Are we conditioned to be “Powerless”?

We are not unlike the immense power of an 8000 lb circus elephant that is absolutely restrained by a small piece of twine and a stick that they place in the ground themselves.   They are conditioned to believe in their powerlessness in the same way we condition ourselves.

When an elephant is a baby, a manacle is placed around one leg attached to a huge chain that is wrapped around the base of a large tree.  Over and over again the youngster strains against his bondage but to no avail.

Gradually over time as the elephant grows the chain becomes smaller and smaller.  As a young adult this powerful pachyderm could easily snap the chain and escape but he is no longer confined by links of steel but by links of learning.