Ogyen wrote:To wake up in the morning and roll out of bed, I have to have faith I will take my next breath, and today is a good day because I'm here.
Faith, in its truest sense, is trust. Trust in what is not yet completely verified by our senses. But senses aren't the most honest of authors, they often confuse us with what seems.
So faith is intrinsic to breathing, come to think of it, whether you realize it or not, it takes faith to practice kindness, because the immediate results are rarely completely telling...
most of the time, I'm just trusting that this ALL is useful for something, even if I don't know exactly what... it will come to me, I'll sit in my pond of stillness till it reveals its nature to my notions, then adjust accordingly... that's how i experience faith at least... it's not fancy, lacks doctrine, but in essence is just naked trust.
I thought it might be helpful to completely re-write your post, and provide another POV on the same topics. I hope you don't find this TOO offensive.
To wake up in the morning and roll out of bed, requires no faith, for today is the day and I am here. I need no inducement to go forth, neither do I need to fear, for nothing can affect my strong intention to practice.
Breathing is breathing, whether you realize it or not, and neither faith nor fear will change it's duration, so for now, I breathe, and am content.
Nothing is useful, nothing is futile. Abandoning these delusions, I go forth. I will sit in my pond of stillness, awaiting nothing, anticipating nothing, fearing nothing, and I will be at peace.
