To be poor in all save God is a wondrous gift

On the occasion of today's Blog Action Day on the theme of poverty, I offer the following verse from the Hidden Words, which underscore the fundamental difference between material and spiritual riches:

O SON OF MY HANDMAID! Be not troubled in poverty nor confident in riches, for poverty is followed by riches, and riches are followed by poverty. Yet to be poor in all save God is a wondrous gift, belittle not the value thereof, for in the end it will make thee rich in God, and thus thou shalt know the meaning of the utterance, “In truth ye are the poor,” and the holy words, “God is the all-possessing,” shall even as the true morn break forth gloriously resplendent upon the horizon of the lover’s heart, and abide secure on the throne of wealth.

Bahá'u'lláh, the Hidden Words, # P51

Here's the story on Blog Action Day: http://www.bahaiworldnews.org/story/658

...seek none else but Me

Some useful things to consider today:

He that hath Me not is bereft of all things. Turn ye away from all that is on earth and seek none else but Me. I am the Sun of Wisdom and the Ocean of Knowledge. I cheer the faint and revive the dead. I am the guiding Light that illumineth the way. I am the royal Falcon on the arm of the Almighty. I unfold the drooping wings of every broken bird and start it on its flight.

Bahá’u’lláh, ToB p. 169

The essence of wealth is love for Me; whoso loveth Me is the possessor of all things, and he that loveth Me not is indeed of the poor and needy. This is that which the Finger of Glory and Splendour hath revealed.

Bahá’u’lláh, ToB p. 156

Expansion vs. consolidation: Bringing oneself to account each day

I find that in my studies this maxim can be very useful, in that I sometimes forget which subjects I have already covered (showing a lack of consolidation). At times I may be too eager to expand my knowledge without conscious attention to consolidating what was previously learned.

These two quotations seem to reflect the principle at work here:

O SON OF BEING! Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds.

- Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, A31

Whoso ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else, teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him... Take heed, O people, lest ye be of them that give good counsel to others but forget to follow it themselves.

- Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings p. 277

To live in a state of prayer

The power of prayer can profoundly influence our environment, in ways that only God knows, but the results of which will surely become evident in hindsight!

'Abdu'l-Bahá said:

There is nothing sweeter in the world of existence than prayer. Man must live in a state of prayer. The most blessed condition is the condition of prayer and supplication. Prayer is conversation with God. The greatest attainment or the sweetest state is none other than conversation with God.

and

Spirit has influence; prayer has spiritual effect...

I especially like to use this prayer of the Báb:

Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!

What is your favorite prayer?


References:
http://www.bostonbahais.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23:devotional-gatherings&catid=16:institute&Itemid=14
http://www.bahaiprayers.org/assist3.htm

Becoming the well-wisher of all mankind

Bahá'ís are learning how to become the well-wishers of humanity. In the words of Bahá'u'lláh,

True peace and tranquillity will only be realized when every soul will have become the well-wisher of all mankind.

-- Bahá'u'lláh, The Tabernacle of Unity, p. 7

If life is a growth process, and the Holy Word the embodiment of the worthy ideals and principles befitting the station of man, this ideal, expressed in such simple wording, must involve more than just a passive acceptance of principle. It is a goal toward which we all must strive in order to realize our full potential as human beings.

Herewith some words of encouragement to accompany us along this path:

The more he striveth, the greater will be his progress.

-- Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 81-82

Great and blessed is this Day—the Day in which all that lay latent in man hath been and will be made manifest. Lofty is the station of man, were he to hold fast to righteousness and truth and to remain firm and steadfast in the Cause. In the eyes of the All-Merciful a true man appeareth even as a firmament; its sun and moon are his sight and hearing, and his shining and resplendent character its stars. His is the loftiest station, and his influence educateth the world of being.

-- Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 220

If we should ever wonder what sort of conduct the ideal of 'wishing all mankind well' implies, an answer can easily be found by meditating on these quotations, the first one regarding our duty to share the message of God for this age with our fellows, the second a more general exhortation about prioritizing in our lives:

The children of men are all brothers, and the prerequisites of brotherhood are manifold. Among them is that one should wish for one’s brother that which one wisheth for oneself. Therefore, it behoveth him who is the recipient of an inward or outward gift or who partaketh of the bread of heaven to inform and invite his friends with the utmost love and kindness.

-- Bahá'u'lláh, The Tabernacle of Unity, p. 41

O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself. Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation.

-- Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 64

Blessed and happy is he...

I printed out an inspiring passage from the "Tablet of Maqṣúd" that I would like to memorize by keeping it in my pocket and by my side throughout, taking a peek at intervals. It is a beautiful and important Tablet which should be studied by each and all. Here is one, out of many, cherished excerpts:

Publiser innlegg
That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 168)

What is your favorite passage therefrom (find it here)?

