02-02-2012, 12:25 AM
I just had to quote this part by Zenmaster because it rings so true to me. In my life, "hope" feels like an attachment to a specific desired outcome, while "Faith" is, well, exactly what Zenmaster says below:
LOVE that last part. Perfectly said, in my opinion.
Also, it is interesting that in talking of the Catalyst of the Spirit, RA says that it is usually called "Hope" but that Ra "would prefer to call [it] Faith"--it seems to me like this was a semantic distinction Ra felt was important. (Book IV, p. 51).
(01-07-2012, 01:06 PM)zenmaster Wrote: This is why I asked the question, because the definition is subjective and people will think they are talking about the same thing otherwise.
Perhaps this is so for you, but for me it's definitely not "a hope that what I believe will come to pass". For me, hope is nothing but another attachment. Also, "what will come to pass" exists in a necessarily make-believe future. Combine those things and you have yet more transient desire, because that desire is the only thing that can sustain hope.
For me, one description of faith would be something like a recognition of current participation in a universal, infinite connection and continuity. This is not one's particular desires or expectations as 'hope' might engender.
LOVE that last part. Perfectly said, in my opinion.
Also, it is interesting that in talking of the Catalyst of the Spirit, RA says that it is usually called "Hope" but that Ra "would prefer to call [it] Faith"--it seems to me like this was a semantic distinction Ra felt was important. (Book IV, p. 51).