The master was an unequaled interpreter of the scriptures as he was giving his discourse on doubt, belief and faith he abruptly paused and interrupted himself saying Barindra “You are not here.” The student protested I have not moved a muscle; my eyes have been trained on you the whole time and I can repeat your every word. Anyone who lapsed into absent-mindedness or restless movements put an abrupt end to the master’s discourse. He was as usual watching the attention span of the students with an overpowering immediacy. Nonetheless you were not completely with me. Your protest compels me to comment on your mental background you were thinking about food. The student apologized and said “those thoughts were vaguely formulating in my subconscious mind.” Barindra you must release your mind from its limitations and smallness of the body that it is subject to.
The master continued. Not long ago there were just two ways to authenticate spirituality: personal experience and faith. With faith the people just took the word of the spiritual authorities, a book or a person and accepted what they said and if they say something it must be true. However, books and teachers can be totally wrong. This type of untested faith (proof by authority) could lead to disaster. The third approach is now possible by testing these claims by ourselves producing “tested faith.”
The great one’s request us to believe, but they do not say don’t question with constructive doubt. What if there was an error printed in scripture; in place of “Thou shall not steal,” the word not was overlooked and it was printed “Thou shall steal.” To blindly accept errors is to accept errors that sneak in, like the writers slip of the pen and the mistake of the printer.
By applying the progressive and constructive element of doubt established from materialism the acceptance of God originated as an Intelligent Consciousness creator of this universe. In order to know what is true in which we question, we use this constructive element of thought. If we merely accepted things as they appear to be, without this, people would be as animals.
All things in creation have an exact function or utility. However insignificant, all matter has a specific effect and purpose. In regards to sentiments and thoughts it is also true as they enter and pass through our consciousness. Most people know very little about the effect such thoughts or sentiments create or what lies in their function or for what purpose they were created. If you think of an ounce of gold or a piece of copper, you recognize its use. But when you reflect on a specific thought, what is the utility of that thought? Examine that enquiry. As the earth is composed of molecules and atoms, so the character or nature of a person’s inner being, is also composed of “molecules and atoms” of thoughts.
The prevalence of matter in front of our eyes in the form of entities and objects blocks our perception of the full truth. Disbelieving the supremacy of matter establishes the reality of God. If matter, an accumulation of particles is all there is, how then do these invisible atoms hold an assembly and bring into being and preside over such a well-structured universe. It is utterly impossible for inanimate particles to be able to put themselves together and create intelligent beings.
In battles extending over centuries religion and science have long been at each other’s throats. Though, this war is really waged as the religionists scoff at claims that science has the only means to obtain valid knowledge and the pseudoscientists mock at untestable dogmatic claims by the religionists. While the pseudo religionists reply, “show me your proof that science is the only method for obtaining valid knowledge.” Where there can be no answer; as there can be no such proof.
Doubt, Belief, and faith, these are the root of controversy in all religions. Highly regarded teachers beseech people to have faith and believe in scripture and God and caution against the possible confusion and disaster of doubt. But without the utility of discrimination this guidance may not be comprehended. The masters tell us absolutely nothing has ever been created without some usefulness therefore they will not agree with biblical moralists who turn up their noses at the very mention of doubt. Wherein is doubt good or bad for people?
Without analyzing the psychology of doubt and belief, we cannot in good faith reject or adopt these opinions on the foundation of their being destructive or beneficial. In analyzing the concept of doubt we find it to be a destructive and constructive element, corresponding to its application. Some religionists, because of its potential harm, hold blindly to dogmatic beliefs and promote the avoidance of all doubt in support of obedient unquestioning agreement. Nevertheless avoiding doubt is choosing not to think.
Hurtful doubt is paralyzing, inhibiting the power of will and constructive thought blocking receptivity to the benevolent workings of higher laws and forces in the cosmos and the ever helpful grace of God. It produces a sense of hopelessness and inner disquietude. It rejects ideas on the impulses of prejudice, ignorance or emotion resisting progress.
There were ancient civilizations that held the opinion that the moon, stars and the sun were divinities ruling their lives. With the process of doubt man outgrew that concept. It was found through constructive searching and inquiring such beliefs was found to be lacking. Man could not progress if he could not doubt or question. If man were not able to differentiate fallacious arguments or theory from the truth, this world would be mired in ignorance.
As respect for religion, scientists ought to use the same identical fairness of the positive element of doubt as they do in their advances and investigation in science. Science has been locked-up far too long into the destructive element of doubt in rejecting religion offhand as groundless dogma. However the destructive element of doubt may be essential to purge us of deep-rooted errors; furthermore if that process destroys truth in the same way, at that point it is destructive to mankind. Even if some of our cherished theories are obliterated by constructive doubt even that is worthier than just thoughtlessly and stupidly following others blindly.
