Everything has its own time and every time has its own requirement and conditions.  What is good and needed in summer, would not be suitable for the winter period; and what is to be done in spring, could be too late and irrelevant to be undertaken in wintry season.  Something that had been good and acceptable in a certain time, might not continue to be always good and satisfactory.  Once a nice garment and a new outfit, cannot be expected to remain becoming and fit at all times—it would need to be discarded when used and old. A behavior and a way of life and conduct that was considered to be right and praiseworthy in childhood, would not be commendable and appropriate—in fact may even be seen as a great defection and mere imperfection—for a grown up and adult person.  In former times it was very praiseworthy and heroic to safeguard and protect the interests of a family unit, whatever it took and however the sacrifice—and it surely is important and shall ever to be so—but to just think of one’s own family is certainly not enough, no more.  To devotedly endeavor and fight for one’s city and region, and heroically exert every effort in battle-fields for one’s country and nation, was the noblest act and honor; but, now that alone is not sufficient, nor conducive to the protection and prosperity, safeguard and advancement of that single region or that one country.  What is the requirement of this time, sufficing and fit for the demands of this age, is to see the world as one planet and its people as one people. It is joining the will and the effort to protect and safeguard the planet, preserving it and its resources and wealth, for all.  Abiding by this principle and meeting the calls of this age and this period of time, the goodness and protection of our own independent nations and regions, our own neighborhoods and families too shall all be safeguarded and treasured.  Then, everyone will attain the prosperity and perfection which each one rightfully deserves and aspires for it to happen. 

Aligned with this principle of renewal and this logical reasoning and truth, and interwoven within the fabric of creation is that, pondering fairly, clearly and unbiased, we understand and recognize the principle of the ‘Progressive Revelation’ of the spiritual truths and teachings that have guided and shaped our mental and moral structures in the course of overall process of the advancement of human civilization as recorded in the annals of religious history.  We do perceive, and should be able to understand and gain deep insight, that while both the religion and science had been and are to continually guide us towards the discoveries of realities and truths, so often—if not been viewed and accepted within the natural principle of growth and progressive renewal—and contrary to their pristine qualities and original missions, and their indispensable and magnificent effects on the life and advancement of mankind, their practical structures and outer entities might have largely changed to lead instead the humanity to the lowest abyss of ignorance and degradation.  As the discovery and learning of the material realities take place progressively and advances gradually, the ‘religious realities and truths’ in conformity and matching the needs and requirements of the time are reflected, revealed and understood in successive and progressive manner.  Because of such truths having been revealed to the human world, a contingent world bound by material limitations and elements of time and place, which its nature is governed by the principle of relativity, “the religious truths” sent and gifted to humanity “are relative, not absolute”.

“Religion and science walk hand in hand, and any religion contrary to science is not the truth.”  

(Revealed by `Abdul-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 131) 

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

Love and Loving Kindness

“You must have infinite love for each other, each preferring the other before himself.” (Talk by `Abdu’l-Baha, From Stenographic Notes, 1 July 1912, New York)

“Love” is light; it is the cause of creation and the secret and purpose of existence and life.  Its proof is itself, as is for light and sunshine, and like the life in the alive. Love is the beginning and the end, it is everywhere; yet invisible, it is perceived and felt only by its signs and manifestations.  It is said in the holy Texts that, “God is Love”.

However lofty its station, thrilling and awesome, love is simple; it is not plain, certainly nor it is easy, but truly simple. When we open a room and space in our day to day life and include others’ cares and concerns in ours—however little or big—that simply is love.  As we allow our minds and thoughts be busy in making others happy, their lives a bit easier, and a moment of their days sweeter—that is kindness, a kind that is love.  We offer of our time, if we have; if not, we make time, then offer it even if just a moment or two, sincerely and willingly; we care for her and him, or them and theirs, as we care for me and ourselves—and that just is love. And the more and deeper such affection and love, it grows only in beauty and meaning; unfolding its hidden treasures, it transforms in power, leads and advances to a point where we fly so high and above that not only concern ourselves for their happiness and goodness as we do for our own, upholding everyone equal as we are, we may even willingly and freely offer preferences to others’ cares and concerns over those of our own—without attaching hidden strings of expectations in return, or any conditions, nor obligations of any kinds—what could be understood as, and it is, the highest, purest, and noblest form of affection and love.  Such a kind is not blind, far too from it—it is intelligent and vigilantly aware, generously gracious and genuine, while is free, aloof and wise. Such a love is kind—the loving kindness which is Godly and divine.

`Abdu’l-Baha—the Embodiment of every Baha’i ideal and the Perfect Exemplar of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation—would manifest in His day to day life and treatment of others, whether friends and family, or just any one whom He would meet, a loving attitude of the kind.  His love originated from the love of the One Beloved, the Creator; hence, He saw God’s image in every human being, and loved every soul for His sake, ‘God said, “Let us make a man with our image and resemblance.” (Genesis, 1:26)’—a love thus reaching from Him to everyone was naturally and abundantly sincere, spotless and infinitely generous.  His acts translated His own Words, “When you love a member of your family, a friend, or a compatriot, let it be with a ray of the Infinite Love! Let it be in God, and for God.”