True Paradise

It's been said that Heaven and Hell are not places we might inhabit when we die but "states of being" we live through here on Earth.

Consider this excerpt from Reality:

"....there is no greater torture than being veiled from God, and no more severe punishment than sensual vices, dark qualities, lowness of nature, engrossment in carnal desires. When they are delivered through the light of faith from the darkness of these vices, and become illuminated with the radiance of the sun of reality, and ennobled with all the virtues, they esteem this the greatest reward, and they know it to be the true paradise."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 60: "The Immortality of the Spirit", p. 224

I have to do WHAT ?!?

It seems the hardest thing for Seekers to do is Submit to God's Will.

In fact, so many people say with apparent pride, "I'm spiritual but not religious."

Modern "spirituality" has a lot of room for personal willfulness and merely "human" desires...

If we conceived of God as our Creator, you'd think that obedience would be rather swift and happy.

Thing is, He gave us the ability to choose...

Most of us choose our own small, selfish worlds instead of God's Worlds.

So, today's quote from Reality could be rather hard to swallow:

"O thou who hast surrendered thy will to God! By self-surrender and perpetual union with God is meant that men should merge their will wholly in the Will of God, and regard their desires as utter nothingness beside His Purpose. Whatsoever the Creator commandeth His creatures to observe, the same must they diligently, and with the utmost joy and eagerness, arise and fulfil. They should in no wise allow their fancy to obscure their judgment, neither should they regard their own imaginings as the voice of the Eternal."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection CLX, p. 337

A Clear Message

One of the lessons I've learned about Spirituality by pondering the Writings represented in the compilation Reality is that understanding the Scriptures doesn't depend on high marks in intellectual subjects.

People who have a relatively pure heart are in the "position" to understand the Words of the Prophets and Messengers of God.

Today's quote from Reality is an example and also a "definition" of the Pure Heart we all need...

"O YE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MINDS TO KNOW AND EARS TO HEAR!

"The first call of the Beloved is this: O mystic nightingale! Abide not but in the rose-garden of the spirit. O messenger of the Solomon of love! Seek thou no shelter except in the Sheba of the well-beloved, and O immortal phoenix! dwell not save on the mount of faithfulness. Therein is thy habitation, if on the wings of thy soul thou soarest to the realm of the infinite and seekest to attain thy goal."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Hidden Words, Persian #1

The Cause of God

In many activities of life [especially in the realm of Spirit] it can be extremely helpful to compare a number of versions, views, or visions of what you're studying.

Today's quotes from Reality explore a number of facets of the Cause of God--what God intends and what He does to help us understand...

"…it hath been made indubitably clear that in the kingdoms of earth and heaven there must needs be manifested a Being, an Essence Who shall act as a Manifestation and Vehicle for the transmission of the grace of the Divinity Itself, the Sovereign Lord of all. Through the Teachings of this Day Star of Truth every man will advance and develop until he attaineth the station at which he can manifest all the potential forces with which his inmost true self hath been endowed. It is for this very purpose that in every age and dispensation the Prophets of God and His chosen Ones have appeared amongst men, and have evinced such power as is born of God and such might as only the Eternal can reveal."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection XXVII, pp. 67-68

"O SON OF BEING! With the hands of power I made thee and with the fingers of strength I created thee; and within thee have I placed the essence of My light. Be thou content with it and seek naught else, for My work is perfect and My command is binding. Question it not, nor have a doubt thereof."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Hidden Words, Arabic #12

"O SON OF MAN! Thou art My dominion and My dominion perisheth not, wherefore fearest thou thy perishing? Thou art My light and My light shall never be extinguished, why dost thou dread extinction? Thou art My glory and My glory fadeth not; thou art My robe and My robe shall never be outworn. Abide then in thy love for Me, that thou mayest find Me in the realm of glory."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Hidden Words, Arabic #14

