Faith in Baha'u'llah

The hour is approaching when ye will witness the power of the one true God triumphing over all created things and the signs of His sovereignty encompassing all creation. On that day ye will discover how all else besides Him will have been forgotten and come to be regarded as utter nothingness.

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 72


The day is approaching when its flame will devour the cities, when the Tongue of Grandeur will proclaim: "The Kingdom is God's, the Almighty, the All-Praised!"

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 342


The day is approaching when the wrathful anger of the Almighty will have taken hold of them.

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 208

To people who deny the existence of God

It is no proof of intelligence to reject everything which does not strike the senses. Nay, rather, such a one is brother to the animal. The cow has no idea of God; she does not know the soul. So the only difference between her highness the cow and a materialistic philosopher is that the latter takes a great deal of trouble! It is not a special or exclusive privilege to be the prisoner of one's senses; the cow is the example of this theory.

Man has a sacred power beyond the confines of the senses. The power of the rational mind is the power of the soul over the senses. This cycle is radiating love and the bestowals of God are descending like unto rain. Man's glory lies in the difference between him and the animals. In Persia a small child who has been taught to think universally can talk with the learned. The religious people no longer question the followers of BAHA'U'LLAH, being unable to reply to their arguments. The priests and rulers call them necromancers, persecuting and martyring them; and with great joy these disciples give all their worldly goods and gladly lay down their lives for the cause of BAHA'U'LLAH. They go to death crying aloud, "Ya Baha El-Abha!"

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 94

Why do we need Baha'u'llah?

WHY DO WE NEED BAHA’U’LLAH

All human beings desire prosperity, peace, progress, love and unity (which is wrongly considered last and least!)
And no one knows how to wisely and abidingly satisfy all or even one of these desires for himself, his family, his country, and especially for all the human race.

While over 150 years ago Baha’u’llah taught:

UNITY FIRST
Because all men are the children of the One True God
and being educated by One Divine Religion ( revealed by
the successive Messengers of God throughout history).
When we learn to realize this fact, we will attain LOVE.

LOVE
When we love each other for the sake of God,
our Creator and Heavenly Father,
this love will become selfless, unconditional and unchanged.
This true love will conduct to PEACE.

PEACE
Peace will naturally leads to all the good things
such as prosperity, progress, civilization….

All these things have been recorded in details in over
one hundred Books revealed by Baha’u’llah, interpreted
by Abdul-Baha and Shoghi Effendi,
and gradually realized by the Universal House of Justice.

More information is available at

http://www.bahai.org/

Love and Hatred

Even the Lord Buddha suffered both Love and Hatred.

People who love Him say that He is Perfect in all things;
His breath is full of quickening fragrance, and His teachings
nurtures the eternal Buddhist civilization.

Those who hate Him say that He only talked and produced nothing;
He is not selfless because He wanted to become Buddha,
leaving His parents, wife and son in soreful separation from Him!

So why should we bother about such vain imaginings!

~ Personal and Humble opinion of a Dear Uncle of Mine

What is the meaning of the fast in the Bahai Faith?

"The Kitáb-i-Aqdas states: "We have commanded you to pray and fast from the beginning of maturity [15 year]; this is ordained by God, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.... The traveler, the ailing, those who are with child or giving suck, are not bound by the fast.... Abstain from food and drink, from sunrise to sundown, and beware lest desire deprive you of this grace that is appointed in the Book."

The period of the Fast is March 2 through March 20.

~ Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 236


"Praise be to Thee, O Lord my God! I beseech Thee by this Revelation whereby darkness hath been turned into light, through which the Frequented Fane hath been built, and the Written Tabled revealed, and the Outspread Roll uncovered, to send down upon me and upon them who are in my company that which will enable us to soar into the heavens of Thy transcendent glory, and will wash us from the stain of such doubts as have hindered the suspicious from entering into the tabernacle of Thy unity.

I am the one, O my Lord, who hath held fast the cord of Thy loving-kindness, and clung to the hem of Thy mercy and favors. Do Thou ordain for me and for my loved ones the good of this world and of the world to come. Supply them, then, with the Hidden Gift Thou didst ordain for the choicest among
Thy creatures.

These are, O my Lord, the days in which Thou hast bidden Thy servants to observe the fast. Blessed is he that observeth the fast wholly for Thy sake and with absolute detachment from all things except Thee. Assist me and assist them. O my Lord, to obey Thee and to keep Thy precepts. Thou, verily, hast power to do what Thou choosest.

There is no God but Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. All praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds.

~ Bahá'u'lláh (Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 244)


(Naw-Ruz, March 21, is the first day of the Bahá'í year.)

"Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Ruz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhorrent unto thee. Grant, O my Lord, that the fire of Thy love and the heat produced by the fast enjoined by Thee may inflame them in Thy Cause, and make them to be occupied with Thy praise and with remembrance of Thee.

Since thou hast adorned them, O my Lord, with the ornament of the fast prescribed by Thee, do Thou adorn them also with the ornament of Thine acceptance, through Thy grace and bountiful favor. For the doings of men are all dependent upon Thy good-pleasure, and are conditioned by Thy behest. Shouldst Thou regard him who hath broken the fast as one who hath observed it, such a man would be reckoned among them who from eternity had been keeping the fast. And shouldst Thou decree that he who hath observed the fast hath broken it, that person would be numbered with such as have caused the Robe of Thy Revelation to be stained with dust, and been far removed from the crystal waters of this living Fountain.

Thou art He through Whom the ensign "Praise-worthy art Thou in Thy works" hath been lifted up, and the standard "Obeyed art Thou in thy behest" hath been unfurled. Make known this Thy station, O my God, unto Thy servants, that they may be made aware that the excellence of all things is dependent upon Thy bidding and Thy word, and the virtue of every act is conditioned by Thy leave and the good pleasure of Thy will, and may recognize that the reins of men's doings are within the grasp of Thine acceptance and Thy commandment. Make this known unto them, that nothing whatsoever may shut them out from Thy Beauty, in these days whereon the Christ exclaimeth: "All dominion is Thine, O Thou the Begetter of the Spirit (Jesus)"; and Thy Friend (Muhammad) crieth out: "Glory be to Thee, O Thou the Best-Beloved, for that thou hast uncovered thy Beauty, and written down for Thy chosen ones what will cause them to attain unto the seat of the revelation of Thy Most Great Name, through which all the peoples have lamented excepted such as have detached themselves from all else except Thee, and set themselves towards Him Who is the Revealer of Thyself and the Manifestation of Thine attributes."