Otherwise, learned to focus, avoid certain unnecessary distractions, be in a prayerful state, and trust in God.

Detachment is as the sun

Today I am inspired by DETACHMENT. I know I need it, being the human I am. Here are some quotations from the writings that come to mind regarding this essential virtue. But let it be known that this theme runs as a golden thread throughout the Bahá'í writings, and is central to a religious, God-fearing life.

Regarding the effect of detachment on the soul, the Bahá'í writings state:

"Detachment is as the sun; in whatsoever heart it doth shine it quencheth the fire of covetousness and self."

Detachment is manifested through understanding:

"He whose sight is illumined with the light of understanding will assuredly detach himself from the world and the vanities thereof."

We can demonstrate detachment thus:

"....Let not the world and its vileness grieve you. Happy is he whom riches fill not with vain-glory, nor poverty with sorrow."

(Baha'u'llah, cited in The Baha'i World, and here)

Another of my favorite passages on the subject is the following, which invites us to make use of "the power of the Most Great Name (i.e. derivatives of the word Bahá, such as Bahá'u'lláh, Alláh-u-Abhá and Yá Bahá'u'l-Abhá) and so become a source of spiritual energy to the world:

Walk thou high above the world of being through the power of the Most Great Name, that thou mayest become aware of the immemorial mysteries and be acquainted with that wherewith no one is acquainted. Verily, thy Lord is the Helper, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Be thou as a throbbing artery, pulsating in the body of the entire creation, that through the heat generated by this motion there may appear that which will quicken the hearts of those who hesitate.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 142-3)

And in a similar vein regarding the imperative of avoiding fanaticism (excessive attachment to one's own beliefs) and strife:

It behoveth him who expoundeth the Word of God to deliver it with the utmost goodwill, kindness, and compassion. As to him that embraceth the truth and is honoured with recognizing Him, his name shall be recorded in the Crimson Book among the inmates of the all-highest Paradise. Should a soul fail, however, to accept the truth, it is in no wise permissible to contend with him. In another connection He saith: “Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.” Likewise He saith: “The people of Bahá should soar high above the peoples of the world.” In matters of religion every form of fanaticism, hatred, dissension and strife is strictly forbidden.

(Bahá’u’lláh, The Tabernacle of Unity, 2.35)

And in the following passage we are called upon not to contend with anyone regarding the things of this world; in other words, to be detached from our hopes and ideas about them:

Dispute not with any one concerning the things of this world and its affairs, for God hath abandoned them to such as have set their affection upon them. Out of the whole world He hath chosen for Himself the hearts of men—hearts which the hosts of revelation and of utterance can subdue. Thus hath it been ordained by the Fingers of Bahá, upon the Tablet of God’s irrevocable decree, by the behest of Him Who is the Supreme Ordainer, the All-Knowing.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 278 )

"Piety and detachment" are essential to success in teaching, and qualify the one who attains to them for a "supreme station, [a] habitation of transcendent holiness and sublimity":

At one time this sublime Word was heard from the Tongue of Him Who is the Possessor of all being and the Lord of the throne on high and of earth below—exalted is the glory of His utterance—: Piety and detachment are even as two most great luminaries of the heaven of teaching. Blessed the one who hath attained unto this supreme station, this habitation of transcendent holiness and sublimity.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 253)

What, then, is the "essence" of detachment?

The essence of detachment is for man to turn his face towards the courts of the Lord, to enter His Presence, behold His Countenance, and stand as witness before Him.

(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 155)

Guidance on how to live a detached life may be found in the compilation "Living the Life". Therein is included, among other things, the following passage, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, that relates the Bahá'í concept detachment to the requirements of life on earth:

Baha'u'llah says that the highest form of detachment in this day is to be occupied with some profession and be self-supporting. A good Baha'i, therefore, is the one who so arranges his life as to devote time both to his material needs and also to the service of the Cause.

(Living the Life, #1278)

Finally, here is a prayer that may be said for detachment:

Suffer me, O my God, to draw nigh unto Thee, and to abide within the precincts of Thy court, for remoteness from Thee hath well-nigh consumed me. Cause me to rest under the shadow of the wings of Thy grace, for the flame of my separation from Thee hath melted my heart within me. Draw me nearer unto the river that is life indeed, for my soul burneth with thirst in its ceaseless search after Thee. My sighs, O my God, proclaim the bitterness of mine anguish, and the tears I shed attest my love for Thee.
I beseech Thee, by the praise wherewith Thou praisest Thyself and the glory wherewith Thou glorifiest Thine own Essence, to grant that we may be numbered among them that have recognized Thee and acknowledged Thy sovereignty in Thy days. Help us then to quaff, O my God, from the fingers of mercy the living waters of Thy loving-kindness, that we may utterly forget all else except Thee, and be occupied only with Thy Self. Powerful art Thou to do what Thou willest. No God is there beside Thee, the Mighty, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
Glorified be Thy name, O Thou Who art the King of all Kings!

