“The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.” — St. John of Damascus
“Jesus said: If your leaders say to you ‘Look! The Kingdom is in the sky!’ Then the birds will be there before you are. If they say that the Kingdom is in the sea, then the fish will be there before you are. Rather, the Kingdom is within you and it is outside of you.” — from the Gospel of Thomas (translated by Stevan Davies)
“The ‘kingdom of Heaven’ is a condition of the heart—not something that comes ‘above the earth’ or ‘after death.’” — Friedrich Nietzsche
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Exercise
We live in communion and radical intimacy with life. We experience Divine Love as infinite, ecstatically gathering up all things into an ever-higher and more rarified union. This is the kingdom of Oneness—the endless upward spiral of love, joy, and peace. As citizens in this Divine kingdom, we experience the grace that accompanies an inner harmony with our souls that automatically creates perfect balance with life itself.
Today’s practice is a moving meditation that simply invites you to perceive and receive the kingdom of Oneness that’s within you. The kingdom of Oneness is above and below you. It’s behind you and before you . . . to your left and to your right. Feel the truth of these words, and take a moment to fully experience this: close your eyes and bring your attention to your indwelling heart-soul. Breathe life into this kingdom. Feel the presence. Feel the power. Know the beauty of this kingdom. Whisper these words to your heart: “The kingdom is within me, the kingdom of Oneness is within me, the kingdom of Heaven is within me, the kingdom of God is within me, the kingdom of love is within me.” Breathe in, breathe out, and sink ever-more deeply into the Divine kingdom that lives within you.
Once you’ve fully connected internally, open your eyes and look around. Feel the kingdom within you as you see the kingdom outside of you. Whisper these words: “The kingdom is within me, the kingdom is outside of me, the kingdom surrounds and enfolds me.” Continue with the regular tasks of your day, remaining in the “kingdom consciousness.” Perceive and receive all that is above, below, behind, before, to the left, and to the right as the kingdom of Oneness. With everyone you meet, silently say, I am you and you are me.
Look upon everything and everyone as a member of the kingdom of Oneness. Notice when this challenges you and when it’s easy to do. When you encounter a difficulty or feel strained, ask the Divine to dissolve your separation and fill your mind with love and compassion. Become willing! Continue this practice for the entire day, immersing yourself in the kingdom consciousness as you attend to others and the activities and events that make up your day. With each breath, step, and prayer, you’re advancing the kingdom of Oneness.
At the end of your day, take out your journal and reflect on the following questions as a demonstration of your commitment to living in Oneness, now and always.
1. What are your Divine responsibilities as a citizen in the kingdom of Oneness?
2. How can you cultivate the kingdom consciousness within you?
3. In what ways can you be a fruitful lover of God and messenger of Heaven in your life?
4. How will you create an upward spiral of joy and love in the kingdom of Oneness?
1. What are your Divine responsibilities as a citizen in the kingdom of Oneness?
2. How can you cultivate the kingdom consciousness within you?
3. In what ways can you be a fruitful lover of God and messenger of Heaven in your life?
4. How will you create an upward spiral of joy and love in the kingdom of Oneness?
Affirmation
I AM living in the kingdom of Oneness—above, below, behind, before, to the left, and to the right—I AM, I AM, I AM!
I AM living in the kingdom of Oneness—above, below, behind, before, to the left, and to the right—I AM, I AM, I AM!
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