Faith Power: A Universal Force

For the month of January, Folx with Faith is focusing on the spiritual attribute of faith as part of our year-long series exploring various spiritual powers. Unity, as a part of the broader New Thought movement, often emphasizes the Twelve Powers of Mankind—innate spiritual attributes accessible to everyone on their spiritual journey.

Twelve Human Powers

The teaching of the Twelve Powers of Man originated with Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore, a pioneer in the New Thought and metaphysical Christianity. Fillmore identified twelve innate spiritual powers or attributes that are central to human experience and reflect our divine potential. These powers—such as faith, love, strength, and imagination—are seen as expressions of our spiritual nature and become more readily available to all of us as we grow in consciousness.

These twelve spiritual faculties align with universal truths found across nearly all religious and spiritual traditions. Through intentional spiritual practices—such as prayer, meditation, affirmations, and mindful living—we can enhance the presence of these spiritual attributes in our lives. By doing so, we tap into our inherent divinity and become active participants in creating a life that reflects our highest potential.

So, What is Our Faith Power?

The term faith can be a loaded one, carrying different meanings for different people. We often associate it with religious systems, even referring to them as “faith traditions.” However, in the context of practical spirituality, faith is not merely a set of beliefs or doctrines. Instead, it is an inner experience—an intentional strengthening of spiritual qualities within ourselves.

Faith, as we explore it, transcends religious boundaries. It is not tied to myths or specific traditions but reflects a universal quality inherent in all individuals, regardless of their spiritual background.

Faith Power and Perennial Philosophy

The concept of perennial philosophy, introduced by Aldous Huxley, posits that a universal truth underlies all spiritual traditions. Faith, as a universal principle, aligns with this idea, being an intuitive recognition of divine reality within and around us. It is not a superstition or blind belief but a power we all possess and can cultivate through spiritual practices.

Faith Power in Action

Faith is always active, whether we recognize it or not. The Bhagavad Gita states, “The faith of all humans conforms to the nature of their mind. All people possess faith, and whatever the nature of their faith, that is verily what they are” (BG 17.3). This reminds us that faith shapes our experiences and reflects our mental habits.

Through practices like prayer, meditation, affirmation, listening to positive music, and reading spiritual literature with an open heart, we can intentionally direct our faith. Teachers and mystics throughout history have taught that as we change our thinking, our lives change. Faith, as a spiritual power, enables us to align our minds with divine principles and create the changes we desire.

Faith and Positive Thinking

Eric Butterworth, a Unity minister, author, and metaphysician, teaches that faith is not adherence to creeds or religious systems, but an inner confidence in the good and recognition of the divine presence within us. In his series Practical Metaphysics, Butterworth describes faith as a dynamic process—a universal power flowing through us, empowering us to face life creatively and courageously. Faith invites us to center ourselves in divine love and to act from that awareness, transforming our lives and the world around us.

Faith: Unlocking the Power Within

Timeless Wisdom for Modern Faith with Eric Butterworth

If you’d like to hear the complete audio, please visit Truth Unity.

Truth Unity

Eric Butterworth (1916–2003) was a prominent theologian, philosopher, and Unity minister known for his teachings on practical mysticism and metaphysical spirituality. Over a 50-year ministry, Butterworth authored 16 best-selling books, including Discover the Power Within You, which Oprah Winfrey credited with transforming her view on life and religion. His teachings emphasized the divine within and practical spirituality, helping thousands create more abundant lives.

Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Butterworth studied music before training as a Unity minister. During WWII, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and later completed his ministerial studies. He established influential Unity ministries in Pittsburgh, Detroit, and New York City, where his weekly lectures at venues like Carnegie Hall drew thousands. Often called “the twentieth century Emerson,” Butterworth had a unique gift for making complex metaphysical ideas accessible. He passed away on April 17, 2003, leaving a legacy as a spiritual icon in the Unity movement.

