“What they desperately need is to know how to live their lives - they need to know who they are, to what purpose they exist, and how they should act towards one another; and, once they know the answers to these questions they need to be helped to gradually apply these answers to everyday behaviour. It is to the solution of this basic problem of mankind that the greater part of all our energy and resources should be directed”.
When I first became a Bahá’Ă, it was because I recognized that Bahá’u'lláh had answers to questions I’d never even thought of, and it was obvious to me that His message was from God. I knew that I needed to look to His Writings to find the answer to this question: “how then do I live my life?”
Fortunately we were told to read the Writings morning and night and meditate on them, so they quickly started to come, and I realized that this was the gift we had to give to the world, which was quickly disintegrating around us.
But it wasn’t enough to understand the Writings in my head. I did this, and they just became one big “to do” list, under which I eventually collapsed. I’m only one little person and this Revelation was written for all of humanity, for the next thousand years! So it didn’t all apply to me!
So how could I sort out what was the remedy for my particular situation? I had no idea! I wrote to the House of Justice a few times; consulted with different assemblies a few times, and gradually over time, I learned to clean away the veils from my heart, so I could listen there, where God resides, to find all the wisdom I needed.
Now I read the Writings morning and night as “soul food”, not as a “to do” list, and I’m much happier and more at peace!
“. . . let us turn our hearts away from the world of matter and live in the spiritual world! It alone can give us freedom!”
Let us live in the spiritual realm . . . who wouldn’t want that? No bills, unconditional love, rest, relaxation . . .
Is it possible to have those things in this world? It must be, or ‘Abdul-Bahá wouldn’t be suggesting we do it. I think this quote is talking about living in the present moment. For most of us, this present moment, right now, as I’m writing this and you’re reading it, we are safe. We are free from abuse and bills, and in this moment, if we take the time to turn to the spiritual world, we can feel the love that’s there for us, and get the rest and relaxation we need.
Perhaps our lives in the past were not what we wanted them to be; and we know that our life in the future will be rife with tests, but just now, in this moment, if we turn to the spiritual realm, everything is fine.
As a follow up to the last blog posting, raising questions posed by some of my Baha’i-inspired life coaching clients, I’ve put together the following Q and A.
What is Faith?
The first sign of faith is love. (Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 337)
By faith is meant, first, conscious knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v3, p. 549)
The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds (Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 156)
Faith is the magnet which draws the confirmation of the Merciful One. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v1, p. 62)
Faith does not consist in belief, it consists in deeds. It is not sufficient to believe in Bahá’o'llah and to say, “I am of the people of El-Abha”; we must act in accordance with the teachings of Bahá’o'llah, who commands us to become centers of divine attraction, so that the attributes of God may emanate from us, that we may become wise and well intentioned to all the peoples of the earth in order to better the condition of all. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 41)
Regarding the “two wings” of the soul: These signify wings of ascent. One is the wing of knowledge, the other of faith, as this is the means of the ascent of the human soul to the lofty station of divine perfections. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’i World Faith, p. 382)
This spirit of faith is the flame of reality, the life of humanity and the cause of eternal illumination. It inspires man to attain the virtues and perfections of the divine world. It is my hope that each one of you may become conscious of this flame. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 122)
There are three kinds of Faith: first, that which is from tradition and birth. For example: a child is born of Muhammadan parents, he is a Muhammadan.  This faith is weak traditional faith: second, that which comes from Knowledge, and is the faith of understanding. This is good, but there is a better, the faith of practice. This is real faith. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Abdu’l-Bahá in London, p. 64)
In future, of course, certain people will come to you claiming faith; do not believe them nor trust them, unless after critical examination, search and investigation, and a long period of waiting, they shall appear to be faithful and truthful in word, confident in heart, attracted in spirit, pure in intention, patient in hardship, enduring the most severe tests; then associate with them. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’i World Faith, p. 411)
THIS IS FAITH
Amatu’l-Bahá
Rúhiyyih Khánum
To walk where there is no path
To breathe where there is no air
To see where there is not light-
This is Faith.
