How can we have complete faith?
Podcast:
Is complete faith truly attainable? Perhaps complete faith, in an absolute and unwavering sense, remains an impossibility for us as finite beings. Our philosophy teaches that the nature of ultimate reality, the nature of Krishna, is ultimately inconceivable. Therefore, whether we encounter aspects of Krishna in scripture or in our daily lives, questions will inevitably arise.
Even enlightened souls, such as Advaita Acharya, are depicted in scripture as experiencing doubts about certain passages and seeking resolution through inquiry, prayer, and fasting. Krishna himself states that even the enlightened continue to seek further enlightenment. This highlights that there is always more to know about Krishna, and what remains unknown can often lead to questions, which may manifest as doubts.
The key is not to lament the absence of some utopian concept of “complete faith,” but rather to continually strengthen our faith. This can be achieved through several avenues.
One way is by consulting devotees who are expert in particular fields about the specific questions we have. This tradition is evident in scripture itself, where Arjuna poses detailed questions to Krishna. Scriptures are a vast body of knowledge. Initially, our questions might be general, and we can find answers from our guiding devotees. However, as we grow, our questions may become more specific, necessitating consultation with experts in those particular areas to gain deeper understanding.
Our faith is also strengthened as we experience the potency of Krishna bhakti firsthand. When we witness its transformative power in our lives, we begin to understand what truly works for us, and other concerns may diminish in importance.
Consider the analogy of someone from a tribal area, unfamiliar with modern medicine, entering a hospital for the first time. They might be apprehensive of all technology, perhaps equating needles with weapons. They would have numerous questions: “What is this? What does it do?” If their questions are patiently answered—”This is for your treatment”—they might cautiously accept. However, as they remain admitted and experience their health improving, their initial suspicion will lessen. Curiosity might still exist about various machines, but eventually, they might realize they don’t need to understand the precise working of every device. Their primary focus shifts to receiving effective treatment. As they consistently experience the benefits, their reservations and doubts diminish, and their questions become more focused on what directly pertains to their healing.
Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we might initially have doubts about many aspects of scripture. Addressing these doubts is crucial. However, as we practice bhakti and experience its purifying and elevating transformational potency, our questions will become more stratified and focused on what truly matters for our spiritual progress. We might still have curiosities, but if answers aren’t immediately available, it won’t impede our core practice.
Of course, if someone, like the tribal child, becomes so inspired by medicine that they wish to become a doctor, their curiosity would deepen significantly. Likewise, if someone desires to specialize in a particular field of scripture, they would delve into much greater technical detail. This is perfectly acceptable.
In essence, we can address the issue of doubts by:
- Seeking answers to specific questions from knowledgeable sources.
- Actively experiencing the transformative power of bhakti in our lives and focusing our efforts on accessing this potency. Through these practices, our faith can steadily grow and deepen.