"O SON OF MAN! Upon the tree of effulgent glory I have hung for thee the choicest fruits, wherefore hast thou turned away and contented thyself with that which is less good? Return then unto that which is better for thee in the realm on high."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Hidden Words, Arabic #21

"O SON OF WORLDLINESS! Pleasant is the realm of being, wert thou to attain thereto; glorious is the domain of eternity, shouldst thou pass beyond the world of mortality; sweet is the holy ecstasy if thou drinkest of the mystic chalice from the hands of the celestial Youth. Shouldst thou attain this station, thou wouldst be freed from destruction and death, from toil and sin."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Hidden Words, Persian #70

What, Really, is Eternal Life ?

Here's my opinion about today's excerpt from Reality:

Every spirituality based on Truth shows us that the Real Life is the spiritual existence that enfolds "this life".

Some would say it follows "this life" and they'd be right.

The Whole Truth is, we're eternal souls Right Now and "this life" has that Life embracing it...

Most "spiritual practice" is to clear our sight so we can "enter the Kingdom" now...

"You question about eternal life and the entrance into the Kingdom. The outer expression used for the Kingdom is heaven; but this is a comparison and similitude, not a reality or fact, for the Kingdom is not a material place; it is sanctified from time and place. It is a spiritual world, a divine world, and the center of the Sovereignty of God; it is freed from body and that which is corporeal, and it is purified and sanctified from the imaginations of the human world. To be limited to place is a property of bodies and not of spirits. Place and time surround the body, not the mind and spirit. Observe that the body of man is confined to a small place; it covers only two spans of earth. But the spirit and mind of man travel to all countries and regions -- even through the limitless space of the heavens -- surround all that exists, and make discoveries in the exalted spheres and infinite distances. This is because the spirit has no place; it is placeless; and for the spirit the earth and the heaven are as one since it makes discoveries in both. But the body is limited to a place and does not know that which is beyond it. For life is of two kinds: that of the body and that of the spirit. The life of the body is material life, but the life of the spirit expresses the existence of the Kingdom, which consists in receiving the Spirit of God and becoming vivified by the breath of the Holy Spirit. Although the material life has existence, it is pure nonexistence and absolute death for the holy saints. So man exists, and this stone also exists, but what a difference between the existence of man and that of the stone! Though the stone exists, in relation to the existence of man it is nonexistent.

"The meaning of eternal life is the gift of the Holy Spirit, as the flower receives the gift of the season, the air, and the breezes of spring. Consider: this flower had life in the beginning like the life of the mineral; but by the coming of the season of spring, of the bounty of the clouds of the springtime, and of the heat of the glowing sun, it attained to another life of the utmost freshness, delicacy and fragrance. The first life of the flower, in comparison to the second life, is death.

"The meaning is that the life of the Kingdom is the life of the spirit, the eternal life, and that it is purified from place, like the spirit of man which has no place. For if you examine the human body, you will not find a special spot or locality for the spirit, for it has never had a place; it is immaterial. It has a connection with the body like that of the sun with this mirror. The sun is not within the mirror, but it has a connection with the mirror.

"In the same way the world of the Kingdom is sanctified from everything that can be perceived by the eye or by the other senses -- hearing, smell, taste or touch. The mind which is in man, the existence of which is recognized -- where is it in him? If you examine the body with the eye, the ear or the other senses, you will not find it; nevertheless, it exists. Therefore, the mind has no place, but it is connected with the brain. The Kingdom is also like this. In the same way love has no place, but it is connected with the heart; so the Kingdom has no place, but is connected with man.

"Entrance into the Kingdom is through the love of God, through detachment, through holiness and chastity, through truthfulness, purity, steadfastness, faithfulness and the sacrifice of life.

"These explanations show that man is immortal and lives eternally. For those who believe in God, who have love of God, and faith, life is excellent -- that is, it is eternal; but to those souls who are veiled from God, although they have life, it is dark, and in comparison with the life of believers it is nonexistence.

