This question is marked "community wiki".

And where would you stop?

Update: First, I'd like to thank you all for your comments. They are all valuable and valid, and I don't like the idea of choosing a favourite. (I'm new here - do I really have to?)

Second, as you may have seen the comments (#1 - 7 at the moment) go two ways: a) emphasis on respecting free will and b) acts of compassion. This is where I hoped to get some new insights: if and/or how to combine both. How do we know what would be the right thing to do (dharma)?

I'm very happy that none of you would use such a power for selfish reasons (looks like I've come to the right place), but what about if you know you can help? To avoid misunderstandings: I'm not talking about unsolicited advice or even "bettering" others.

Considering that free will is not identical with consciousness, would you try to deter an accident, a brutal confrontation, in general prevent people from harming themselves and others (consciously or not)? Would you use your ability to help them to find their own way with a small nudge? You could find ways which would still respect free will, leaving the choice up to them.

Thank you.

asked 08 Aug '11, 15:55

Maria%203's gravatar image

Maria 3
48611

wikified 02 Oct '12, 22:29

Barry%20Allen's gravatar image

Barry Allen ♦♦
11411

Brilliant question.

(10 Aug '11, 10:55) Aphrodite

Maybe because the answer is so difficult? TY.

(10 Aug '11, 16:11) Maria 3

glad you found the "right place"

(13 Aug '11, 09:41) ursixx

That last paragraph changes your question. Maybe you should ask a new question for that. Your title asks if we would controll another person and then the last paragraph swithces to nudging people.

(13 Aug '11, 15:07) Fairy Princess

Thank you, Fairy Princess! Your comment explains why I have not received answers I was expecting. I have phrased the question carefully (at least I thought so) in order to leave the control issue open, that is up to the readers' interpretation (not using "control", "people" instead of "the people" or "all people"). However, as this is how it has come across, this is how I'm going to choose an answer. Then I'll ask a new question.

(14 Aug '11, 05:04) Maria 3
showing 0 of 5 show 5 more comments

I wouldn't try anything.

The minute you begin controlling people, you become responsible for their behavior. People spend enough time already blaming their problems on someone else. Controlling them allows them to blame you for their problems.

It wasn't their fault, after all, that they behaved the way they did; it's yours. Sound familiar?

The fundamental principle of self-actualization is that we get to make our own choices, not someone else. Choosing for others is not freedom, it is bondage.


The "right" way to do it is to be a shining example for others to follow. By shining your inner light brightly, asking yourself moment by moment "Is this what I really want to do?" you will attract like-minded people into your life who can help you achieve your goals, and automatically turn away those who have nothing to learn from your message.

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answered 08 Aug '11, 16:13

Vesuvius's gravatar image

Vesuvius
32.7k1165201

edited 08 Aug '11, 16:51

1

Wow! This really answers the question for me. I would add that in many situations, your deciding to help may not be the thing they want.

A beaten up boy scout comes home. His mother asks "What happened?" He said, "I was helping an old lady cross the street and she really didn't want to go!

(13 May '12, 17:57) Dollar Bill

we as human beings are not enlightened enough to compassionatley control others,
and if by chance we were so we would most likely choose not to.
each of us has our hands full with our our evolution,
and would not be where we are without free will,
so why imagine making others be without free choice

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answered 08 Aug '11, 18:45

fred's gravatar image

fred
19.7k176

I'm with you on this fred... the only person we need to focus on is ourself :)

(08 Aug '11, 20:37) Michaela

I did not use "imagine" as an invitation to play mind games, but because "hypothetical power" sounded a bit awkward. Thank you for picking up on this :-)

(10 Aug '11, 16:10) Maria 3

yes choose not to it is their responsability not yours. and they need that to grow.

(14 Aug '11, 02:47) white tiger
showing 2 of 3 show 1 more comments

It is a big enough responsibility to be in control of myself. I do not want the responsibility of controlling others. Also, I try to live by the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated; also, don't do to others what you would not want done to you. So if I don't want other people mind controlling me, I would not do it to them. Instead, love them and be a light.

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answered 08 Aug '11, 16:43

Fairy%20Princess's gravatar image

Fairy Princess
(suspended)

edited 08 Aug '11, 17:23

Vesuvius's gravatar image

Vesuvius
32.7k1165201

i would make everyone become enlightened. then they would see the error they do each day. and they could work on becoming better. experience and enjoy.

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answered 08 Aug '11, 21:11

white%20tiger's gravatar image

white tiger
21.9k115117

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EseVvgdxhVc&NR=1

(13 Aug '11, 13:10) white tiger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THqSurkgb8c&feature=related

(13 Aug '11, 13:12) white tiger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFJkhV5l5JU&feature=related

(13 Aug '11, 13:14) white tiger
showing 0 of 3 show 3 more comments

When one has a position of leadership (business ,military, politics, parent) one often needs to have things done by others and may need to overcome resistance of these others to have these things accomplished

  • .First: you need to know it is something that you would do yourself.
  • Second: You need to empower the others with the knowledge that you are grateful and appreciate that they doing the task that you have asked.
  • Thirdly:Believe in your decisions.

    There is the third eye method that The Traveler mentioned here in a comment once. That I have used to to help people believe in themselves.
    Otherwise live and let live.
    To quote the Temple doctrine of The temple of the Jedi order

Jedi use the Force only when it is necessary. We do not apply our abilities or powers to boast or be prideful. We use the Force for knowledge, and exercise wisdom and humility in doing so, for humility is a trait all Jedi must embody.