To cry out in the silence,
The silence of the night,
And hearing no echo believe
And believe again and again-
This is Faith.
To hold pebbles and see jewels
To raise sticks and see forests
To smile with weeping eyes-
This is Faith.
To say: “God, I believe” when others deny,
“I hear” when there is no answer,
“I see” though naught is seen-
This is Faith.
And the fierce love in the heart,
The savage love that cries
Hidden Thou art yet there !
Veil Thy face and mute Thy tongue
yet I see and hear Thee, Love,
Beat me down to the bare earth,
Yet I rise and love Thee, Love !”
This is Faith.
To hear 2 different versions of this poem put to music, visit:
But the human spirit, unless assisted by the spirit of faith, does not become acquainted with the divine secrets and the heavenly realities. It is like a mirror which, although clear, polished and brilliant, is still in need of light. Until a ray of the sun reflects upon it, it cannot discover the heavenly secrets. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 208)
Shouldst thou remain firm and steadfast in faith, the desire of thy heart and soul will become realized, thou wilt find the utmost joy and wilt be assisted (Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v3, p. 669)
I say unto you that any one who will rise up in the Cause of God at this time shall be filled with the spirit of God, and that He will send His hosts from heaven to help you, and that nothing shall be impossible to you if you have faith. And now I give you a commandment which shall be for a Covenant between you and me: that ye have faith; that your faith be steadfast as a rock that no storms can move, that nothing can disturb, and that it endure through all things even to the end; even should ye hear that your Lord has been crucified, be not shaken in your faith; for I am with you always, whether living or dead; I am with you to the end. As ye have faith so shall your powers and blessings be. This is the standard — this is the standard — this is the standard. (’Abdul-Bahá, Bahá’i Scriptures, p. 503)
. . . there is no greater torture than being veiled from God, and no more severe punishment than sensual vices, dark qualities, lowness of nature, engrossment in carnal desires. When they are delivered through the light of faith from the darkness of these vices, and become illuminated with the radiance of the Sun of Reality, and ennobled with all the virtues, they esteem this the greatest reward, and they know it to be the true paradise. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’i World Faith, p. 324)
Oh, trust in God! for His Bounty is everlasting, and in His Blessings, for they are superb. Oh! put your faith in the Almighty, for He faileth not and His goodness endureth for ever! His Sun giveth Light continually, and the Clouds of His Mercy are full of the Waters of Compassion with which He waters the hearts of all who trust in Him. His refreshing Breeze ever carries healing in its wings to the parched souls of men! (Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 108)
How do we acquire faith or help it grow?
How can one increase in faith? You must strive. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Abdu’l-Bahá in London, p. 64)
. . . love strengthened the disciples when their faith was failing. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Abdu’l-Bahá in London, p. 88)
The second Tajalli is to remain steadfast in the Cause of God — exalted be His glory — and to be unswerving in His love. And this can in no wise be attained except through full recognition of Him; and full recognition cannot be obtained save by faith in the blessed words: ‘He doeth whatsoever He willeth.’ Whoso tenaciously cleaveth unto this sublime word and drinketh deep from the living waters of utterance which are inherent therein, will be imbued with such a constancy that all the books of the world will be powerless to deter him from the Mother Book. O how glorious is this sublime station, this exalted rank, this ultimate purpose! (Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 51)
As affirmed by the Centre of the Covenant, Huquq offerings constitute a test for the believers and enable the friends to become firm and steadfast in faith and certitude. (Huqúqu’lláh, quote 100)
Whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to the diffusion of the Light of Faith, let the loved ones give them counsel and say: “Of all the gifts of God the greatest is the gift of Teaching. It draweth unto us the Grace of God and is our first obligation. Of such a gift how can we deprive ourselves? Nay, our lives, our goods, our comforts, our rest, we offer them all as a sacrifice for the Abhá Beauty and teach the Cause of God.” (Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’i World Faith, p. 448)
