In Western cultures, the word faith has been misused for centuries; it does not mean "belief," but "trust, conviction, based on knowledge from experience." That is why spiritual development depends completely on faith: spiritual experience. Learn about the levels of faith and how they relate to Triratna, the three jewels: the buddha, the dharma, and the sangha. Includes an explanation of Buddha Amitaba, the Greek Goddess Peitho, and more. "We say that unsurpassed bodhi has faith as its cause. The causes of awakening are innumerable, but if stated as faith, this covers everything. O Śāriputra, the ultimate truth is really approachable only by faith." - Uttara-tantra-shastra / Ratnagotravibhāga by Buddha Maitreya This is a lecture from the free online course Fuel for Spiritual Experience: Meditation and Energy Course Description: Spiritual experiences are not difficult to have if you know the laws of nature that manage them. Learn the exact science of spiritual practice that leads to the awakening of the consciousness, by means of harnessing the most powerful energies in the universe. Within us are the energies that can empower the realization of our full potential, through which we can become completely developed beings. Learn about the steps of meditation, vital energy, ojas, sexual transmutation, pranayama, kundalini, and much more. With these tools, we can reach complete liberation from suffering, and thereby be of great service to others.