the greatest of heavenly Gifts

“Man is like unto this lamp, but the effulgences of the Kingdom are like the rays of the lamp. Man is like unto the glass, but spiritual splendors are like unto the light within the glass. No matter how translucent the glass may be, as long as there is no light within, it remains dark. Likewise, man, no matter how much he advances in material accomplishments, will remain like the glass without light if he is deprived of the spiritual virtues. Material virtues are like unto a perfect body, but this body is in need of the spirit. No matter how handsome and perfect the body may be, if it is deprived of the spirit and its animus, it is dead. But when that same body is affiliated with the spirit and expressing life, perfection and virtue become realized in it. Deprived of the Holy Spirit and its bounties, man is spiritually dead.”  (From a Talk by `Abdu’l-Baha, 1 September 1912, at the home of Maxwells in Montreal, “The Promulgation of Universal Peace”)

While over-attachment to material possessions and excessive focus on physical living could and is indeed detrimental to one’s spiritual growth and highest advancement, these two, that is material and spiritual aspects of human life, are in no ways contradictory, but only complementary. In fact the more both advance in parallel and in harmoniously balanced measure—guided by lofty and time-relevant principles and values, and governed with progressive laws and ordinances—the human life, individually, and consequently with each one’s relevant influence and share, collectively as a whole, shall attain perfection.  Spiritual development and material growth are like indispensable and inseparable wings of the bird of life—the stronger the two wings and the more well-balanced, well coordinated their growth and movements, the higher and splendidly more fulfilling the flight of life shall be.  Just as it truly deserves!

"Provided they behave moderately, the more people advance in the material realm, the more their capacity for attaining spirituality is augmented. The sounder the body, the greater is the resplendency and manifestation of the spirit. Truly, what impedes spirituality are the dogmas and imitations that are contrary to true science and a sound mind." (Words of `Abdu'l-Baha, 4 June 1912, in New York, "Mahmud's Diary")

“Spirituality is the greatest of God's gifts”

and “`Life Everlasting' means `Turning to God'”.

(`Abdu'l-Baha)

“Happiness has a direct influence in preserving our health while being upset causes illness. The basis of eternal happiness is spirituality and divine virtue, which is not followed by sorrow. But physical happiness is subject to a thousand changes and vicissitudes.”  (Words of `Abdu’l-Baha, 19 June 1912, in New York, “Mahmud’s Diary”)

The human body like that of the animals’ is subject to nature's laws. But man is endowed with another nature, the rational and intellectual reality; and the intellectual reality of man predominates over the nature.  All these sciences and advancements which we enjoy and benefit from once been hidden and the recondite secrets of nature, all were unknowable to it itself, and the nature has been and is captive by the rules of the hidden mysteries that is concealed in it. Man, however, was enabled to discover these mysteries, progressed in unraveling the secrets of the existence; he brought the hidden realities out of the plane of the unseen into the plane of the visible and seen.  This proves that human being's existence endows powers and capacities which the nature does not possess. The intellectual faculties and potential capacities of the man are themselves the powers of his superior nature and spiritual reality; that is, his spirit—'the human spirit'.

"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")

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

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

 

“Universality is of God, while every limitation is human.”

What would be the profit to agree in global union, consent to the goodness of universal friendship and talk of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal? , “Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of action...”

While no act of sincere service and assistance, no genuine thought and intention, not even a gesture of kindness and good-will should be taken for granted, but ought to only fairly and wholeheartedly be appreciated and treasured by the receivers of such favors and gifts, the “noble people” are those who “love you with heart and soul” and offer goodness and service “without any fear, hope or expectation of reward”.  Their sole motive and sincere desire is merely to be of some benefit, positive energy and joyous good to people.  True happiness of a person who owns and enjoys integrity and trust, who endeavors to live a noble life—one which increasingly translates into action and aspires to reflect matching attributes and qualities—greatly lies in his and her sincerity and loving kindness to all the kindreds of the earth. A kind which is unconditional and generous, flowing like a pure stream that knows no limitation, no exhaustion and no calculating inhibitions—a loving kindness that could best be described and understood by the example of loving, compassionately caring and magnanimously generous parents, whose sole motive is the well-being, advancement and worthy happiness of the children.  Souls with such love, such compassionate wisdom and generosity—selfless and polished in character, brilliantly refined in mind and spirit, and intelligently pure and vigilant in heart—are not on marginal and passing mission for individual recognitions and distinctions, having ulterior intensions and desires, coveting to receive personal benefits through the display of good deeds and putting on the show their charitable acts and devotions.   Theirs is, rather, a pure service, a sincere effort, wanting only to be the cause of goodness and high spirit, aiming to be effective, informed and humble contributors to progress and happiness in the world of humanity. 

“For universality is of God and all limitations earthly. Thus man must strive that his reality may manifest virtues and perfections, the light whereof may shine upon everyone. The light of the sun shineth upon all the world and the merciful showers of Divine Providence fall upon all peoples. The vivifying breeze reviveth every living creature and all beings endued with life obtain their share and portion at His heavenly board.  In like manner, the affections and loving-kindness of the servants of the One True God must be bountifully and universally extended to all mankind. Regarding this, restrictions and limitations are in no wise permitted.  Wherefore, O my loving friends!  Consort with all the peoples, kindreds and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, faithfulness, kindliness, good-will and friendliness.”  (Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Baha’i World Faith”, p. 445)

 

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.”

a Peace of mind that is not passive and plain but is active, simply sophisticated and real. It is the Truth!