He Who is Thy Branch and all Thy company, O my Lord, have broken this day their fast, after having observed it within the precincts of Thy court, and in their eagerness to please Thee. Do Thou ordain for Him, and for them, and for all such as have entered Thy presence in those days all the good Thou didst destine in Thy Book. Supply them, then, with that which will profit them, in both this life and in the life beyond.

Thou, in truth, art the the All-Knowing, the All-Wise."

~ Bahá'u'lláh (Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 261)


Should we learn to understand the meanings of the tree of FAST in order to voluntarily and consciously make proper preparations physically, mentally, spiritually like a true champion of God to climb up to the highest branch to thankfully pick and taste the mysterious and sweet fruit of detachment for His Divine Pleasure;

Or

Should we ignorantly imitate our ancestors to blindly and painfully starve or foolishly eating too much every night to make fun to the doubters!

Yes, notice His warning:

And shouldst Thou decree that he who hath observed the fast hath broken it, that person would be numbered with such as have caused the Robe of Thy Revelation to be stained with dust, and been far removed from the crystal waters of this living Fountain.

~ Bahá'u'lláh (Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 261)

Wordless to say ...

"Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 136

Moderation in the Bahai Faith

"The Great Being saith: O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure. Our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers thereof will unitedly arise for the reformation of this age and the rehabilitation of its fortunes. Let them, after meditating on its needs, take counsel together and, through anxious and full deliberation, administer to a diseased and sorely-afflicted world the remedy it requireth... It is incumbent upon them who are in authority to exercise moderation in all things. Whatsoever passeth beyond the limits of moderation will cease to exert a beneficial influence. Consider for instance such things as liberty, civilization and the like. However much men of understanding may favorably regard them, they will, if carried to excess, exercise a pernicious influence upon men..."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 215


"Overstep not the bounds of moderation, and deal justly with them that serve thee. Bestow upon them according to their needs, and not to the extent that will enable them to lay up riches for themselves, to deck their persons, to embellish their homes, to acquire the things that are of no benefit unto them, and to be numbered with the extravagant. Deal with them with undeviating justice, so that none among them may either suffer want, or be pampered with luxuries. This is but manifest justice."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 23


"Whoso cleaveth to justice, can, under no circumstances, transgress the limits of moderation. He discerneth the truth in all things, through the guidance of Him Who is the All-Seeing. The civilization, so often vaunted by the learned exponents of arts and sciences, will, if allowed to overleap the bounds of moderation, bring great evil upon men. Thus warneth you He Who is the All-Knowing. If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation. Meditate on this, O people, and be not of them that wander distraught in the wilderness of error. The day is approaching when its flame will devour the cities, when the Tongue of Grandeur will proclaim: "The Kingdom is God's, the Almighty, the All-Praised!"

"All other things are subject to this same principle of moderation. Render thanks unto thy Lord Who hath remembered thee in this wondrous Tablet. All-Praise be to God, the Lord of the glorious throne."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 342


"It is evident that the changes brought about in every Dispensation constitute the dark clouds that intervene between the eye of man's understanding and the Divine Luminary which shineth forth from the day spring of the Divine Essence. Consider how men for generations have been blindly imitating their fathers, and have been trained according to such ways and manners as have been laid down by the dictates of their Faith. Were these men, therefore, to discover suddenly that a Man, Who hath been living in their midst, Who, with respect to every human limitation hath been their equal, had risen to abolish every established principle imposed by their Faith -- principles by which for centuries they have been disciplined, and every opposer and denier of which they have come to regard as infidel, profligate and wicked, -- they would of a certainty be veiled and hindered from acknowledging His truth. Such things are as "clouds" that veil the eyes of those whose inner being hath not tasted the Salsabil of detachment, nor drunk from the Kawthar of the knowledge of God. Such men, when acquainted with those circumstances, become so veiled that, without the least question, they pronounce the Manifestation of God as infidel, and sentence Him to death. You must have heard of such things taking place all down the ages, and are now observing them in these days."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 26


"Happy is the man who will arise to serve My Cause, and glorify My beauteous Name. Take hold of My Book with the power of My might, and cleave tenaciously to whatsoever commandement thy Lord, the Ordainer, the All-Wise, hath prescribed therein. Behold, O Muhammad, how the sayings and doings of the followers of Shi'ih Islam have dulled the joy and fervor of its early days, and tarnished the pristine brilliancy of its light. In its primitive days, whilst they still adhered to the precepts associated with the name of their Prophet, the Lord of mankind, their career was marked by an unbroken chain of victories and triumphs. As they gradually strayed from the path of their Ideal Leader and Master, as they turned away from the Light of God and corrupted the principle of His Divine unity, and as they increasingly centered their attention upon them who were only the revealers of the potency of His Word, their power was turned into weakness, their glory into shame, their courage into fear. Thou dost witness to what a pass they have come. Behold, how they have joined partners with Him Who is the Focal-Point of Divine unity. Behold how their evil doings have hindered them from recognizing, in the Day of Resurrection, the Word of Truth, exalted be His glory. We cherish the hope that this people will henceforth shield themselves from vain hopes and idle fancies, and will attain to a true understanding of the meaning of Divine unity."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 69


To Make Their Views Known to Others the Young People Should Keep in Touch With Local Youth Activities:

"... the young Bahá'ís in every city should make a point of keeping in touch with local youth activities and clubs, and endeavouring to make their views known to as many young people in as many ways as possible. Above all they should set a high example to them; chastity, politeness, friendliness, hospitality, joyous optimism about the ultimate future happiness and well being of mankind, should distinguish them and win over to them the love and admiration of their fellow youth. The thing which is most conspicuously lacking in modern life is a high standard of conduct and good character; the young Bahá'ís must demonstrate both, if they hope to seriously win over to the Faith members of their own generation, so sorely disillusioned and so contaminated by the laxity war gives rise to."