Practical Faith Power

Faith, in a practical sense, is simply what we choose to believe about ourselves and about life. While some argue that beliefs are unchangeable, because they are shaped entirely by past experiences and the evidence we’ve encountered, this is only partially true. Our current beliefs are indeed influenced by our past, but they are also habits—patterns of thought we’ve reinforced over time.

Many of these beliefs are formed in childhood when we tend to accept what the adults around us say as absolute truth. These early impressions shape our thinking, and we often carry these patterns into adulthood, repeating them unconsciously as the foundation of our lives.

Practical faith, however, empowers us to challenge and expand beyond these ingrained patterns. It gives us the ability to establish new beliefs, rooted in conscious choice rather than past conditioning. A belief, at its core, is simply a thought we choose to think repeatedly. As we intentionally practice new thoughts, they take root and begin to shape our experiences, opening the door to greater potential and growth.

Examples of Misappropriating our Faith Power

Faith is not limited to our interaction with a deity or religious ritual; it extends to our thoughts about every aspect of life. Consider how we think about ourselves. Many religious and spiritual systems teach that we are created by or emerged from a perfect source. For example, in Judaism and Christianity, it is said that we are created in the image of God, which implies that the attributes of divine goodness are inherent within us.

When we were born, we loved every aspect of ourselves. Infants do not question their worth—they are simply delighted to be alive, exploring their bodies and the world around them. An infant has never measured her hips to determine her self-esteem. Yet, familial and cultural conditioning often shifts our perspectives. Without intentional effort to reverse this conditioning, we may struggle with low self-worth and self-esteem.

Faith also plays a role in how we think about money or finances. Spiritual traditions often remind us not to worry about financial well-being and affirm that our Source is infinite. Yet many of us were conditioned to believe in lack, with phrases like, “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” shaping our perspective. These limiting beliefs can persist until we actively choose to think differently.

I remember hearing “Money doesn’t grow on trees” countless times in my youth and holding onto that belief for far too long. One day, while running my own business, a neighbor asked if we could trade services. I agreed, and she offered me a basket of peaches from her orchard. At that moment, the spirit of faith within me said, “You see, money can grow on trees.” This realization transformed my relationship with money from that day forward.

Faith also influences our relationships. A friend of mine often complained about the men she dated, claiming, “All the good men are either gay or married.” When she asked for advice, I pointed out that she had just made an affirmation. This revelation hit her. She realized she had adopted this belief from her mother, who used to say the same thing after her divorce. Her mother had a wonderful life surrounded by close friendships with gay men but had inadvertently passed on a limiting belief. Once my friend recognized this pattern, she began to shift her thoughts. Today, she is happily married.

Faith is far more than believing in a particular deity—or the “right” deity. It starts with our most fundamental beliefs. As Albert Einstein said, “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or a hostile universe.” This choice shapes our experiences and the lives we create. Faith, in this broader sense, invites us to align our thoughts with possibility, abundance, and love, transforming the way we engage with the world.

Living as Expressions of Divine Love

Developing positive faith, as Butterworth terms it, takes time, but with each intentional step, we align closer to our true nature as expressions of divine love. As C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, “Faith… is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.” When we align our thoughts with divine principles, faith empowers us to hold steady, even amidst life’s challenges.

Join the Conversation

This month, Folx with Faith will host a virtual meeting exploring faith. We’ll discuss how to develop and use faith as a spiritual power to transform our lives and communities. You’re also invited to start a local Folx with Faith group or join an existing one. Let’s grow together as we strengthen our faith and live as expressions of divine love.

How You Can Support Our Mission?

You can help us fulfill our mission by donating to Folx with Faith or starting a local group. It is our mission to create safe spaces to explore and experience spiritual wholeness. Folx with Faith supports the queer community, fostering a celebration of our authentic beings and empowering us to make a difference in the world. If you would like to contribute to this mission or would like to start a local chapter, please let us know. You can contact us or use the links below.

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