In the English language, we use words that are synonymous with one another. Instead of saying something is difficult, you may opt to say challenging; instead of saying someone is caring, you might spice it up by calling them compassionate. Oftentimes, these words are interchangeable and there’s nothing wrong with switching between synonyms.
However, two words often used synonymously, yet hold profoundly different meanings in your journey toward spirituality and internal happiness are: belief and faith.
While these two words are casually swapped, understanding the distinction between the two can unlock a deeper connection to the self and the universe. This distinction points to a foundational reality in human nature: the differences between the mind and the heart. Belief and faith usually work harmoniously together. They are intertwined in the sanity of a person and instrumental in the development of who you want to be as a person.
Jaya Jaya Myra, a well-known thought leader in consciousness, mindfulness and spirituality, shares insights of the keen difference between the two words. The hope is by understanding what faith and belief truly mean, you can enter a serious stage of “conscious character development.” Her nonprofit organization, Gita for the Masses, focuses on helping individuals examine personal beliefs and cultivate self-awareness for intentional growth.
Belief, anchored in the mind, is shaped by logic, evidence, and external validation. You believe something will work out because you’ve seen evidence of this before. Faith, however, arises from the heart—a visceral, intuitive knowing that transcends reason. It’s based on a gripping to truth, to universal law that guides all principles and actions. It’s a knowing that things will work not because you’ve done something before or have evidence to back it, but because when you do things in the right way, with proper intent, willpower and followthrough, things work out.
“The mind relies on belief, whereas the heart makes its decisions based on faith. When you have faith and know something in your heart to be true, even without the mind having direct evidence to back it up, you’re connected with the unlimited knowledge and positive potential of the universe.” says Jaya Jaya Myra.
Belief: The Power of the Mind
Beliefs are somewhat a combination of your mind and experience. It emerges from experience, observation, and cultural conditioning and over time is influenced by upbringing, societal norms, and personal experiences. For example, a person might believe in the importance of honesty and the malice in lying if they were raised in a home that illuminated how those things can foster trust and strengthen the family.
“Belief is something we cultivate based on evidence of validated past experience. Maybe that evidence is from our own direct experience, or maybe it’s through what we’ve been taught from others,” says Jaya Jaya Myra.
Faith: The Strength of the Heart
On the other hand, faith is the song of the heart; it resides in the realm of the heart. It is deeply personal and intuitive and based on knowing there are universal principles at work at all times, and they will always act consistently in your favor if you use them properly. It’s a reliance on inner knowing and following it, even without direct evidence. Faith is what allows a parent to know their child is safe, even when they are miles apart. It’s what guides individuals to persevere through challenges without tangible evidence that the outcome will be favorable.
“Faith is not based on any tangible evidence in the current moment, but it is based on the knowing that what is true will come to pass. It’s a conviction and knowing that the process always works. Faith is like belief in the sense that it’s something we perceive to be real, but it’s stronger than belief because it’s based in the workings of universal law and proper conduct.”
It is imperative to recognize that belief and faith are not mutually exclusive; they often coexist and support one another. A person raised in a Christian household might believe in the power of God and the story of Jesus because of religious teachings present in the Bible, and simultaneously have faith in that higher power’s ability to guide them, even without clear signs.
Understanding the difference between belief and faith allows us to use both as tools for spiritual growth and happiness. Belief provides structure and understanding, while faith offers freedom and connection. Together, they balance the intellect and intuition, helping us navigate the complexities of life with clarity and courage.