~ From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Youth Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, October 20, 1945 (Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 629)

Insights on why we undergo tests in our lives

"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."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 105

Insights on unprofitable questions

"Should anyone say that he does not wish to lead the holy life under the Blessed One, unless the Blessed One first tells him, whether the world is eternal or temporal, finite or infinite; whether the life principle is identical with the body, or something different; whether the Perfect One continues after death, and so on such a man would die, ere the Perfect One could tell him all this.

It is as if a man were pierced by a poisoned arrow, and his friends, companions, or near relations, should send for a surgeon; but that man should say: "I will not have this arrow pulled out, until I know who the man is that has wounded me: whether he is a noble, a priest, a citizen, or a servant"; or: "what his name is, and to what family he belongs"; or: "whether he is tall, or short, or of medium height." Verily, such a man would die, ere he could adequately learn all this.

Therefore, the man who seeks his own welfare, should pull out this arrow - this arrow of lamentation, pain, and sorrow.

For, whether the theory exists, or whether it does not exist, that the world is eternal, or temporal, or finite, or infinite-certainly, there is birth, there is decay, there is death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair, the extinction of which, attainable even in this present life, I make known unto you.

There is, for instance, an unlearned worldling, void of regard for holy men, ignorant of the teaching of holy men, untrained in the noble doctrine. And his heart is possessed and overcome by Self-Illusion, by Skepticism, by attachment to mere Rule and Ritual, by Sensual Lust, and by will; and how to free himself from these things, he does not really know.

[Self-Illusion may reveal itself as "Eternalism" or Eternity-belief" i.e., the belief that one's Ego is existing independently of the material body, and continuing even after the dissolution of the latter; or as "Annihilationism," or "Annihilation-belief" i.e., the materialistic belief that this present life constitutes the Ego, and hence that it is annihilated at the death of the material body.]

Not knowing what is worthy of consideration, and what is unworthy of consideration, he considers the unworthy, and not the worthy.

And unwisely he considers thus: "Have I been in the past? Or. have I not been in the past? What have I been in the past? How have I been in the past? From what state into what state did I change in the past?-Shall I be in the future? Or, shall I not be in the future? What shall I be in the future? How shall I be in the future? From what state into what state shall I change in the future?" And the present also fills him with doubt: "Am I? Or, am I not? What am I? How am I? This being, whence has it come? Whither will it go?"

And with such unwise considerations, he falls into one or other of the six views, and it becomes his conviction and firm belief: "I have an Ego"; or: "I have no Ego"; or: "With the Ego I perceive the Ego"; or: "With that which is no Ego, I perceive the Ego"; or: "With the Ego I perceive that which is no Ego. Or, he falls into the following view: "This my Ego, which can think and feel, and which, now here, now there, experiences the fruit of good and evil deeds; this my Ego is permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will thus eternally remain the same."

If there really existed the Ego, there would be also something which belonged to the Ego. As, however, in truth and reality, neither the Ego, nor anything belonging to the Ego, can be found, is it not therefore really an utter fool's doctrine to say: "This is the world, this am I; after death, I shall be permanent, persisting, and eternal?"

These are called mere views, a thicket of views, a puppet show of views, a toil of views, a snare of views; and ensnared in the fetter of views, the ignorant worldling will not be freed from rebirth, from decay, and from death, from sorrow, pain, grief, and despair; he will not be freed, I say, from suffering."

~ The Eightfold Path, Buddha Gautama

Insights on family teaching

"Most men are disappointed and become doubtful with all the age-old authorities: kings, teachers and fathers have drastically fallen. For hundreds of centuries, it was kings, teachers and fathers who taught with absolute power and not the reverse. Today, if you are not Baha'i, you may act against your king, your teacher and your father too! Some day, if you really conduct a better life, your father may wonder and start looking into the lessons which amazingly change his son. As at this early period of the Faith, we Baha'is still don't know well about the Baha'i Faith, how it works, how it affects the world, how it will progress and exist beautifully among other religions and other cultures. Our world is a world of confusion, of mystery, of love, of hope and of certitude. When we accept the Faith, we don't know it completely, we don't agree with all the teachings, we don't practice happily and completely. There are still Baha'is who quarrel with other Baha'is, who commit sins, who leave the communities. Yes, we are like students of a new school who never graduate and never become perfect. Other people are like students of old schools and the illiterate. They keep on moving around as usual, some will enter the Baha'i school, keep on learning and practicing new ideals, others may waver still and other may leave the Faith and keep on seeking for something else. Each Baha'i will continue to learn and to serve in his own way. As for me, I think that I will continue to learn thankfully, to continuously discover the mysteries of God and to joyfully introduce this new school to other people. Of course I am praying for God to guide them, but I don't think that I can do anything for them. Finally, each individual will be responsible only for his own life before his conscience and naturally before God. God has His mysterious ways to conduct mankind into His Divine Plan. See, Iranian Baha'is are bright stars in almost every country in the world, while they are still persecuted in their homeland. Most people don't know yet who are the Baha'is, they have no apparels of monks and no title of priests. In fact, they are not yet Baha'is; they are learning to become Baha'i. And while learning they try to humbly and patiently introduce the new and divine school to people who miserably and dangerously wander in the darkness of separation from the love and knowledge of God..."

~ Personal and humble opinion of a Dear Uncle of mine


"God's greatest gift to man is that of intellect, or understanding.

The understanding is the power by which man acquires his knowledge of the several kingdoms of creation, and of various stages of existence, as well as of much which is invisible.

Possessing this gift, he is, in himself, the sum of earlier creations -- he is able to get into touch with those kingdoms; and by this gift, he can frequently, through his scientific knowledge, reach out with prophetic vision.

Intellect is, in truth, the most precious gift bestowed upon man by the Divine Bounty. Man alone, among created beings, has this wonderful power."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 41

More insights into Baha'u'llah's Teachings

"O Respected Assembly! O friends of Truth! The inherent nature of fire is to burn, the inherent nature of electricity is to give light, the inherent nature of the sun is to shine, and the inherent nature of the organic earth is the power of growth.

