BELIEF AND FAITH

 

If you ask most people, they will tell you that faith and belief is the same thing. They are interrelated which makes them very close in meaning. There is a thin line between belief and faith.

 

Belief –an opinion or judgment in which a person is fully persuaded, whereas faith includes our beliefs, but it is bigger than that.

 

Faith=Belief+ Action +Confidence. Faith requires action. If it does not move us to do something or say something it is not faith. Until we take action our faith is just bunch of words.

 

Belief is the product of the mind where is faith is the product of spirit. In belief there are questions, but in faith there is only acceptance.

 

Let me quote an incidence from Mahabharata.

 

When Draupadi was disrobed in the courtroom of Kauravas, she looked up to Pandavas and other brave warriors like Bhīma, Dhronacharaya, Kripacharya for her rescue but her wails went in vain, till she turned to Lord Krishna, There was a difference in her approach while she sought help. She had belief in Pandavas and other brave warriors present at the courtroom. But she also had doubts if they would rise to the occasion under the grim circumstances and hence she put up meek resistance by herself on the onslaught of Dushasan, by tightly holding a part of her part of the saree.

 

On the other hand, she had absolute faith in Lord Krishna, although he was not physically present at the courtroom, when the incident happened. As she had faith in Lord Krishna, she had no doubts about her safety and hence did not offer any resistance; rather she held hands high towards the sky and diverted all her energy in praying Lord Krishna. The result of her faith is well known.

 

Belief is the truth held in mind, faith is the fire in the heart.

 

Belief is passive, Faith is active.

 

Be blissful.

 

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com