A good guide line when exercising your will upon others too
peace

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answered 09 Aug '11, 06:56

ursixx's gravatar image

ursixx
22.0k11445

1

And May the Force be with You

(09 Aug '11, 06:57) ursixx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SVzzhN-hQI

(13 Aug '11, 13:06) white tiger
showing 1 of 2 show 1 more comments

This question implies disruption of harmony...as for myself, i would apply the law of attraction to my own life knowing full well that any beneficial changes that manifest in my life will automatically influence for the better those people in my direct environment .

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answered 13 Aug '11, 09:13

blubird%20two's gravatar image

blubird two
(suspended)

Maybe I misread the question. The question asks about influencing people in your DIRECT environment? Im at work right now - so I imagined I allowed my co-workers to see who when and how they've ever offended anyone in the company, and I placed on them a strong urge to ask forgivesness from and amends with anyone they may have offended. I made them understand things they misunderstood and know things they didn't know that was causing them to misunderstand. I turned my job into a little heaven on earth. As I did this I found that ultimately what I was doing was visualizing my life as I'd like it to be. Isn't that really all this question is asking you to do? Visualize/see things as you'd like them to be, not as they are.

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answered 15 May '12, 17:59

TruthTranslator's gravatar image

TruthTranslator
1514

1

You have put what I wrote into action, hence proving what I wrote.

Wow, I am so glad to see how well this helped people you work with! Good job! +1 :-)

(03 Oct '12, 02:11) Wade Casaldi

I think this could be a wonderful thing to bring people the peace they crave. Think of when you see a child about to step into traffic, how you save that child from being killed unnecessarily. Sure you could say "I don't want to interfere in that child's free will!" Then watch in horror as that child gets ran over, but you know you have the power to stop that and you know that child doesn't want to be killed. Would you deny that child this act of love and courtesy and compassionate action?

I believe if we could help bring people peace they seek though showing them in an inspiration (that I believe God does all the time) it reveals there is a better path than they are on. We may reveal what it is like to experience what they are about to do to someone else and what that would lead to for them that they do not want.

Think of showing the person about to beat his wife the consequences and then showing the consequences of compassion. This is just revealing what will bring peace and happiness. The one that is about to beat his wife feels that is the only way he will have peace. If I revealed to him the consequences of what he was going to do, then he will see that this will not lead to peace but far more suffering and pain than he is presently experiencing. But now the results of compassion and how that leads to peace then he is in position to see there is a fork and he has a choice: does he want what will lead to real peace?

Ultimately everyone wants happiness and peace. If we had the power to reveal to people the mistakes they are about to take, then we could be peace makes for the world. All of this does not interfere with their free will to act or not act on what was given them it just shows a clear way to what would bring them the most peace.

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answered 08 Aug '11, 17:54

Wade%20Casaldi's gravatar image

Wade Casaldi
36.9k429107

edited 08 Aug '11, 19:04

Cigarette companies already do have this caring. -- Really? All of the warnings on cigarette packages were forced onto them.

(08 Aug '11, 18:52) Vesuvius

Okay thanks Jai just pointed that out to me too, that was a bad example. I'm removing it.

(08 Aug '11, 19:03) Wade Casaldi

If I had the power to make people do whatever I wanted them to I would be grateful and at the same time extremly cautius. Never ever would I use this power without consulting the person conserned and teling tham that I could help them if that is what they wished. Lets say for instance I know of someone that abused drugs. I could help them if they so wished it and would explain how and make sure they understood what I was trying to convey to them. If they want that help good and if not its also good for it would be their free choice.

In circumstances where the person is unconscious or too young like babies and small children and they can't give permission I would use my own discretion and help for after all if I had such a power it must have been given to me for a reason and those others wouldn't have come into my life if it wasn't for me to help them in some way.

And if by any chance I helped someone I shouldn't have but out of compasion for my fellow human beings I couldnt help mysef than so be it for I would take on full responsibility for my actions like any good human should.

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answered 09 Aug '11, 08:16

Paulina%201's gravatar image

Paulina 1
9.2k1823

This is very interesting. Who would not try to get others to see their point and do things their way. I believe all you wonderful people would use the power and abuse it while your at it. Many people would be tempted to use their powers. Truthfully I believe we all have that power. So, It wouldn't be useful for long because everyone would see what was happening right away. Then they would be influencing you. Which is just about how the world works now. What ever we wanted others to do would done differently then we instructed so we would be hand holding all the time. What, an energy drain. It might be better use of our time to gather our power and direct our selves into our own dreams and passions. So the whole thing is just to hypothetical.

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answered 18 Mar '15, 00:52

Tom's gravatar image

Tom
5.2k639

I am having a lot of trouble with the "power to make people in your direct environment do whatever you wanted them to". In our househood of 4 people I tend to see things that needs immediate attention. So, what I do is jump right on it and get it taking care of, because I want to show an examplary way of living: the question is if you continue to do those things and nobody is ready to help when the same situation crop? Do you tell them or you continue expecting one day they might see what you are trying to show them.

I believe that I have the energy, strength to continue whatever needs to be taking care of; but I won't turn-down a helping-hand. There is a reason why I am placed there at that moment: whether to save a child from being hurt, rescue someone from a burning building; doing choas your kids were suppose to do. Instead of shooting or controlling them I just do it. Hopefully, they see it which I know they do: and practice it.

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answered 19 Mar '15, 13:32

liye's gravatar image

liye
212

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