The Loving Bonds of Family and Friends

“The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered, and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the father, the mother—none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father, likewise, has certain obligations to his son. The mother, the sister and other members of the household have certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved, yet the unity of the family must be sustained.  The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each, the comfort of all; the honor of one, the honor of all.” (Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, "The Promulgation of Universal Peace", p. 168)           

“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)

“The first sign of faith is love. The message of the holy, divine Manifestations is love; the phenomena of creation are based upon love; the radiance of the world is due to love; the well-being and happiness of the world depend upon it. Therefore, I admonish you that you must strive throughout the human world to diffuse the light of love.” (Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Promulgation of Universal Peace”, p. 337)

Please click on the link and enjoy:

This is Faith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPSaN3oE5x8

"This material world has an outward appearance, as it has also an inner reality. All created things are interlinked in a chain leading to spirituality and ultimately ending in abstract realities. I hope that these spiritual links will become stronger day by day and that this communication of hearts, which is termed inspiration, will continue. When this connection exists, bodily separation is not important; this condition is beyond the world of words and above all description." (Words of `Abdu'l-Baha, on 28 April 1912, "Mahmud's Diary")

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.”

 

“…if he seems to be lonely try to help him, give him of your willing service; if he be sad console him, if poor succour him, if oppressed rescue him, if in misery comfort him.  In so doing you will manifest that not in words only, but in deed and in truth, you think of all men as your brothers.” (`Abdu’l-Baha; “Paris Talks”, p. 16)

 “Service”

Offered selflessly, purely, with no conditions set in mind, no hopes for return, no expectations entertained in heart for any rewards!

Whatever the measure and regardless of its form and outer significance, a ‘service’ should be offered sincerely and selflessly.  It should encourage freedom and be detached, light and free—of any attached strings of expectations, obliging burdens, or imposed feelings of guilt, inferiority and being in debt.  Yet again, no one should be forced to render a ‘service’; it should only be done voluntarily and through the free exercise of one’s own will-power.  Act of service deserves and merits the call for one’s own willing initiative and desire, depending on one’s own volition and conscious act, not ‘being volunteered’ for or having been imposed upon.  It should not be done for the sake of saving personal benefits in difficult situations, nor be considered popularity maintenance and an effort to preserve one’s reputation within the crowed.  Rendering a ‘service’ is an act that always involves a degree of sacrifice on one’s part; thus, it stretches beyond and stands far above the limits and obligations of one’s daily duties and job assignments performed merely for earning a living, with sole incentive of survival and securing one’s own material life.  Service is a nobly independent act and not a one to be confused with a forced rendering out of helplessness or insecurity or of desperation to receive attention, praise and popularity, nor it should be done because of any other reasons and mixed with ulterior motives—but only to be of a benefit and some goodness, promoting the best interests of the cause(s) and the person(s) that are being served.

 

“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.” (From a Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 18 February 1954)

  

 “That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race.  The Great Being saith:  Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.” (“Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah”, p. 250)

  “Service in love for mankind is unity with God.”

(Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha; “The Promulgation of Universal Peace”, p. 186)

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/