spiritual wholeness. Folx with Faith supports the queer community, fostering a celebration of our authentic beings and empowering us to make a difference in the world. If you would like to contribute to this mission or would like to start a local chapter, please let us know. You can contact us or use the links below.
Join us for upcoming virtual events. We host live events the forth Thursday of each month.
Have a question? Feel free to contact us. You can also sign up for our Newsletter to get the latest from Folx with Faith!
Find or start a local group.
References & Additional Resources for Claiming Your True Power
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
James Masters (they/them) is a member of Unity Church of Overland Park, where they actively teach classes and participate in community events. They are in the final stages of becoming a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT) and have been deeply engaged in spiritual study since 1999, joining the New Thought movement in 2005.
James is a contributing author for the bestselling anthologies The Courageous Heart, Enduring Wisdom, and The Grateful Soul. They are a personal coach specializing in spiritual and relational development, guiding others toward deeper self-awareness and empowerment.
Beyond their work in spiritual education, James has a strong commitment to social justice and community service. They helped establish an all-genders shelter and regularly volunteer to support those experiencing housing and food insecurity. Their knowledge of technology and unwavering compassion for others make them a valuable force for positive change in their community.
