Rev (Dr.) Cynthia Ramirez Lindenmeyer
Omaha-World Herald, Sunday, 12 OCT 25
Today's Omaha World-Herald, Sunday, 12 OCT 2025
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Ramirez Lindenmeyer
Boxing, Mindfulness require Discipline
Boxing and mindfulness are both skills that take tremendous practice and discipline, requiring living in the present moment. You must be alert and focused to be ready to respond to an opponent’s swing. If your mind is drifting in the unending wave of to-do lists or what’s trending on X, then a disconcerting blow to the head will bring one back to alertness. Spiritual living requires the same vigilance. Mindfulness is a daily practice of training the mind to be fully present, free from the past and peaceful about the future.
Thich Nhat Hanh, a spiritual Buddhist monk and activist for peace, reminded us that true joy and happiness are found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and the gift of life is recognized when we return to the here and now. By tending to the present, we sow the seeds that harvest a future worth living.
For me, that discipline begins with an alarm clock set Sunday through Thursday nights to practice meditation before going to a morning boxing session. If I’m not out the door by 5:55 a.m., I risk being late to the class thanks to a stubborn traffic light. During our intense sparring training, I must mentally be in the present moment, or my opponent will quickly remind me of the ramifications when mentally distracted. Before stepping into the ring of daily life, I make it a priority to remember how important it is to have the discipline to be aware of the thoughts that enter my mind.
Thoughts, like a right hook, carry immense force. Thoughts generate the words we speak or write that uplift or harm, shaping actions that can transform lives or leave lasting damage. We experience political, financial, and relational events that are like alarm clocks awakening us to what we allow to be sown in our minds. To be spiritually engaged in life means being fully present and being aware of what the mind is processing. Training the mind will give you the stamina to endure life’s relentless blows and live the joyful life you are designed to experience. If you seek spiritual fitness, begin a daily meditation practice, or try a boxing class!