stars with sunshines

The Baha’i writings boldly emphasize and state that the ultimate goal of human existence and purpose of life for every human soul is that each one should attain moral and spiritual excellence, which is in the highest sense the alignment of one's inner being and outward behavior with the will of an All-Loving, All-Merciful Creator; a Will that is so vividly and clearly crystallized in the revealed Texts and expounded in the teachings and exhortations of the Faith and Its Founders.  Each individual has been bestowed with an innate potential and a unique destiny by God--a destiny which unfolds and shapes in accordance with the free exercise of one’s faculties and will power when faced with diverse choices and challenges, and presented by options and opportunities in one’s life—a freedom and right to practice and develop one’s potential which is not only everyone’s gift and advantage, but is at the same time his and hers responsibility and purpose in life.  Through moral exercise of the divinely conferred free will, and vigilantly perceiving the manifold opportunities provided for the development of one’s potential, each could and shall only attain spiritual glory and advancement.

"Were man to appreciate the greatness of his station and the loftiness of his destiny he would manifest naught save goodly character, pure deeds, and a seemly and praiseworthy conduct."  (“Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p, 172)

“We aspire to find true human beings in this world. Man becomes human only through spiritual life, and the foundation of such a life is made up of heavenly perfections, divine attributes, service to humanity, eagerness to receive eternal bounties, praiseworthy morals, unity, love of God, wisdom and knowledge of God. If the aim were this physical life only, then this creation would be in vain and men would not have more honor or be nobler than other creatures. The greatest of sensual pleasures, beauty of appearance and freedom are found among the animals. Birds excel all in sensual pleasures, for they build nests on the loftiest branches and breathe the purest air. All seeds and fruit are their property. Limpid streams, charming plains, beautiful fields, verdant hills, green valleys, exquisite gardens and lovely flowers are all for their pleasure and happiness. They have no grief, regrets, aspirations, ambitions, quarrels, contentions, wars or massacres. If the purpose of existence is sensual life and pleasures, then animal and man are equal. Happiness and pleasure are rather the possession of the bird and not those of distressed and sorrowful men." (Words Of `Abdu’l-Baha, 2 October 1912, San Francisco, “Mahmud’s Diary”)

As we each diligently exert ourselves to achieve our high destiny and the purpose of our life—and we should be doing just that with heart and soul and to the best of our abilities and more—aligning both our inner being and our outward behavior with the will of God and the lofty principles and exhortations which the revealed Words in the holy Scriptures introduce, guide and teach us; thus, unfolding and developing our potential through their transforming powers, and endeavoring every day a bit better to translate the truths enshrined in them into actions and our day to day life, however inadequately and in small ways, we positively influence the advancement of society and serve the betterment and happiness of others as a whole.  When we through the knowledge and understanding of the Words of God—the divine elixir—exert to improve our character and conduct and likewise centre our thoughts on serving others by helping and reorienting their minds to exercise their own free will in doing the same; when we think of the advancements and needs of others beyond ourselves and our own needs, we find answers to our own prayers too.  The power of example thus kindled, generating light and energy, elevates and inspires our own being and we grow spiritually and nobly, becoming ever happier and more blissful. 

“Be ye loving fathers to the orphan, and a refuge to the helpless, and a treasury for the poor, and a cure for the ailing. Be ye the helpers of every victim of oppression, the patrons of the disadvantaged. Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race. Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection, to disdain, hostility, injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only. Let each one of God’s loved ones centre his attention on this: to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s grace. Let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some benefit to him. Let him improve the character of each and all, and reorient the minds of men.”  (Tablet of Hague”, revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha)

You are welcome to visit my three other blogs—English, Chinese bilingual, and Persian—below:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

The Day Star "آفتاب جهانتاب" Aftab i Jahantabhttp://thedaystaraftabijahantab.blogspot.com/

 

