The first of the Seven Valleys is the Valley of Search. This is quite fitting for the first and the beginning point, because the wayfarer, us, is looking for how to begin his journey. The stead of this Valley is patience. Many of us strive day and night to reach a certain goal, but if we give up, then the goal will not be attained. This is why patience is crucial for our search. If we give up in the beginning, if we give up at all, then the journey is over. It may take eternity, but we still need to move forward. Bahá'u'lláh writes, "No bond shall hold them back, and no counsel shall deter them." If anything holds us back, then we will not be able to move forward. Recall the first sentence of the Kitab-i-Iqan where we need to be detached from all of our previous bias and knowledge and experience in order to gain true knowledge and understanding. The same idea applies here.
The major problem is that this is a limited realm. Thus, it is easy to be encumbered by those around us who are not searching. We need to be vigilante and watch for those who may hold us back. The true seeker, as Bahá'u'lláh mentions, will not be deterred by the world, but will constantly search for his ultimate possession-whatever this is to be.
Like for any form of search, we need to put work into it and until the end. Everyday we need to find the object of our quest. We will learn that we are actually encumbered by the things of this world, thus we will begin to cast them aside.
In the Arabic Hidden Word #30 it is Written, "...Deny not My servant should he ask anything from thee, for his face is My face..." Thus, in every face, we need to see the face of God and we begin to realize that this is the purpose of our quest; to find God, the Friend.
From here we move to the Valley of Love.
If you have anything to add, please do so! I always wish to learn more and gain a better understanding of what I am reading.
I would like to make a final note on the idea of detachment. By detachment it does not mean to get rid of everything we own and possess. Rather, it means we need to simply not worry about the material aspects of life (and as we progress, even life itself). This will only hold us back from progressing further. It is important to enjoy life, and if one does have the chance, it is perfectly acceptable to even drink from a gold cup-but it does not mean that our life depends on having it and that we would not give it up if necessary.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Seven Valleys-A Road to Absolute Detachment
Bahá'u'lláh wrote an incredible and mystical response to a Sufi regarding the progression of the soul on its journey. The work came to be known as the Seven Valleys. In order these Valleys are Search (whose "stead" is patience), Love (whose "stead" is Pain), Knowledge, Unity, Contentment, Wonderment, and True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness. The first three are physical-limited. At each stage of the journey, the wayfarer brings himself closer to God by detaching something of his being. As it is, we begin first by giving up our physical desires, our spiritual desires, ourselves and then finally our freewill. It is a beautiful idea, I think. We have been given a freewill only to give it up to God.
In the long obligatory prayer we read, "Behold me standing ready to do Thy will and Thy desire, and wishing naught else except Thy good pleasure. I implore Thee by the Ocean of Thy mercy and the Day-Star of Thy grace to do with Thy servant as Thou willest and pleasest. By Thy might which is far above all mention and praise! Whatsoever is revealed by Thee is the desire of my heart and the beloved of my soul. O God, my God! Look not upon my hopes and my doings, nay rather look upon Thy will that hath encompassed the heavens and the earth. By Thy Most Great Name, O Thou Lord of all nations! I have desired only what Thou didst desire, and love only what Thou dost love."
This prayer is the one proof of detachment and humility we have towards God. Reading through it, the only possible way to say it with sincerity is to go through the Seven Valleys and detach ourselves of everything in heaven and on earth (except God of course).
Food for thought before we begin. In the Kitab-i-Iqan, first paragraph (this is perhaps one of my favorite statements of all time, thus you will find me quoting it everywhere), it writes, "No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth."
This true understanding comes also from detaching ourselves from everything. We can look at this in two ways. True understanding can be the Will of God, looking at this from the perspective of the Seven Valleys. However, it could also be referencing the investigation of truth in a more broad aspect-where we detach ourselves of all bias and search for what makes the most sense in the world (to our heart, soul and mind) and accept that as true.
Next time, we will begin with the Valley of Search.
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/SVFV/svfv-1.html
In the long obligatory prayer we read, "Behold me standing ready to do Thy will and Thy desire, and wishing naught else except Thy good pleasure. I implore Thee by the Ocean of Thy mercy and the Day-Star of Thy grace to do with Thy servant as Thou willest and pleasest. By Thy might which is far above all mention and praise! Whatsoever is revealed by Thee is the desire of my heart and the beloved of my soul. O God, my God! Look not upon my hopes and my doings, nay rather look upon Thy will that hath encompassed the heavens and the earth. By Thy Most Great Name, O Thou Lord of all nations! I have desired only what Thou didst desire, and love only what Thou dost love."
