Education

Yesterday's quote was about the Name of God, The Educator.

Back on the 4th, I'd posted part of today's excerpt.

So...

"The primary, the most urgent requirement is the promotion of education. It is inconceivable that any nation should achieve prosperity and success unless this paramount, this fundamental concern is carried forward. The principal reason for the decline and fall of peoples is ignorance. Today the mass of the people are uninformed even as to ordinary affairs, how much less do they grasp the core of the important problems and complex needs of the time.

"It is therefore urgent that beneficial articles and books be written, clearly and definitely establishing what the present-day requirements of the people are, and what will conduce to the happiness and advancement of society. These should be published and spread throughout the nation, so that at least the leaders among the people should become, to some degree, awakened, and arise to exert themselves along those lines which will lead to their abiding honor. The publication of high thoughts is the dynamic power in the arteries of life; it is the very soul of the world. Thoughts are a boundless sea, and the effects and varying conditions of existence are as the separate forms and individual limits of the waves; not until the sea boils up will the waves rise and scatter their pearls of knowledge on the shore of life.

"Thou, Brother, art thy thought alone,
The rest is only thew and bone.[1]

[1 Rumi, The Mathnavi, II 2:277. The next line is: A garden close, if that thought be a rose, But if it be a thorn, then only fit to burn.]

"Public opinion must be directed toward whatever is worthy of this day, and this is impossible except through the use of adequate arguments and the adducing of clear, comprehensive and conclusive proofs. For the helpless masses know nothing of the world, and while there is no doubt that they seek and long for their own happiness, yet ignorance like a heavy veil shuts them away from it."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 108-110

"Were this revelation to be withdrawn, all would perish."

A search in Google for "names of God" yields quite a range of Qualities and Powers.

It's been said our creation in God's Image means we can potentially manifest God's Names...

"Consider, for instance, the revelation of the light of the Name of God, the Educator. Behold, how in all things the evidences of such a revelation are manifest, how the betterment of all beings dependeth upon it. This education is of two kinds. The one is universal. Its influence pervadeth all things and sustaineth them. It is for this reason that God hath assumed the title, "Lord of all worlds." The other is confined to them that have come under the shadow of this Name, and sought the shelter of this most mighty Revelation. They, however, that have failed to seek this shelter, have deprived themselves of this privilege, and are powerless to benefit from the spiritual sustenance that hath been sent down through the heavenly grace of this Most Great Name. How great the gulf fixed between the one and the other! If the veil were lifted, and the full glory of the station of those that have turned wholly towards God, and have, in their love for Him, renounced the world, were made manifest, the entire creation would be dumbfounded. The true believer in the Unity of God will, as it hath already been explained, recognize, in the believer and the unbeliever, the evidences of the revelation of both of these Names. Were this revelation to be withdrawn, all would perish."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection XCIII, pp. 189-190

Spiritual Healing

With so much fantasy being passed off as religion, we really need our God-given ability to make evaluations.

The melodramatic presentations of "preachers" who claim the gift of healing are a case in point. . .

These poor souls aside, is spiritual healing actually possible?

"Question. -- Some people heal the sick by spiritual means -- that is to say, without medicine. How is this?

"Answer. -- Know that there are four kinds of curing and healing without medicine. Two are due to material causes, and two to spiritual causes.

"Of the two kinds of material healing, one is due to the fact that in man both health and sickness are contagious. The contagion of disease is violent and rapid, while that of health is extremely weak and slow. If two bodies are brought into contact with each other, it is certain that microbic particles will pass from one to the other. In the same way that disease is transferred from one body to another with rapid and strong contagion, it may be that the strong health of a healthy man will alleviate a very slight malady in a sick person. That is to say, the contagion of disease is violent and has a rapid effect, while that of health is very slow and has a small effect, and it is only in very slight diseases that it has even this small effect. The strong power of a healthy body can overcome a slight weakness of a sick body, and health results. This is one kind of healing.

"The other kind of healing without medicine is through the magnetic force which acts from one body on another and becomes the cause of cure. This force also has only a slight effect. Sometimes one can benefit a sick person by placing one's hand upon his head or upon his heart. Why? Because of the effect of the magnetism, and of the mental impression made upon the sick person, which causes the disease to vanish. But this effect is also very slight and weak.

