It feels wonderful to receive all
your support. The global reach is expanding to include Canada, United States, El
Salvador, Australia, China, Germany, United Kingdom, Israel, Fiji and France. If
you did not get a chance to read the first part of this article, here is the
link: http://3-d-project.blogspot.ca/2013/01/theme-cultivating-healthy-spiritual.html
Devotion
And amongst them [is this]: "Ye are forbidden sedition and strife in the books and epistles; and herein I desire naught save your exaltation and elevation, whereunto beareth witness the heaven and its stars, the sun and its radiance, the trees and their leaves, the seas and their waves, and the earth and its treasures. We ask God to continue His saints and strengthen them unto that which befitteth them in this blessed, precious, and wondrous station, and We ask Him to assist those who surround Me to act according to that whereunto they have been commanded on the part of the Supreme Pen." (Abdu'l-Baha, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 83) |
As we suffer these misfortunes we must remember that the Prophets of God Themselves were not immune from these things which men suffer. They knew sorrow, illness and pain too. They rose above these things through Their spirits, and that is what we must try and do too, when afflicted. The troubles of this world pass, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls; so it is to this we must look -- to becoming more spiritual, drawing nearer to God, no matter what our human minds and bodies go through. (Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 68) |
Deeper Learning
When the body is not functioning there are immediate signs: usually some sort of pain. Fortunately, there are signals of inner malaise as well. But we have to learn how to listen for them, as they are not always as obvious as the physical signals. Here are some of them:
Emptiness. You may not have any physical, emotional,
or material problems, yet you think life should be more than just daily
existence.
Negligence. Negligence can be characterized as
not participating in activities that replenish the soul.
Ego. If you are too occupied with the self
rather than others, you may find that life is not really satisfying. Many
studies have demonstrated that those with higher goals, like serving others, are
happier than those who are self-centered. A person may have many outward
successes, but inside they can still be searching for a clear direction.
Faultfinding.
Abdul’-Baha told a group to “Let your thoughts dwell on your own spiritual
development, and close your eyes to the deficiencies of other souls.”
Apathy, or an absence of interest in spiritual
development.
Imbalance. A balanced adult life consists of
work, family, recreation, and faith. Sometimes we end up spending too much time
on one of these and end up neglecting the others. Demands at work may leave
little time for other important activities. This can create conflicts
internally and externally. Once in a while it is good to pause and examine all
your activities, reflect on them and see if re-calibration is needed.
Prejudices. They are veils separating us from the
truth. Baha’u’llah exhorts us to strive daily to eliminate all prejudice.
Disobedience. Disregard for laws may come from
our lower human nature. Gaining an understanding of why laws are essential in
maintaining order in our lives, in society, and in the whole universe, can make
us appreciate the true freedom obedience brings. Just like the physical laws
that govern the universe, social and spiritual laws not only guarantee us a peaceful
existence, but are the building blocks humans need to prosper.
Many of these obstacles are caused
by our lower nature and one way to overcome them is to shift our focus to a
higher level of consciousness. An elevated purpose can be achieved through
acquiring virtues and perfections, according to Abdu'l-Baha. He explains:
“By what means can man acquire these things? How shall he obtain these merciful gifts and powers? First, through the knowledge of God. Second, through the love of God. Third, through faith. Fourth, through philanthropic deeds. Fifth, through self-sacrifice. Sixth, through severance from this world. Seventh, through sanctity and holiness.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 63)
In the coming sessions, we’ll examine these seven topics
in more detail. Before we proceed let us be mindful of one important
warning. Too often, plans don’t unfold as expected. In our spiritual
journey to find paradise, there will certainly be hurdles, delays, and derailments. But in my
opinion, there are three things that one can do to reach the finish line
safely.
Preparedness: Just imagine yourself climbing Mount Everest.
Would you just stuff some clothes in a bag and, with sandals on your feet,
start your journey? You will have to build your stamina for such an arduous
climb. Oxygen becomes scarce as you scale the heights of the mountain;
therefore, a good supply is a must. Given months to reach the top, food, proper
clothing, and a durable tent are a just few of the things a mountaineer would need
to pack before taking the first step. A spiritual traveler must also be well
prepared. Here are more things that can be in your spiritual “cabinet”
Accountability: Baha’u’llah teaches us to “Bring thyself to
account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning…”(The Arabic Hidden
Words). A wise climber will, before resting for the night, reflect on how well
the day went. Did they cover the distance they planned to cover? Are they
physically able to continue traveling? How are their companions doing? For the
mountaineer, climbing the highest peak is their dream and they would do
everything in their power to make it come true. Conquering Mount Everest will
be their happiest moment. The same resolve is needed on our spiritual path.
Assistance: A spiritual journey is always full of surprises,
difficulties, and confusion. You will not reach the highest point in this
journey by relying entirely on yourself. No one is truly successful without
God’s help. The essence of spirituality is the soul’s realization of all its
weakness when facing the Almighty. When this consciousness has dawned upon the traveler,
they begin to draw strength from the ocean of Divine powers.
Reflection
How prepared are you for your spiritual journey? How do you
fight emptiness, apathy, fault-finding habits, and prejudice? In a future blog,
I will write about my experience in eradicating prejudice of all kinds,
including racial, class and religion. It is easier than you think.
Deeds
When asked by an American friend:
"Which is the best way to spread the teaching?" he said: "By
deeds. This way is open to all, and deeds
are understood by all. Join yourselves to those who work for the poor, the weak
and the unfortunate; this is greatly to be commended. To teach by words
requires the skill of a wise physician. (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p.
98)
One of the greatest services, I think, we can do for our
neighbors and the whole world is to get rid of all prejudice in our selves. We
must do this first before looking for this spiritual illness in others. Imagine
all the problems people are facing in the entire world or in your city. How much of that suffering will immediately
disappear when prejudice of all kinds is replaced with acceptance, tolerance, and harmony?
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Excellent devotion :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Alex:
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!