This prayer is the one proof of detachment and humility we have towards God. Reading through it, the only possible way to say it with sincerity is to go through the Seven Valleys and detach ourselves of everything in heaven and on earth (except God of course).
Food for thought before we begin. In the Kitab-i-Iqan, first paragraph (this is perhaps one of my favorite statements of all time, thus you will find me quoting it everywhere), it writes, "No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth."
This true understanding comes also from detaching ourselves from everything. We can look at this in two ways. True understanding can be the Will of God, looking at this from the perspective of the Seven Valleys. However, it could also be referencing the investigation of truth in a more broad aspect-where we detach ourselves of all bias and search for what makes the most sense in the world (to our heart, soul and mind) and accept that as true.
Next time, we will begin with the Valley of Search.
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/SVFV/svfv-1.html
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Justice
O SON OF SPIRIT! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.
Hidden Word #2 Arabic
In the Bahá'í Faith, the greatest gift is the gift of teaching; it is the first obligation of every Bahá'í. Teaching does not mean campaigning and forcing people to accept the Faith. Rather, it is the act of informing people of the unification of all of humanity in one universal cause and one common faith; where people are united together to progress in a spirit of harmony and achieve a more perfect and better working society. This is where justice comes in.
Much like teaching, justice is a gift of God, a sign of His loving-kindness. In the world today, we view justice as either revenge based-if somebody does you wrong, you want to be compensated. Such compensation comes in two forms: violent or in the court of law. The first one is intolerable for a society based on unity. Violence simly spawns disunity, thus it should be left behind. But what about the court of law?
Let us return to the quote. The first sentence makes it clear that justice is extremely important. The second statement however is much more obscure. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Essentially the idea that can be understood from this phrase is through the aid of justice, we will not be influenced by the bias of others.
Before continuing, it is important to note a very important teaching of the Bahá'í Faith. There is an idea called the Independent Investigation of the Truth. The first sentence of the Kitab-i-Iqan begins as follows: No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth. This phrase explains it all. In order to gain the underlying idea behind anything, one must leave his bias behind him and, with an open mind, seek the truth. Bias blinds us from the truth because we tend to focus on the ideas from our past which keep us from progressing. This relates back to the sentence, By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. By detaching oneself from our previous thoughts and investigating the truth, true justice will be able to be achieved. We should not let the opinions of others affect our decision in the slightest.
Returning to the court of law. How can one be compensated for an injustice in a court of law? In the American Justice System, we try to remove bias by creating a jury who will hold no bias towards the person due to the color of their skin, religion, beliefs, education, status, etc. Of course, this is near impossible; prejudice, whether we like it or not, still exists in our society and needs must be eradicated. In the end, the judge must look through evidence, witness testimonials and logical arguments to come to a conclusion.
What I ask of you: Using the Hidden Word, what can be concluded of the American Justice System? Is it corrupted and if so, how is it fixed using true justice?
Hidden Word #2 Arabic
In the Bahá'í Faith, the greatest gift is the gift of teaching; it is the first obligation of every Bahá'í. Teaching does not mean campaigning and forcing people to accept the Faith. Rather, it is the act of informing people of the unification of all of humanity in one universal cause and one common faith; where people are united together to progress in a spirit of harmony and achieve a more perfect and better working society. This is where justice comes in.
Much like teaching, justice is a gift of God, a sign of His loving-kindness. In the world today, we view justice as either revenge based-if somebody does you wrong, you want to be compensated. Such compensation comes in two forms: violent or in the court of law. The first one is intolerable for a society based on unity. Violence simly spawns disunity, thus it should be left behind. But what about the court of law?
Let us return to the quote. The first sentence makes it clear that justice is extremely important. The second statement however is much more obscure. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Essentially the idea that can be understood from this phrase is through the aid of justice, we will not be influenced by the bias of others.
Before continuing, it is important to note a very important teaching of the Bahá'í Faith. There is an idea called the Independent Investigation of the Truth. The first sentence of the Kitab-i-Iqan begins as follows: No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth. This phrase explains it all. In order to gain the underlying idea behind anything, one must leave his bias behind him and, with an open mind, seek the truth. Bias blinds us from the truth because we tend to focus on the ideas from our past which keep us from progressing. This relates back to the sentence, By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. By detaching oneself from our previous thoughts and investigating the truth, true justice will be able to be achieved. We should not let the opinions of others affect our decision in the slightest.
