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Part 11 · Faith Is a Substance · points 19–24 of 36 in this Part

Thinking on the plane of the absolute

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, not a feeling.

6 numbered points · 2 study questions · 2 min read

The one line to keep

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, not a feeling.

Working this way lifts you out of the level of argument, opinion and hearsay into what Haanel calls the plane of the absolute — cause working quietly to produce effect. The fruit of this thought process is described as a gift of the gods: it is available to everyone, works the same way whether you call it modern science or old religion, and it destroys fear, ignorance and limitation.
Why this matters — Part 11
Hopelessness is the belief that wanting is pointless — so the first casualty is desire itself. Haanel's instruction is strange and kind: don't manufacture the feeling of hope, just take the posture of someone already answered. The worried, grasping posture says “this probably won't happen.” He asks for the relaxed posture of a person whose order is already in the post. Posture first. Feeling follows later, as it always does.

Study questions for this sublevel

Haanel put a review question at the end of every part. Answer out loud first — the recall is what moves it into memory.

106. What is the result of this thought process?

We are thinking on the plane of the absolute and planting a seed, which if left undisturbed will germinate into fruition.

107. Why is it scientifically exact?

Because it is Natural Law.

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Haanel's own words — points 19–24

Quoted exactly from The Master Key System (1912, public domain). The translation above is ours; this is his.

19

This is a concise direction for making use of the creative power of thought by impressing on the Universal subjective mind, the particular thing which we desire as an already existing fact.

20

We are thus thinking on the plane of the absolute and eliminating all consideration of conditions or limitation and are planting a seed which, if left undisturbed, will finally germinate into external fruition.

21

To review: Inductive reasoning is the process of the objective mind, by which we compare a number of separate instances with one another until we see the common factor that gives rise to them all. We see people in every civilized country on the globe, securing results by some process which they do not seem to understand themselves, and to which they usually attach more or less mystery. Our reason is given to us for the purpose of ascertaining the law by which these results are accomplished.

22

The operation of this thought process is seen in those fortunate natures that possess everything that others must acquire by toil, who never have a struggle with conscience because they always act correctly, and can never conduct themselves otherwise than with tact, learn everything easily, complete everything they begin with a happy knack, live in eternal harmony with themselves, without ever reflecting much what they do, or ever experiencing difficulty or toil.

23

The fruit of this thought is, as it were, a gift of the gods, but a gift that few as yet realize, appreciate, or understand. The recognition of the marvelous power which is possessed by the mind under proper conditions and the fact that this power can be utilized, directed, and made available for the solution of every human problem is of transcendental importance.

24

All truth is the same, whether stated in modern scientific terms or in the language of apostolic times. There are timid souls who fail to realize that the very completeness of truth requires various statements – that no one human formula will show every side of it.

Put it to work

This week's exercise

Believing You Have Already Received (Part Eleven)

Usual seat, relaxed and empty of surface noise.

See all steps
Sit with it

Guided stillness timer

The sit is the whole foundation of the course: still body, watched breath, no phone. Pick five minutes if fifteen feels like a hill.

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Keep going

Part 11 · Faith Is a Substance

Act as though the outcome is already arranged