—Bahá’u’lláh, BP 48

Tests: Potentially a healing medicine

In a prayer, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá avers how we as humans on earth are "encircled with pain and calamities and are environed with hardships and trouble," and that man is here attacked by "every trial" and assailed by "every dire adversity...like unto the assault of a serpent." Then where is refuge to be found? In our Lord, the Merciful One:

O my Lord! Thou knowest that the people are encircled with pain and calamities and are environed with hardships and trouble. Every trial doth attack man and every dire adversity doth assail him like unto the assault of a serpent. There is no shelter and asylum for him except under the wing of Thy protection, preservation, guard and custody.

O Thou the Merciful One! O my Lord! Make Thy protection my armor, Thy preservation my shield, humbleness before the door of Thy oneness my guard, and Thy custody and defense my fortress and my abode. Preserve me from the suggestions of self and desire, and guard me from every sickness, trial, difficulty and ordeal.

Verily, Thou art the Protector, the Guardian, the Preserver, the Sufficer, and verily, Thou art the Merciful of the Most Merciful.

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, BP 136

According to the Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, the "fire" of calamity is in reality "light and mercy", and He thus commands us to "hasten" unto the former:

O SON OF MAN! My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.

In another thought-provoking passage, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states:

Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The plant most pruned by the gardeners is that one which, when the summer comes, will have the most beautiful blossoms and the most abundant fruit.

The labourer cuts up the earth with his plough, and from that earth comes the rich and plentiful harvest. The more a man is chastened, the greater is the harvest of spiritual virtues shown forth by him. A soldier is no good General until he has been in the front of the fiercest battle and has received the deepest wounds.

The prayer of the prophets of God has always been, and still is: Oh God, I long to lay down my life in the path to Thee! I desire to shed my blood for Thee, and to make the supreme sacrifice.

- Paris Talks 51 (emphasis is mine)

The highest spiritual state we can yearn for is perhaps illustrated by the following potent prayer revealed by Bahá'u'lláh where He implores God to "send down upon us...that which will enable us to draw nigh unto [Him]" (however "calamitous" and "painful" that may be).

O Thou Whose tests are a healing medicine to such as are nigh unto Thee, Whose sword is the ardent desire of all them that love Thee, Whose dart is the dearest wish of those hearts that yearn after Thee, Whose decree is the sole hope of them that have recognized Thy truth! I implore Thee, by Thy divine sweetness and by the splendors of the glory of Thy face, to send down upon us from Thy retreats on high that which will enable us to draw nigh unto Thee. Set, then, our feet firm, O my God, in Thy Cause, and enlighten our hearts with the effulgence of Thy knowledge, and illumine our breasts with the brightness of Thy names.

—Bahá’u’lláh, BP 191

The state of the one offering this prayer must be one of complete detachment from the comforts and desires of this world, otherwise it will have no effect. With daily practice and discipline, such a purified condition can be gradually attained by the wayfarer in God's path. The Seven Valleys of Bahá'u'lláh illustrates the different stages through which a true seeker must pass on his spiritual journey.

God will never deal unjustly with any one

Reading Chantelle's blog spurred reflection on the coincidence (from a spiritual/Bahá'í perspective) of certain significant events on the world stage: One, the gathering together of some thousand delegates from every corner of the earth to elect the Universal House of Justice 29 April (news story) in Haifa; the other, twin natural disasters in a single region of the world (Burma cyclone 2 May, China earthquake 12 May).

We do all we can to help in some small way to alleviate the suffering of our fellow humans beings after events such as these, if only it amounts to prayer and donating money to aid relief organizations. Even so, from the luminous verses of the Holy scriptures, such as the Bible, Qur'an and the Bahá'í writings, we are assured that God watches over and cares for each one of His creatures. For instance, Bahá'u'lláh says with regard to tests sent by God for our education and spiritual purification:

He will never deal unjustly with any one, neither will He task a soul beyond its power. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the All-Merciful.

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 106

O SON OF BEING! Busy not thyself with this world, for with fire We test the gold, and with gold We test Our servants.

(The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, #55 from the Arabic)

Darren Hiebert has made a compilation from the Bahá’í Writings on the theme of Dealing with Tests and Difficulties. Thank you, Darren!

And Chantelle's blog is here.

The greatest gift and most wondrous blessing: Wisdom

Bahá'u'lláh addresses the "concourse of the rulers of the world", stating:

There is no force on earth that can equal in its conquering power the force of justice and wisdom. I, verily, affirm that there is not, and hath never been, a host more mighty than that of justice and wisdom.

Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 164

In these passages He twice reiterates the phrase "justice and wisdom", and emphasizes the potency of these "forces". As an individual, I wonder how I might apply this concept to my personal life. Might I "conquer" through them (and with God's aid) the personal goals I have set myself in life?

On Wisdom, Bahá'u'lláh says,

Above all else, the greatest gift and the most wondrous blessing hath ever been and will continue to be Wisdom.

It is man’s unfailing Protector.

It aideth him and strengtheneth him.

Wisdom is God’s Emissary and the Revealer of His Name the Omniscient.

Through it the loftiness of man’s station is made manifest and evident.

It is all-knowing and the foremost Teacher in the school of existence.

It is the Guide and is invested with high distinction.

Thanks to its educating influence earthly beings have become imbued with a gem-like spirit which outshineth the heavens.

In the city of justice it is the unrivalled Speaker Who, in the year nine, illumined the world with the joyful tidings of this Revelation.

And it was this peerless Source of wisdom that at the beginning of the foundation of the world ascended the stair of inner meaning and when enthroned upon the pulpit of utterance, through the operation of the divine Will, proclaimed two words.

The first heralded the promise of reward, while the second voiced the ominous warning of punishment.

The promise gave rise to hope and the warning begat fear.

Thus the basis of world order hath been firmly established upon these twin principles.

Exalted is the Lord of Wisdom, the Possessor of Great Bounty.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 66

According to the text of this prayer, wisdom flows from God:

Praise be to Thee, O Lord my God! I implore Thee, by Thy Name which none hath befittingly recognized, and whose import no soul hath fathomed; I beseech Thee, by Him Who is the Fountainhead of Thy Revelation and the Dayspring of Thy signs, to make my heart to be a receptacle of Thy love and of remembrance of Thee. Knit it, then, to Thy most great Ocean, that from it may flow out the living waters of Thy wisdom and the crystal streams of Thy glorification and praise...
—Bahá’u’lláh

And finally, His powerful words in the Tablet of Wisdom:

The essence of wisdom is the fear of God, the dread of His scourge and punishment, and the apprehension of His justice and decree.

For Wisdom, I pray: O God! Guide us to the straight path. - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, BP 184

With a whole heart befriend and be a companion to each and all

The heart -- the centre of divine attractions. May it not be divided in its loyalties; may it become completely, wholeheartedly devoted to the Source of its light:

O SON OF BEING! Thy heart is My home. Sanctify it for My descent.

- The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh, A59

In whatsoever land they dwell, let [the loved ones of God] with a whole heart befriend and be companions to those who are either close to them, or far removed. Let them, with qualities like unto those of heaven, promote the institutions and the religion of God. Let them never lose heart, never be despondent, never feel afflicted. The more antagonism they meet, the more let them show their own good faith; the more torments and calamities they have to face, the more generously let them pass round the bounteous cup. Such is the spirit which will become the life of the world, such is the spreading light at its heart: and he who may be and do other than this is not worthy to serve at the Holy Threshold of the Lord.

- Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure

This is what I need most of all today, writing my three-day home-exam paper!

He that giveth up himself wholly to God, God shall, assuredly, be with him;
and he that placeth his complete trust in God, God shall, verily, protect him from whatsoever may harm him...

Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh


O people of Bahá! It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in some occupation—such as a craft, a trade or the like. We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God. Reflect, O people, on the grace and blessings of your Lord, and yield Him thanks at eventide and dawn. Waste not your hours in idleness and sloth, but occupy yourselves with what will profit you and others. Hold ye fast unto the cord of means and place your trust in God, the Provider of all means.

Kitáb-i-Aqdas


...they that tread the path of faith, they that thirst for the wine of certitude, must cleanse themselves of all that is earthly—their ears from idle talk, their minds from vain imaginings, their hearts from worldly affections, their eyes from that which perisheth. They should put their trust in God, and, holding fast unto Him, follow in His way.

The Kitáb-i-Íqán


Grieve not at what hath befallen thee, but put thy whole trust in God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the Wise. Raise thy house upon the solid foundation of divine utterances, and give praise to thy Lord. He, verily, shall suffice thee above all the peoples of the earth.

The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, Súriy-i-Ra’ís


In the Name of God, the Exalted, the Most High
The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Words of Wisdom

Be not content with showing friendship in words alone

This quotation by 'Abdu'l-Bahá is a constant reminder to me not to let conventionality and superficiality characterize my relations and dealings with my fellow men:

"Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path."
- Paris Talks

Whether it be in the people I met, whether friend or stranger, in my communications (email, text messages etc.), or speaking on the phone, I must make sure that the addressee can sense that "[burning] with loving kindness" for them.