The beloved of the Lord must stand fixed as the mountains, firm as impregnable walls. Unmoved must they remain by even the direst adversities, ungrieved by the worst of disasters. Let them cling to the hem of Almighty God, and put their faith in the Beauty of the Most High; let them lean on the unfailing help that cometh from the Ancient Kingdom, and depend on the care and protection of the generous Lord. Let them at all times refresh and restore themselves with the dews of heavenly grace, and with the breaths of the Holy Spirit revive and renew themselves from moment to moment. Let them rise up to serve their Lord, and do all in their power to scatter His breathings of holiness far and wide. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 9)
Do not allow your minds to dwell on the present, but with eyes of faith look into the future, for in truth the Spirit of God is working in your midst. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 169)
Thank God for that He enlightened your faces by the light of guidance, deposited in your hearts the sign of faith, and made you of the chosen ones in this new century. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v1, p. 70)
Having received such favour be thankful unto God, and never doubt His Goodness and Loving Kindness but have undying faith in the Bounties of the Kingdom. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 170)
If any test fall upon thee, it will be conducive to the strength of thy faith. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v3, p. 552)
Faith in God, and the knowledge of Him cannot be fully realized except through believing in all that hath proceeded from Him, and by practising all that He hath commanded and all that is revealed in the Book from the Supreme Pen. (Bahá’i Scriptures, p. 153)
Meekness and humility are the hallmarks of faith. As soon as a believer feels himself the least degree superior to others, the beginning of his spiritual decline has set in, all unaware to himself. (Bahá’i Scriptures, p. 449)
The quintessence of this chapter is that travellers in the path of faith and seekers for the cup of assurance must sanctify and purify themselves from all material things; that is, the ear from hearing statements, the heart from doubts which pertain to the veils of glory, the soul from dependence upon worldly belongings, the eye from contemplating mere transitory words. (Bahá’i Scriptures, p. 3)
Why don’t we always feel faith?
O MOVING FORM OF DUST!
I desire communion with thee, but thou wouldst put no trust in Me. The sword of thy rebellion hath felled the tree of thy hope. At all times I am near unto thee, but thou art ever far from Me. Imperishable glory I have chosen for thee, yet boundless shame thou hast chosen for thyself. While there is yet time, return, and lose not thy chance. (Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, Persian 21)
What happens when we don’t have faith?
If the heart turns away from the blessings God offers how can it hope for happiness? If it does not put its hope and trust in God’s Mercy, where can it find rest? . . . Is it wise to turn away from such a loving Father, Who showers His blessings upon us, and to choose rather to be slaves of matter? (Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 108)
How do people lose their faith?
How many a soul hath turned itself unto the Lord and entered into the protective shadow of His Word, and become famed throughout the world — for example, Judas Iscariot. And then, when the tests grew harsh and the violence thereof intensified, their feet slipped on the pathway and they turned backward from the Faith after having acknowledged its truth, and they denied it, and fell away from harmony and love into mischief and hate. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 162)
It is not unusual for people to be drawn to the Faith because they see in it the fulfilment of the ideals which are dear to their hearts. But, if a soul truly recognizes Bahá’u'lláh, and his understanding of the teachings deepens, he will gradually see how his own ideals are but facets in the all-embracing Purpose of God, and will be willing to endure all manner of suffering and frustration for the sake of the fulfilment of that divine Purpose. If, however, the believer allows his own ideals and purposes to retain their pre-eminence in his thinking, and he finds he cannot pursue them as he wishes, it may result in his leaving the Faith to pursue them in other ways. This is what would seem to have happened to the friends you speak of. (From a letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice,21 Jun 1989)
In large part, therefore, loss of faith in traditional religion has been an inevitable consequence of failure to discover in it the guidance required to live with modernity, successfully and with assurance. (Universal House of Justice, One Common Faith, para 19)
What can we hold on to, when our tests are so great, that we lose hope?
O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain. (Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 329)
Are there role models we can follow?
