Devotion and Faith

 

 

Writing about Frank Sinatra’s character and the recent Western States 100 mile run, directed my thoughts to devotion and faith. The synonyms for devotion include love, loyalty, fidelity and admiration while faith’s synonyms include trust, belief, confidence, conviction, reliance etc. Additional thoughts about devotion and faith led me to think about the Israelites leaving Egypt and wandering in the desert for 40 years following Moses with loyalty, obedience and allegiance ; St. Joan of Arc being burned at the stake for her belief, loyalty and submission in supporting Charles VII while fighting the English  during their ongoing religious war; Alexander the Great’s soldiers who followed and fought with him from Macedonia  to Egypt , and finally to  India confronting death, illness and being separated from loved ones ; Hitler’s  subjected followers that supported his domination and agreed with his extermination of  the Jews, Gypsies, and homosexuals. There was allegiance, dependence while he and the followers created havoc and destruction in and to Germany and other parts of Europe; and the followers of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that experienced racism, police brutality, J Edgar Hoover’s investigation and King’s assassination. Personally, I thought about my devotion, loyalty, allegiance, obedience and faith in attaining my PhD in psychology, and running the Western States 100. Another word related to devotion is goal accomplishment.

One could argue that finding meaning to existence is an existential need. One could also argue that man has a need for devotion which is obviously related to thinking, a belief that’s in concert with the art of living. Devotion can be found in primitive cultures in which one sacrifices a child; to monotheism like following Buddha but not the concept of God; in economic principles like in Capitalism or Communism; to Paranoid conspiracy belief’s, not paying taxes, being above and not accountable to the law; fraudulent social service assistance regarding homeless benefits; racism; white supremacy; democracy for whites only and Climate change. Do not ignore that following “anything” irrational falsifies a sense of an irrational meaning in one’s life. Man has difficulty without faith, trust, belief, confidence, reliance, devotion, loyalty, fidelity or admiration to something bigger than self.

Further, within man’s character, there are devotion tendencies for destruction, sadism, racism, greed, money, possession, control, fame, youth, etc. To illustrate, Spanish General Millan Astray’s favorite motto “Viva la muerte” (long-live death).

These irrational needs express themselves with tendencies for devotion for strivings and are aspects of one’s character. A devotion or devotions tend to elevate the person beyond his isolated existence by giving meaning to life. Do not forget, for one moment, that man can be devoted to idols, destruction, amassing a fortune, acquiring power etc. Obviously, man can also be devoted to loving self, to health and others. The objects of devotion can be varied. Their importance can be questionable. In other words, the need for devotion is a primary existential need demanding fulfillment regardless of rationality or irrationality or how the need is fulfilled.

Faith is also important to man and may be associated with God, religious teachings or in rational and scientific thinking.  Often, uncertainty allows people to accept any idea that’s presented to them. Acceptance of faith is often related to submission and accompanied by doubt. This occurs with feelings of powerlessness and helplessness. These are anxiety states which torment and exacerbate doubt. Individuals can be confused about conditions in life because confusion is often typical. When feeling isolated, powerless and not experiencing life on one’s own terms, the individual has thoughts, emotions and perceptions that leads that individual to acquiesce to an external power.

When following and submitting to an external source, there is a danger that the devotion can be irrational. For instance, when an absurd idea is presented, that transcends common sense, those individuals rationalize and create the idea that the person, in question, has some magic power far exceeding the power of the average person.

Individuals with devotion and faith have be seen submitting to: 1 a belief that they would sacrifice their life for the cause -Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death.” 2. Blind allegiance to a person or cause. In other words, having irrational faith, fanatic submission and conviction to another is rooted in anxiety and irrational needs. Alexander’s foot soldiers following him, to an unknown world, with killing for what purpose; and Hitler’s faithful who were destroying Europe and themselves are examples of submission and following an irrational authority with blind allegiance.

On a personal note, I applied for admission to a PhD program at Wayne State University, and was one of six admitted. I went along with the conditions set up by the psychology department. I had to formally apply for admission; pass a preliminary exam; pass core courses taught by senior professors; take and pass additional units outside the department; pass a French exam; select a dissertation advisor; create a dissertation team of faculty; create and engage in original research, teach a University psychology course; be a consultant to Wayne State’s preschool program; complete my dissertation; and defend my dissertation. I did submit to the program requirements.

From 1969 through 1973, I was devoted and spent much energy, significant time in thinking, working, and relating to the field of psychology. I was loyal and on a mission. Not much would have distracted or detoured me during those four years. However, I would not have given my life. Looking back, although the process was difficult, and time-consuming, I have good memories. Archie was a dear friend and Denny was one of my best friends. Wayne and I are still alive and continue to visit each other. I’ve known Wayne since high school. I’m also pleased with choosing that particular devotion. I had faith in my ability to complete and finish.

Another devotion was my Western States experience. In September of 2001, I became reacquainted with a young woman named Linda, a ride and tie competitor. I was running on the Western States trail that day and met her near the 16 mile marker. She was riding and was accompanied by Diane and Cindy.  She told me that she was competing in marathons and suggested that we run Western States in 2003. I told her that I would think about it.

Returning home, I researched information regarding that historic run. I found out that there was a 50 mile qualifying run in November put on by Helen Klein, a running legend. At that point, a 50 K was the longest run that I had completed. I thought to myself, that I only had to run 19 more miles in order to reach 50 miles in November.

I contacted ride and tie Linda and told her about the qualifying run in November. I convinced her that we should enter that qualifying run in order to do Western States in 2002 instead of 2003. She was convinced and we started a more meaningful friendship and both were devoted. We both met the qualifying time standard at the Helen Klein race and both entered the lottery. A lottery determined the runners allowed in the run for June, 2002.

Linda and I were selected, in the lottery, to run the race in June, 2002. I was devoted and she was devoted. We ran on the trail, entered trail races, and read materials pertaining to that run etc.  It was a 24-7 devotion. I was still entering ride and tie competitions and my friends and associates were part of my goal. My waking and sleeping hours were accounted for. I would not have given up my life for this devotion. I also had faith in my ability to complete and finish.

PS

When I moved to the Bay Area, I became devoted to the Oakland A’s, Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors. It was easy to devote and follow these professional teams. I had Oakland Raider season tickets, and went to their Super Bowl victory in New Orleans. I followed these teams, the players, the statistics, the trades, the standings from the newspaper, TV, and from other written materials. I had many happy memories and sad disappointments. I developed friendships with an Oakland A’s radio announcer and their team physician. Yes, I yelled, hollered, cheered and booed. The participation in the stands were fun also.

The Raiders have moved to Las Vegas and the Warriors have moved to San Francisco. There’s talk of the A’s possibly relocating to Las Vegas. I’m still devoted to these teams. I end with quote from William Shakespeare “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.” Are your devotions productive?

For additional examples to devotion and faith, I refer you to my book “It Has Nothing To Do With Age.” Winter Goose Publishing, Sacramento, California.