I learned it as part of a Study Circle, whose lessons are meant to stay with us for this life, and even the next!

Self awareness - turning one's sight unto one's self

When it comes to speaking of the "self", one must first make the distinction between the "higher self" and the "lower self." This idea is explained in the Bahá'í writings as follows:

Regarding the questions you asked: Self has really two meanings, or is used in two senses, in the Bahá’í writings; one is self, the identity of the individual created by God. This is the self mentioned in such passages as “he hath known God who hath known himself etc”. The other self is the ego, the dark, animalistic heritage each one of us has, the lower nature that can develop into a monster of selfishness, brutality, lust and so on. It is this self we must struggle against, or this side of our natures, in order to strengthen and free the spirit within us and help it to attain perfection.

(Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in Hornby, Lights of Guidance, 1988, p. 113)

This reality of the human being demonstrates the fundamental teaching of the Bahá'í Faith that we are all "the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch," as explained in the Hidden Words:

O CHILDREN OF MEN!

Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.

Knowing this, we can conscientiously follow the advice of 'Abdu'l-Bahá:

Let your thoughts dwell on your own spiritual development, and close your eyes to the deficiencies of other souls.

(`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections ... p. 203)

Spiritual development takes place through acknowledging the oneness and interdependence of humankind, and living up to this principle:

The children of men are all brothers, and the prerequisites of brotherhood are manifold. Among them is that one should wish for one’s brother that which one wisheth for oneself. Therefore, it behoveth him who is the recipient of an inward or outward gift or who partaketh of the bread of heaven to inform and invite his friends with the utmost love and kindness. If they respond favourably, his object is attained; otherwise he should leave them to themselves without contending with them or uttering a word that would cause the least sadness. This is the undoubted truth, and aught else is unworthy and unbecoming.

(Bahá'u'lláh, The Tabernacle of Unity, 2.39)

The focus of spiritual development is thus outward looking, on "[carrying] forward an ever-advancing civilization", and “[forsaking] the things that profit thee, and [cleaving] unto that which will profit mankind" (Bahá'u'lláh). Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, has stated through his secretary:

The more we search for ourselves, the less likely we are to find ourselves; and the more we search for God, and to serve our fellow men, the more profoundly will we become acquainted with ourselves, and the more inwardly assured. This is one of the great spiritual laws of life.

(Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in Hornby, Lights of Guidance, 1988, pp. 114-115)

A law which is not always so easy to follow, in this essentially pleasure-, money- and ego-driven modern society we live in! In truth, the strain of living spiritually is especially great, as one is forced to constantly "navigate" between the physical and spiritual worlds (which may well tear at one's being!"). Bahá'u'lláh says regarding the two meanings of "life", that are also related to the identities of the "self" mentioned above:

Know then that "life" has a twofold meaning. The first pertaineth to the appearance of man in an elemental body, and is as manifest to thine eminence and to others as the midday sun. This life cometh to an end with physical death, which is a God-ordained and inescapable reality. That life, however, which is mentioned in the Books of the Prophets and the Chosen Ones of God is the life of knowledge; that is to say, the servant's recognition of the sign of the splendours wherewith He Who is the Source of all splendour hath Himself invested him, and his certitude of attaining unto the presence of God through the Manifestations of His Cause. This is that blessed and everlasting life that perisheth not: whosoever is quickened thereby shall never die, but will endure as long as His Lord and Creator will endure.

The first life, which pertaineth to the elemental body, will come to an end, as hath been revealed by God: "Every soul shall taste of death."^[42] But the second life, which ariseth from the knowledge of God, knoweth no death, as hath been revealed aforetime: "Him will We surely quicken to a blessed life."^[43] And in another passage concerning the martyrs: "Nay, they are alive and sustained by their Lord."^[44] And from the Traditions: "He who is a true believer liveth both in this world and in the world to come."^[45] Numerous examples of similar words are to be found in the Books of God and of the Embodiments of His justice. For the sake of brevity, however, We have contented Ourself with the above passages.

O My brother! Forsake thine own desires, turn thy face unto thy Lord, and walk not in the footsteps of those who have taken their corrupt inclinations for their god, that perchance thou mayest find shelter in the heart of existence, beneath the redeeming shadow of Him Who traineth all names and attributes.

(Bahá'u'lláh, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p 47-49)

"Turn [my] face to my Lord" I will, "that perchance [I] may find shelter in the heart of existence, beneath the redeeming shadow of Him Who traineth all names and attributes."! I pray, likewise, that you may do the same.



