What Does It Mean to Pray Inside Yourself Instead of to God?
If my understanding is correct, this is a concept more aligned with certain schools of Buddhism, particularly Nichiren Buddhism, where prayer is directed inward rather than outward. Unlike traditional prayers to an external deity, these inner prayers are expressions of affirmation, akin to New Year's resolutions but deeply rooted in a profound sense of faith.
The Distinction: Praying Inside vs. Praying to God
The primary advantage of praying inside oneself over praying to God is clarity and authenticity. When you pray to yourself, you know that the 'other' you are speaking to exists, that this entity listens to your prayers, and that it can act upon them. This is especially valuable when many Abrahamic religions place God outside of us, when in reality, He is within.
Our Collective Commonality
Even though many believe that our sense of purpose, power, and identity come from an external deity, the truth is that we are part of the divine creator, co-creating our reality through our thoughts, beliefs, and desires. We have chosen the path of material existence to experience limitations and finiteness, a process of learning and growing. Prophetic texts prophesy that we will eventually recognize that the kingdom of heaven is indeed within us.
Control and Illusion
However, this illusion is perpetuated by those with power and control who benefit from spreading misinformation. This is why such beliefs are often integrated into hierarchical systems, which reassures the masses of their benevolence, a classic bait and switch. Naturally, like all generalizations, there are many righteous and beautiful individuals genuinely serving a divine purpose, but dogmatic adherence is beginning to be seen for what it is: control.
The Inevitable Shift
This illusion is becoming increasingly evident as we move towards a collective rejection of religions that don't incorporate these divine truths. Ignorance is a choice, but it is also an opportunity for growth and learning. As subjective creators of our experiences, we have the power to shift our paradigms and recognize the divine within us. This is not only a path to enlightenment but also a step towards a more authentic and meaningful existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, praying inside yourself, akin to Buddhist practices, is a powerful and transformative process that we can all engage in. It offers a pathway to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe, free from external control and dogma. As we move forward, embracing this internal practice will undoubtedly lead us to a more enlightened and authentic existence.