Her life was full of events, full of sacrifices in the path of God. Ever since her childhood she had to endure hardships and share the exile and persecution that Bahá’u'lláh had to suffer. In her face one could easily read the history of the Cause from its earliest days to the present moment. Notwithstanding all this she never grumbled nor lost her faith in the future. She kept cheerful and tried to give cheer to others. She was a real source of inspiration to every person that met her. (Bahiyyih Khánum, p. 89)
May her glorious spirit inspire us with faith and hope, steel our energies and enable us to make every sacrifice in the path lighted by her saintly and eventful life. (Bahiyyih Khánum, p. 69)
May the memory of her saintly life inspire you with faith and hope, cheer and strengthen your heart and make of you a servant worthy to promote and consolidate the interests of the Faith! (Bahiyyih Khánum, p. 71)
To begin with, they were far from home, surrounded and cut off by the foe; again, they were starving; and then there were the army’s sudden onslaughts and the bombshells raining down and bursting in the heart of the Fort. Under such circumstances to maintain an unwavering faith and patience is extremely difficult, and to endure such dire afflictions a rare phenomenon. (Abdu’l-Bahá, Memorials of the Faithful, p. 7)
What prayers can I say to help it grow?
Verily, I beseech the Lord of Hosts to increase thy faith each day over that of the previous day, to confirm thee through His Holy Spirit, to give thee capacity to partake of the lights of knowledge and wisdom, to make thee a herald of the Covenant in those regions, and to instruct thee in that which thou knowest not (Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v1, p. 166)
I beg of God that He may increase joy and fragrance in thy spirit, give thee power and strength, and that He may help thee at every moment in faith and assurance. Verily my Lord is powerful in all things! (Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v1, p. 219)
O Lord my God! Assist Thy loved ones to be firm in Thy Faith, to walk in Thy ways, to be steadfast in Thy Cause. Give them Thy grace to withstand the onslaught of self and passion, to follow the light of divine guidance. Thou art the Powerful, the Gracious, the Self-Subsisting, the Bestower, the Compassionate, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful. (’Abdul-Bahá, Bahá’i Prayers, p. 165)
What are your experiences with faith? Post your comments here:
The first sign of faith is love. (Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 337).
But how does one love?
Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. (Baha’u'llah, Hidden Words, Arabic 5)
But how do we know that God is even there so we can love him, if we are sick, alone, estranged from our family, bankrupt, homeless and we’ve just been raped?
Faith.
But if we haven’t ever felt loved from our families; if we’ve grown up neglected and abused and have no foundation of loving parents, how can we possibly believe in a loving God?
Faith.
But what if all of these calamites have happened AFTER we’ve recognized Bahá’u'lláh and done all the right things – pioneered, participated in the core activities, donated to the fund, paid our HuqĂşq, prayed and mediated every day and still we are marginized from the society around us, and even worse, from the indifference of the Bahá’Ă community around us – raped, alone, abandoned, homeless, unemployed, bankrupt, sick, estranged from our families . . .
How do we have faith when there is no love? When we feel abandoned by God, or worse, maybe cursed or punished? But for what crime?
These are questions that several of my life coaching clients have been wrestling with this week.
Have you ever experienced the presence of God? One of my Bahá’Ă-inspired life coaching clients sent this to me this morning, and I thought it demonstrated it perfectly. It’s a piece of inspirational fiction written by poet Ruth Gillis.
I hope you enjoy it, but get your Kleenex out before reading further:
A drunk man in an Oldsmobile
They said had run the light
That caused the six-car pileup
On 109 that night.
When broken bodies lay about
And blood was everywhere,
The sirens screamed out eulogies,
For death was in the air.
A mother, trapped inside her car,
Was heard above the noise;
Her plaintive plea near split the air:
Oh, God, please spare my boys!
She fought to loose her pinned hands;
She struggled to get free,
But mangled metal held her fast
In grim captivity.
