9.20 Connecting with the Divine: A Path through Perception Spheres
The development of a person’s relationship with God and their faith in divine assistance typically unfolds within the framework of Perceptual Spheres:
2) General Sphere of Belief:
A person is usually introduced to the concept of religious faith within their general social environment, where belief in the existence of God is commonly supported. Some people remain at this general level of belief throughout their lives, viewing it more as an important human or societal value than as something deeply personal and internal.
3) Autonomous Faith as a Principle:
People arrive at autonomous faith as a core principle either through a more mature progression from faith as a value, or as a result of a profound experience, spiritual development, or a significant life situation. At this level, a person matures into their own autonomous conviction that God is a fundamental life principle. This conviction is often supported by signals and experiences that the person perceives as divine signs. The autonomous sphere of faith liberates an individual from the pressures of the general sphere, where faith is still “burdened” by official societal rules and expectations. Conversely, a person with “autonomous faith” can more freely and with greater insight enjoy rituals from the general sphere of belief.
1) Concrete Guidance and Trust:
In the subsequent phase of development, the focus shifts less to deepening faith and more to establishing a direct relationship with God for the purpose of receiving concrete guidance. This involves creating an inner relationship of trust, based on which God provides the person with peace and certainty of assistance.
4) Essential Union (Certainty):
The final, essential phase is, in the strictest sense, “reserved” for only a few beings who have come to know God by becoming unified with Him. This is exemplified by Jesus’ statement, “I and the Father are one.”
