Understanding as a Spiritual Attribute
In the Twelve Powers system, will is described as an innate spiritual ability. When we explore will as a universal principle, we begin to understand it as our willingness to align with higher truths and live from those truths in our daily lives. It’s not about rigid control or forcing outcomes. Rather, it’s about choosing to integrate spiritual principles, even when it takes courage, commitment, and inner work.
This spiritual quality of will differs greatly from what we often refer to as “willpower.” The principle of will is not about sheer force or pushing ourselves. It’s about engaging the deep inner willingness to channel divine goodness through our thoughts, choices, and actions. It is the sacred energy that allows us to act in alignment with love, truth, and compassion. Even when it’s difficult.
This spiritual quality of will differs greatly from what we often refer to as “willpower.” The principle of will is not about sheer force or pushing ourselves. It’s about engaging the deep inner willingness to channel divine goodness through our thoughts, choices, and actions. It is the sacred energy that allows us to act in alignment with love, truth, and compassion. Even when it’s difficult.
The metaphysical teacher and author Louise L. Hay understood this struggle. Much of her work centered on the idea that self-love is foundational to all healing. She believed that many of the problems we see in the world arise from our inability to love ourselves fully. But loving ourselves isn’t about vanity. Hay called vanity a form of fear. Real self-love, she taught, is about radical acceptance of ourselves as we are: whole, worthy, and sacred.
At Folx with Faith, we might say it this way: we are each an expression of divine love.
One of my favorite affirmations from Hay is this:
“I do not need to earn love. I am lovable simply because I exist.”
Hay taught that unless we can love ourselves, we’ll project our judgments outward, criticizing others for the very things we’ve been unable to accept in ourselves. This is why the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” includes that crucial as yourself, because loving others begins with self-acceptance.
Willingness as Spiritual Practice
So what does this have to do with will?
Louise Hay often encouraged a practice called mirror work, which involves looking at yourself in the mirror and saying, “I love you. I really love you.” If you’ve ever tried this, you know how confronting it can be. Many of us instantly find fault. We criticize our appearance, our past choices, or the parts of ourselves we’ve tried to hide.
Some people find mirror work so difficult they want to avoid it entirely. They can’t say the words. The practice stirs up old grief, pain, and internalized shame. And this is where the spiritual power of will becomes essential.
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If “I love you” feels too hard, Louise recommended softening it:
“I’m willing to love you.” -
If that’s still too much, try:
“I’m willing to learn to love you.” -
For the hardest cases someone might start with:
“I’m willing to learn to like you.”
Each of these statements opens the door through willingness. And sometimes, that gentle willingness is enough to initiate deep healing. Even if we don’t feel it yet, choosing to be willing activates our inner power to change.
Forgiveness & Freedom
Another area where this principle is vital is forgiveness. Hay believed that forgiveness isn’t about letting others off the hook. It’s about releasing ourselves from the prison of the past. Forgiveness is not bypassing or pretending harm didn’t happen. Rather, it’s our ability to choose freedom over resentment, to release the hope of a better past, and to begin consciously creating our future.
Forgiveness can help us reframe painful experiences with new understanding. We begin to see that people often act out of their own unhealed wounds. Maybe they couldn’t love us because they didn’t love themselves. Maybe they were repeating patterns they never learned to question. While we may never fully understand another person’s motives, we can choose not to carry the weight of their behavior within our own hearts.
Still, forgiveness can be hard. You don’t have to force it. You can simply begin with:
“I don’t know how to forgive… but I am willing to forgive.”
That simple phrase can shift everything. It activates the divine power within us to begin moving forward.
In the process of self-love, forgiving ourselves is also a crucial step. Many people carry guilt and shame for things they did years ago. Mistakes made from a place of pain, fear, or limited awareness. This lingering guilt can keep us stuck in unhealthy patterns and disconnected from our wholeness.
When we begin to work through forgiveness, we start to realize that the choices we made, especially the ones that haunt us, were often made without the insight we have now. The sensation we call “guilt” arises to help us learn and grow. It can be an inner signal saying, “don’t do that again.” But guilt is not meant to be carried with us forever. We are not defined by our past decisions. Even when our choices have caused harm, we likely made them because we thought they were the best we could do at the time.
We are always doing the best we can with the awareness, tools, and understanding we have in any given moment. If a decision caused harm, to ourselves or others, we can take responsibility, make amends if possible, and most importantly, make a change. Then, we must release the guilt. That’s how guilt becomes a teacher rather than a burden. Only when we let go can it serve our growth.
Willingness Changes Everything
Sometimes we feel stuck and don’t even know what we need to change. In those moments, willingness is still enough.
- “I am willing to change.”
- “I am willing to be shown a new way.”
- “I am willing to grow.”
These are some of the most powerful prayers we can ever speak. They don’t require us to have all the answers. Only the openness to begin.
The universe, or Divine Mind, responds to our willingness. It waits patiently for our “yes,” and when we declare it, even with uncertainty, we invite guidance, healing, and new possibilities to unfold. When we align our will with Divine Will, we’re not surrendering control, we’re stepping into a partnership with the sacred, a co-creation with love itself.
About Folx with Faith
At Folx with Faith, we believe every person is an expression of divine love, worthy of affirmation, healing, and spiritual growth. We create inclusive spaces where queer and questioning individuals can explore spiritual truths, engage in personal transformation, and connect in community. Our teachings are grounded in compassion, universal principles, and the power of authentic self-expression.
To learn more, explore upcoming gatherings, or support our work, visit www.folxwithfaith.org.
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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References & Additional Resources for Understanding as a Superpower
- About the Author
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James Masters (they/them) is a member of Unity Church of Overland Park, where they actively teach classes and participate in community events. They are in the final stages of becoming a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT) and have been deeply engaged in spiritual study since 1999, joining the New Thought movement in 2005.
James is a contributing author for the bestselling anthologies The Courageous Heart, Enduring Wisdom, and The Grateful Soul. They are a personal coach specializing in spiritual and relational development, guiding others toward deeper self-awareness and empowerment.
Beyond their work in spiritual education, James has a strong commitment to social justice and community service. They helped establish an all-genders shelter and regularly volunteer to support those experiencing housing and food insecurity. Their knowledge of technology and unwavering compassion for others make them a valuable force for positive change in their community.
