Theme: Love of God – Part I

Loving God is another door to “merciful gifts and powers.” Loving another human being is as common as eating a meal, yet discovering how to love God is not as easy. There are obstacles, some which may seem insurmountable. If you do discover the love of God, what is its highest level? I have an answer for this question, but I am not sure if it is right. Perhaps, you have something to say on the topic.  Read on…

Devotion

For the love of God, and them that serve Him, arise to aid this sublime and momentous Revelation. Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench. The Hand of Divine power can, alone, deliver mankind from this desolating affliction. Consider the war that hath involved the two Nations, how both sides have renounced their possessions and their lives. How many the villages that were completely wiped out! (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 13)

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (King James Bible, 1 Corinthians)

Deeper Learning

Think for a moment of all the people you admire: your heroes. They could be your parents, your children, your spouse, a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, and even someone you have never met. What is the common bond in all of these relationships? Isn’t it an emotional and spiritual connection that causes your fascination for them to grow? You want to know everything about them: you hang on their every word; you help them in difficulties and even confide in them. Adoration for your heroes is a result of a love that you have for them. It is a selfless attraction to a person, object or idea: to know and to love are inseparable.

Love is manifested at all levels of our existence. Even before we take our first breath we are immersed in our parents’ love. Every atom, molecule, cell and organ obeys the law of cohesion to form a whole. Our bodies stay close to the earth’s surface by the pull of gravitational force. Human interactions throughout our daily life are highly dictated by the degree of love we feel for others. The pursuit of art, science, business and hobbies are all highly driven by passion.

Without the force of love, disintegration is sure to come. After death, the attraction of elements disappears and the body begins to decay until all the organs, cells and molecules break down into their simplest forms. Lack of love at a social level leads to a break down in friendships, families and societies.

What is love? How can one define the unseen, unknowable and immeasurable? Though love has been discussed, examined and glorified in thousands of books, yet our human capacity to understand this emotion in all of its aspects is limited. One thing is clear, however: for those who have experienced love, tenderness is felt in the heart. This experience is common in all kinds of love, whether it be for a person, idea or for God.  Love is as vast and as complicated as creation itself and no one can confine it to words or size. The purpose of this presentation is to consider the subject of love, the cause of our existence. Living without love is like living without sunshine.

In the previous blog post we looked at the knowledge of God. But no one can truly know God without love. In the Bible it is said: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (King James Bible, 1 John). Whatever I mention here about love is only a drop in an ocean.

To further understand this most essential power, I did a light survey of several religions and discovered, as expected, that love is the central theme in every tradition. For example in Buddhism, God is not specifically mentioned, yet love is at the heart of every wisdom. In The Eightfold Path, one of Buddha’s principal teachings of enlightenment, it is said: “He has cast away Ill-will; he dwells with a heart free from ill-will; cherishing love and compassion toward all living beings, he cleanses his heart from ill-will.”

In Judhaism, of love of God, it is said: “Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; and let such as love Thy salvation say continually: 'Let God be magnified.'”

The theme of love is expanded on to such a degree in Christianity that it is considered one of the pillars of the religion. Jesus explains how the Unseen can be brought closer to us through love: “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. (King James Bible, 1 John)”

In the Qur’an, it is said, “Yet are there some amongst mankind who take to themselves peers other than God; they love them as they should love God while those who believe love God more.” (the Qur'an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura 2 - The Heifer)

When I examine love in the Baha’i Writings, the extent of coverage boggled my mind. It was as if entering an enormous storehouse. A search for the word “love” in Ocean program, a database of all religious texts, yielded 8889 hits in 519 documents. In the Baha’i Faith, the concept of love is like a diamond with a multitude of facets. An important reminder when reading the Writings is that they are all directly from God revealed through His Manifestations. Each one is authentic, pure and true. An individual relates to love in one way or another. Knowledge cannot be acquired without love for the object of understanding. Even faith is directly tied to love, which is the subject of the next presentation. Justice cannot exist without love. The unity of mankind, one of the prime principles of the Baha’i Faith, will not happen without the love of God and of our fellow human beings. The growth of the Faith, an ongoing concern since the day the Báb declared His revelation, requires love. The divine lamp found in every soul cannot be kindled without love. In our daily struggle, love is the key to the spiritual wellbeing of a sick soul. Work is only considered worship if it is done with love. Lasting changes on an individual or societal level cannot take place without love. These few examples barely scratch the surface of a subject as vast and deep as the universe. The Baha’i Writings are a well-spring from which flow limitless understandings of love.