“What conforms with divine decree will be realized. In addition, good intentions and sound thoughts attract confirmations. The desires of human beings are endless. No matter what level a human being reaches, he can still attain higher ones, so he is always making effort and desiring more. He can never find peace but through effort and resignation, so that, notwithstanding all efforts in worldly affairs, the human heart remains free and happy. He neither becomes proud on attaining wealth and position nor becomes dejected on losing them. This station can be attained only through the power of faith.”

To read ‘The Baha'i International Community’s Statement to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development’, issued and presented on 20 June 2012, entitled “Sustaining Societies: Towards a New "We" ” –which is a remarkably lucid and momentously urging and generous contribution and call—please visit the related page on the official website below:

http://news.bahai.org/story/917

http://news.bahai.org/

“Be calm, be strong, be grateful, and become a lamp full of light, that the darkness of sorrows be annihilated, and that the sun of everlasting joy arise from the dawning-place of heart and soul, shining brightly.” (`Abdu'l-Baha; “Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha”, v.2, p. 405)

The difference between the happiness which is real and the one which is mere illusion is that once we reach to the former and earn it, we treasure it dearly, do not want it to vanish, eagerly trying and pursuing to have more; in the case of the later, however, once we possess it we feel satisfied and at times without even enjoying it fully, our focus gets distracted and our mind begins wondering about the meaning of our life, silently confused and distressed too perhaps, searching for happiness! The eagerness and sentiment caused by and resulted from the real one is a holistic joy as it enriches both the soul and the mind, adorns both the spiritual and material abodes of ones being, while the later and passing one only meets the material, the mortal and fleeting needs and pursuits and thus itself mortal with no lasting trace and effect, drifts away like a shadow.  The world of matter, therefore, sheds on us sorrow and despair along with its pleasures and happiness; where "the spiritual world bestows only joy."

“O Thou Benevolent God, forgive my sins, grant Thy Bestowals, overlook my faults, provide for me a shelter, immerse me in the Fountain of Thy Patience and heal me of all sickness and disease.  Purify and sanctify me.  Give me a portion from the outpouring of holiness, so that sorrow and sadness may vanish, joy and happiness descend, despondency and hopelessness be changed into cheerfulness and trustfulness, and courage take the place of fear. Verily Thou art the Forgiver, the Compassionate, and Thou art the Generous, the Beloved!” (Prayer by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Baha’u’llah and the New Era”, p. 99)

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

Learning Felicity

http://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

As the bird soars higher in sky, it is only seen smaller

Have you ever noticed, and then thought and reflected about it?  Well, other than that of the obvious and known which the physical science has long discovered and explained?

Only for those who are on the ground, the flying birds seem small. And the higher one soars, the smaller it becomes.  Some birds may forge so up and high that they appear no more and vanish from the earthly eyes. Earthly eyes that often fly very low, jump a bit here and there in intervals, some perhaps even only content with a minimal moving around, picking up seeds and worms to indulge and then with drooping moods take shelter under a dark shadow, rest their heavy and muddy wings in idleness and sloth.  But for those who aspire the heights and do fly themselves, the flying birds are always the giants; the emblems of courage, high energy and grace they are—what the other ones seek and are inspired by, find as sources of pride and lofty examples to be learned and followed by.  Their power of example imparts growth and success, encourages and uplifts the others’ flights, and generously embraces and sustains the beginning heights.

The truest giants never flinch and pause, they keep flying and aim ever higher, complacency and selfish pride has no chance to win them by; their feathers are strongest but velvet soft, have no colors but shine like rainbows and light bulbs, and they neither mind rebuffs nor hear in their heads lingering applauds. They focus on their flights and mind and care to pull others too along up and high. They compete well, but with their own capacities and potential, hoping to be the first, and if they keep flying without any stops or doubts, smiling with sunshines and giving cheers to stars, they will, and “They shall be first among the pure, the free and the wise.” (Shoghi Effendi, The Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, “The Art of The Living”)

Welcome to visit and read recent post on my bilingual Chinese and English blog:

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

 “Joy gives
    us wings!”

“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 means 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.

