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