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III. The Art of Self-Mastery

25.3| Chapter Summary

25.3| Chapter Summary

Chapter Summary

In this chapter, we discussed several methods for sustaining belief:

  • Small-Thing Verification: The entrance to belief;
  • Intuitive Scripture Reading: The foundation of belief;
  • The Three-Step Method of Being Present with God: The maintenance of belief;
  • Prayer and Meditation: The muscle training of belief.

But the ultimate goal of all these practices is not to "believe occasionally";

It is not to "borrow God's power once" when needed;

And certainly not to "remember to pray for a moment" in the midst of a crisis.

The ultimate goal of all belief cultivation is only one: ——From believing occasionally, to living within belief.

This sentence seems simple, but it reveals the entire process of spiritual growth.

1. The First Stage of Belief: Believing Occasionally

In the beginning, most people’s understanding of belief is episodic:

  • Believing when encountering difficulties;
  • Trying it out when encountering small things;
  • Relying on it for a moment when feeling moved.

This belief is not fake; it is just still dependent on the old structure of the Ego.

It is more like:

"I’ll handle things myself normally, and only hand them over to God when I truly can’t." The "belief" here is additive, sporadic, and dependent on emotion.

Inside, the Ego still calls the shots, only occasionally handing authority over to God. This is the entrance to belief, but one should not remain here.

2. The Second Stage of Belief: Continuous Belief

When you constantly:

  • Write "belief" into the subconscious through small things;
  • Experience resonance in the scriptures;
  • Truly hand over in prayer;
  • Discern the roots of doubt in meditation;
  • Count the tiny but real Graces in life—

You will find that the past "chains of doubt" begin to loosen, and a new consciousness system is growing within you.

Prayer is no longer "I'll give it a try," but becomes "This is the way it should be."

Handing over is no longer "I force myself to let go," but becomes "Letting go is the most natural choice."

At this point, you have entered the stage of Continuous Belief.

3. The Third Stage of Belief: Natural Belief

This is a deep transformation:

Belief is no longer something you struggle to maintain, but something that operates naturally within you.

You will find that:

  • Prayer becomes your first reaction;
  • Handing over becomes your natural movement;
  • Waiting becomes your stable rhythm;
  • Gratitude becomes where your heart resides.

You are not "struggling to believe"; rather, "not believing becomes the difficulty." This is the stage where you truly move from external practice into internal instinct.

4. The Ultimate Stage of Belief: Living within Belief (Following the Heart's Desire without Transgressing)

Confucius described the realm of a seventy-year-old as:

"Following the heart's desire without transgressing the boundary." It means the heart has been completely molded by the "Dao" (the Way); even when following one’s own desires, it naturally accords with the Way of Heaven.

The highest realm of belief is exactly the same—it is not achieved by resisting the Ego or forcefully maintaining a conviction, but:

  • Your heart already dwells in God;
  • Your desires are already aligned with God;
  • Your actions naturally flow into Grace;
  • Your choices naturally lead to the right path.

It is not: "I struggle to live in the way God wants." But: "What I live out is exactly the way God wants."

As Jesus said: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you." When you truly dwell in Him:

You do not believe occasionally, you do not believe passively, and you do not believe only in times of crisis—instead, you live within belief. Belief is no longer a thing you "do"; belief becomes the state you "are";

Belief is no longer just a verb, it becomes your noun, your essence, and your life.

The Destination of Belief: Receiving God’s Grace at Any Time, Entering the Power of the Mustard Seed

When you reach this realm, you will truly understand what Jesus meant:

"Whatever you ask for, just believe, and you shall receive it." Because you are always within belief; you are always in the state of "believing it is obtained."

The success you will achieve will far exceed your highest current imagination.

Because Jesus also said:

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." —— Matthew 17:20

Your belief will be like a mustard seed:

Starting from the smallest, growing rapidly, and explosively exceeding your imagination.

You will receive God's ever-present Grace at any time; you will use God's power to accomplish everything that seems impossible to you.

You will be as Jesus said: moving mountains and filling seas, capable of all things.

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