A reference:

Preliminary Analysis of the Baha'i Concept of Mental Health, by Laura Herzog http://bahai-library.com/index.php5?file=herzog_bahai_mental_health.html&chapter=2

Unity the goal

When speaking the word "unity", a host of associations are produced in my mind. But I know that none of these ideas about the profound and weighty concept of the unity of mankind actually do it justice. Divine things are too great for the human mind to contemplate, but we can aspire to approach them. 'Abdu'l-Bahá once said,

...universality is of God and all limitations earthly. Thus man must strive that his reality may manifest virtues and perfections, the light whereof may shine upon everyone.

This principle of shedding equally the light of love upon all the members of the human race runs like a red thread through all religious teaching, the Bahá'í Faith included:

Love is the fundamental principle of God's purpose for man, and He has commanded us to love each other even as He loves us.

- Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 122

Our purpose in life is thus to emulate God's example, as exhibited by His chosen Ones, the Messengers of God in every age, be it Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Christ, Muhammad in the past, or the "Twin Manifestations" for our time, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. Abdu'l-Bahá says:

.. nearness to God is possible through devotion to him, through entrance into the Kingdom and service to humanity; it is attained by unity with mankind and through loving-kindness to all; it is dependent upon investigation of truth, acquisition of praiseworthy virtues, service in the Cause of universal peace and personal sanctification. In a word nearness to God necessitates sacrifice of self, severance and the giving up of all to Him. Nearness is likeness.

And so this brings us back to the concept of the unity of mankind as taught by Bahá'u'lláh. It is a spiritual union, not a physical or uniform one. Its watchword is unity in diversity:

Baha'u'llah has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the reality of unity in our midst, and as we work, so will strength be given unto us.

- Abdu'l-Bahá

Thank you, Bahá'u'lláh, for this priceless gift that has been granted us today from your Pen, the knowledge of the oneness of mankind:

“It is not his to boast who loveth his country, but it is his who loveth the world.” Through the power released by these exalted words He hath lent a fresh impulse, and set a new direction, to the birds of men’s hearts, and hath obliterated every trace of restriction and limitation from God’s holy Book.

May the realization of this aim, through our concentrated and persistent efforts to build His new World Order, stand as testimony to the truth of our Lord's in this wonderful Age!

Contentment with His holy will and pleasure

As I got distracted again by a stray thought today wasting precious time investigating it online, I came to reflect on what had caused me to get sidetracked on this fruitless venture like this. The answer that came to me was a need for contentment, contentment with the urgent and pressing life-tasks already entrusted to my hands, so that I could focus fully and confidently on them. With contentment, the covetous desire and craving for more of the extraneous things of this world would disappear. I found the following quotations to guide me in my strivings to acquire this cardinal virtue (and related ones): The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure.

The source of all glory is acceptance of whatsoever the Lord hath bestowed, and contentment with that which God hath ordained.

- Bahá’u’lláh, Words of Wisdom

Regarding the purpose of this virtue in my context, viz. fostering the ability to focus on the important tasks at hand, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has written:

O daughter of the Kingdom! Thy letter hath come and its contents make clear the fact that thou hast directed all thy thoughts toward acquiring light from the realms of mystery. So long as the thoughts of an individual are scattered he will achieve no results, but if his thinking be concentrated on a single point wonderful will be the fruits thereof.


As a tool for acquiring this virtue I shall employ prayer. In the Bahá'í Teachings, prayer has been given a central and vital role in the life of the believer. It helps one to stay focused on the Will of God rather than one's own.
"Strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers. Turn
towards God, and seek always to do that which is right and noble," says 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Paris Talks).

The following is from the textbook of a Bahá'í study circle, Ruhi Book #1, which I have found very useful as it teaches about prayer:

When we pray, we should centre our thoughts on God. We should forget the things of the world, what is going on around us, and even our own selves.

“O Son of Light! Forget all save Me and commune with My Spirit. This is the essence of My command, therefore turn unto it.” 12

To forget all save God is not easy. Effort is needed. It requires great yearning. When our hearts are pure and free of our own imaginations and desires, our prayers have their greatest effect.

"Depend thou upon God. Forsake thine own will and cling to His, set aside thine own desires and lay hold of His…” 13

Imagine a glass of pure, sweet milk. We can derive various products from this milk, such as butter, cheese, and cream. But if we add a drop of poison, that milk is contaminated and its usefulness is lost. It is no longer pure. We cannot use it for anything. The poison that man puts into his life is his ego. We should free ourselves of ego if we want our prayers to have great effect.

Another very important requirement for reaching the true state of prayer is faith. We should trust completely the mercy of God and be certain that He will grant what is best for us.

