Spiritual progress depends on faith in God, the scriptures and guru. Faith is the basis of all progress. Even material progress and discoveries depend upon faith – faith in oneself. It may be easy to place faith in mathematics, in known scientific laws, and work towards the achievement of your object. In the spiritual realm, with its unseen laws and unseen effects, it is more difficult to place faith. Initial faith is necessary.
Even if one does sincere sadhana for one full year, one will have some little experience, some concrete evidence to convince one of the existence of an unseen power, of laws which science cannot explain, which reason is powerless to analyse. With every fresh experience, one’s faith in guru, God, the scriptures and spiritual laws grows; and with every increase of faith, one does more sadhana. The chain goes on, and provided one is vigilant and does not fall prey to the temptations which are placed before all aspirants, one day one will certainly attain that final experience – the proof positive.
Faith can be strengthened through satsang, prayer, self-purification, meditation and study of scriptures. You can ascend the rungs of the spiritual ladder with the help of intense, unflinching faith alone. When a doubt arises, dispel it by means of well-directed, strong suggestions and affirmations such as: “I will succeed. There is no doubt of this. In my dictionary there are no such words as can’t, impossible and difficult.”
Whenever doubts assail you, reject them ruthlessly. Open your heart to the divine light, the source of all knowledge, all light. Become as simple as a child. Pray from the bottom of your heart. The flame will again become brighter and brighter. Do not argue. You will not gain anything. Sit before your spiritual preceptor or a saint quietly and meditate for an hour. Let the soul speak to the Soul. All your doubts will be cleared by themselves. You will have good experiences. You will enjoy a peculiar peace. There will be a holy thrill of joy in your heart. This is the way for your spiritual growth.
Abandon all sorts of unproductive beliefs, superstitions, weaknesses, wrong notions and ideas of impossibilities. Cling fast to faith in divine possibilities. Have faith in divine life. Aspire fervently and constantly to live in the divine. When you hear discourses that disturb your faith, leave the place at once. Do not keep company with such people until you have grown, until you are established on the rock of divine love. Never budge an inch from your present position. Stand adamant on the bedrock of faith.