As within so without

As within so without

“As within, so without.” As without, so within. Which of these paradigms do you live from? Both can be experienced, but which one should we be experiencing?

It's common for people to attempt to control their external environment in order to maintain a perceived level of internal peace, safety, and well-being. The subconscious, and sometimes conscious belief is that if we can control our environment and experiences, keeping them within certain boundaries, then we will vicariously control our internal environment. This is a popular, yet fallacious belief.

The issue with this fallacy of causation is that there will always be some degree of uncontrollable, and unforeseeable circumstances. And, when these circumstances do occur, the individual will then believe that the internal disturbance of their peace, joy, and sense of well being was caused by the external circumstance. While this often appears to be true, that an unwanted circumstance has incited unwanted emotional experiences, it does not necessarily have to be this way.

If an individual were to put practice and effort into "ruling" their own soul, (their thoughts, subconscious beliefs, emotions, and perspectives), then it would be possible for that individual to not be disturbed internally, no matter what occurred externally. This would eliminate the anxiously driven need and desire to control one's external circumstances and environment (Prov 16:32 & 25:28). As an individual begins to practice control and rule over their own soul, they will also begin to learn that their internal environment can change their external environment. The philosophy and experiences of, "as without so within", can be changed to, "as within so without". This principle of cause and effect works in both directions.

By trying to control our external environment, in order to maintain the peace of our internal environment, it gives the power and rulership of our soul to external forces. The external rules the internal. If there is an external storm it will give rise to an internal storm. These types of experiences often lead us into the futile struggle of trying to keep storms away. The truth is, we will never be able to control the external. Which means, if we continue living from this belief system, we will waste our energies trying to control the uncontrollable, leaving us functioning in life as slaves; always in fear of, reacting to, and ruled by the external.

However, when we learn to maintain internal peace, despite the external circumstance, then we begin to be the rulers of our own soul; the first kingdom that God has entrusted us to steward and rule over. For those who begin to master their own soul, a higher truth then begins to be experienced. The soul that is maintained, ruled, and controlled by internal peace can create changes, shifts, and what many know as "miracles", in the external environments (John 16:33, Matt 16:26). Suddenly, the soul that used to be tossed to and fro by every wind and storm, is now a pillar of peace. Our soul becomes like a house built on the rock, instead of on the sand (Matt 7:24-27). The soul that is ruled by its intended master is no longer a slave, or a victim to its environment. Instead it is a source of power that, like Jesus, can speak to the storm and externally create the same environment that exists internally (Mark 4:35-41).

God’s kingdom is a kingdom of love and peace. If we have allowed that kingdom to be established within us, then this quote pertains to us, "The kingdom of heaven is within [us]" (Luke 17:21). The kingdom of heaven is an internal kingdom. We only have to learn to let it rule. “Let the peace of God rule in our hearts” (Col 3:15). When the kingdom of peace and love begins to be established within us, (over our thoughts, beliefs, perspectives, emotions and actions), then we can speak the Lord's prayer as a declaration instead of as a request. "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth [externally] as it is in heaven [internally] (Matt 6:10). "As above, so below; as within, so without…" (Hermes Trismegistus).

Until peace and love are established within our own souls, and we are no longer controlled by the external, then we need not ask for God’s kingdom to come to earth. Instead we should ask for wisdom in allowing that kingdom to first rule within us. We must first seek, and gain rulership over our own soul. The kingdom of heaven must first be established within us. The kingdom that rules us internally will be the kingdom that we see externally, flowing out from us. We only have the authority and ability to manifest externally, that which is already ruling within our internal kingdom.

Jesus healed people, raised the dead, calmed storms, walked on water, loved others, provided, forgave, etc. These were realities that existed in his own soul and could therefore be manifested externally. He rose from the dead because the kingdom within him was superior to the external kingdom of fear and death. We have the potential to do even greater things than Jesus did (John 14:12-14). Whichever realities, of God’s love, forgiveness, healing, peace, goodness, blessing, favor, etc., are beginning to rule in the minds and hearts of our internal kingdom, will begin to be manifested externally as well. It truly is better, and more important, “to rule your own soul [internally] than to conquer a city [externally]” (Prov 16:32).