IV: 39

[Krishna Jaya]

Chapter 4, Verse 39

“Resolute, mastering the senses,

Those with faith become wise;

Once they realize true wisdom,

Supreme peace soon follows.”

Sri Eknath Easwaran:

“Shraddha is not blind faith, but a deep conviction based on personal experience.  As we progress on the path, we will begin to see an inner power guiding and protecting us in even the most difficult circumstances.  The teacher points the way.  We have to do our own traveling.  The personal experience of others may plant the seed of Shraddha in our hearts, inspiring us to tread the path, but Shraddha can develop fully only when we experience these truths for ourselves.”

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi:

“There are three fields of faith: faith in oneself, faith in the teacher and faith in God.  Faith in oneself is necessary so that one does not begin to doubt one’s own experience.  Faith in the teacher enables one to accept the fundamentals of the teaching; if, in the absence of faith the basic principles of the teaching are rejected, one can neither gain benefit from it nor verify its truth, since the truth of the teaching can be verified only by personal experience arising from the practice given by the teacher.  Faith in God protects one’s heart and mind, ensuring steady progress which is so important in the life of the student.

The regular practice of meditation brings the great blessings of harmony and joy to life, helping the heart and mind grow in faith and keeping a person resolute on the path to Self-realization. Thus, stability is gained.”

 

Friend: 

“This passage speaks directly to my heart. Faith is something that I need to develop and practice in meditation and my daily life. Faith in oneself is sometimes difficult if we don’t take time to look at ourselves.”

 

[When I take the time to look at myself, I don't always like what I see.  That's when it becomes important to have compassion for myself. I can't have compassion for others if I don't have it for myself. At the same time, too much compassion for myself, what can be called idiot compassion, is so accepting of everything that I do that no brakes are applied when an unskillful course of action is embarked upon. If I can find that balance between idiot compassion and being overly self-critical, my faith in myself and my path will blossom.]