Scientists take nothing for granted when investigating to see whether something works or not. If not, it is restructured or set aside. There would be no continuance of civilization if scientists remained content with the status quo of knowledge. Therein this is a great lesson.
Since science is given the proper test, like science, so should religion. This is how the sages, saints and rishis in olden times reached God-realization: they proved, investigated and found those unchangeable values that manifested the Everlasting Reality.
Command the test of reason. You will more quickly realize truth and distinguish what is untruth by analyzing ideas with impartial discrimination and respect. God endowed you with the power to comprehend if you but use your tools of intellect according to the principles He has given us. Religion must be treated with the same spirit that is applied in science. Without investigation and doubt, most will not grasp the truth.
Faith and belief are frequently used synonymously and therefore not always used properly. Faith is significantly more than just belief. There is a destructive and a constructive element in belief as is doubt. Constructively applied, being faithful to solid beliefs leads to self-realization. The spiritual master who has attained realization says to the undeveloped student or disciple, “believe and follow me, until you are capable of understanding.” This doesn’t mean unreasoning, acceptance. Belief when constructive has reason inside it. Feeling and reason substantiate there is some truth behind all compelling beliefs.
If someone gains access to his own inherent discerning understanding, one may arrive at the truth. Inner understanding of what is true is only achievable by the spiritual powers of perception of the soul. Until developed, there may be a conflict or disagreement between the spiritual master’s insight and the student or devotee. The real masters tell them on their authority to take specific concepts for granted and believe, realizing in time they will understand those concepts and truths by their selves. This is the rule for any investigation.
When people begin to realize the truth, by experience, then dogmas will be done away with. The time has finally come to abandon blind belief in dogmas and seek Self–realization. Dogmas that are not originated on truth are bowing down while truth is marching on. Real unity in the final analysis among man can only draw closer when people of all beliefs tests their principles in the vessel of self- realization and keep only those beliefs that stand the test. Dross dogmatic beliefs that are not founded on truth can be burned away in the fires of mediation.
A man who was dumb was eating a chocolate cupcake and was asked what the taste of chocolate was like. Despite the fact that he could not talk, the speechless man made hand motions that the questioner understood that chocolate was delicious and sweet. Likewise, when the mind of man enters a higher state of consciousness and unites himself with the Infinite, and finds that encounter is very sweet; but yet cannot find the words to describe what that experience was like. Grief can feel very real to you, and though you cannot explain to others what it is like, so with the awareness of the Infinite: it cannot be described to others. Union with the Infinite must be experienced to be comprehended.
What is belief? It’s a state of mind or habit in where assurance, confidence and trust is placed in a thing, individual or set of guidelines or testament; such as influencing the reality of religious beliefs. Belief is a feeling or strong conviction of the reality or truth of the thing to be believed. The components of belief are reliance, conviction, assent, assurance, faith and credence. However faith and belief differ primarily in that belief as a principle implies just barely more than speculative acceptance, whereas faith suggests complete assurance or trust, whose belief or conviction has evolved into faith. A person cannot believe without eagerness. Belief involves imagination since it is an uncertain anticipating the hope of obtaining a result.
To believe in a false doctrine, a failing business or a deceitful person is a misuse of one’s worthy efforts through a mistaken path. Such ill-advised beliefs attain slightly more than unpleasant involvements. Sooner or later a doomed business or a hypocritical friend loses our belief with the revelation of true facts.
In regard to spiritual matters our viewpoint sometimes is visionary and vague. Doctrines or educators urge us to have faith and believe, while giving negligible clarification or insight. The general rule is blind acceptance. Therefore, faith and belief in relation to spiritual and religious life are little realized because matters of the spirit are believed supernatural and outside human understanding.
Any flawed or suspicious belief evolves if held to without investigation into fanatical dogmatism and when it’s disproved it changes back from dogmatism to disbelief and rejection. In contrast, if one persistently follows a true doctrine, that conviction steadily develops into certainty and faith. We see belief whether true or false can only be temporary and provisional for it is always transformed either into disbelief, dogmatism, or into faith.
Immature or rudimentary beliefs unsecured in facts and truthfulness is belief manifested in sentimentality or emotion and starts with overblown “faith” as “unto death I will follow you.” But when tested with contradiction or criticism it ends in heated condemnation. Some followers assign stubbornness to blind belief. You see them living or dying in the same type of emotional convictions, even if completely erroneous. This state of existence controlled by superstition is no better than existing as a savage barbarian.
Unless belief is established in truth, the conviction that creates development toward faith will never be sustained. If there is truth inherent in a person’s sincere belief, faith will manifest itself. There are many examples of one’s sincere convictions, such as trust in medicine, a person, doctrine or thing, faith in God, religious beliefs, scriptural teachings and narratives.