Reflection

What does love mean to you?

Deeds (path of service)

In this Revelation the hosts which can render it victorious are the hosts of praiseworthy deeds and upright character. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 26)

There is a strong connection between love and deeds. Love of any kind—whether it is for our parents, family, country, friend, and spouse—should lead us to action. Saying, “I love you,” is never enough. Parenting is a good example. If one is geared on doing a good job of raising a family, one must also be prepared to do many things. The quality of care and sacrifice show the depth of one’s love for any family members. 

Post links are:

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-love-of-god-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-iii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-higher-spiritual-goals.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual_24.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-spiritual-birth-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2012/07/theme-spiritual-birth-part-i-theme.html

Theme: Knowledge of God – Part III

If you did not have a chance to read part one and two of Knowledge of God the links are: http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-i.html

And

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-ii.html

Deeper Learning

The third source of God’s knowledge is the Holy Spirit.  To understand the link between God and the Holy Spirit is of vital importance. As mentioned before, God is separate from His creation and there is no direct connection between the absolute and contingent world except through the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Also called the Great Spirit, it is the breath of God. Symbolically, God is like the sun and the Holy Spirit is like the rays of the sun. We need the sun to survive, but if we were to approach it we would be consumed in its heat. Likewise, if the sun came down to us the earth would be burned. The rays of the sun carry the light and the heat of the sun. God’s power is channeled through the Holy Spirit.

The Manifestations obey the promptings of the same Spirit. For Moses this Spirit was in the form of a burning bush, for Jesus a dove, for Mohammad Gabriel and for Baha’u’llah the Maid of Heaven. Manifestations are not schooled like the rest of us: they possess an innate knowledge. The Holy Spirit instructs them, to the extent that every moment of their lives, whatever they say or do is a consequence of their obedience to the Holy Spirit.

Humans also feel the power of the Holy Spirit. Abdu'l-Baha explains:

Today the light of Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all regions; the call of the Kingdom is heard in all lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all hearts that are faithful. (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 19)

To receive the divine bounties available to the faithful ones, they must be continually receptive to them. The good news is that the outpouring of blessing is continuous and abundant. All we have to do is turn our antenna in the right direction.

According to Abdu'l-Baha, the Holy Spirit transforms our living conditions, regardless of our beliefs. It removes strife and wars so that humans may unite. All the wonders of this age, manifested in new sciences and art, in an emerging a global consciousness, a new awakening in human rights, and the pursuit of justice, are all inspirations of the Holy Spirit. No human development can happen without this force. Abdu'l-Baha assures us that the future is so bright that the Most Great Peace will surely come, powered by the mercy of God and channeled through the Holy Spirit.

To tie all these four types of existence—Divinity, the Holy Spirit, the Manifestations of God and human beings—into an array of cosmic connectivity, we turn to the Baha’i ring symbol. The kingdom of God is at the top, below is the realm of the Manifestations and the third existence is humanity. A line cutting across all these three realities is the Holy Spirit.

The fourth way we learn about God is through our surroundings. If we are lucky, we are greeted with loving, kind, patient, and generous parents. If our star shines even brighter we come across loyal friends, compassionate bosses, and live in a kinder and gentler society. The environment is a laboratory to learn about these virtues.

Not everyone is lucky all the time. Spiritual travel is filled with mishaps and confusion. Sometimes the path looks extremely bleak. You don’t feel the presence of God in your life. But regardless of your spiritual state, God is still watching you as He always does, according Baha'u'llah’s words:  

Consider, moreover, how frequently doth man become forgetful of his own self, whilst God remaineth, through His all-encompassing knowledge, aware of His creature, and continueth to shed upon him the manifest radiance of His glory. It is evident, therefore, that, in such circumstances, He is closer to him than his own self. He will, indeed, so remain forever, for, whereas the one true God knoweth all things, perceiveth all things, and comprehendeth all things, mortal man is prone to err, and is ignorant of the mysteries that lie enfolded within him… (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 186)

If you feel remote from Him, who has moved? It’s always you. In times of remoteness from the Divine Presence, it is time to examine your spiritual account. To pick up the broken pieces, put them back together and fly again is laudable. Again, keep in mind that we are always under the watchful eyes of God. He only sees us through His kind, generous and compassionate eyes, just as loving parents see their children.

