Psalm 8 Dominion

Image via Wikipedia

God granted humankind dominion over the earth at the time of the creation (Gen 3). What does this mean? It does not mean that we have the right to do whatever we want to do to the rest of the creation. What it does mean is that we have complete control over our world. What each of us experiences individually is a product of our mental and emotional state. It has been said that at any accident scene there are as many accounts of the events as there are witnesses. What we experience and how we experience it, is a product of our own creation. When things appear to be chaotic around us, it is a reflection of our chaotic mind. In a state of spiritual mindedness, there is no chaos and confusion, regardless of the external circumstance.


As our consciousness becomes more refined, we attain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the magnificence of God and our responsibility to serve God. We see evidence of the nature of God (name) in little doses in everyday things. These experiences are intended to fuel the desire to know more.
Complete understanding of the fullness of God (glory) is revealed to us only in spiritual consciousness (heavens). When we approach our spiritual journey, we must do so in childlike wonderment (out of the mouths of babes and infants). Children are like sponges; they absorb all information that they are given. Likewise we must absorb the knowledge that revealed to us. This is the only way to silence the ego and personal will (the enemy and the avenger).

In comparison, to the fullness of creation, who are we to be singled out for dominion? And yet the higher consciousness (heavens), the intellect (moon) and the human faculties (stars) were all created in the realm of Divine ideas, and have the potential of perfection. But mortal mindedness (viewing ourselves as separate from God) keeps us from attaining that potential.

We must know that we are created in the image and likeness of God (made them a little lower than God). God has given us the ability to control our relationship with the outer world (put all things under their feet). In order for us to become all that we can we must direct our life energy (beasts of the field, birds of the air, and fish of the sea) toward spiritual things. It is not that our natural faculties are bad; it is just that we have to be master of them and not allow them to control us. All of these are in the realm of our dominion.

True dominion is over the self, never over anything external. When we establish inner authority, it is reflected in measure in our outer world.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Yogic Spirituality in Today's World (traditionalhealing.suite101.com)
• Our Common Prayerbook: Psalm 8-1 (beliefnet.com)
• Getting to Know Them (nybooks.com)