Self-Efficacy in Spirituality

Psychologists define perceived self-efficacy “as people's beliefs about their capabilities to produce designated levels of performance that exercise influence over events that affect their lives.”[1] The ultimate influence we seek derives from our ability to establish a vibrant, living connection with the Divine. In this most creative and subtle of human endeavors our beliefs about our personal potential, our perceived self-efficacy, largely determine the outcome. The spiritual path involves long perseverance of practice in the face of difficulties such as dry spells lacking progress or results, setbacks and failures, an unsupportive or even hostile social environment, doubts about the path and its practices, lack of time or energy to devote to our inner work, competing demands, interests, fears, distractions, and so on. To meet and overcome all these formidable obstacles, to redouble our efforts when these stubborn barriers descend on us, we need a very strong sense of spiritual self-efficacy, a confidence in ourselves and our path toward the Divine. Where can this come from?

First, our spiritual practice inevitably produces positive results even at the outset. Perhaps we feel more relaxed after a sitting meditation, or more at peace after prayer, or more centered when we practice presence. As we continue on the path, these and other experiences deepen and prove that we can in fact practice effectively. Confidence grows.

Second, the positive examples of other people engaged in spiritual practice, be they saints, teachers, peers, or friends, provide a convincing view of the possibilities of progress along the way toward the Divine and even of achievement of the goal. The saints and teachers show us the higher potentials and provide guidance, if not in person then through reading their words. But particularly the changes in the lives of our peers and friends lead us to realize “If they can find some measure of happiness, meaning, fulfillment and purpose, so can I.” Confidence grows.

Third, the support of spiritual friends or of a spiritual community helps carry us past our obstacles to inner work. When we're down, they raise us up by their example and by their direct encouragement. When we're up, they help us surpass our former limits. Confidence grows.

Fourth, as we continue our spiritual practice, our increasing depth of experience, our more subtle understanding, our more centered presence, our more robust being, all render us able to deal with the inevitable downward fluctuations in energy and commitment to the path. We enter a steadiness of practice come what may. Confidence grows.

Lastly we have the unseen and continuous action of the Divine in the hidden recesses of our soul. This is the realm of faith and the source of spiritual longing. Even as we remain unaware of it, the sacred action in our core draws us forward despite ourselves. Confidence grows.

We ask ourselves: Do I believe in myself, in my ability do all that's necessary to see my path through to completion? We examine our own degree of spiritual self-efficacy and, if necessary, take the appropriate steps to enhance it.

[1] Bandura, Albert. Self-Efficacy. In V.S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Human Behavior, Vol. 4, pp. 71-81. (New York : Academic Press, 1994)

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