Skip to content
quotesby

Faith can not be given to man. Faith arises in a man and increases in its action in him not as the result of automatic learning, that is, not from any automatic ascertainment of height, breadth, thickness, form and weight, or from the perception of anything by sight, hearing, touch, smell or taste, but from understanding. Understanding is the essence obtained from information intentionally learned and from all kinds of experiences personally experienced.

G. I. Gurdjieff#7

BeliefFaithLearningExperienceUnderstanding

About this quote

What does it mean?
Faith cannot be taught automatically. It grows from understanding gained through intentional learning and personal experience.
In plain terms
Faith comes from understanding, not automatic learning.
What can you take from it?
Seek understanding through experience to develop faith.

Where it applies

  • spiritual practice
  • education
  • self-reflection

Putting it to work

  • learn intentionally
  • gain experience

Questions to consider

  • Where did your current beliefs come from?
  • How can you deepen understanding?

Another view

This process is slow and demands active participation.

More from G. I. Gurdjieff

  1. From my point of view, he can be called a remarkable man who stands out from those around him by the resourcefulness of his mind, and who knows how to be restr…

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. It is very difficult to explain what takes place in me when I see or hear anything majestic which allows no doubt that it proceeds from the actualization of Ou…

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. The sole means now for the saving of the beings of the planet Earth would be to implant again into their presences a new organ ... of such properties that ever…

    Permalink to quote #5

Related quotes

  1. Previously I did not understand why I got no answer to my question; today I do not understand how I could believe I was capable of asking. But I didn't really …

    Franz KafkaFranz Kafka quote #24
  2. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain; God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.

    William CowperWilliam Cowper quote #27
  3. It is a contradiction in terms and ideas to call anything a revelation that comes to us at second hand, either verbally or in writing. Revelation is necessaril…

    Thomas PaineThomas Paine quote #32