Faith As A Spiritual Science

It is generally assumed that all forms of ‘faith’ is merely matter of ‘belief.’ In other words, to have faith is seen as having belief that is blind; it is a belief without reason, evidence, or experience. However, there is another kind of faith that develops through a reciprocal relationship.

According to the Vedic teachings and the practices of Krishna Bhakti (awareness of, and affection for Krishna, the Supreme Person) faith begins with hearing spiritual knowledge from a liberated soul, who is beyond the four defects of material conditioning.

Ordinary people (or conditioned souls) have four defects due to their contact with material existence. These defects are:

1. The tendency to make mistakes.
2. To be illusioned.
3. The propensity to cheat others.
4. To have imperfect senses.

At the initial phase of faith, there is an appeal to the intelligence of the conditioned soul that evokes exploration of knowledge through hearing deeper spiritual insights, which in turn appeals to their intelligence to apply it.

From the experiment of applying it, comes observable experiential results that corroborate the truth of what was initially heard from the transcendental authority (liberated soul).

This confirming experience not only yields faith in the knowledge and process applied, but it also forms an evidential knowing beyond a mere baseless, ‘blind’ belief. Therefore, developing a relationship with God through Bhakti-Yoga or Krishna Consciousness is a spiritual science.

Taking to spiritual life means cultivating faith because we are taking a step into what cannot be perceived by the material mind and senses ~ Radhanath Swami

Bhakti is described in Vedic literature as developing in nine stages from sraddha (faith) to prema (pure love of God). That first stage of faith is identified as being just enough to be willing to hear about the Personality of Godhead. This is the foundational seed of faith.

As it is watered by the continual hearing, chanting, and devotional service process, the seed of faith grows, gradually eliminating weeds of unwanted things in the heart, and reaching up to form spontaneous taste, attachment, and ecstasy which at last blossoms into unalloyed love of God.

All nine stages are recognized as transformations of faith, just as a flower is a transformation of the seed. They are the same entity in different phases of development.

Although this growth of faith according to bhakti is a spiritual science, it is not a mechanical one. Relationship is at the heart of it. Faith’s gradual formation into love evolves through the quality of heart one applies and the Divine grace that flows from God’s heart in loving reciprocation.

No amount of study of scriptures, austerity or charity can help us know God. The only way is to follow the footsteps of saintly people. When we have faith in that, that faith shows us the way ~ Radhanath Swami

Even when we plant flower seeds in the ground, there is a union of science and grace in their fructification. Water, sun, and certain soil conditions are required to create a conducive atmosphere for the seed to germinate. This can be scientifically measured and applied, but the ultimate result in nature is nonetheless not within our control. It is dependent upon a higher power that pours the rain and makes the sun rise. Intrinsically, the gardener toils in the soil with faith in this reciprocation.

Whether it is with nature, God, or each other, all relationships are a reciprocal exchange. They grow in intimacy through a mutual investment of care and cultivation. Giving, receiving, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, honesty, expression, refining of communication, and so much more go into culturing the quality of connection between two beings.

When reciprocation is experienced in each interaction, it evokes gratitude and the relationship deepens with the kind of faith and trust that grows into the closeness of true knowing and love.