There is no separation between a thing and its inherent qualities.

It is the inherent nature of things on this earth to change, thus we see around us the change of the seasons. Every spring is followed by a summer and every autumn brings a winter; every day a night and every evening a morning. There is a sequence in all things.

Thus when hatred and animosity, fighting, slaughtering, and great coldness of heart were governing this world, and darkness had overcome the nations, Bahá’u’lláh, like a bright star, rose from the horizon of Persia and shone with the great Light of Guidance, giving heavenly radiance and establishing the new Teaching.

He declared the most human virtues; He manifested the Spiritual powers, and put them into practice in the world around Him.

Firstly: He lays stress on the search for Truth. This is most important, because the people are too easily led by tradition. It is because of this that they are often antagonistic to each other, and dispute with one another.

But the manifesting of Truth discovers the darkness and becomes the cause of Oneness of faith and belief: because Truth cannot be two! That is not possible.

Secondly: Bahá’u’lláh taught the Oneness of humanity; that is to say, all the children of men are under the mercy of the Great God. They are the sons of one God; they are trained by God. He has placed the crown of humanity on the head of every one of the servants of God. Therefore all nations and peoples must consider themselves brethren. They are all descendants from Adam. They are the branches, leaves, flowers and fruits of One Tree. They are pearls from one shell. But the children of men are in need of education and civilization, and they require to be polished, till they become bright and shining.

Man and woman both should be educated equally and equally regarded.

It is racial, patriotic, religious and class prejudice, that has been the cause of the destruction of Humanity.

Thirdly: Bahá’u’lláh taught, that Religion is the chief foundation of Love and Unity and the cause of Oneness. If a religion become the cause of hatred and disharmony, it would be better that it should not exist. To be without such a religion is better than to be with it.

Fourthly: Religion and Science are inter-twined with each other and cannot be separated. These are the two wings with which humanity must fly. One wing is not enough. Every religion which does not concern itself with Science is mere tradition, and that is not the essential. Therefore science, education and civilization are most important necessities for the full religious life.

Fifthly: The Reality of the divine Religions is one, because the Reality is one and cannot be two. All the prophets are united in their message, and unshaken. They are like the sun; in different seasons they ascend from different rising points on the horizon. Therefore every ancient prophet gave the glad tidings of the future, and every future has accepted the past.

Sixthly: Equality and Brotherhood must be established among all members of mankind. This is according to Justice. The general rights of mankind must be guarded and preserved.

All men must be treated equally. This is inherent in the very nature of humanity.

Seventhly: The arrangements of the circumstances of the people must be such that poverty shall disappear, and that every one as far as possible, according to his position and rank, shall be comfortable. Whilst the nobles and others in high rank are in easy circumstances, the poor also should be able to get their daily food and not be brought to the extremities of hunger.

Eighthly: Bahá’u’lláh declared the coming of the Most Great Peace. All the nations and peoples will come under the shadow of the Tent of the Great Peace and Harmony; that is to say, by general election a Great Board of Arbitration shall be established, to settle all differences and quarrels between the Powers; so that disputes shall not end in war.

Ninthly: Bahá’u’lláh taught that hearts must receive the Bounty of the Holy Spirit, so that Spiritual civilization may be established. For material civilization is not adequate for the needs of mankind and cannot be the cause of its happiness. Material civilization is like the body and spiritual civilization is like the soul. Body without soul cannot live.

This is a short summary of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. To establish this Bahá’u’lláh underwent great difficulties and hardships. He was in constant confinement and He suffered great persecution. But in the fortress (Akká) He reared a spiritual palace and from the darkness of His prison He sent out a great light to the world.

It is the ardent desire of the Bahá’ís to put these teachings into common practice: and they will strive with soul and heart to give up their lives for this purpose, until the heavenly light brightens the whole world of humanity.

I am very happy that I have been able to talk with you in this gathering: and hope that this deep consciousness of mine is acceptable to you.

I pray for you, that you may succeed in your aspirations and that the bounties of the Kingdom may be yours."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, London Talks

What is True Love?

"This love is not of the body but completely of the soul. And those souls whose inner being is lit by the love of God are even as spreading rays of light, and they shine out like stars of holiness in a pure and crystalline sky. For true love, real love, is the love for God, and this is sanctified beyond the notions and imaginings of men."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 203

What does Unity through Diversity mean?

"Thus should it be among the children of men! The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord. If you meet those of different race and colour from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness. Think of them as different coloured roses growing in the beautiful garden of humanity, and rejoice to be among them."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 53


"And that universal Manifestation will subdue the world by spiritual power, not by war and combat; He will do it with peace and tranquillity, not by the sword and arms; He will establish this Heavenly Kingdom by true love, and not by the power of war. He will promote these divine teachings by kindness and righteousness, and not by weapons and harshness. He will so educate the nations and people that, notwithstanding their various conditions, their different customs and characters, and their diverse religions and races, they will, as it is said in the Bible, like the wolf and the lamb, the leopard, the kid, the sucking child and the serpent, become comrades, friends and companions. The contentions of races, the differences of religions, and the barriers between nations will be completely removed, and all will attain perfect union and reconciliation under the shadow of the Blessed Tree."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 58

Divine Bounty, Mercy and Love

All creatures that exist are dependent upon the Divine Bounty. Divine Mercy gives life itself. As the light of the sun shines on the whole world, so the Mercy of the infinite God is shed on all creatures. As the sun ripens the fruits of the earth, and gives life and warmth to all living beings, so shines the Sun of Truth on all souls, filling them with the fire of Divine love and understanding.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 25

Attitude towards politics...