Her frightened eyes then focused
On where the back seat once had been,
But all she saw was broken glass and
Two children’s seats crushed in.
Her twins were nowhere to be seen;
She did not hear them cry,
And then she prayed they’d been thrown free,
Oh, God, don’t let them die!
Then firemen came and cut her loose,
But when they searched the back,
They found therein no little boys,
But the seat belts were intact.
They thought the woman had gone mad
And was traveling alone,
But when they turned to question her,
They discovered she was gone.
Policemen saw her running wild
And screaming above the noise
In beseeching supplication,
Please help me find my boys!
They’re four years old and wear blue shirts;
Their jeans are blue to match.
One cop spoke up, They’re in my car,
And they don’t have a scratch.
They said their daddy put them there
And gave them each a cone,
Then told them both to wait for Mom
To come and take them home.
I’ve searched the area high and low,
But I can’t find their dad..
He must have fled the scene,
I guess, and that is very bad.
The mother hugged the twins and said,
While wiping at a tear,
He could not flee the scene, you see,
For he’s been dead a year.
The cop just looked confused and asked,
Now, how can that be true?
The boys said, Mommy, Daddy came
And left a kiss for you.
He told us not to worry
And that you would be all right,
And then he put us in this car with
The pretty, flashing light.
We wanted him to stay with us,
Because we miss him so,
But Mommy, he just hugged us tight
And said he had to go.
He said someday we’d understand
And told us not to fuss,
And he said to tell you, Mommy,
He’s watching over us.
The mother knew without a doubt
That what they spoke was true,
For she recalled their dad’s last words,
I will watch over you.
The firemen’s notes could not explain
The twisted, mangled car,
And how the three of them escaped
Without a single scar.
But on the cop’s report was scribed,
In print so very fine,
An angel walked the beat tonight on Highway 109.
Have you had any miracles in your life? Post your comments here:
In my Baha’i-inspired Life Coaching practice, I’m often asked “Why me?”. Sometimes things aren’t always as they seem. The Baha’i Writings teach:
Even if all the losses of the world were to be sustained by one of the friends of God, he would still profit thereby . . . The friends of God shall win and profit under all conditions, and shall attain true wealth. (Bahá’u'lláh, Crisis & Victory, p. 154).
This morning, someone sent me this story via email - forwarded many times. Although I went onto the internet to find the source, I was unable to find it, so I’ll have to say it’s “Author Unknown”.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It goes like this:
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in  the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,
‘Things aren’t always what they seem.’
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels  found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.
‘Things aren’t always what they seem,’ the older angel replied.
‘When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it. ‘ ‘Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed,   the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.
‘Things aren’t always what they seem.’
Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don’t turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later..
My favorite quote from the Baha’i Writing on faith is:
. . . nothing shall be impossible to you if you have faith. And now I give you a command¬ment that shall be for a covenant between you and me - that ye have faith; that your faith be steadfast as a rock that no earthly storms can move, that nothing can disturb, and that it endure through all things even to the end . . . As ye have faith so shall your powers and blessings be. This is the balance - this is the balance - this is the balance.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’Ă Readings, p. 313.
What has been your experience with faith that things not always as they seem? Post your comments here:
Is your daily routine so busy and full of activities that it’s causing you stress and agitation? We’ve all heard of the health risks associated with too much stress, but how can you reduce that stress and find peace in your life? Thankfully, the Bahá’Ă Faith requires us to take time everyday, for the gift of prayer and meditation.
There are many benefits to meditation and prayer:
1. Stress reduction. Both meditation and prayer are wonderful for reducing stress. You’ll find that it helps you learn how to get away from the worries of life to a more peaceful state of mind.
• Just 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference by bringing peace and relaxation to your body and mind. A few minutes each day isn’t much, considering that the positive effects will last hours. If we say a couple of prayers in the morning and at night, plus the short obligatory prayer and 95 Alláh-u-Abhás mid-day, we will live in a state of prayer all day, and it won’t take more than 15 minutes total.