When we do manage to show forth the names and attributes of God, we have entered the phase of re-creating ourselves into beautiful souls. When we struggle to reflect the attributes of God, when it is hard for us to love or to forgive, we gain insight into God’s name the All-Loving or the Ever-Forgiving. This is a type of knowledge of God. To realize this divine process in this day is to also fulfill an ancient prophecy. During the last few decades many have predicted the end of the world on specific days, when the dead would literally rise from their graves and enter heaven in rapture. Raptures that were supposed to take place in 2000 and 2011 did not come to pass.  According to Baha’u’llah awakening is not a one-day event rather the dead are quickened by the Holy Spirit daily and will continue to do so for centuries to come.  He explains:

For he who had believed in God and in the Manifestation of His beauty was raised from the grave of heedlessness, gathered together in the sacred ground of the heart, quickened to the life of faith and certitude, and admitted into the paradise of the divine presence. What paradise can be loftier than this? (Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 42)

Now let’s go back to the short Baha’i obligatory prayer. The second part is to know God, and we know God through His Manifestations. The third part of this prayer is to “worship Thee.” Enshrined in this act of adoration is knowledge and love of God. In our next blog post, we will explore love.

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Reflection

Some of us have problem with worshiping God. Do you have any issue? Actually, the scope of divine adoration has been widely expanded. One does in the have to be in church, temple or synagogue to worship. It can happen in every moment of your life while leading a productive life of learning, working and raising a family.

Deeds (path of service)

Yet it behoveth the people of truth that the signs of humility should shine upon their faces, that the light of sanctity should radiate from their countenances, that they should walk upon the earth as though they were in the presence of God and distinguish themselves in their deeds from all the dwellers of the earth.             (Baha'u'llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 59)

Post links are:

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-higher-spiritual-goals.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual_24.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-spiritual-birth-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2012/07/theme-spiritual-birth-part-i-theme.html

Like us on Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/pages/3-D-Project/537440639599416

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Theme: Knowledge of God – Part II

If you did not have a chance to read part I of Knowledge of God the link is http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-i.html

Devotion

The Divine Messengers have been sent down, and their Books were revealed, for the purpose of promoting the knowledge of God, and of furthering unity and fellowship amongst men. But now behold, how they have made the Law of God a cause and pretext for perversity and hatred. How pitiful, how regrettable, that most men are cleaving fast to, and have busied themselves with, the things they possess, and are unaware of, and shut out as by a veil from, the things God possesseth! (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 12)

These words have streamed from the pen of this Wronged One in one of His Tablets: "The purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, hath been to bring forth the Mystic Gems out of the mine of man -- they Who are the Dawning-Places of His Cause and the Repositories of the pearls of His knowledge; for, God Himself, glorified be He, is the Unseen, the One concealed and hidden from the eyes of men. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 13)

Deepening

In addition to capacities, relationships are another foundation of life. Our first relationships are with our mother, father and siblings. Later we get to know friends, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, a spouse, children and grandchildren. Life becomes an expansion of human experience. Some we choose, some are thrust upon us, and others we discard. Our interactions with others provide opportunities to gain a better understanding of qualities such as love, trust, patience, kindness and forgiveness. When a conscious effort is made to turn our attention towards divine attributes, rather than seeking vices, the self transforms itself from potential to reality. Step by step, it gets closer to the Divine Self.  According the Abdu'l-Baha:

“…With the human soul…Its only movement is towards perfection...Divine perfection is infinite, therefore the progress of the soul is also infinite.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 89)

What are the processes of perfection?  Let's consider a mirror. When it is turned towards the sun, it reflects light. If it is kept in the darkness, it will reflect nothing. Also, if the mirror is dirty, although turned towards the sun, it will reflect only some of the light. Similar to a mirror, when the soul turns towards God’s help and His attributes, it will reflect many facets of goodness. The cleaner the soul, through the development of virtues, the more it will see in it the reflection of God’s beauty.

The second way to gain knowledge of God is through His Manifestations. According to recorded history some of them are Adam, Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah. They are direct links between God and us. Though they come in human forms, these Beings are different from us in many ways. Here are four important points to remember:

1. Unlike humans, they are perfect Beings, who reflect all the attributes of God. They are perfect mirrors. According to Baha’u’llah, “The knowledge of these sanctified Beings to be identical with the knowledge of His own Self.” They don’t need to grow spiritually.