“Spirituality is the greatest of God's gifts, and `Life Everlasting' means `Turning to God'.  May you, one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped more and more by the Divine consolation, be made free by the Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of the Heavenly Kingdom live and work among you.  This is my earnest desire, and I pray to God to grant you this favour.” (`Abdu'l-Baha, "Paris Talks", p. 109-112)

"happiness and greatness"
     in wealth and poverty

As you may too recall in earlier years at school often at the essay writing class we would be invited or assigned to present papers revolving the comparative themes and questions of ‘knowledge and learning’, ‘money and business’, ‘integrity and virtues’, ‘happiness and success’, and their mutual relations, effects and resulting outcome—within the contexts of “wealth” and “poverty” and the varying concepts, causes and consequences of being “poor” or “rich”. While the students were expected to think and write their own fair deductions and honest opinions on the matters and the assignments seemed to encourage a free exercise of one’s faculties and independent understanding, the obtained marks were not to be affected by the views expressed, but rather be based on the articulation of thoughts, strength of reasoning and logical arguments, writing structure and the level of skills and command of language. Of course the quality of the whole process depended, in one hand, on where the evaluator herself or himself was coming from, the nature and standing of the mental and moral experiences, and the reference points and directions of the ideals with which they were being exercised; and on the other hand, on how true the junior writers were to their values and to the perceptions and logical reasoning of their own minds—and if all indeed were reflecting a pristine originality or whether would be instead adjusted cleverly to please the evaluator in a hope for a higher mark too. Decisions and choices which however subtle and minor at times, would find their roots in each one’s corresponding conditions and states of the within and the without, by turn. With this unassuming preamble, presuming you may have already been taken in mind for moments back to then—for many of you not so long ago, and for some, certainly as near as the present—it could be a worthwhile mental exercise to pause and think for ourselves on these matters now, weighing the relevance and changes, the progressive complexities and facts, comparing the patterns and processes, if were to write such assignments today. Focused on intellectual aspects and deliberate though we may be in reasoning and approval of currents, humanly and personal we cannot but feel affected and overwhelmed—wondering fairly on the limitless abundance and diversions, the forgotten precious and scarce within the extremes and over-growths, dropping in sharp turns the cries and sighs, glittered and colorful but heavy, dull and drooping in exaggerated moods, not satisfied but full, over-achieved and possessed with goods and goods, yet more goods, empty-pocketed though cluttered with cards and credits, from top to toes—strangely too, hardly anyone sees the real money nowadays, it is almost all in the restless figures, fading inks and shaky words...

It is evidently a vast area of discussion, and currently more than ever a major arena of attention and deep concerns, in so many levels and ways. One point that I choose to focus upon and venture to note is that to me, both ‘wealth’ and ‘poverty’, each neither by itself is a good thing nor is otherwise not good—it all depends on what either one accomplishes, and does to us and to others; and the “rich” and “poor” could each merit a fortunate state or be the owner of misery itself—pending on how each one lives and encounters with the corresponding situation. There could be a significant difference in the unexpected outcome of each one, depending on whether one adjusts and harmonizes the related circumstances for the better, or for the worse. And if one has blissfully moved towards better—however rich or poor—is the reached state, is being held stilled and passive in the name of aloofness and contentment, or is the situation kept advancing and developing actively? Is the attitude gratefully content, only yearning for perfection, progressing and positive, transforming itself and everything that is around it to arrive at best?

The terms “wealth” and “poverty” are in every respect relative, and no matter how wealthy in anything someone might be, one can always become wealthier, and likewise is the case with poverty. To have a balanced society with an orderly and harmonious structure, it is really not logical to imagine a world where everyone would be absolutely the same and equal in wealth. And why should it be, when by nature everything in creation, including us of course, is unique and each one’s innate powers and potential abilities are so colorfully different and interestingly diverse? Unquestionably and regardless of differences and variances, everyone is wealthy and in possession of potential capacities, born noble and with equal rights to meet opportunities for developing and perfecting oneself all through one’s life—however so, it is not expected or possible for all to be the same and identical in resulting perfection and its qualities and degrees. Likewise, in material state and practical living circumstances it cannot be expected or be possible to have absolute equality. It is only that no one should be deprived of equal and just opportunities to acquire and enjoy a deserving relative wealth. As the key for the former is recognizing equal rights for every human being, regardless of the degree, kind and intensity of one’s potential capacities; similarly, a dignified and fair minimum level of wealth for every human being should be recognized, moderating the systems in our societies so to eliminate the extremes in poverty and in wealth, having a world where, "All the peoples of the world will enjoy like interests, and the poor shall possess a portion of the comforts of life. Just as the rich are surrounded by their luxuries in palaces, the poor will have at least their comfortable and pleasant places of abode; and just as the wealthy enjoy a variety of food, the needy shall have their necessities and no longer live in poverty.” (From a Talk by `Abdu'l-Baha on May 6, 1912, "Promulgation of Universal Peace", p.103)

Beyond this binding principle, for those minds that gaze ever higher and soar above the limits with nobler aspirations—whatever their standing point, the following passage is a defining lofty standard. It is a mission statement for every individual of today, and a guiding light for present-day societies across the globe which are to nurture and recognize, sustain and value those who are endowed with these matchless gifts and who minister to common good and the betterment of all. I think it should be engraved with choicest diamond on the perceptive and fair golden minds!

“The happiness and greatness, the rank and station, the pleasure and peace, of an individual have never consisted in his personal wealth, but rather in his excellent character, his high resolve, the breadth of his learning and his ability to solve difficult problems.”

(`Abdu’l-Baha, "The Secret of Divine Civilization", p.23)

                                                   -------------------

 

Welcome to visit and read recent post on my bilingual Chinese and English blog:

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings
http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/