Supplication to God at morn and eve is conducive to the joy of hearts. (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, vol. 1, p. 186)
2. Improved health. Many studies have proven that prayer and meditation foster vibrant health. Usually these health benefits, such as lower blood pressure and decreased risk of heart disease, occur because of the lowered stress levels.
• Physical problems are often a symptom of turmoil on the inside and prayer and meditation can help to overcome that turmoil.
3. Better control over your thoughts. Having negative thoughts from time to time is part of being human. Many people who are stressed don’t believe they’re able to control what they think. The stress mounts, tempers flair, and before long arguments ensue.
However, by bringing prayer and meditation into your life, it’s possible to control your thoughts and stop negative thinking as soon as it happens. This helps keep your mind at peace.
4. Happiness. Both peace of mind and happiness are true benefits of meditation and prayer. Everyone is seeking happiness in their lives, and when you’re able to find peace of mind through prayer and meditation, you’re also welcoming happiness into your life.
By spending some time in personal reflection, you’ll gain a greater wisdom of your mission in this life, and you’ll be better able to appreciate all that you’ve been given, both good and bad. Meditation and prayer help banish those negative thoughts that threaten your peace of mind.
As the Bahá’Ă Writings teach us:
At that hour will the mystic Herald, bearing the joyful tidings of the Sprit, shine forth from the city of God resplendent as the morn, and, through the trumpet-blast of knowledge, will awaken the heart, the soul, and the spirit from the slumber of negligence. Then will the manifold favours and outpouring grace of the holy and everlasting Spirit confer such new life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed with a new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a new mind. He will contemplate the manifest signs of the universe, and will penetrate the hidden mysteries of the soul. Gazing with the eye of God, he will perceive within every atom a door that leadeth him to the stations of absolute certitude. He will discover in all things the mysteries of divine Revelation and the evidences of an everlasting manifestation.  (Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-I-Iqán p. 125-6)
5. Better concentration. As you pray and meditate, you welcome peace and tranquility into your mind, which then affects how you live your life. When you alleviate the stresses in your life, you’re better able to concentrate on the things that are important, such as family or work.
• Continued prayer and meditation will help you expand your focus to multiple areas of your life.
Although prayer and meditation can provide peace in your life, it can be hard to make the time at first, but it’s easier than you think. Simply find a quiet place in your home and allow yourself to relax and feel at peace for 10-15 minutes. You deserve those 15 minutes of peace each day!
Should a person recite but a single verse from the Holy Writings in a state of joy and radiance, this would be better for him than reciting wearily all the Scriptures of God . . . Recite ye the verses of God in such measure that ye be not overtaken with fatigue or boredom. Burden not your souls so as to cause exhaustion and weigh them down, but rather endeavour to lighten them, that they may soar on the wings of revealed Verses unto the dawning-place of His signs. This is conducive to nearer access unto God, were ye to comprehend. (Bahá’u’lláh, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and a Devotional Attitude, p. 3)
While there are plenty of positive benefits of prayer and meditation, it may take practice and perseverance to achieve them. Over time you’ll begin to experience this wonderful gift in your own life and you’ll be thankful that you did!
What have you noticed when you pray and meditate? Post your comments here:
Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements. (Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 213)
One of the most critical needs of this age is the environment, especially climate change and global warming. One practical way we can participate is to turn off our lights for one hour, in support of Earth Hour, taking place on Saturday March 28, 2009, from 8:30-9:30 pm (local time).
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
In my Bahá’Ă inspired life coaching practice, people often ask about the concept of service and how it differs from codependence.Where does selflessness fit?Where does being selfless cross the line into being a doormat?
Many years back, I discovered this incredibly insightful article which explained it perfectly so I reprint it here.It’s by Rachel Naomi Remen, and I found it at:http://www.theinterpretersfriend.com/Terpsnet/11.html
In recent years the question “how can I help?” has become meaningful to many people.But perhaps there is a deeper question we might consider.Perhaps the real question is not “how can I help? But “how can I serve?”