The Heart

Heart is a bird that has wings, it can fly if be opened. Heart is a lamp, it can guide if it be kindled and enlightened. Heart is a mirror, if polished and when kept clean, it reflects our being, our soul, and the realities and beings of others. Heart speaks, and listens, sings and dances; it sees, has eyes, perceives, understands, and accepts and welcomes. It gives, and gives, and again and again forgives. It is the one precious, pulsating and sleeplessly vigilant gift of life and the abode of breathing it in and around, within my hands and in yours, which however the mind, the self and ego, the world and its worldly colors and people may try and push it; the heart is brave, solid as a rock, unflinching and strong when is upright and focused on loftiest purposes and heights, and it is meek, modest and aloof, detached and humble, the compassion and grace itself—if awakened and alert to its destination and value—when it gets, it never forgets. It remains faithful, determined and with clear and bold foresight that pierces forward and brings in light to itself and in the worlds that have lost their hearts.

The magic of heart is when it is ‘pure’, ‘purged’ and ‘sanctified’ from the dusts of the perishing matter and worldly, and the dross of vain imaginings, imitations and the forces of darkness, and all that prejudices hate, pursue and mark. When the heart is cleaned and polished, kept light and gentle, and kind and warm with love and kindness, and with faith and life, then it is the “home of God”. It then becomes the abode of elegance and beauty, a priceless mine of gems, it grows “hyacinths of knowledge and wisdom”, diffuses “divine fragrances”; and then it transforms into gold, purest one, and in matchless diamonds, nay it fills up itself with such joy and light, that it becomes the power-house of light and happiness—it becomes a “throne” for The Beloved of the world, The Desire of all hearts!

Don’t you then think that the ‘heart’ is the ruling force in our lives, and the mind, intellect, and the rest of ours and the others’ just subjects to this commander in house? Imagine what power then there is in heart, of mine and yours, when it receives a kind of being and existence from the Source of Goodness and Delight which makes it ever bigger, happier and eternal?

“I give thanks to Thee, O my God, that Thou hast suffered me to remember Thee. What else but remembrance of Thee can give delight to my soul or gladness to my heart?”  (Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, "Prayers and Meditations", p. 193)

“God has given man a heart and the heart must have some attachment. We have proved that nothing is completely worthy of our heart's devotion save reality, for all else is destined to perish. Therefore the heart is never at rest and never finds real joy and happiness until it attaches itself to the eternal. How foolish the bird that builds its nest in a tree that may perish when it could build its nest in an ever-verdant garden of paradise.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, pp. 136-137)

“O SON OF BEING! Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cleanse it for My manifestation.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “The Hidden Words”, Verse 59)

“O God, my God!  Thou art my Hope and my Beloved, my highest Aim and Desire! With great humbleness and entire devotion I pray to Thee to make me a minaret of Thy love in Thy land, a lamp of Thy knowledge among Thy creatures, and a banner of divine bounty in Thy dominion…  Let my heart be dilated with joy through the spirit of confirmation from Thy kingdom, and brighten my eyes by beholding the hosts of divine assistance descending successively upon me from the kingdom of Thine omnipotent glory. Thou art, in truth, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the All-Powerful.” (Prayer Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, "Tablets of `Abdu’l-Baha”, v.1, p. 329)

“O SON OF SPIRIT! My first counsel is this:  Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “The Hidden Words”, Verse 1)

You are welcome to visit my three other blogs—English, Chinese bilingual, and Persian—below:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

The Day Star "آفتاب جهانتاب" Aftab i Jahantabhttp://thedaystaraftabijahantab.blogspot.com/

Dancing Souls

!.!.!.*.*.*.!.!.!