2. Each brings a divine message for the age in which they appear. Unfortunately, with passage of time the pure heavenly water they shower over mankind is muddied through misunderstand, corruptions and dogmas. Each time a Manifestation appears on Earth, He first refreshes the spiritual teachings by adding, changing or removing laws and practices of previous religions, according the capacity and needs of the people. Divine Revelation helps souls move closer to their Creator, promotes unity and concord, and allows civilization to advance materially and spiritually. Religious rituals and traditions, when they lose the light of truth and are reduced to outer forms, can become barriers, limiting people from recognizing God’s Manifestations. The essence of all religions, their spiritual teachings, is the same. For example, kindness, generosity and compassion are not only for Christians: they are part of the core beliefs of all religions.

3. These Manifestations bring social laws based on the needs of the time, so that civilization can flourish and humans can live in harmony. Every time these Educators appear, through their examples and words, we reach a higher plane of understanding of God. Reading the Holy Words is essential as they are filled with inspiration and guidance. The soul is soothed to know more about why and how it is created and that knowledge can only come from the Creator through His Manifestations.

All the scriptures mention and glorify the names of God repeatedly. For example, in Qur’an there over one hundred unique attributes mentioned. It declares God as merciful, compassionate, mighty, wise, knowing, and clement. In the Bible it is said: “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” King James Bible, 1 John

In the Writings of Baha’u’llah, the Bab, and Abdu'l-Baha, the attributes of God are frequently mentioned. Many of their prayers start with God’s glorification and end with mention of His names. Some of these names from Baha’u’llah’s writings include: the All-Perceiving, the Exalted, the All-Merciful, the Knower of things unseen, the Most Holy, the All-Praised, the Great Giver, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Powerful, and the Most Compassionate.

We are familiar with these attributes though we may not be part of a religion, as we have had to deal with them in our daily lives. For example, as a victim, we have had to deal with whether to forgive or avenge the wrongdoings of others. When suffering, it makes us to think long and hard. Can we be ever-forgiving, as God is? In other words, do we have the capacity to pardon the action of anyone, regardless of its atrocities? In fact, the sole survivor of a rampage in which her husband and four children died not only forgave the killer but also prayed for him. What Scriptures teaches us it to dig deeper and not be satisfied with a superficial practice of any divine attribute. Love is another good example, of which we are very familiar. It is easy to love a friend or a family member. But would you love someone who has harmed you? Would you love an enemy? Would love someone who has brutally murdered a loved one of yours? According to the Holy Books, God’s love encompasses every person of His creation and, for an ever-forgiving God, foregoing any wrong, regardless of the severity, is not out of the question. From a spiritual perspective, there is merit in choosing the higher road and, in doing so, we align  ourselves with God’s knowledge. All religions are springs of fresh wisdom that take yearning souls closer to their Beloved and help detach them from the transitory things of this world.

Reflection

Bonus virtue: The qualities that you always had. You did not have to struggle for them. They come so naturally to you. For me, it is compassion. Since childhood, my heart leaps out whenever I find someone needs help. If I had all the power of the world, there would be no suffering anywhere on earth. Now, I also know, divine wisdom does not allow total paradise and one of the simple reasons is that we’ll all become spiritually lazy beings.

Deeds (path of service)

Now is the time for you to put forth your leaves, and yield your fruit. The fruits of the tree of man have ever been and are goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 25)

Post links are:

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-higher-spiritual-goals.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual_24.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-spiritual-birth-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2012/07/theme-spiritual-birth-part-i-theme.html

Like us on Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/pages/3-D-Project/537440639599416

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Theme: Knowledge of God – Part I

According to Abdu’l-Baha, true spiritual awakening starts with the knowledge of God. How does one understand a Being so exalted, Whom no one has seen with the naked eye, yet Whose knowledge is spread out like the most beautiful tapestry throughout His creation? We do not learn about God the way we normally learn in class, through textbooks or lectures. Furthermore, there are at least four channels open any soul, regardless of one’s beliefs, to gain access to God. Let’s first say prayers to quiet the mind and open the soul to higher understanding.

Devotion

The Divine Messengers have been sent down, and their Books were revealed, for the purpose of promoting the knowledge of God, and of furthering unity and fellowship amongst men. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 12)

In the treasuries of the knowledge of God there lieth concealed a knowledge which, when applied, will largely, though not wholly, eliminate fear. This knowledge, however, should be taught from childhood, as it will greatly aid in its elimination. Whatever decreaseth fear increaseth courage. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 32)

Deeper Learning

As seen mentioned previously one of the ways to receive the “merciful gifts and powers” of God is through knowing Him. According to Baha’u’llah, knowledge of God spans the entire creation, just like the sense of touch covers the whole body. Every object, seen or unseen, large or small, reflects one or more of God’s attributes.

