Right Use of Power

Marcia Burton began learning with the Right Use of Power Institute in 2021.

Power dynamics exist in every relationship. Cedar Barstow, the creator of the Right Use of Power Institute (RUPI), defines power as “the ability to have an effect or an influence” in any given situation. Power, in itself, isn’t bad….or good, either. It is how we choose to use it that leads to it being helpful or harmful. Training in the Right Use of Power helps us to understand about power, from the inside out. Trainings offer information about power dynamics and experiential practices to help us to build awareness of how we can use the power that we do have wisely.

BE INFORMED & PRESENT:

Ethics, in its greatest context, is the practice of the right use of power in all relationships. Here, you’ll learn about the inherent dynamics that accompany relationships where there is a role power difference – the potential for good, the responsibilities, the distortions, the vulnerability, and risk for harm. You’ll learn to gather the guidance you need for right use of power actions – from the people you are with, your internal felt sense and intuition, and from the lived history of your service profession in the form of ethical codes or guidelines.

BE COMPASSIONATE & AWARE:

The focus of this dimension is self and self-awareness. You’ll come to understand and learn from your attitudes, beliefs, wounds and habits in relation to issues of power and authority. You’ll explore your empowered and disempowered self and discover how your use of power and influence affects others. You’ll reflect on examples of misuses of power and work with understanding and healing shame, an isolating and disempowering emotion. You will bring mindfulness and presence to your responses and learn how to live in the power zone.

BE CONNECTED & ACCOUNTABLE:

You’ll learn that ethical behavior is dependent upon being in right relationship, which begins by acknowledging the power and complexity of connection. You’ll increase your skillfulness in sensing difficulties and staying current in both personal and professional relationships. You’ll learn about the many factors that can lead to unintended harm. You’ll practice staying connected even in conflict and using conflict to clarify, resolve, and repair relationships. Lastly, you’ll begin to understand that accountability is an expression of caring.

BE SKILLFUL & WISE:

In this dimension, wisdom is developed and utilized. You’ll learn that doing the right thing is more effective when it’s done skillfully. You’ll identify and study personal tendencies, beliefs, and barriers that may make us vulnerable to specific misuses of power. You’ll increase your understanding of power dynamics and diversity issues, while putting into action good self-care, which is vital for the wise use of power. You’ll refine skills of asking for, receiving, giving and using feedback. Ultimately, you’ll come to see that wise and skillful uses of power are a social force for good.

The Right Use of Power offers starter memberships for $1 (or more), which includes a way to connect with the international community: https://rightuseofpower.org/support-us/