Faith and Reality

 Often we fail to acknowledge the role Faith plays in our daily existence. From crossing a road, to travelling in a plane we are placing faith on factors beyond us and which we are unable to control.

When the word crops in dialogues in matters spiritual suddenly another word comes into play- reality. Many deny they have faith in matters or aspects that are essentially spiritual or religious. Yet one is willing to have faith that a drunk driver would not violate a red light when one is crossing a road, or a pilot would not misread a dial. Such instances are numerous in a typical day.   

Many a person live their entire lives on this “reality” syndrome and avoid all matters philosophical. This is unfortunate, for acknowledging a “force” beyond ourselves is actually a rational act. This recognition helps in accepting setbacks and also sobering down our joy at successes. Both setbacks and successes have aspects of external forces on which the individual had no control. A 100% score in a test, besides the individual’s effort, is also dependent on the examiners focus when marking the sheet (unless it is one of those Computer aided Multiple Choice formats). Likewise, failure at an interview may not entirely be due to the individual performance but due to an interviewer bias.

Why not then push the envelope and just as we place faith on a force with respect to worldly matters, why not accept a “force” to matters spiritual also? I maintain that at a very mundane (and pragmatic) level such an attitude is helpful in one’s journey through life. Often, we are frustrated beyond words at misfortunes that befall us. In the absence of a belief in an external force, we rationalize with one of two options- either we take the blame on ourselves or blame others around us. Both of these options leave us mentally stressed. Suppose we were to take a stance that there could be some purpose in life, and we decide to spend some time in its speculation. That itself would mean you need to accept to a “force” that you intend to identify. Just this one permission to your mind (and brain) would bring you some relief that you are not alone in this life. You are like everyone else, a part of the Cosmos, and like everyone of your temperament a researcher.