Politics are occupied with the material things of life. Religious teachers should not invade the realm of politics; they should concern themselves with the spiritual education of the people; they should ever give good counsel to men, trying to serve God and human kind; they should endeavour to awaken spiritual aspiration, and strive to enlarge the understanding and knowledge of humanity, to improve morals, and to increase the love for justice.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 158

The purpose of today's Revelation

UNITY

"The basis of the teaching of Bahá'u'lláh is the Unity of Mankind, and His greatest desire was that love and goodwill should live in the heart of men."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 45


"Bahá'u'lláh 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. Leave all thought of self, and strive only to be obedient and submissive to the Will of God. In this way only shall we become citizens of the Kingdom of God, and attain unto life everlasting."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 53


We all, the Eastern with the Western nations, must strive day and night with heart and soul to achieve this high ideal, to cement the unity between all the nations of the earth. Every heart will then be refreshed, all eyes will be opened, the most wonderful power will be given, the happiness of humanity will be assured.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 22


"This will be the paradise which is to come on earth, when all mankind will be gathered together under the tent of unity in the Kingdom of Glory."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 22


"May each one of you become a shining lamp, of which the flame is the Love of God. May your hearts burn with the radiance of unity. May your eyes be illumined with the effulgence of the Sun of Truth!"

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 26


"Especially to those whose thoughts are material and retrograde show the utmost love and patience, thereby winning them into the unity of fellowship by the radiance of your kindness."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 27


"I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content.
Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship, and happiness."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 29


"When you love a member of your family or a compatriot, let it be with a ray of the Infinite Love! Let it be in God, and for God! Wherever you find the attributes of God love that person, whether he be of your family or of another. Shed the light of a boundless love on every human being whom you meet, whether of your country, your race, your political party, or of any other nation, colour or shade of political opinion. Heaven will support you while you work in this in-gathering of the scattered peoples of the world beneath the shadow of the almighty tent of unity."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 38


"I hope that you will use your understanding to promote the unity and tranquillity of mankind, to give enlightenment and civilization to the people, to produce love in all around you, and to bring about the universal peace."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 42


"Christ was the Prophet of the Christians, Moses of the Jews -- why should not the followers of each prophet recognize and honour the other prophets also? If men could only learn the lesson of mutual tolerance, understanding, and brotherly love, the unity of the world would soon be an established fact.
Bahá'u'lláh spent His life teaching this lesson of Love and Unity. Let us then put away from us all prejudice and intolerance, and strive with all our hearts and souls to bring about understanding and unity between Christians and Muslims."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 49


"You are all met here with one accord, heart drawn to heart, souls overflowing with Divine love, working and longing for the unity of the world."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 67


"Try with all your hearts to be willing channels for God's Bounty. For I say unto you that He has chosen you to be His messengers of love throughout the world, to be His bearers of spiritual gifts to man, to be the means of spreading unity and concord on the earth. Thank God with all your hearts that such a privilege has been given unto you. For a life devoted to praise is not too long in which to thank God for such a favour."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 67


"Unification of the whole of mankind is the hall mark of the stage which human society is now approaching. Unity of family, of tribe, of city-state, and nation have been successively attempted and fully established. World unity is the goal towards which a harassed humanity is striving. Nation-building has come to an end. The anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is moving towards a climax. A world, growing to maturity, must abandon this fetish, recognize the oneness and wholeness of human relationships, and establish once for all the machinery that can best incarnate this fundamental principle of its life."

~ Shoghi Effendi, The Guardian, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, p. 184

The effect of backbiting on the heart of people

O beloved of the Lord! If any soul speak ill of an absent one, the only result will clearly be this: he will dampen the zeal of the friends and tend to make them indifferent. For backbiting is divisive, it is the leading cause among the friends of a disposition to withdraw. If any individual should speak ill of one who is absent, it is incumbent on his hearers, in a spiritual and friendly manner, to stop him, and say in effect: would this detraction serve any useful purpose? Would it please the Blessed Beauty, contribute to the lasting honour of the friends, promote the holy Faith, support the Covenant, or be of any possible benefit to any soul? No, never! On the contrary, it would make the dust to settle so thickly on the heart that the ears would hear no more, and the eyes would no longer behold the light of truth.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 230


In the world of spirit there is no retrogression. The world of mortality is a world of contradictions, of opposites; motion being compulsory everything must either go forward or retreat. In the realm of spirit there is no retreat possible, all movement is bound to be towards a perfect state. 'Progress' is the expression of spirit in the world of matter. The intelligence of man, his reasoning powers, his knowledge, his scientific achievements, all these being manifestations of the spirit, partake of the inevitable law of spiritual progress and are, therefore, of necessity, immortal. My hope for you is that you will progress in the world of spirit, as well as in the world of matter; that your intelligence will develop, your knowledge will augment, and your understanding be widened.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 90


But on the other hand, when man does not open his mind and heart to the blessing of the spirit, but turns his soul towards the material side, towards the bodily part of his nature, then is he fallen from his high place and he becomes inferior to the inhabitants of the lower animal kingdom. In this case the man is in a sorry plight! For if the spiritual qualities of the soul, open to the breath of the Divine Spirit, are never used, they become atrophied, enfeebled, and at last incapable; whilst the soul's material qualities alone being exercised, they become terribly powerful -- and the unhappy, misguided man, becomes more savage, more unjust, more vile, more cruel, more malevolent than the lower animals themselves. All his aspirations and desires being strengthened by the lower side of the soul's nature, he becomes more and more brutal, until his whole being is in no way superior to that of the beasts that perish. Men such as this, plan to work evil, to hurt and to destroy; they are entirely without the spirit of Divine compassion, for the celestial quality of the soul has been dominated by that of the material. If, on the contrary, the spiritual nature of the soul has been so strengthened that it holds the material side in subjection, then does the man approach the Divine; his humanity becomes so glorified that the virtues of the Celestial Assembly are manifested in him; he radiates the Mercy of God, he stimulates the spiritual progress of mankind, for he becomes a lamp to show light on their path.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 97


I want to make you understand that material progress and spiritual progress are two very different things, and that only if material progress goes hand in hand with spirituality can any real progress come about, and the Most Great Peace reign in the world. If men followed the Holy Counsels and the Teachings of the Prophets, if Divine Light shone in all hearts and men were really religious, we should soon see peace on earth and the Kingdom of God among men. The laws of God may be likened unto the soul and material progress unto the body. If the body was not animated by the soul, it would cease to exist. It is my earnest prayer that spirituality may ever grow and increase in the world, so that customs may become enlightened and peace and concord may be established.