Serving is different from helping.Helping is based on inequality; it is not a relationship between equals.When you help you use your own strength to help those of lesser strength.If I’m attentive to what’s going on inside of me when I’m helping, I find that I’m always helping someone who’s not as strong as I am, who is needier than I am.People feel this inequality.
When we help we may inadvertently take away from people more than we could ever give them; we may diminish their self-esteem, their sense of worth, integrity and wholeness.When I help I am very aware of my own strength.But we don’t serve with our strength, we serve with ourselves.We draw from all of our experiences.Our limitations serve, our wounds serve, even our darkness can serve.The wholeness in us serves the wholeness in others and the wholeness in life.The wholeness in you is the same as the wholeness in me.Service is a relationship between equals.
Helping incurs debt.When you help someone they own you one.But serving, like healing, is mutual.There is no debt.I am as served as the personal I am serving.When I help, I have a feeling of satisfaction.When I serve, I have a feeling of gratitude.These are very different things.
Serving is also different from fixing.When I fix a person I perceive them as broken, and their broken-ness requires me to act.When I fix I do not see the wholeness in the other person or trust the integrity of the life in them.When I serve I see and trust that wholeness. It is what I am responding to and collaborating with.
There is distance between ourselves and whatever or whomever we are fixing.Fixing is a form of judgments.All judgment creates distance, a disconnection, and experience of difference.In fixing there is an inequality of expertise that can easily become a more distance.We cannot serve at a distance.We can only serve that to which we are profoundly connected, that which we are willing to touch.This is Mother Teresa’s basic message.We serve life not because it is broken but because it is holy.
Hope you found this as insightful as I did!
I want to leave you with a quote from the Bahá’Ă Writings as a final thought:
The service of the friends belongs to God, not to them.
The War in Afganistan got personal when a son of a Bahai friend of mine went over there. Please pray for his protection and for any other soldiers you know, as you watch this video, made by my good friend Penny Filias.
To watch the video, please click here:Â Â pray4allies
O GOD, my God! Thou seest how black darkness is enshrouding all regions, how all countries are burning with the flame of dissension, and the fire of war and carnage is blazing throughout the East and the West.  Blood is flowing, corpses bestrew the ground, and severed heads are fallen on the dust of the battlefield.
O Lord! Have pity on these ignorant ones and look upon them with the eye of forgiveness and pardon. Extinguish this fire, so that these dense clouds which obscure the horizon may be scattered, the Sun of Reality shine forth with the rays of conciliation, this intense gloom be dispelled and the resplendent light of peace shed its radiance upon all countries.
O Lord! Draw up the people from the abyss of the ocean of hatred and enmity, and deliver them from this impenetrable darkness. Unite their hearts, and brighten their eyes with the light of peace and reconciliation. Deliver them from the depths of war and bloodshed, and free them from the darkness of error. Remove the veil from their eyes, and enlighten their hearts with the light of guidance. Treat them with Thy tender mercy and compassion, and deal not with them according to Thy justice and wrath which cause the limbs of the mighty to quake.
O Lord! Wars have persisted. Distress and anxiety have waxed great and every flourishing region is laid waste.
O Lord! Hearts are heavy, and souls are in anguish. Have mercy on these poor souls and do not leave them to the excesses of their own desires.
O Lord! Make manifest in Thy lands humble and submissive souls, their faces illumined with the rays of guidance, severed from the world, extolling Thy Name, uttering Thy praise, and diffusing the fragrance of Thy holiness amongst mankind.
O Lord! Strengthen their backs, gird up their loins, and enrapture their hearts with the most mighty signs of Thy love.
O Lord! Verily, they are weak, and Thou art the Powerful and the Mighty; they are impotent, and Thou art the Helper and the Merciful.
O Lord! The ocean of rebellion is surging, and these tempests will not be stilled save through Thy boundless grace which hath embraced all regions.
O Lord! Verily, the people are in the abyss of passion, and naught can save them but Thine infinite bounties.
