Finding Your Faith in 2013 by Laura Grace

Faith is not a static or passive thing. It is dynamic, active, directive and life sustaining. Faith is trust, hope, and belief in the goodness in people and life itself. “Faith,” as William Wordsworth once described, “is a passionate intuition.” 

It’s also hard to prove.

Last year, I participated in a writer’s retreat in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I chose to work on a personal essay on “faith”--a topic close to my heart. Each writer took a turn reading her essay out loud. My essay included several examples of how faith had changed my life over the past 18 years. But when I finished reading, a lovely woman questioned, “Great, but faith in what?”

Hmmm, that was a good question. After some thought I replied: “Faith in me, faith in my wise self.”

My wise self can be summed up in one word: Relax. It wants me to feel peaceful so it reassures me that all will be well. Sometimes it says, “Ask for help!” Other times, it leads me in a direction that goes against the norm, against the crowd, and I feel discontent with mediocrity. Either way, my wise self shows me the way. And by having faith in it, I am more authentic and less concerned with the opinions of others.

Mohandas Gandhi once stated, “Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.” Many years ago, during a particularly painful time in my life, I remember being very motivated to find my faith.  But I didn’t actually find my faith as much as I cultivated it. It wasn’t like I chanted and meditated for twenty-one consecutive days and then one lucky morning, an illuminated diploma sat perched in the corner of my junk closet with the words “LAURA’S NEWFOUND FAITH” etched in gold.

Rather, like a devoted gymnast training for the Olympics, I practiced. And in order to practice sufficiently, I created the necessary time. I resigned from my soul-less corporate position and began living off an early distribution from my 401(k). For an entire year, I did the hardest work of my life: the inner work.

Practice began first thing every morning by recording my nightly dreams. Putting the dreams on paper helped me to understand them. Over time, consistent themes arose and eventually, my nighttime dreams became one of my most trusted guides.  Next, I read passages inspired by some of the world’s greatest spiritual masters. Then, while sitting in front of a large window facing my favorite tree--a mighty oak that offered me its’ quiet strength--I meditated.  Five minute meditations quickly expanded into ten minutes, ten minutes lengthened into thirty, and with diligence, thirty minutes stretched into one hour. And when my inner spiritual gymnast was grasping for the gold, I set aside four hours periods so my jumpy thoughts could find a calm place to land.

My favorite exercise occurred in the evening on a nearby deserted road: walking meditation. I didn’t walk slowly like a “respectable” walking meditator. Forget it. Having spent hours sitting while meditating and journaling, I kicked into high gear and walked--fast. And the quicker I moved the swifter ideas burst into my mind. During these dusty treks, synchronicities and “random” coincidences seemed to be everywhere; billboards spoke to me and license plates affirmed a deeper truth.

By the end of that unforgettable year, I felt buoyant and optimistic. I was going through a reinvention of body, mind and spirit. And finally, I was ready to tackle my life’s purpose. During my walking meditations, a wheel of light had been emerging. The “hub” was my newfound faith and the “spokes” (i.e., the form) consisted of writing, speaking, teaching and being of service.

That year of faith-focused practice also included journaling, walking meditations and many hours in Nature. By the end of that unforgettable year, I felt buoyant, optimistic and rejuvenated. I was going through a reinvention of body, mind and spirit. My life was finally being built on a foundation of genuine, lasting faith. Everywhere I turned, I witnessed acts of love. Yes, I could still see ego-based actions, but my inner vision had a laser-like focus on people’s goodness.

Finding my faith didn’t end with that memorable year; I’m still building it when I choose to see the good that is all around me. You don’t need to take a year “off” to find your faith. A faith-focused life can be built anywhere, anytime.

Faith in the New Year has everything to do with what you choose to witness. When you look at your life, what do you observe? When you cast your gaze at the world, what do you perceive? Faith is a fullness of heart that moves us from limitation and fear to expansion and love. One of my favorite lines from A Course in Miracles affirms, “Do not interpret against Love, for you have many witnesses that speak of it so clearly that only the blind and deaf could fail to see and hear them.”

I invite you to take a moment and reflect on your life. How many times in the past week have you received the gift of love? How many miracles have you witnessed?  Miracles are shifts in perception. When you consider the possibility that there might be another way of seeing something, you create room for a miracle. When you are open to asking for, and receiving miracles, you develop a new synapse in your brain. Spiritually and energetically you embrace new energies and make space for miracles to flow through you.

Focusing on the miracles in your life cultivates faith from the highest point of view. It’s the premier level of faith. The ego wants you to focus on the problems and mistakes you’ve made. It takes pleasure from dwelling on suffering, pain and blame. It lives in the land of regret and loss. The ego’s vision is limited and sees only darkness, separateness and fear.

But the truth of who we are cannot be discovered while looking at the darkness. Our reality can only be seen by choosing the light.  Since “light” means “understanding,” we’re most conscious when we choose to attest to the miracles in our life--especially the growth that we’ve experienced.

Every new experience confronts us with a choice, and the New Year is no different. If we opt for the path of least resistance, then the same old thought patterns of doubt and fear will preside in 2013.  But if we claim for ourselves another opportunity--one founded on faith--then we open the door to new and infinite possibilities.

As we enter the New Year, may we remember that last year’s thoughts have no power over us. With every new beginning, we’re given a choice to choose again. Right now, we can decide to find faith in every act of love and gesture of kindness.  Here are some probes to consider as you set your intention for 2013:

• Will you choose to hold on to resentments--or--forgive yourself and others?

• Will you elect to complain about situations--or--select gratitude?  

• Will you decide to look for the worst in yourself and others--or--the inherent good?

• Will you allow the same old thoughts to create your “script” in 2013--or--re--write a new one by changing your thoughts to ones that honor you?

 May your faith flourish in the New Year as you take time to appreciate how far you’ve come.

© Copyright 2013 Laura Grace. All Rights Reserved.

"Deepening Your Spiritual Practice"

"Life's Crossroads: Love-vs-Fear"

"Touching the Heart of Others"

"Knowing How to Care for Yourself"

Laura Grace: As Founder and Spiritual Director for the Circle of Grace in San Luis Obispo, CA (www.spiritualcircle.org), Laura has a background in world religions, psychology, human awareness, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, dream analysis, Gestalt therapy and transpersonal psychology.

Having attended the University of Michigan, the New Seminary and One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in New York, Laura studied organizational and human development, integrative studies, and world religions. She is an active member of Spiritual Directors International (www.sdiworld.org).

Visit:
www.LauraGrace.net

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