"Of the two other kinds of healing which are spiritual -- that is to say, where the means of cure is a spiritual power -- one results from the entire concentration of the mind of a strong person upon a sick person, when the latter expects with all his concentrated faith that a cure will be effected from the spiritual power of the strong person, to such an extent that there will be a cordial connection between the strong person and the invalid. The strong person makes every effort to cure the sick patient, and the sick patient is then sure of receiving a cure. From the effect of these mental impressions an excitement of the nerves is produced, and this impression and this excitement of the nerves will become the cause of the recovery of the sick person. So when a sick person has a strong desire and intense hope for something and hears suddenly the tidings of its realization, a nervous excitement is produced which will make the malady entirely disappear. In the same way, if a cause of terror suddenly occurs, perhaps an excitement may be produced in the nerves of a strong person which will immediately cause a malady. The cause of the sickness will be no material thing, for that person has not eaten anything, and nothing harmful has touched him; the excitement of the nerves is then the only cause of the illness. In the same way the sudden realization of a chief desire will give such joy that the nerves will be excited by it, and this excitement may produce health.

"To conclude, the complete and perfect connection between the spiritual doctor and the sick person -- that is, a connection of such a kind that the spiritual doctor entirely concentrates himself, and all the attention of the sick person is given to the spiritual doctor from whom he expects to realize health -- causes an excitement of the nerves, and health is produced. But all this has effect only to a certain extent, and that not always. For if someone is afflicted with a very violent disease, or is wounded, these means will not remove the disease nor close and heal the wound -- that is to say, these means have no power in severe maladies, unless the constitution helps, because a strong constitution often overcomes disease. This is the third kind of healing.

"But the fourth kind of healing is produced through the power of the Holy Spirit. This does not depend on contact, nor on sight, nor upon presence; it is not dependent upon any condition. Whether the disease be light or severe, whether there be a contact of bodies or not, whether a personal connection be established between the sick person and the healer or not, this healing takes place through the power of the Holy Spirit."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, Chapter 72: "Healing by Spiritual Means", pp. 254-256

"The publication of high thoughts..."

I've mentioned before that this blog, although a definite service to others, is my main spiritual discipline for staying on the Path, right after my daily prayers...

Even though I focus on the Bahá'í Writings here, I read and am inspired by a number of other spiritual bloggers...

I hope to see some choice comments on today's quote:

"The publication of high thoughts is the dynamic power in the arteries of life; it is the very soul of the world. Thoughts are a boundless sea, and the effects and varying conditions of existence are as the separate forms and individual limits of the waves; not until the sea boils up will the waves rise and scatter their pearls of knowledge on the shore of life."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 109-110

Saving Our World

Some of what's wrong:

Major Global Issues Synopsis
As reported by the UN Environmental Program (UNEP)
Population
World population passed 6 billion in 2000, up from 2.5 billion in 1950. It is projected to grow to 8 billion in 2025, 9.3 billion in 2050, and eventually to stabilize at 10.5-11 billion.
Poverty & Inequality
The degree of inequality between rich and poor is not getting better, and this is a deterrent to reduction of poverty. There are still 1.2 billion people who subsist on less than $1 per day.
Food & Agriculture
Developing countries in general have food deficits now where they recently had surpluses. The greatest threat to forests, wetlands, mountains and biodiversity in developing countries is now seen to be the expansion of agricultural land to meet growing demand.
Water
By 2025, nearly half the world's population will experience water shortages, and it is projected that wars will increasingly be fought over water.
Forests
The world's forests continue to shrink.
Climate Change
Fossil fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions continue to grow, especially in Asia and the US.
Health
Most deaths in the least developed countries are readily preventable.


Today's quote:

"O people of God! Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men. This can best be achieved through pure and holy deeds, through a virtuous life and a goodly behaviour."

Bahá’u’lláh: Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, "Lawh-i-Dunyá" or "Tablet of the World", p. 86

"...haply they may be illumined by the light of the Sun of true knowledge..."

Ever had a day when you wanted to reformat your brain's hard drive--cut down on the mental clutter society lays at your doorstep--hide from those folk who are trying to prove something--take a vacation in a cave?

When scientists indulge in fantasy and ministers cling to materialism it's time to be extremely cautious about what we accept...

