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