"For example, the eye and the nail are living; but the life of the nail in relation to the life of the eye is nonexistent. This stone and this man both exist; but the stone in relation to the existence of man is nonexistent; it has no being; for when man dies, and his body is destroyed and annihilated, it becomes like stone and earth.

"Therefore, it is clear that although the mineral exists, in relation to man it is nonexistent.

"In the same way, the souls who are veiled from God, although they exist in this world and in the world after death, are, in comparison with the holy existence of the children of the Kingdom of God, nonexisting and separated from God."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 67: "Eternal Life and Entrance into the Kingdom of God", pp. 241-243

Oppression . . .

Feeling oppressed?

What if you were, truly, oppressed and weren't even aware you were?

Are you living in the Light of Truth or do you still dwell in the dark valley of falsehoods?

As today's excerpt from Reality shows, the Greatness of God is that every pain or error of our lives can become the very means to find peace and truth:

"What 'oppression' is more grievous than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and from whom to seek it?

"For opinions have sorely differed, and the ways unto the attainment of God have multiplied.

"This 'oppression' is the essential feature of every Revelation.

"Unless it cometh to pass, the Sun of Truth will not be made manifest. For the break of the morn of divine guidance must needs follow the darkness of the night of error."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Íqán, paragraph 29, p. 29

Do The Stars Have An Influence On Us ?

Today's excerpt from Reality is a bit longer than most but, hey, even though this blog is a service to others, that doesn't stop it from being an avenue of portraying my own perceptions.

So what does my perception have to do with the length of the quote?

‘Abdu’l-Bahá is here discussing the proper way to think of the connections between not only us and the stars but between all things in this marvelous universe.

The personal connection, to be absolutely clear, is that I've been an astrologer for over 40 years now and I've certainly trod a path that leads away from traditional, materialistic astrologers.

I would never say that the only way to figure out a life is astrology.

Yet, the perception of interconnectedness portrayed in this article is an excellent starting point for seeing the meaning of life.

Also, such a core concept of spirituality needs, in my opinion, a discussion that has the length necessary to induce deep understanding...

"Question. -- Have the stars of the heavens any influence upon the human soul, or have they not?

"Answer. -- Some of the celestial stars have a clear and apparent material effect upon the terrestrial globe and the earthly beings, which needs no explanation. Consider the sun, which through the aid and the providence of God develops the earth and all earthly beings. Without the light and heat of the sun, all the earthly creatures would be entirely nonexistent.

"With regard to the spiritual influence of stars, though this influence of stars in the human world may appear strange, still, if you reflect deeply upon this subject, you will not be so much surprised at it. My meaning is not, however, that the decrees which the astrologers of former times inferred from the movements of the stars corresponded to occurrences; for the decrees of those former astrologers were forms of imagination which were originated by Egyptian, Assyrian and Chaldean priests; nay, rather, they were due to the fancies of Hindus, to the myths of the Greeks, Romans and other star worshipers. But I mean that this limitless universe is like the human body, all the members of which are connected and linked with one another with the greatest strength. How much the organs, the members and the parts of the body of man are intermingled and connected for mutual aid and help, and how much they influence one another! In the same way, the parts of this infinite universe have their members and elements connected with one another, and influence one another spiritually and materially. For example, the eye sees, and all the body is affected; the ear hears, and all the members of the body are moved. Of this there is no doubt; and the universe is like a living person. Moreover, the connection which exists between the members of beings must necessarily have an effect and impression, whether it be material or spiritual.

