Faith is a profound truth that gives life meaning and direction. Without it, life becomes aimless and empty, much like drinking ultrapure water that lacks the essential minerals and nutrients necessary for growth. Over time, just as the body weakens and succumbs to illness, so too does the Spirit falter without faith, leaving us vulnerable to even the smallest challenges. However, unlike other aspects of life, you cannot overdose on having too much faith. The more you have, the stronger your Spirit becomes. But for faith to truly work, it must be absolute. Faith is not measured in degrees—99.9% faith is not enough. To live by faith, you must commit fully. It is dangerous and unwise to believe in faith most of the time but not always, because the moment you choose to doubt could be the lesson the Divine intended for you to learn and grow. This is why spiritual faith must be all or nothing.
This understanding of faith extends to our concept of Divine blessings. Many of us mistakenly view blessings as getting what we want or desire. This is a misguided perception. The Divine bestows blessings when we are on the right path or have earned them and are conscious of our Karmic conditionings and spiritual mission. Unfortunately, many practice what can be described as "transactional faith," where devotion is offered with the expectation of receiving something in return. Whether it’s about attending church, visiting temples, or offering daily prayers at home, these practices can become hollow if done with the expectation of reciprocal divine favour. A transactional approach to faith will eventually disappoint, as it treats the Divine like a seller and the believer like a buyer. But the Divine is not a merchant, and there are no goods to be exchanged. This approach misses the point of faith entirely, as the Divine is not here to fulfil our shopping lists of desires. Instead, faith must be transformational.
A transformational relationship with the Divine is enduring, built on unconditional love, and elevates our connections to a higher level. It involves deep self-reflection, where we continuously strive to improve ourselves in our interactions with others and with the Divine. In such a relationship, our intentions are assessed not in terms of personal gain but in how they affect and support others. Transformational faith is the cornerstone of our spiritual journey, inspiring us to make wise decisions and resist the lure of instant gratification that is so prevalent in modern life. With transformational faith, we live a guided life, becoming one with the Divine. This faith must be practised consistently, not just in times of need or desire. A relationship with the Divine based on transactions will limit our spiritual growth and cause us to miss opportunities for true transformation. Our future can only change when our mindset changes, humbled by the teachings and guidance of the Divine. This cannot happen if our relationship with the Divine is purely transactional.
The dynamics of a relationship with the Divine share similarities with the relationship between spouses. If a marriage is purely transactional, it is unlikely to develop into a deep, trusting bond. The interactions will be superficial, and conditional love will place undue pressure on both parties, leading to tension. Love, in any relationship, must be unconditional. When love is given with expectations of reciprocity, it strains the relationship and diminishes its authenticity. True love is given freely, not out of obligation. When love is conditional, it is given under duress, often with pretence and dishonesty. Such relationships are shallow and harmful to spiritual growth.
The goal of "feeling blessed, living well" is not an unattainable ideal. It does not require luxury or material comfort. Living well means being grounded, thankful, and humble, looking after your health and spiritual well-being without burdening others. One day, you may wake up and realise that you are indeed feeling blessed and living well, not because of external circumstances, but because of the inner peace and contentment that comes from a life lived in alignment with faith and spiritual values.