“Spirit has influence; prayer has spiritual effect. Therefore, we pray ‘O God! Heal this sick one!’ Perchance God will answer. Does it matter who prays? God will answer the prayer of every servant if that prayer is urgent. His mercy is vast, illimitable. He answers the prayers of all His servants. He answers the prayer of this plant. The plant prays potentially, ‘O God! Send me rain!’ God answers the prayer, and the plant grows. God will answer anyone.” 14

Notes:

12. Baha’u’llah, The Hidden Words, Arabic no. 16

13. Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, no. 38, p.79

14. Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 246

Seeking assistance from God

I discovered a beautiful attitude by which to seek confirmation and assistance from our Creator in our daily lives, in the following passage of 'Abdu'l-Bahá:

It behoveth the servant to pray to and seek assistance from God, and to supplicate and implore His aid. Such becometh the rank of servitude, and the Lord will decree whatsoever He desireth, in accordance with His consummate wisdom.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, From a Tablet - translated from the Arabic)

We are actually "permitted" to seek the aid of the Almighty! Mindboggling as this is for a poor human being, it is a reality we can see in the lives of those who have arisen to serve the Faith - how greatly their feeble efforts are reinforced by an invisible Providence. Many of these prominent teachers are among the ranks of the Hands of the Cause of God. It is a great inspiration to read about their exploits! A powerful book chronicling the heroic deeds of the faithful is The Dawn Breakers (look here too), a "must read" for Bahá'ís. It allows one to witness and understand how hidden Forces assist in moments of danger and peril when our motives have been pure, and our hearts are connected with the Source .

Do all ye can to become wholly weary of self...

When studying photos of the Master - 'Abdu'l-Bahá - his words (above) ring all the truer to me. He truly lived what he taught, showing no tolerance for "self" in his own life, and ever keeping his heart pure, never judging others, always seeking to serve the Cause in some way. This was a great achievement of his, one he carefully cultivated. He arose and gave the Message of His Father in the way enjoined upon him, through deeds and words. Primarily with the former, since "deeds speak louder than words". How easy it is to forget to focus on deeds as exemplified by 'Abdu'l-Bahá:

Let them at all times concern themselves with doing a kindly thing for one of their fellows, offering
to someone love, consideration, thoughtful help.  Let them see no one as their enemy, or as wishing them ill, but
think of all humankind as their friends; regarding the alien as an intimate, the stranger as a companion, staying free of
prejudice, drawing no lines.
    In this day, the one favoured at the Threshold of the Lord is he who handeth round the cup of faithfulness; who
bestoweth, even upon his enemies, the jewel of bounty, and lendeth, even to his fallen oppressor, a helping hand; it
is he who will, even to the fiercest of his foes, be a loving friend.  These are the Teachings of the Blessed Beauty, these
the counsels of the Most Great Name.  

SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ABDU'L-BAHA, #1

Walking with 'Abdu'l-Bahá

Today's lesson:

Visualize 'Abdu'l-Bahá as being present, walking alongside you in all phases of your life.

The following is from a pilgrim's note quoting ‘Abdu'l-Bahá (written by G.O. Latimer, 1919):

Turn to me always that I may be in your hearts for I love you very much and this is eternal. You are always in my heart, but I must also be in your hearts, then we are in oneness....

"I am always with you and although I am far from you in body, yet in spirit I am ever near and present amidst you all. At heart I am attached to you and the connective waves of my sensations are never interrupted. I ever pray on your behalf and beg for you assistance and confirmation. May you all rest and abide under His sheltering protection."

The following is an EXTRACT FROM AN INTERVIEW GIVEN TO THE EDITOR OF "THE LONDON BUDGET" S. S. CHAMBERLAIN:

...in reality I am always with you. Place does not matter. Two people may be in the same room and yet not attain to a visitation. When I was in prison many people came to see me. They crossed seas and deserts and yet remained in the city of the blind while others in far-distant lands attained the meeting.

"Alas, alas! the world has not discovered the reality of religion hidden beneath the symbolic forms!"

How to write an essay - experience and fully sense your life!

I teach Norwegian to immigrants twice a week. My class asked me how they should write an essay in Norwegian. I answered that they need to practice it a lot, that it doesn't come easy. I told them to write about what they like to do in their spare time.

When it comes to spare time, I imagine that its quality is dependent on the worthiness of the values we are led by in choosing what to do. Service to mankind and to minister to the needs of the people is the highest station we can aspire to. As His Holiness the Christ said, "the last shall be the first." He prided himself in being the servant of all the rest, ministering to his disciples instead of being ministered to. The importance of this vision or principle to our happiness becomes all the more clear when we consider the many obstacles to maintaining the vision before us. 'Abdu'l-Bahá has likened such obstacles to lesser gods that we make for ourselves out of ignorance (=superstition), and go about worshiping. We can overcome these superstitions in ourselves by thinking "scientifically." Shoghi Effendi has explained that the Bahá'í Faith is "scientific in method"1. 'Abdu'l-Bahá has highlighted the two sources of guidance to man, science and religion:

God made religion and science to be the measure, as it were, of our understanding. Take heed that you neglect not such a wonderful power. Weigh all things in this balance.