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 107

State of prayer and insights

Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within the seeker's heart, and the breeze of His loving-kindness is wafted upon his soul, will the darkness of error be dispelled, the mists of doubts and misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of knowledge and certitude envelop his being. At that hour will the Mystic Herald, bearing the joyful tidings of the Spirit, 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 heedlessness. Then will the manifold favors 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.

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 266

The dying of self

"This station is the dying from self and the living in God, the being poor in self and rich in the Desired One. Poverty as here referred to signifieth being poor in the things of the created world, rich in the things of God's world. For when the true lover and devoted friend reacheth to the presence of the Beloved, the sparkling beauty of the Loved One and the fire of the lover's heart will kindle a blaze and burn away all veils and wrappings. Yea, all he hath, from heart to skin, will be set aflame, so that nothing will remain save the Friend."
(the Valley of True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness)

~ Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 36

The foundation of all virtues

"Truthfulness is the foundation of all virtues..."

~ Abdu'l-Baha


"The distinguishing feature that marketh the preeminent character of this Supreme Revelation consisteth in that We have, on the one hand, blotted out from the pages of God's holy Book whatsoever hath been the cause of strife, of malice and mischief amongst the children of men, and have, on the other, laid down the essential prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of complete and enduring unity. Well is it with them that keep My statutes."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 96


"Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths. Take heed that ye do not vacillate in your determination to embrace the truth of this Cause -- a Cause through which the potentialities of the might of God have been revealed, and His sovereignty established."

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 136-

Duty of Man

"I do as bidden, and I bring the message, Whether it gives thee counsel or offense.

~ Sa'di, Baha'u'llah, the Four Valleys


What "oppression" is more grievous than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and from whom to seek it?

~ Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 31


"O thou soul who art well assured, Return to thy Lord, well-pleased, and pleasing unto Him."

"Enter thou among My servants, And enter thou My paradise."

"This station hath many signs, unnumbered proofs. Hence it is said: "Hereafter We will show them Our signs in the regions of the earth, and in themselves, until it becomes manifest unto them that it is the truth," and that there is no God save Him.
One must, then, read the book of his own self, rather than some treatise on rhetoric. Wherefore He hath said, "Read thy Book: There needeth none but thyself to make out an account against thee this day."
The story is told of a mystic knower, who went on a journey with a learned grammarian as his companion. They came to the shore of the Sea of Grandeur. The knower straightway flung himself into the waves, but the grammarian stood lost in his reasonings, which were as words that are written on water. The knower called out to him, "Why dost thou not follow?" The grammarian answered, "O Brother, I dare not advance. I must needs go back again." Then the knower cried, "Forget what thou didst read in the books of &Sibavayh and Qawlavayh, of &Ibn-i-Hajib and &Ibn-i-Malik, and cross the water."

"The death of self is needed here, not rhetoric: Be nothing, then, and walk upon the waves."

~ Baha'u'llah, the Four Valleys (the First Valley)


"How can feeble reason encompass the
Qur'an,
Or the spider snare a phoenix in his web?
Wouldst thou that the mind should not entrap
thee?
Teach it the science of the love of God!"

"On this plane, the traveler meeteth with many a trial and reverse. Now is he lifted up to heaven, now is he cast into the depths. As it hath been said: "Now Thou drawest me to the summit of glory, again Thou castest me into the lowest abyss." The mystery treasured in this plane is divulged in the following holy verse from the Surih of THE CAVE:
"And thou mightest have seen the sun when it arose, pass on the right of their cave, and when it set, leave them on the left, while they were in its spacious chamber. This is one of the signs of God. Guided indeed is he whom God guideth; but for him whom He misleadeth, thou shalt by no means find a patron."

"Knowledge is a light which God casteth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth."

"Verily we are from God, and to Him shall we return."

~ Baha'u'llah, the Four Valleys (the Second Valley)


Love shunneth this world and that world
too,
"In him are lunacies seventy-and-two.
The minstrel of love harpeth this lay:
Servitude enslaveth, kingship doth betray."

"On this plane, neither the reign of reason is sufficient nor the authority of self. Hence, one of the Prophets of God hath asked: "O my Lord, how shall we reach unto Thee?" And the answer came, "Leave thyself behind, and then approach Me."

"Crazed, he sought the Tavern where the
wine they buy and sell.
The love of Thee hath leveled down the fort
of patience,
The pain of Thee hath firmly barred the gate
of hope as well."

"The lover's teacher is the Loved One's
beaut,
His face their lesson and their only book.
Learning of wonderment, of longing love
their duty,
Not on learned chapters and dull themes they
look.
The chain that binds them is His musky hair,
The Cyclic Scheme, to them, is but to Him
a stair."

"O Lord! O Thou Whose bounty granteth
wishes!
I stand before Thee, all save Thee forgetting.
Grant that the mote of knowledge in my
spirit
Escape desire and the lowly clay;
Grant that Thine ancient gift, this drop of
wisdom,
Merge with Thy mighty sea."

Thus do I say: There is no power or might
save in God, the Protector, the Self-Subsistent.

~ Baha'u'llah, the Four Valleys (the Third Valley)


"He doth what He willeth, ordaineth what He pleaseth."

"Love is a light that never dwelleth in a heart possessed by fear."

"And if he feareth not God, God will make him to fear all things; whereas all things fear him who feareth God."

"See, our hearts come open like shells, when
He raineth grace like pearls,
And our lives are ready targets, when
agony's arrows He hurls."

"The duty of long years of love obey
And tell the tale of happy days gone by,
That land and sky may laugh aloud today,
And it may gladden mind and heart and
eye."

"Love is a veil betwixt the lover and the beloved."

"Never the covetous heart shall come to the
stealer of hearts,
Never the shrouded soul unite with beauty's
rose."

"No work withholdeth Him from another."

"Every day doth some new work employ Him."

"I turn my face to Him Who hath created the Heavens and the earth ... I am not one of those who add gods to God."

"Wherefore, put thy hand into thy bosom, then stretch it forth with power, and behold, thou shalt find it a light unto all the world."

"Astonishment here is highly prized, and utter poverty essential. Wherefore hath it been said, "Poverty is My pride." And again: "God hath a people beneath the dome of glory, whom He hideth in the clothing of radiant poverty."

