I am thankful for the Gnostics. They were an early group of Christians before the more widely-known and prominent branches or sects rooted them out and hunted them down. I have faith in many lessons within the Bible. Do you really think it is the only holy book, though? No. It was carefully curated by a collective of corrupt and conceited charlatans. Do you know how many other books exist from that time that could have and probably should have been included as well? By some accounts, more than fifty others. Where is Thomas’ book? How about Mary’s? And Judas’? The Gnostics believe in and accept equality across genders. Such a stance does not serve a patriarchy, though, does it?
Faith is a state of openness or trust. If you really have faith, you don’t need belief.
-Alan Watts
Even beyond the Bible’s omitted (or censored) books, I learn plenty from other holy texts. Part of me wants to list out some examples, but maybe they are only meaningful for me. I would rather leave this invitation open-ended to encourage your curious exploration in order to discover what is meaningful to and for you. We are on different journeys and at varying stages of our lives after all. There is no one size fits all here in my opinion. Therefore, I sugjest you listen and learn to glean what meaning means something to you.
Faith… is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.
-C.S. Lewis
The Gnostics know that the best and truest answers await within all of us. How likely are we to blindly listen to worldly leaders, though, if we can explore and discover on our own? It is easier to control if a sense of dependency is developed. Would we rather have faith in fellow people or in God? I know where my faith rests. I will love my neighbors, but I try to listen to only One. It does not mean I ignore my neighbors, but I listen for the truth within and beneath their surfaces. It sounds weird and cryptic, but that is my faith.
There are two types of faith in this world. The first is faith in things other people say, faith in people; there are many varieties of this type of faith. The second is faith in God; this type of faith is unvarying, and it is necessary for all people.
-Leo Tolstoy
Gnosis is the root word involved here. It is Greek for knowledge or awareness. I believe that introspection and self-reflection can reveal your own true knowledge and awaken your accurately-astute awareness. I was reminded of something recently that once again felt very valuable and important. Prayer is how we talk with God, and meditation is how we listen to God. Are you practicing both arts? Can you find the right balance between what you say versus what you hear? Do you have faith in such mystical processes? I do.
The [person] of faith, of energy, of warmth… steps in and does something.
-Vincent van Gogh
Honestly, I do not care about being Buddhist or Christian in title; I care about embodying them in practice by living their teachings and principles on a daily basis as I move through life. It is far too easy to talk the talk. Walking the walk in faith is difficult and challenging, but it is so worth it. Having lived my life in a number of ways already, I am quite confident in and grateful for this current style and approach. I finally feel free, fulfilled, and faithful.
Faith makes the discords of the present the harmonies of the future.
-Robert Collyer
I share this information in case it helps others on their path in their lane. I see a beautiful potential within each and every one of us. I refuse to give up, and I will not lose faith.
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
-Mahatma Gandhi
I hope you find what you are looking for. I wish you all the best on your quest for wisdom.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.