Brilliant and Joyous

For every day that there is sunshine, there will be days of rain; it's how we dance within them both, that shows our love and pain.  (Joey Tolbert, Poet; http://www.values.com)

“In this world we are influenced by two sentiments, Joy and Pain.   Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded.  We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness.  But when sadness visits us, we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled.  The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp, the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries, and we become even as dead beings.  There is no human being untouched by these two influences.”  When we think about it, fairly and freely, it would be evident and easy to understand and relate to our lives, agreeing that in its truest sense “all the sorrow and the grief that exist come from the world of matter; the spiritual world bestows only the joy.  If we suffer, it is the outcome of material things, and all the trials and troubles come from this world of illusion. For instance, a merchant may lose his trade and depression ensues.  A workman is dismissed and starvation stares him in the face.  A farmer has a bad harvest, anxiety fills his mind.  A man builds a house which is burnt to the ground and he is straightway homeless, ruined, and in despair.  All these examples are to show you that the trials which beset our every step, all our sorrow, pain, shame and grief, are born in the world of matter; whereas the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness.  A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual joy.”

Now, does this mean that such a person does not receive difficulties or meet illness, is not inflicted by calamities or distressfully limited by means? Everyone, as long as is in this world of matter and surrounded by physical law which binds every existent being to relevant limitations, restrictions and imperfections, receives a share of crisis, set-backs and disappointments.  This is part of the nature and of inseparable characteristics of the world made of matter and physical substances. Not only individually, but collectively too and only in more dramatic fashion and severe magnitude, we humans are influenced and become afflicted by hardships.  Today the whole humanity is bowed down with trouble, sorrow and grief, often wondering and sadly lost without seemingly any hopes and inspiration--“the world is wet with tears”, surrounded and immersed in trials and fears.  Being joyous and positive of course in no ways mean denials and ignorance of what is happening to oneself or to the humanity as a whole; it means not dwelling our attention and energies on them, but rather focusing our minds and thoughts on nobler and higher horizons, holding on to a lofty handle which stands above and beyond the bumps and twists of the troubling limitations, pulling the realities of our being up and high by its aid and force. Doing this, the troubles and afflictions shall yet touch us, as is their nature, but they will visit and affect us on the surface of life; while the depths keep calm and ever develop to be more serene and peaceful. With such spirit and adapting such attitude and discipline, intelligently aware and observant of the challenges and unfavorable upsets though we are, the inner heart and essence of mind and soul shall remain unmoved, unaffected, nay ever-increasingly brimming with assurance, radiance and joy.

Radiant acquiescence, happiness and true joy, conscious existence and understanding, confidence and trust, positive fairness and willing respect, optimism however stilled in dark and cheerfulness though crushing be everything that surrounds, signify power and unflinching will, the inner purity and spiritual radiance.  All are signs of a resplendent character and each a shining reflection of an understanding brilliant mind.  To develop these sterling traits and possess such growing spiritual capacity and wealth in one’s being is the highest perfection and ultimate fruit and meaning of the human existence.  As the truth is that, “The troubles of this world pass, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls.”

“O God! …whenever I ponder my grievous shortcomings and my great trespasses, despair assaileth me from every direction, and whenever I pause to meditate upon the ocean of Thy bounteousness and the heaven of Thy grace and the day-star of Thy tender compassion, I inhale the fragrance of hope diffused from right and left, from north and south, as if every created thing imparteth unto me the joyous tidings that the clouds of the heaven of Thy mercy will pour down their rain upon me.”  (Revealed by Baha'u'llah, “Tablets of Baha'u'llah”, p. 112)

You are welcome to visit my three other blogs—English, Chinese bilingual, and Persian—below:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

The Day Star "آفتاب جهانتاب" Aftab i Jahantab

http://thedaystaraftabijahantab.blogspot.com/

 The apex of  nobility

“It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity.” (Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 90)

What would otherwise be there any meaning and truth in professing to believe in God? And how could an understanding and perceptive mind find a merit, yet where would a fair conscience and far-seeing vision view a benefit in adhering to any practices and deeds upheld in the name of Faith?

“The purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves. That the divers communions of the earth, and the manifold systems of religious belief, should never be allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is, in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His Religion. These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are the rays of one Light. That they differ one from another is to be attributed to the varying requirements of the ages in which they were promulgated.”  (Gleanings from the Writings Baha’u’llah, p. 287)

 

The revealed Words and the holy Text is the “Divine Elixir” which alone can transmute the crude metal of human nature into pure gold, and will with its nurturing power transform and unfold the potential latent in his and her being to manifest a capacity and perfection worthy of human nobility and of the brilliant heights destined for its advancement.