O Lord! Dispel the darkness of these corrupt desires, and illumine the hearts with the lamp of Thy love through which all countries will erelong be enlightened. Confirm, moreover, Thy loved ones, those who, leaving their homelands, their families and their children, have, for the love of Thy Beauty, traveled to foreign countries to diffuse Thy fragrances and promulgate Thy teachings. Be Thou their companion in their loneliness, their helper in a strange land, the remover of their sorrows, their comforter in calamity. Be Thou a refreshing draught for their thirst, a healing medicine for their ills and a balm for the burning ardor of their hearts.
Verily, Thou art the Most Generous, the Lord of grace abounding, and, verily, Thou art the Compassionate and the Merciful.
In my life coaching practice, I’m often asked to help people find their purpose in life. As a Baha’i, this is easy: Our purpose in life is to know God and to worship Him. Many people ask: how is this possible, if we can’t see Him?
In order to better understand Him, we look for an image of God we can relate to. Many of us grew up with an image of an angry, punishing man with a long beard up in the sky. If this is our image of God, why would we make our life purpose to know Him and worship Him?
This summer, I had the bounty of being able to go for walks in the local provincial park with Jeremy McClung, a pastor whose goal was to help people find God in nature. His site is at: http://www.muskokacommunitychurch.com/ This posting was inspired by one of his talks.
The other day I was hiking through the woods reflecting on God as an Unknowable Essence and Jeremy inspired me with these insights.
God as an artist: Autumn in Canada is full of colour (vibrant red and yellow and orange), especially where I live, where busloads of tourists (leaf-lookers) come to see the beauty of nature. Imagine an artist whose painting changes 4 times a year!
God as the wind: We can’t see the wind, even though air is around us all the time. Both Air and God are unpredictable and unexpected. We never know what God’s plans are, and they often surprise us. They’re sometimes gentle, sometimes violent, just as the wind. Just as the wind breathes new life into a hot, humid, muggy day, so does God breathe new life into a parched life. My most dangerous prayer is “what next?”, which always invites a push in a direction I couldn’t have foreseen! Sometimes it takes me pioneering or travel teaching and most recently it’s pushing me into starting my Bahá’Ă-inspired life coaching business.
God as the water: There are many references in the Bahá’Ă Writings to the Ocean of God’s presence, and being immersed in the sea of His love. Water is life-giving: without it we won’t live. I’ve often watched my houseplants wilt and become lifeless by forgetting to give them water. Humans wilt and die spiritually without a regular dose of prayer and meditation. When we are thirsty, something deep inside us compels us to look for something to drink. Sometimes we reach for something that is filled with chemicals and caffeine, when what the body wants is water. Spiritually we feel the same longing and deep desire to be quenched by God’s love, and many of us turn to busyness (my personal favorite), shopping, entertainment, perfectionism, sex or addictions, rather than turning to God and allowing Him to quench our thirst. It’s not working for me! How about you?
When things go bad, as they inevitably will, where is our strength? If we rely on ourselves or others we’ll never be able to transcend our difficulties. We’re told:
Forget yourself. God’s help will surely come! When you call on the Mercy of God waiting to reinforce you, your strength will be tenfold. (’Abdul-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 38)
Where do you find God’s breath pushing you in new directions? Where do you find His life-giving waters? How does this help you find your life purpose? Post your comments here.
I came into the Baha’i Faith in 1982, and have been very moved by stories of the martyrs of the Faith ever since, including the story of Mona Mahmudnizhad, a 16 year old who was martyred for her beliefs in 1983. This video is in French but the graphics tell her story very well. Get your kleenex before hitting play!
“What they desperately need is to know how to live their lives - they need to know who they are, to what purpose they exist, and how they should act towards one another; and, once they know the answers to these questions they need to be helped to gradually apply these answers to everyday behaviour. It is to the solution of this basic problem of mankind that the greater part of all our energy and resources should be directed”.
by Susan Gammage