"O My Servant!
Obey Me and I shall make thee like unto Myself.
I say `Be,' and it is, and thou shalt say `Be,' and
it shall be."

"O Son of Adam! Seek
fellowship with none until thou hast found Me,
and whenever thou shalt long for Me, thou shalt
find Me close to thee."

"I seek thy nearness, dearer than sweet
Heaven;
I see thy visage, fairer than Paradise
bowers."

"Let us tell, some other day
This parting hurt and woe;
Let us write, some other way,
Love's secrets--better so."

~ Baha'u'llah, the Four Valleys (the Fourth Valley)

Quick reflexion on today's situation

"Unless there is a spiritual renaissance, the world will know no peace."

~ Dag Hammarskjold (First Secretary General of the United Nations)

The idea of Progressive Revelation

Bahá'u'lláh teaches that just as there is only one God, there is also only one religion. All the great Prophets have taught this same one religion. There is, Bahá'u'lláh tells us, no exclusive salvation for the Hindu, the Jew, the Zoroastrian, the Buddhist, the Christian, the Muslim, or the Bahá'í. The Bahá'í Faith is not a sect, but an independent religion. The famous historian Arnold Toynbee was asked about Bahá'u'lláh's Faith. He replied: 'My opinion is that (1) Bahá'ísm is undoubtedly a religion, (2) Bahá'ísm is an independent religion, on a par with Islam, Christianity, and the other recognized world religions. Bahá'ísm is not a sect of some other religion; it is a separate religion, and it has the same status of other recognized religions. This opinion is based both on study and on personal acquaintance with Bahá'ís.' [Bahá'í journal, November, 1959.] All these pure and holy Faiths are part of the one eternal religion of God which goes on for ever. No single religion is the one exclusive Faith, or the final outpouring of truth from Almighty God. Each religion is true, is beautiful, is valid. It is the one Message from God for that age in which it appears. It is the only truth for that particular age, yet it is not final. It is but one part of a single, great, progressive, never-ending Religion of God which has no beginning and will have no end. Though the Word (Holy Spirit) of God is one, the Speakers (Messengers) of this Word are many. It is the one light in many lamps. The golden rule can be found in all the great religions of the world:
Hinduism: The true rule is to do by the things of others as you do by your own.
Judaism: Whatever you do not wish your neighbor to do to you do not to him.
Zoroastrianism: As you do you will be done by.
Buddhism: One should seek for others the happiness one desires for one's self.
Christianity: Therefore, all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do even so to them.
Islam: Let none of you treat a brother in a way he himself would dislike to be treated.
Bahá'í Faith: If thou regardest Mercy, look not to that which benefits thyself; but to that which will benefit thy fellowmen. If thou regardest Justice, choose thou for others that which thou choosest for thyself.
The Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh liken religion to the growth of a plant. Dr. Esslemont who spent many years studying the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh states it in this way: 'The religion of God is the One Religion, and all the Prophets have taught it, but it is a living and growing thing, not lifeless and unchanging. In the teaching of Moses we see the bud; in that of Christ the flower; in that of Bahá'u'lláh the fruit. The flower does not destroy the bud, nor does the fruit destroy the flower. It destroys not, but fulfils. The bud-scales must fall in order that the flower may bloom, and the petals must fall that the fruit may grow and ripen. Were the bud-scales or the petals wrong or useless, then, that they had to be discarded? No, both in their time were right and necessary; without them there could have been no fruit. So it is with the various prophetic teachings; the externals change from age to age, but each revelation is the fulfilment of its predecessors; they are not separate or incongruous, but different stages in the life history of One Religion, which has in turn been revealed as seed, as bud, as flower, and now enters on the stage of fruition.

~ Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, Esslemont, Ch. VIII.

The secret of the creation of Man

Upon the inmost reality of each and every created thing He hath shed the light of one of His names, and made it a recipient of the glory of one of His attributes. Upon the reality of man, however, He hath focused the radiance of all of His names and attributes, and made it a mirror of His own Self. Alone of all created things man hath been singled out for so great a favor, so enduring a bounty.

~ Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 65

Inspiring quotes

"It is incumbent on these servants that they cleanse the heart--which is the wellspring of divine treasures--from every marking, and that they turn away from imitation, which is following the traces of their forefathers and sires, and shut the door of friendliness and enmity upon all the people of the earth."

"Whoso seeketh out a thing with zeal shall find it."
(the Valley of Search)

"Kindle the fire of love and burn away all things, Then set thy foot into the land of the lovers."
(the Valley of Love)

"Knowledge is a single point, but the ignorants have multiplied it."

"In thy soul of love build thou a fire, And burn all thoughts and words entire."
(the Valley of Knowledge)

"Cleanse thou the rheum from out thine head And breathe the breath of God instead."

"Should God punish men for their perverse doings, He would not leave on earth a moving thing! But to an appointed term doth He respite them...."

"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."

"His Essence, holy above ascent and descent, entrance and exit; He hath through all eternity been free of the attributes of human creatures, and ever will remain so. No man hath ever known Him; no soul hath ever found the pathway to His Being. Every mystic knower hath wandered far astray in the valley of the knowledge of Him; every saint hath lost his way in seeking to comprehend His Essence. Sanctified is He above the understanding of the wise; exalted is He above the knowledge of the knowing! The way is barred and to seek it is impiety; His proof is His signs; His being is His evidence.
(the Valley of Unity)

"Only heart to heart can speak the bliss of mystic knowers; No messenger can tell it and no missive bear it."

"I am silent from weakness on many a matter, For my words could not reckon them and my speech would fall short."
(the Valley of Contentment)

"Dost thou reckon thyself only a puny form, When within thee the universe is folded?"
(the Valley of Wonderment)

"When the qualities of the Ancient of Days stood revealed, Then the qualities of earthly things did Moses burn away."

"The Beloved shineth on gate and wall Without a veil, O men of vision."

"Even as the sun, bright hath He shined, But alas, He hath come to the town of the blind!"

"Free thyself from that which thy passion desireth; then advance unto thy Lord."

"Purify thyself from all else save Him, that thou mayest surrender thy life in His love."

