Omaha World Herald, From the Pulpit, March 10, 2024
Rev (Dr.) Cynthia Ramirez Lindenmeyer
Within the depths of ancient wisdom lies a profound truth: The world we believe in becomes the world we live in. This is the first message of The Dhammapada, the collection of Buddha’s sayings that are still relevant 25 centuries later. While much has changed, our consciousness still serves as a sacred canvas upon which our perceptions paint the reality we inhabit.
In an age where electronic screens command our attention and distort our perception of reality, it's easy to lose sight of this fundamental truth. We mistake the filtered manipulations presented to us for the essence of reality itself, thereby allowing external influences to shape our beliefs and emotions. When living life from the outside-in, then we become suspectable to events out of our control, dependent on either conforming to the world or resisting it. That is true madness, living life like it was some kind of win or go home tournament mentality.
Yet, what if we were to shift our perspective? What if we were to view the world not as a stage for external events beyond our control, but as a canvas upon which we may uncover our inner potentiality? When we live from the inside-out, we transcend the dichotomy of conformity or resistance and embrace the inherent power within us.
Across spiritual traditions, from the teachings of the Buddha to the wisdom of Jesus Christ, echoes the same profound message: the kingdom of God, the essence of our being, resides within us. “The Kingdom of God is within you.” It is not a distant realm, but a sacred space where the universal flow converges with our individuality, where the divine spark ignites the flame of our existence.
Let us, then, embrace this truth with open hearts and minds. Let us recognize that our existence is a wondrous expression of the universal process, constantly unfolding from within-outward. In nurturing this inner kingdom, we unlock the key to understanding and embracing the world in all its magnificence and beauty. May we awaken to the power within, cultivate our inner kingdom, and radiate the light of our true selves into the world, illuminating the path towards love, peace, and harmony.
