Faith

I have posted here before about the concept of "Faith." I have found my views reflected and strengthened and improved by the book: Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, by Sharon Salzburg.

She begins the book with: "For some this will be a very different approach to faith. Many link faith to narrow-minded belief systems, lack of intelligent examination, or pain at having one's questions silenced. Faith might evoke images of submission to an external authority. Historically, the idea of faith has been used to slice cleanly between those who belong to a select group and those who do not. To fuel their own embittered agendas, fanatics harness what they call faith to hatred.

"I want to invite a new use of the word faith, one that is not associated with a dogmatic religious interpretation or divisiveness. I want to encourage delight in the word, to help reclaim faith as fresh, vibrant, intelligent, and liberating. This is a faith that emphasizes a foundation of love and respect for ourselves. It is a faith that uncovers our connection to others, rather than designating anyone as separate or apart.

"Faith does not require a belief system, and is not necessarily connect to a deity or God. thought it doesn't deny one. The faith is not a commodity we either have or don't have ― it is an inner quality that unfolds as we learn to trust our own deepest experience.

I like her look at what faith can and should be. Often I have said that for me, faith doesn't mean faith in any one religion or in a God, but rather faith in myself to make the right decisions and to trust myself to do the right thing. I have learned a lot from studying many religions, but I take a risk by admitting that I do not need a religion to tell me how to trust or do the right thing. I do not say that this is true for all, and I respect other's approach to their religion, but for me, my approach works well enough.

I write this here on my Alzheimer's Blog because "Faith" is what has helped me through the journey that Gregory and I walked (sometimes ran, sometimes skipped, and sometimes stumbled) for the last twelve years since his diagnosis of Dementia/ Alzheimer's.

Faith is what is helping me grieve and live with Gregory's passing (October 4, 2015) and with carrying on with my next chapter in life without him. As Starwars Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi said: "May the FORCE be with you." I would give you my wish, "May your FAITH in yourself be with you."