6th Day, March 11, 2014
This week, we look at some qualities of Mind which we all have, but which may be underdeveloped in our expression. Today's quality is "faith".
Faith is a belief that is so accepted by us that we don't question it. We all have faiths of infinite variety. Anxieties and fears come up when we have a faith in something that is not happy or peaceful for us. I remember I had faith that my elementary school teachers, the "nuns", would react strongly if I did not do my homework and I would be punished. And so, I found I did my homework to avoid that reaction.
Since faith is a belief, it is important for us to remember that belief can be changed. Deeply held core beliefs, those ideas we accept unquestioningly, CAN be questioned. And, the development of our mental faculty of faith is merely developing the ability to choose what beliefs shall become our faiths.
Once we have a belief that has become a faith, we don't need to practice it anymore; it's just a part of us. Dr. Marcia Sutton and Rev. Lloyd Strom have built a spiritual work around the practice of converting "fears" to "faiths". We can gain a lot of personal empowerment by practicing building faith in that which we desire to believe in, rather than continuing with the faiths we built up from childhood.
Today's practice: Take one belief you have faith in which is not helpful to you anymore. For me, the old belief from school has carried over to my belief in the world: "If I don't do my job, there will be a strong negative reaction and punishment by the world."
And create a belief that you would rather have faith in instead. For me, I would prefer to believe: "I am blessed and feel wonderful in doing my job. I love to do my work. Doing my job is fun for me."
In both beliefs, I would be motivated to do what is mine to do. But, oh, the difference in the doing!
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