"Would that the hearts of men could be cleansed from these manmade limitations and obscure thoughts imposed upon them! haply they may be illumined by the light of the Sun of true knowledge, and comprehend the mysteries of divine wisdom."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Íqán, paragraph 49, p. 43

"So great is the folly and perversity of the people, that they have turned their face toward their own thoughts and desires, and have turned their back upon the knowledge and will of God...."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Íqán, paragraph 183, p. 158

"Cleave to the Root of Knowledge, and to Him Who is the Fountain thereof, that thou mayest find thyself independent of all who claim to be well versed in human learning, and whose claim no clear proof, nor the testimony of any enlightening book, can support."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection LXXXIX, p. 177

"Rid thyself of all attachment to the vain allusions of men, and cast behind thy back the idle and subtle disputations of them that are veiled from God."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection CXXXIX, p. 303

"...faith compriseth both knowledge and the performance of good works."

Rather Easy Quiz:

Which would you rather be?

A.) Politically Correct
B.) Socially Correct
C.) Spiritually Correct

Thing is, much of Social Correctness and even a bit of Political Correctness come from Spiritual Correctness.

Doing good is a fine thing...

Doing it as more than what's normally demanded is much finer...

"Pleasing and acceptable as is a righteous person before God’s Holy Threshold, yet good works should proceed from knowledge. However matchless and exquisite may be a blind man’s handiwork, yet he himself is deprived of seeing it. How sorely do certain animals labour on man’s behalf, what loads they bear for him, how greatly they contribute to his ease and comfort; and yet, because they are unwitting, they earn no recompense for all their pains. The clouds rain down their bounty, nurturing the plants and flowers, and imparting verdure and enchantment to the plain and prairie, the forest and the garden; but yet, unconscious as they are of the results and fruit of their outpourings, they win no praise or honour, nor earn the gratitude and approbation of any man.

"The lamp imparteth light, but as it hath no consciousness of doing so, no one is indebted to it. This apart, a man of righteous deeds and goodly conduct will assuredly turn towards the Light, in whichever quarter he behold it.

"The point is this, that faith compriseth both knowledge and the performance of good works."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá quoted in a Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice to the Universal House of Justice, 28 March 1996, "Authenticity of Bahá’í World Faith and Foundations of World Unity." The quote is a revised translation of a selection of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which appeared in Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 382-383.

"...the beauteous robe of faith..."

I like using Wikipedia, even if parts of it are untrustworthy.

No matter what field of life you name, making personal judgements about the trustworthiness of ideas, events, and people are necessary for our spiritual growth.

Even matters of faith need the clarity of reason to fuel their fires and even Wikipedia needs to make judgements about the trustworthiness of information.

Here's the beginning of their entry on Faith:

All or part of this article may be confusing or unclear. Please help clarify the article. Suggestions may be on the talk page. (December 2007)

To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, the introduction of this article may need to be rewritten. Please discuss this issue on the talk page and read the layout guide to make sure the section will be inclusive of all essential details. This article has been tagged since July 2007.

This article or section is missing citations or needs footnotes. Using inline citations helps guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. (August 2007)

And, here are our quotes for today:

"Just as the conception of faith hath existed from the beginning that hath no beginning, and will endure till the end that hath no end, in like manner will the true believer eternally live and endure."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection LXIII, p. 141

"Amity and rectitude of conduct, rather than dissension and mischief, are the marks of true faith."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection C, p. 205

"Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection CXI, p. 217

"He [Muhammad] bade the erring and wayward arise and speed out of the sepulchres of their bodies, arrayed them with the beauteous robe of faith, and quickened them with the breath of a new and wondrous life."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Íqán, paragraph 123, p. 107

"....the peoples of the world are judged by their countenance. By it, their misbelief, their faith, and their iniquity are all made manifest."

Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Íqán, paragraph 187, p. 160

The Revealing Power of Faith

The two excerpts for today are both by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá but from different times and texts.

Still, together, they say a lot for the oft proclaimed Woman's Intuition . . .

"Every superior stage comprehendeth that which is inferior and discovereth the reality thereof, but the inferior one is unaware of that which is superior and cannot comprehend it. Thus man cannot grasp the Essence of Divinity, but can, by his reasoning power, by observation, by his intuitive faculties and the revealing power of his faith, believe in God, discover the bounties of His Grace."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Tablet to August Forel, p. 15

The following quote is from at least 80 years ago...

"....the balance is already shifting; force is losing its dominance, and mental alertness, intuition, and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in which woman is strong, are gaining ascendancy...."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá quoted in Esslemont: Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, p. 149