"For those who deny spiritual influence upon material things we mention this brief example: wonderful sounds and tones, melodies and charming voices, are accidents which affect the air -- for sound is the term for vibrations of the air -- and by these vibrations the nerves of the tympanum of the ear are affected, and hearing results. Now reflect that the vibration of the air, which is an accident of no importance, attracts and exhilarates the spirit of man and has great effect upon him: it makes him weep or laugh; perhaps it will influence him to such a degree that he will throw himself into danger. Therefore, see the connection which exists between the spirit of man and the atmospheric vibration, so that the movement of the air becomes the cause of transporting him from one state to another, and of entirely overpowering him; it will deprive him of patience and tranquillity. Consider how strange this is, for nothing comes forth from the singer which enters into the listener; nevertheless, a great spiritual effect is produced. Therefore, surely so great a connection between beings must have spiritual effect and influence.

"It has been mentioned that the members and parts of man affect and influence one another. For example, the eye sees; the heart is affected. The ear hears; and the spirit is influenced. The heart is at rest; the thoughts become serene, and for all the members of man's body a pleasant condition is realized. What a connection and what an agreement is this! Since this connection, this spiritual effect and this influence, exists between the members of the body of man, who is only one of many finite beings, certainly between these universal and infinite beings there will also be a spiritual and material connection. Although by existing rules and actual science these connections cannot be discovered, nevertheless, their existence between all beings is certain and absolute.

"To conclude: the beings, whether great or small, are connected with one another by the perfect wisdom of God, and affect and influence one another. If it were not so, in the universal system and the general arrangement of existence, there would be disorder and imperfection. But as beings are connected one with another with the greatest strength, they are in order in their places and perfect.

"This subject is worthy of examination."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 69: "The Influence of the Stars", pp. 245-247

Are You Happy ?

It certainly seems like a massively difficult task for some folk to be Truly Happy--not that smiling, chatty brand of nervous activity that some cling to...

Happiness deep within, when no one's around to impress...

Happiness that never withers...

Spiritual Happiness !

Ponder these quotes from Reality and mine them for the gems they contain:

"Happy are they who act; happy are they who understand; happy the man that hath clung unto the truth, detached from all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth."

Bahá’u’lláh: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 139

"Happy are they that observe God’s precepts; happy are they that have recognized the Truth; happy are they that judge with fairness in all matters and hold fast to the Cord of My inviolable Justice."

Bahá’u’lláh: Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, "Kalimát-i-Firdawsíyyih" or "Words of Paradise", p. 62

"Happy are they that have cast behind their backs all else save God and have held fast unto that which the Lord of strength and power hath enjoined upon them."

Bahá’u’lláh: Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, "Excerpts from Other Tablets" (excerpt #3), p. 235

"Happy are the righteous that have attained unto the most great truth; happy are the wise that have recognized the straight path of God and turned unto His Kingdom; happy are the glad and sincere, the lamps of whose hearts burn with the knowledge of the All-Merciful and are protected from the rough winds of tests and sorrows; happy are the brave whose hearts the power of the oppressor cannot daunt; happy are the clear-sighted that have learned to distinguish the transitory from the eternal, that have turned their faces to the Imperishable and are named among the Immortals in the realm of power and glory."

Bahá’u’lláh: excerpts from epistles, quoted in Bahá’í World, Vol. 2, p. 63

"....man’s supreme honor and real happiness lie in self-respect, in high resolves and noble purposes, in integrity and moral quality, in immaculacy of mind."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 19

Apparently, We ALL Are Super Important . . .

The following quote from Reality is one of the many Proofs that We are Worthy and Important Beings -- not just cogs in a materialistic machine or numbers in a business plan or votes in a political realm...

"O My servants! Could ye apprehend with what wonders of My munificence and bounty I have willed to entrust your souls, ye would, of a truth, rid yourselves of attachment to all created things, and would gain a true knowledge of your own selves — a knowledge which is the same as the comprehension of Mine own Being. Ye would find yourselves independent of all else but Me, and would perceive, with your inner and outer eye, and as manifest as the revelation of My effulgent Name, the seas of My loving-kindness and bounty moving within you. Suffer not your idle fancies, your evil passions, your insincerity and blindness of heart to dim the luster, or stain the sanctity, of so lofty a station."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection CLIII, pp. 326-327