I agree with Jeffster's opening statement --actually this is also exactly what I wanted to say myself--but Jeffster said it first himself:
"We're not talking about faith here".

Actually I thought to say, and I'm saying it now:

'I am a Hare Krishna Devotee and I have NO faith.
My only faith is that I will continue to live and thus continue
on my way without 'sudden' unexpected annihilation
--the only thing in my life based of faith [inregards to religious belief]
is that God may still allow me a moment to remember him [make contrition]
if I should meet with 'sudden' unexpected annihilation--aka, Death . . .'

My study and observance of yoga principles are something that I experience as scientific.
The "Scientific-Method" is the means of replicating a result in a laboratory setting --such as, for example, a professional gourmet Kitchen, where the word "recipes" is used rather than "Calculated-Procedural-Formula".

By extention, for example, a seasoned carpenter will build a sturdy structure --this the carpenter does by following the standard methods --thus the carpenter obtains the expected results each time.

This is not Faith. The carpenter is "realized" in the skills of carpentry --fully aware of below par workmenship standards. Standards that keep the carpenter in business.

Yet the elements, other people & his own personal bodily upkeep --may cause him trouble --the only faith the carpenter may depend on is the innate qualities of the finished product to stay-put as constructed + that the raw materials may continue to be available in abundance.

This is the same for me --my so-called faith is actually [to my subjective satisfaction and also to my objective judgement] brings forth the results of my many years of practicing the craftsmanship of yoga.

Each day's headlines shows me the practical & scientific validity of my "seeing the world" through the eyes of sastra [Scriptural Text].

The degree of vision that I have myself personally acquired "through the eyes of sastra" re-confirm the neccessity to 'keep my nose to the grindstone' of yogic principles.

Ironically, It may be that a "lack of faith" leads to anxiety that we are "without" faith [thus, "Dark nights of the soul"].
or
Ironically, It may be that an "abundance of Faith" creates familiarity which breeds contempt --a contempt that causes the faithfull to take things for granted, even to the point of neglecting good professional conduct and standards.


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Now I will finish reading Jeffster's above post
--please all of you wish me well lest I meet with
'sudden' unexpected annihilation and thus fail to
finish reading Jeffster's above post; Oye.