Both these measures - religion and science - are connected with experience (=sensing the various gifts of life). The more varied experience we get, the more accurately we probably are able to use the tools of religion and science in our lives. That is why I would encourage my students to seek out new experiences so as to gain a solid basis upon which to write an essay. A person living enclosed in a room all his life wouldn't have much varied experience to write about!

Another advantage of seeking out new experiences is that it can increase our awareness of the enormously multifaceted world we live in, and ultimately help us discover who we ourselves are and what role and place we have in this great drama which is life. Our ability to solve new problems will likely increase with our experience, as will our learning. Every people, culture and nation has its own special insights which the traveler in search of knowledge can gain. 'Abdu'l-Bahá connects these varied activities with every good thing in life when He says:

...the happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his learning, and his ability to solve difficult problems.

-- Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 23-24

To solve difficult problems, to understand the problems of the world one lives in, to set high goals for oneself, and to reflect on and refine one's character in light of religious teachings, all lead to our happiness and greatness, our high rank and station, to our pleasure and peace. What greater gifts could we aspire to than these? But since nothing comes for free in life, we would do well to focus on these means by which we can achieve these things. Once again, they are an excellent character, high resolve, breadth when it comes to learning, and the ability to solve difficult problems.

It is likewise essential in this regard to allow time for reflection in one's life: "One hour's reflection is preferable to seventy years of pious worship," writes Bahá'u'lláh. Such quality reflection time must be an integral part of the aforementioned four areas of focus above. 'Abdu'l-Bahá says:

It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: the light breaks forth and the reality is revealed. ...To illustrate this, think of man as endowed with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is being used the outward power of vision does not see.

The continuation of this passage underscores the awe-inspiring potentiality and unnumbered blessings that derive from this practice:

This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch with God. This faculty brings forth from the invisible plane the sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty inventions are made possible, colossal undertakings are carried out; through it governments can run smoothly. Through this faculty man enters into the very Kingdom of God.

We "enter into the Kingdom of God", while still on earth! Even so, we have the ideal of moderation: meditation, action and reflection (evaluation of the action) must go hand in hand, and form a recurring cycle to which we accustom ourselves. Our lives will thus become dynamic as we leave our material, pleasure-seeking selves behind in the pursuit of meaningful action governed by the ideal of service to our fellow human beings. This service is then followed by reflection over the experience gained, where we can make the necessary adjustments to our action, and start the cycle over again.

The wheel of life has then been closed, expanding its circle of influence with every turn, and drawing us nearer to the Source of our beings:

O My Brother! A pure heart is as a mirror; cleanse it with the burnish of love and severance from all save God, that the true sun may shine within it and the eternal morning dawn. Then wilt thou clearly see the meaning of "Neither doth My earth nor My heaven contain Me, but the heart of My faithful servant containeth Me." And thou wilt take up thy life in thine hand, and with infinite longing cast it before the new Beloved One.

Bahá’u’lláh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys

Notes:

1. From a statement prepared by Shoghi Effendi for the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine, July 1947.

Is time standing still?

Today time seemed to fly by, and I was busied with trifling things, not paying attention to the significant, the "most important" business, namely to act, to arise, to move! I had had my usual morning prayer and meditation session, but then something sidetracked me. I must have come to read something interesting. Then an email arrives, and I'm answering that. I sent off a number of communications, some administrative, others to friends. The latter isn't very effective. It's better with direct contact (like phoning or visiting). I did my washweek's duties, cleaning the common areas. Anyway, suddenly it was 6 pm!

Bahá'u'lláh poignantly advises us: "O SON OF DUST! Be not content with the ease of a passing day, and deprive not thyself of everlasting rest...Up from thy prison ascend unto the glorious meads above..." (Hidden Words, 2nd part, #39)

This must be the plane of sacrifice, where we enter uncertainty, and spontaneously arise to fulfill our most urgent duties (in contrast with our less urgent, often menial ones). 'Abdu'l-Bahá tells us:

"Until a being setteth his foot in the plane of sacrifice, he is bereft of every favor and grace...The martyr’s field is the place of detachment from self, that the anthems of eternity may be upraised. Do all ye can to become wholly weary of self, and bind yourselves to that Countenance of Splendours; and once ye have reached such heights of servitude, ye will find, gathered within your shadow, all created things. This is boundless grace; this is the highest sovereignty; this is the life that dieth not. All else save this is at the last but manifest perdition and great loss."

(Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, #36)

When we sacrifice ourselves in this manner, time doesn't stand still any longer. Instead, we move with it.