Faith

Through maintaining the Raja Yoga principles, the soul starts to appreciate the benefits and powers gained. This becomes the foundation stone for a growing faith that leads to further and greater inner victories in the many tests that come on the way.

There are four types of faith:  

1. Faith in God - As I become enriched with Shiv Baba's (God's) spiritual treasures and appreciate the value of each jewel of knowledge, my faith grows that Shiva Baba is really who He says He is. As the Supreme Father, Baba showers me with love and gives me a glimpse of the unlimited inheritance available. As the Supreme Teacher, Baba explains the meaning and purpose of existence and the laws which govern it. As the Supreme Guru or Guide, Baba provides the orientation to liberate me from all bondages and reach the stage of perfection. Discovering each one of these relationships with Baba, I become firm in the faith that it is really the Supreme Being who is revealing all the secrets of the cosmos, and giving me the experience of them as well.
   
   
2. Faith in Time - Understanding the cycle, I realise that it is only now in this Confluence Age that I can make efforts based on knowledge. The knowledge that Baba gives is verifiable by experience, and so with each new and deeper experience I proceed a step closer to my goal. If this is my last birth in this cycle, and God is here, lovingly showing me the way, then each second should be maximised. If this is the age of rising up out of the shackles of ignorance and impurity, let me take the gift of the lift that Baba is offering. It took me 84 births to descend the ladder from the highest stage to the lowest, so let me value this spiritual birth. It is now or never. The efforts I make now in this Confluence Age will be the efforts that I make every cycle. To get the best result each cycle, therefore, I have to show great determination now.
   
   
3. Faith in the Self - Just as through experience, I discover that Shiva Baba is truly the ocean of all positive qualities, likewise I discover that I am a tiny pinpoint of conscient light that originally was pure. I really feel that my first births were in a golden-aged world of truth and beauty, and now I am becoming that same deity again. I am emerging from a long night of ignorance. I am becoming pure. Such feelings instill self confidence and I am able to cross any obstacle that presents itself. While I do not have this faith, the winds of Maya (the illusions of body consciousness) can still extinguish the flame of effort. When I have this faith, the winds and storms only fan the flame brighter. 
   
   
4. Faith in Others- When I feel self-confident I express self-satisfaction and contentment. I feel I am doing something truly worthwhile, that I am actually on the path to perfection. When I am satisfied with myself I also satisfy others. Moreover, nothing that others can do can dissatisfy 'me or bring me down. I am constantly on the lookout for the positive aspects of others. By fixing my vision on the positivity of others I am able to help them bring out and develop those aspects. The faith that I have in others revolves around my vision of them. This type of vision, a well-wishing positive outlook, really helps me to create harmony and unity within my family, at work and amongst my spiritual colleagues also.