"When divers shades of thought, temperament and character, are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest. Naught but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas and convictions of the children of men."  (Shoghi Effendi, “The World Order of Baha’u’llah”, p. 42)

“O Son of Spirit! Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.”

(Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “Hidden Words”

You are welcome to visit my three other blogs—English, Chinese bilingual, and Persian—below:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

The Day Star "آفتاب جهانتاب" Aftab i Jahantabhttp://thedaystaraftabijahantab.blogspot.com/

 

“Lift the hem of your garment to receive” God’s abounding gifts and favors

To count our blessings is to understand the true meaning of wealth, infinity and life!

Gratitude and conscious appreciation begins when we empower our attitudes and visions with positive energies, sunny thoughts and enjoyment of however little joys which come our way.  When we pause and care to recognize and count our blessings—which naturally calls for a degree of active vigilance and personal discipline combined with an eager sense of fairness and humility—not taking for granted anyone, or anything, not a bit, not a moment of our lives, we surprisingly realize how much happier we become and how truly lucky each one of us are!

“God’s care and loving-kindness surge even as the eternal billows of the sea and His blessings are continually showered from His eternal Kingdom.  Ours should be the prayer that His blessings may be vouchsafed in still greater abundance and ours to hold fast to such means as shall ensure a fuller outpouring of His grace and a greater measure of His divine assistance.  One of the greatest of these means is the spirit of true fellowship and loving communion amongst the friends.”  (Selections From The Writings Of `Abdu’l-Baha”, p. 92)

However blissfully and happily it may be invested with myriad of long years, compared to the spiritual realms of God and eternally infinite worlds following this limited mortal one,  “The life of man in this world is short… one must appreciate every breath of his life and endeavor in that which is conducive to eternal glory.”  (“Tablets of `Abdu’l-Baha”, v.1, p. 206)

“Associate with all in perfect love and kindness; hold all dear and count all friends and familiar ones; know no enemies; imagine no strangers.  Thus mayest thou be a mercy to the people of the world and a source of bounty to the world of humanity.”  (“Tablets of `Abdu’l-Baha”, v.1, p. 667)

With such a noble spirit and willingly drawing a conscious outlook, gazing on such a worthy horizon and celebrating life so nobly at its every beat, is the secret and the reward of happiness, successful longevity and real youth.  After all everything that relates to the time and the place, the matters and balancing figures, deductions and sums, are all only relative, passing conditions and mortal.  The age units, for example, and the counts of birth years and adding months and days are merely physical contracts—which are there for certain purposes and needed order in life of course, but are not more really, are less.  Stepping up a pace or two above the worldly grounds and its bumps and pompous rocks, we can and we should change how they operate and influence us and our attitudes and moods.  Doing thus, we sit in command and take charge of our lives at every turn and twist, altering the rules of upsets and obstacles by raising the horizon of our thoughts and actions.  High in spirit and broadened in visions, we then with dilated hearts spread our wings, soar and seek to consort with stars—and living in the joy of becoming a shining one, we haste in chasing and faithfully following “The Moon”!

“The earth is in the motion and growth; the mountains, hills and prairies are green and pleasant; the bounty is overflowing; the mercy universal; the rain is descending from the cloud of mercy; the brilliant Sun is shining; the full moon is ornamenting the horizon of ether; the great ocean-tide is flooding every little stream; the gifts are successive; the favors consecutive; and the refreshing breeze is blowing, wafting the fragrant perfume of the blossoms. Boundless treasure is in the hand of the King of Kings! Lift the hem of thy garment in order to receive it.” (`Abdu’l-Baha; “Baha’i World Faith”, p. 351)

You are welcome to visit my three other blogs—English, Chinese bilingual, and Persian—below:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

The Day Star "آفتاب جهانتاب" Aftab i Jahantabhttp://thedaystaraftabijahantab.blogspot.com/