Faith in Self, Faith in God

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Faith in Self, Faith in God

 

An engineer who plans a tall building knows the importance of a

strong foundation. To reach great heights, he must first dig down to

a firm base in the earth. It would be foolish to build upon shifting

sands, for the structure would soon topple. The firm foundation for

faith in God is faith in Self. When we reach down to the solid basis

in ourselves, our progress is assured.

 

If we cannot find our own inner strength, how will we recognize

divine Power? Faith in self is the basis for faith in God, for it is

the divinity within that enables us to recognize the divinity in the

world. If we had never tasted the sweetness of sugar, why would we

seek it out in the candy store?

 

" Self-Confidence is the basis of faith in God also. People who do not

know who they are and who have no confidence in their own strength

and power assert that there is no God. But how can they declare that

the God in whom you believe and who exists for you does not exist "

 

Divinity lies hidden within every person. Spiritual discipline

reveals it. Like deriving butter milk from milk, certain methods are

required to make divinity emerge. When we act on our aspirations with

faith in our ability, we earn God's grace and guidance in the task.

Those who make the effort, seizing every chance for advancement, earn

that grace.

 

" Everyone has the right to earn grace, but those like Ramakrishna,

who have faith in themselves, will earn it soon and plentifully. God

loves those who have the Self-Confidence and the Courage of

conviction and who seize every opportunity to improve their spiritual

status "

 

Self - Confidence arises from the atma, the inner reality. Even if we

do not recognize the source of our strength, it is enough if we heed

its direction. The voice within is the unfailing guide to higher

experience. It manifests as a thirst for truth and goodness. It

assures us of our abilities and worth. It discloses the paths of

right and wrong.

 

" Your self is God. You have faith in your judgment, your

intelligence, your ability, because God within tells you not to

falter or fear. That assurance wells from within, from your basic

truth, which is otherwise called God. It does not matter if you do

not call it God. Its is enough if you believe in yourself; that is

the real test of theism "