He said,

“From the exalted source, and out of the essence of His favor and bounty He hath entrusted every created thing with a sign of His knowledge...” (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 261)

To speak about a subject so vast is taking a droplet from an ocean. The first and foremost step of an everlasting journey starts with knowing our Creator.

Learning is the gateway to knowledge, which happens through the faculty of understanding. One of the first lessons a newborn learns is how to take milk from his mother’s breast. After this crucial moment, life continues as our appetite to understand translates into an endless discovery of this world. Recall how a two-year old can’t stop asking questions, sometimes driving their parents crazy. This shows how gaining knowledge is an essential part of a human development; without it we face many challenges, some of them big enough to make living unbearably difficult.

Of all knowledge, discovering the purpose of life has been an age-old human quest. The answer is found in the short Baha’i obligatory prayer. It goes like this: “I bear witness, O my God, that Thou hast created me to know Thee and to worship Thee.” In the first part of this prayer, one testifies to God’s existence, which is an awareness springing forth after a spiritual birth. When one recites the second part (“Thou hast created me to know Thee”) of this prayer one accepts that knowing God is one’s prime purpose of coming into being.

This answer to an age-old question may not necessarily sit well with some thinkers of our time, as they cannot accept a Creator Whom no one has seen with their naked eye. Many of them are intelligent professionals with superb credentials and awesome capacities to probe the workings of the universe, yet they have not witnessed the presence of God. At the same time billions others attest to the existence of a Divine Being. How come some “see” an invisible God, and others don’t. Where is the missing link?

Another question to ask is: what leads some to acknowledge God’s existence? The gift of understanding is given to everyone, regardless of one’s belief system.  This gift “is none other except to enable His creature to know and recognize the one true God.” Why then, does one with great intellectual capacity refuse to accept God? It has to do with the approach taken. There are two kinds of understanding: firstly, through the mind we acquire the knowledge of the material world, but to probe into the invisible—God’s realm—the heart is the only instrument that works. God’s message to a soul is: “Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent.” The human heart, once cleansed, will be led to the Kingdom of God.

In addition to the knowledge of the purpose of creation is the knowledge of our true nature. According to the Bible, "God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own."  In The Old Testament, God has said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." The same idea is reiterated in many of Baha'u'llah’s writings. However in regard to the idea of a human being engraved with God’s image, many views, some controversial, have emerged. I want to touch upon four ideas that relay the Baha’i perspective:

1. The spheres in which God and humanity exist are distinct and separate. God the Creator cannot be part of His own creation. For example, an artist is distinctly separate from her artwork. Though paintings reflect many of the painter’s attributes, they never live in each other’s domain. A portrait will never become its painter.

2. Though we are created in God’s image, one should not conclude that God has a physical form like humans. It is our spirit that is made in God's image. Our powers are limited yet God is beyond any constraint.

3. When born, the goodness we inherit is in potential, just as a mighty tree is latent in a seed. We are noble beings: within us is enshrined the capacity and responsibility to reflect the beauty of God. This does not happen automatically, as we all know too well.  The right education and environment is required, as well as a constant effort, for one to blossom into a beautiful spirit: a goal within the reach of everyone.

4. Each of us is endowed with free will. The choices we make can sometimes take us astray from God’s plan to know and worship Him. Some commit crimes, murders, and other atrocious acts. When examining these sinful individuals, it is important to remember that the image of God will never disappear from their beings. For them there is always hope to change, according to their own will power. Free will holds us accountable for our actions.

What are ways we can increase our knowledge of God? The first is through the portal of self. As mentioned before, right from our first day of life we must grow in order to cope with life. Growth never stops. Our physical, intellectual, emotional as well as the spiritual well-being depends on a never-ending journey of discoveries.

 Reflection

Reflect on all the virtues within you and come up with three lists:

Tier one: In this category you put all your best qualities, the ones in which you are the strongest. Some examples would be kindness, intelligence, or generosity. These are your very best, the ones by which your friends and family identify you.

Tier two: List the qualities you have problems with. For me, patience is always a problem, which can cause friction within me and with my relationships with others, including God.

Tier three: The wish list. Qualities that you would like to work on.

  

Deeds (path of service)

You must become the means of lighting the world of humanity. This is the infallible proof and sign. Every progress depends on two things, knowledge and practice. First acquire knowledge, and, when conviction is reached, put it into practice. (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 108)

Posts links are:

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/02/theme-knowledge-of-god-part-i.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-higher-spiritual-goals.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual_24.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-spiritual-birth-part-ii.html

http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2012/07/theme-spiritual-birth-part-i-theme.html