Hello Family!
My thinking is a little clearer now so I'd like to return to the faith vs. belief discussion that I so thoroughly botched before.
So before I get started, let me say that all that follows is IMO.
In the context of metaphysics, I was mistaken to attempt to make a clear delineation between the two. Both faith and belief are predicated on accepting that something be true that cannot be seen except in the mind's eye. Both require an emotional commitment or "buy-in" that the result of the object of faith or belief is assured. I confused myself by trying in any way to separate the two.
What I wanted to convey is the difference between knowledge and knowing. I maintain that knowledge is something acquired like learning that you will burn yourself if you touch a hot stove. However, once you have actually had the
experience of it, it becomes knowing. You
know that if you touch a hot stove, you
will be burned. So just learning something doesn't automatically make it knowing something. Unless you can use it, demonstrate it, experience it, it just remains intellectual and does not become knowing.
In metaphysics, the process of creating something is a similar one. Knowledge of the natural laws involved are learned. But once learned, they can be used to create whatever we pursue with commitment. One element of this process is to believe and never doubt the desired outcome (and this is always the hard part). After having experienced success using the natural laws that govern creation, when belief has become knowing, the outcome is assured.
Peace
