when you think of faith, do you think of religion? I don’t know if most people associate faith with religion, but to me, that’s what it always meant. So i had no faith. I’m not a big religion guy. My dad once told me that religion is a way to deal with death. Before you argue that, truly think about it. Does your religion help you feel better about a life after death? About an end to this life?
I digress. Lately, I’ve realized that faith is very different from religion. I looked up faith on dictionary.com today and this is the definition:
1. confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another’s ability.
2. belief that is not based on proof
This definition is not associated with religion, and I realized lately that I need this in my life. My mind is logical. I have trouble understanding things that don’t follow logic. But I believe this way of thinking is flawed. Assuming things have to be logical, doesn’t that mean you have to know everything to decide whether something makes sense?
Of course I exaggerate when I say that. But think about this: assume there is an interconnectedness in the universe and things do happen for a reason. To me, this is illogical. But is it illogical because I don’t have a good understanding of physics? Of the human body? I mean, we all are just particles, and so is the earth, so couldn’t it be possible that there is some alignment there? Logically, no. At least my logic.
But does it hurt to be open to it? I once had a friend tell me that it’s in our favor to be religious. I asked why. He said, well, if you believe in God and follow a pious life and there is a heaven and hell, you’ll be in heaven. Do not follow a religion and there is no religion, you’re ok. But if religion is true, and you die and didn’t follow it, then you’re in hell. So just believe…
To me that was logical, but i hated it, so i didn’t believe. Anyways, i keep digressing with these stories. The point is that I need faith. I want to believe in something that you can’t prove. I want to know that I can’t control things, that things can easily happen beyond me, and that I can have faith and hope that it will work out in my favor.
I just read Wayne Dyer’s Manifest Your Destiny, and it’s a spiritual book (which I am beginning to enjoy because it’s more universal, not like religion where it’s an us vs. them mentality). It talks about the power of positive thinking, of visualizing what you want, which helps you work towards attaining it. But it discusses spiritual practice and how to change your lifestyle towards this way of thinking. I found it fascinating and helpful. I highly recommend it.
But why is it so easy to read these books and so hard to change my life? I mean, I read a meditation book 6 months ago with the new earth, and I absolutely loved it. Yet implementation is non existent. I guess mastery takes years and I want things to happen now. The American way of life…
So I begin a journey. A journey of faith. A journey of believing and hoping for great things and accepting life whether it happens or not. Of loving the process of life and not focusing on the outcomes. Of doing and saying what I feel so I’m not hiding from me. I hope you join me on this journey. I promise that we’ll make the process enjoyable, no matter what happens. That’s my faith…
#1 by Colleen Pratt on May 24, 2009 - 4:28 pm
When I think of faith v. religion, I think of faith as devoid of dogmatism and freed from superstition. Faith is a movement within the mind. It is a way of thinking, believing, and actualizing the power within and of the Universe.
To me, faith is a belief in a Higher Power (call it God, Consciousness, Intelligence, Universe, Omnipresent, or whatever suits you. I use these terms interchangeably.) It is this Higher Power, or God Consciousness to which we are all connected and from which we all flow. It is that feeling of connectedness and purpose we know is there, yet cannot explain. On the other hand, I think of religion as a defined and unchanging set of beliefs (and yes, I agree, religion has an “us vs. them mentality”.) In fact, religion has historically been used to justify discrimination, abuse, racial superiority, oppression of women and homophobia (amongst other things). Religion and faith are somewhat intertwined or interdependent. Religious people must have faith to accept certain tenets of their religion, but the faithful do not need religion to have faith in a greater being and/or greater purpose.
Having faith does not fly in the face of logic. To me, God is all good, all intelligence, all life, all knowing, all creativity, all beauty, all love and all growth — and there is evidence of God all around. Just look at nature, the four seasons, the ecological system, the wonders of life forms from plankton to humans, and the solar system — all very intricate systems which bear the stamp of a Higher Intelligence. Moreover, all of which have a purpose (including us humans.) It is less logical to accept that everything/everyone came from nothing and are guided by nothing.
With regard to our purpose, I think it starts with an understanding of our individual divinity. I think of God as the ocean and us as the waves — i.e., we are not separate from God, we are all God-like and have the potential to connect with the Universe. (So, yes…go with the flow, go with the good, go with God!) As humans, I believe our purpose is to evolve up the spiral of consciousness until we reach the height known as Christ consciousness. Jesus (who I believe was a prophet and one of the few in Earth’s history to attain the highest level of consciousness/oneness with God) truly understood the unity of God and humanity. Jesus never thought of himself as different, let alone as God himself! His teachings emphasized the potential of everyone (including the outcast, the leper, the prostitute) to arouse the divine nature within, just as he did. Jesus was not deified until done so by man over 300 years after his death. In the third century A.D., the emperor Constantine needed to galvanize power by unifying the various religious beliefs which existed at the time and which were dividing the empire. Constantine held meetings with the various religious leaders who literally “decided” at some point to turn Jesus into a deity. But I digress…
The power of the Universe is limitless. We can ALL tap into it and reap the goodness and abundance the Universe has to offer. The power of positive thought and right action are the keys. There are numerous Scriptures (e.g., “It is done unto us as we believe”) which support the power of positive thinking and belief. It is not enough to simply think something and hope for it to happen. Rather, we have to 1) embrace a life of positive thinking (and acting) and unwavering belief in its consequences, 2) trust the Universe, and 3) elevate our consciousness.
According to ancient ascended spiritual civilizations and master teachers (including Krishna, Buddha and Jesus), in order to attain a higher level of consciousness, it is simple — practice unconditional love. Seems easier said than done. When is the last time you were able to love your enemies or truly love without conditions? Having said that, I don’t think the objective is to reach the level of Christ consciousness and consider anything short of that a failure. Instead… love, respect and appreciate all creatures — humans and animals alike, treat others as we wish to be treated, love abundantly, give generously, and live freely. Consciousness building is a journey and it is during this journey that we can utilize the principles of Universal Law — through positive thinking and right action — to enhance our lives and the lives of others.
Once we are able to tap into the power of the Universe (and ourselves), ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. As Emerson once said, “Things do not happen…they are pushed from behind.”
CMP
#2 by Colleen on May 24, 2009 - 10:55 pm
Forgot to ask…have you heard of Agape? It’s an international spiritual center in Culver City. The Reverend Michael Beckwith is the founder and is very inspirational — his talks are enlightening (and entertaining). It’s not “religious”. The principles of Agape sound right up your alley…you should check it out: http://www.AgapeLive.com
#3 by Adam Ainbinder on May 30, 2009 - 5:17 pm
wow Colleen, thanks for writing this. Just awesome. I swear, the books I’ve been reading on spirituality state just about everything you just said. You have this wired down. I find myself though reading these books and having trouble experiencing it and believing it. It resonates with me, but I feel like I’m too rational! But that is just my excuse. I would love to “get it”, but i struggle.
I love your contrast of faith and religion. That makes sense, and I’ve heard someone articulate it so clearly. I usually here, faith is this, religion is that…i thought your explanation was perfect.
Thanks again for checking out my blog. I appreciate the response! I learned a lot. Now I just need to start practicing, or believing, or something….