"Thank thy Lord on His earth that He may bless thee in His heaven; albeit in the world of oneness, this heaven is the same as His earth."

"Take off from thyself the wrappings of limitations, that thou mayest come to know what thou hast not known of the states of Sanctity."
(the Valley of True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness)

~ Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys


"There was once a lover who had sighed for long years in separation from his beloved, and wasted in the fire of remoteness. From the rule of love, his heart was empty of patience, and his body weary of his spirit; he reckoned life without her as a mockery, and time consumed him away. How many a day he found no rest in longing for her; how many a night the pain of her kept him from sleep; his body was worn to a sigh, his heart’s wound had turned him to a cry of sorrow. He had given a thousand lives for one taste of the cup of her presence, but it availed him not. The doctors knew no cure for him, and companions avoided his company; yea, physicians have no medicine for one sick of love, unless the favor of the beloved one deliver him.

At last, the tree of his longing yielded the fruit of despair, and the fire of his hope fell to ashes. Then one night he could live no more, and he went out of his house and made for the marketplace. On a sudden, a watchman followed after him. He broke into a run, with the watchman following; then other watchmen came together, and barred every passage to the weary one. And the wretched one cried from his heart, and ran here and there, and moaned to himself: “Surely this watchman is Izrá’íl, my angel of death, following so fast upon me; or he is a tyrant of men, seeking to harm me.” His feet carried him on, the one bleeding with the arrow of love, and his heart lamented. Then he came to a garden wall, and with untold pain he scaled it, for it proved very high; and forgetting his life, he threw himself down to the garden.

And there he beheld his beloved with a lamp in her hand, searching for a ring she had lost. When the heart-surrendered lover looked on his ravishing love, he drew a great breath and raised up his hands in prayer, crying: “O God! Give Thou glory to the watchman, and riches and long life. For the watchman was Gabriel, guiding this poor one; or he was Isráfíl, bringing life to this wretched one!”

Indeed, his words were true, for he had found many a secret justice in this seeming tyranny of the watchman, and seen how many a mercy lay hid behind the veil. Out of wrath, the guard had led him who was athirst in love’s desert to the sea of his loved one, and lit up the dark night of absence with the light of reunion. He had driven one who was afar, into the garden of nearness, had guided an ailing soul to the heart’s physician.

Now if the lover could have looked ahead, he would have blessed the watchman at the start, and prayed on his behalf, and he would have seen that tyranny as justice; but since the end was veiled to him, he moaned and made his plaint in the beginning. Yet those who journey in the garden land of knowledge, because they see the end in the beginning, see peace in war and friendliness in anger."

~ Baha’u’llah, The Seven Valleys (Knowledge 3)

Personal reflexion on the purpose of man's existence

Nature is one great Book for man to learn the truth
and to be thankful to His Creator.
The greater Book is the Book of Self for man to enjoy the world
and try to return to his Most Beloved Father.
The greatest Book is the Book of Creative Word
for man to learn how to read all Books,
and living the true life to attain the good pleasure of the One True God.
Negligence in reading all these three Books
will deprive man of all the human and divine blessings.

What does accepting the Faith mean?

"The first Taraz and the first effulgence which hath dawned from the horizon of the Mother Book is that man should know his own self and recognize that which leadeth unto loftiness or lowliness, glory or abasement, wealth or poverty. Having attained the stage of fulfilment and reached his maturity, man standeth in need of wealth, and such wealth as he acquireth through crafts or professions is commendable and praiseworthy in the estimation of men of wisdom, and especially in the eyes of servants who dedicate themselves to the education of the world and to the edification of its peoples. They are, in truth, cup-bearers of the life-giving water of knowledge and guides unto the ideal way. They direct the peoples of the world to the straight path and acquaint them with that which is conducive to human upliftment and exaltation. The straight path is the one which guideth man to the dayspring of perception and to the dawning-place of true understanding and leadeth him to that which will redound to glory, honour and greatness."

~ Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 34


"By faith is meant, first, conscious knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p.383


Yes, when a man becomes Baha'i, he is not merely changing the name. He embarks on learning a new everything from the Manifestation of God for this Age, he lives a new life which means death to the world and rebirth to the Kingdom of God. He is not attaining, but only journeying along with other humble wayfarers.

When we independently become Baha'i, we are a completely a new man living in a completely new world.
Nobody around us can tell us how to conduct our lives besides Baha'u'llah and His institutions.

~ Personal and humble understanding of the quote of a dear Uncle of mine

Abdu'l-Baha's example and story sharing

"Last night a Hindu professor of music came to see me. He brought with him a musical instrument called the vina and sang for us certain Oriental verses, accompanying himself on the vina. Overhead, our neighbor was playing the piano, but as soon as the professor began, the piano became silent till the Hindu finished. This teaches us a lesson - whenever we hear superb music we must listen; then we will forget all inferior music. For instance, when a lover of music hearkens once to the entrancing notes of a great master, his love for music will no longer be satisfied by the playing of a pupil. If he listen with equal pleasure to the pupil, it shows a lack of artistic appreciation."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 76

Abdu'l-Baha about color

"Today I am most happy, for I see here a gathering of the servants of God. I see the white and colored people together. In the estimation of God there is no distinction of color; all are one in the color and beauty of servitude to him. Color is not important; the heart is all-important. It matters not what the exterior may be if the heart be pure and white within. God does not behold differences of hue and complexion; He looks at the hearts. He whose morals and virtues are praiseworthy is preferred in the presence of God; he who is devoted to the Kingdom is most beloved. In the realm of genesis and creation the question of color is of least importance."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 267

Shoghi Effendi's insights

"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."

"Now the dark-skinned people, he [Shoghi Effendi] said, would have an upsurge that is both spiritual and social. The spiritual upsurge will rapidly bring them great gifts because this is an act of God, and it is so intended. And all the world's prejudiced forces will not hold it back one hair's breadth. The Báhá'ís' will glorify it and understand it. The social repercussions of race suppressions around the world will increase at the same time, and frightened, the world's forces will see that the dark-skinned peoples are really rising to the top (Obama?) -- a cream that has latent gifts only to be brought out by divine bounties."

~ Shoghi Effendi