The “Essence of Inner Faith”

What exactly is the meaning of “faith” let alone “inner faith”? For most of us it’s 
translated in “religious” terms – whatever our religion may be in whatever country.

May I suggest that it’s a deep belief in the “unknown” for reasons that can’t be 
realistically described in any scientific fashion.

How many of us have sat across from another and said “Oh I have faith in you – I know 
you can do it”? Did you mean it and for those of you who did, why did you say it? Why 
did you “believe” so much in the person across (or next) to you? Did you tell them?

Reminds me of a couple of times when I was watching my daughter fight in marital arts 
competitions – one of which she was losing to go on to get the gold medal against the 
standing champion. She felt like she was letting everyone down, was depressed and 
crying, didn’t have what it took to beat this “champion” who was two yrs senior (two 
belts higher) to her and was coming completely from behind. Had to remind her of what 
she was capable of during the “breaks” – then in the last fight, in the last round, she just 
looked at me as I was kneeling beside the mat (in a martial arts way), we spoke no words 
but traded “looks”. She went on to become a champion that day.

Another competition she was going through was a round-robin and again had no chance 
of winning top honors and was ready to give up in complete tears. Fortunately, she found 
it in herself to return to fight again, against all males. Her next opponent turned to another 
and said “oh this is gonna be easy – she’s <just a girl>”. I shrugged my head and laughed 
for I knew, deep down, that was the worst thing he could have ever said because I had 
“faith” in my daughter. He left the mat crying (literally crying) as did her next <male> 
opponent. She didn’t win the “gold’ that day but there are two males in this world I’m 
sure who will never “EVER” say again  “oh – she’s just a girl”. But this wasn’t about 
winning or losing since none of us (myself, her sensei, her teammates) cared – it was 
about her following her “inner power” and “belief” alternatively called an “inner faith” in 
the unknown.

So what is “inner faith” – may I suggest it’s a “true belief in oneself” but no matter how 
strong we all are or “pretend to be” on the outside – each and everyone of us can help 
another – reach that “inner faith” – by words, by a simple look, a signal, or just by “being 
there”. Each of us sometimes needs to be “re-energized” and more often than not it is the 
simplest of things that can make that happen – sometimes (more often then you would 
care to imagine) meaning the difference between success and failure.

In conclusion, think about this, your “inner faith” can be a very powerful source of power 
and energy for another to find “their” “inner faith”. At the same time, that “inner faith” 
that you used for another strengthens you in ways that you sometimes can’t imagine.

Written By: Karl Timmermans – Ontario, Canada
Aug’2000 – All rights reserved
Email: Karl@Ktimmermans.com