Three Levels of Faith

[Treasure Hunter]

1) External + objective
2) External + subjective
3) Internal + subjective

First, as a society we create a bubble of paradise for children in order to shield them from reality and cultivate the relationship between the child and the Kingdom of God. Once the child is able to engage with reality without having to escape back into the bubble, while simultaneously holding the desire for the Kingdom, then the game begins.

External + objective:
In this first stage, we discover that we are a powerless individual within a vast world. As long as we continue to hold the desire for the Kingdom, we will reach a failure point due to our relative powerlessness. If we persist despite this failure point, then we go to the next stage.

External + subjective:
In this second stage, we seek to establish the Kingdom within our own personal world. Reality checks penetrate our bubble and our only defense is to retreat. Our personal kingdom gets smaller and smaller over time until we reach another failure point. This failure point is the realization that the Kingdom can only exist in our personal, subjective world if it exists in the larger, external world. We must become more powerful and need help. If we continue to hold the desire through this failure point and realization, then we will enter the third stage.

Internal + subjective:
This final stage is the place of believing without seeing. We cannot see our internal world, so the only way that we can navigate through it is by feel and intuition. It happens at the edge of our consciousness, meaning we mostly won’t be aware of its reality.

 

[Treasure Hunter]

The most profound wisdom will speak to the third level. However, when we are operating almost completely in the external (level 1 or 2), then we will be unable to hear or see the wisdom that would be beneficial to us.

The best thing that we can do is to stop consuming any new information and focus on going from level 1 to 2 and from 2 to 3. That will inevitably require that we spend more time in solitude.

 

[Trimijopulos]

The best thing that we can do is to stop consuming any new information and focus on going from level 1 to 2 and from 2 to 3. That will inevitably require that we spend more time in solitude.

I am already in level 3 but an angel I am in contact with insists that I should move on to level 4.

What do you suggest?

 

[Treasure Hunter]

I am already in level 3 but an angel I am in contact with insists that I should move on to level 4.

What do you suggest?

I welcome anybody to read my posts even the trolls.

 

[Trimijopulos]

I welcome anybody to read my posts even the trolls.

Touché!

 

[PureX]

1) External + objective
2) External + subjective
3) Internal + subjective

First, as a society we create a bubble of paradise for children in order to shield them from reality and cultivate the relationship between the child and the Kingdom of God. Once the child is able to engage with reality without having to escape back into the bubble, while simultaneously holding the desire for the Kingdom, then the game begins.

External + objective:
In this first stage, we discover that we are a powerless individual within a vast world. As long as we continue to hold the desire for the Kingdom, we will reach a failure point due to our relative powerlessness. If we persist despite this failure point, then we go to the next stage.

External + subjective:
In this second stage, we seek to establish the Kingdom within our own personal world. Reality checks penetrate our bubble and our only defense is to retreat. Our personal kingdom gets smaller and smaller over time until we reach another failure point. This failure point is the realization that the Kingdom can only exist in our personal, subjective world if it exists in the larger, external world. We must become more powerful and need help. If we continue to hold the desire through this failure point and realization, then we will enter the third stage.

Internal + subjective:
This final stage is the place of believing without seeing. We cannot see our internal world, so the only way that we can navigate through it is by feel and intuition. It happens at the edge of our consciousness, meaning we mostly won’t be aware of its reality.

I see this as a recipe for insanity. Insanity being defined as a deliberate rejection of the truth of one's experience of reality. Mostly because you are claiming that faith should and will lead to blind belief. Which I see as an expression of willful dishonesty.

If the goal is deceiving oneself, as you say it is, here, then we should want no part of it. Sorry. I think the goal should be just the opposite; to accept our unknowing, and to act on what we hope to be so, to see what results. Learn from those results, and then try again.

Our faith should be in the process, not some blind belief.

 

[Treasure Hunter]

I see this as a recipe for insanity. Insanity being defined as a deliberate rejection of the truth of one's experience of reality. Mostly because you are claiming that faith should and will lead to blind belief. Which I see as an expression of willful dishonesty.

If the goal is deceiving oneself, as you say it is, here, then we should want no part of it. Sorry. I think the goal should be just the opposite; to accept our unknowing, and to act on what we hope to be so, to see what results. Learn from those results, and then try again.

Our faith should be in the process, not some blind belief.

That blind belief is based on identity. We believe without seeing because the promises of the Kingdom are written on our heart. Our faith must be tested.

 

[DNB]

1) External + objective
2) External + subjective
3) Internal + subjective

First, as a society we create a bubble of paradise for children in order to shield them from reality and cultivate the relationship between the child and the Kingdom of God. Once the child is able to engage with reality without having to escape back into the bubble, while simultaneously holding the desire for the Kingdom, then the game begins.

External + objective:
In this first stage, we discover that we are a powerless individual within a vast world. As long as we continue to hold the desire for the Kingdom, we will reach a failure point due to our relative powerlessness. If we persist despite this failure point, then we go to the next stage.

External + subjective:
In this second stage, we seek to establish the Kingdom within our own personal world. Reality checks penetrate our bubble and our only defense is to retreat. Our personal kingdom gets smaller and smaller over time until we reach another failure point. This failure point is the realization that the Kingdom can only exist in our personal, subjective world if it exists in the larger, external world. We must become more powerful and need help. If we continue to hold the desire through this failure point and realization, then we will enter the third stage.

Internal + subjective:
This final stage is the place of believing without seeing. We cannot see our internal world, so the only way that we can navigate through it is by feel and intuition. It happens at the edge of our consciousness, meaning we mostly won’t be aware of its reality.

What you are describing does not correspond to many people's experiences with their faith.
Mine, for example, is based largely on tangible and accessible evidence. Both the universe and anthropology attest to a Designer and a spiritual realm. Man has been seeking God since history began, and since love exists, and that love always overpowers evil, God is love - otherwise the universe would not be in His control.
Thus, our faith, which is tantamount to wisdom, is derived from the facts that God exists and that He is love, and then understanding what a God motivated by love would do. And, thus, in the most profound manner, we conclude what God has in store for those who obey His will. His will being written down in the Bible by faithful men - we believe this for, again, understanding what God of love will do for those that He created and cares for.