Returning to the court of law. How can one be compensated for an injustice in a court of law? In the American Justice System, we try to remove bias by creating a jury who will hold no bias towards the person due to the color of their skin, religion, beliefs, education, status, etc. Of course, this is near impossible; prejudice, whether we like it or not, still exists in our society and needs must be eradicated. In the end, the judge must look through evidence, witness testimonials and logical arguments to come to a conclusion.
What I ask of you: Using the Hidden Word, what can be concluded of the American Justice System? Is it corrupted and if so, how is it fixed using true justice?
Monday, July 13, 2009
Update on the Bahá'í Trial
Since Saturday, news has come through that the Seven Bahá'í leaders are still being held prisoner and their trial has been delayed until further notice.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/07/14/iran.bahai.trial/index.html
http://news.bahai.org/story/723
Why would the Iranian government delay the trial? Do they fear greater uproar-internationally and locally? Did they actually try and execute the Bahá'ís in secret? Do they, God forbid, simply wish to keep them in prison for life?
Let the world know!
“Had you believed in Me, O wayward generation, every one of you would have followed the example of this youth [Anis-the young man martyred along side the Báb], who stood in rank above most of you, and willingly would have sacrificed himself in My path. The day will come when you will have recognised Me; that day I shall have ceased to be with you.”
-Last Words of the Báb
So much can be taken out of this quote. Does the final part "that day I shall have ceased to be with you" mean His literal death? Or does it perhaps refer to the coming of Bahá'u'lláh and He being the One who they shall recognize? Any thoughts?
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/07/14/iran.bahai.trial/index.html
http://news.bahai.org/story/723
Why would the Iranian government delay the trial? Do they fear greater uproar-internationally and locally? Did they actually try and execute the Bahá'ís in secret? Do they, God forbid, simply wish to keep them in prison for life?
Let the world know!
“Had you believed in Me, O wayward generation, every one of you would have followed the example of this youth [Anis-the young man martyred along side the Báb], who stood in rank above most of you, and willingly would have sacrificed himself in My path. The day will come when you will have recognised Me; that day I shall have ceased to be with you.”
-Last Words of the Báb
So much can be taken out of this quote. Does the final part "that day I shall have ceased to be with you" mean His literal death? Or does it perhaps refer to the coming of Bahá'u'lláh and He being the One who they shall recognize? Any thoughts?
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Bahá'í Situation: A Brief Summary
Today we will not give a quote. Today, a more serious issue is at hand. Today, we will cover the persecution of the Bahá'ís in Iran. More specifically, the seven Bahá'í leaders to be put on trial tomorrow after over a year in prison and without access to their lawyer.
You look around the world and pick any nation with a minority throughout history. This minority, somehow or another, is discriminated against. Even in the United States today, it is near impossible for people who are not of the Protestant sect of Christianity to achieve the presidency. Those who are of any other system of belief are usually shunned aside. In Iran, the news propagates President Ahmadinejad's, and every other (I believe) past president's, dislike of Israel and at times the discrimination of the Jews in Iran. However, there is a discrimination which is at the point of persecution which has been occurring in Iran since 1844.
From the inception of the Bahá'í Faith in Iran (1844 AD), its members have been persecuted, removed from their occupations, sent to prison, separated from their families, exiled, humiliated and even murdered. Lord Curzon writes,
“Before I quit the subject of the Persian law and its administration, let me add a few words upon the subject of penalties and prisons. Nothing is more shocking to the European reader, in pursuing his way through the crime-stained and bloody pages of Persian history during the last and, in a happily less degree, during the present century, than the record of savage punishments and abominable tortures, testifying alternately to the callousness of the brute and the ingenuity of the fiend. The Persian character has ever been fertile in device and indifferent to suffering; and in the field of judicial executions it has found ample scope for the exercise of both attainments. Up till quite a recent period, well within the borders of the present reign, condemned criminals have been crucified, blown from guns, buried alive, impaled, shod like horses, torn asunder by being bound to the heads of two trees bent together and then allowed to spring back to their natural position, converted into human torches, flayed while living."-circa 1900 (Introduction of The Dawn Breakers)
These persecutions were not saved only for the early Bahá'ís, but for everybody. However, to a greater extent, the Bahá'ís faced the barrel end of this persecution.
Let me write a brief history of the Bahá'í Faith and perhaps this will help us all understand the current situation. In 1844, the Báb (meaning the Gate) declared that He was a Manifestation of God heralding the coming of a new day. The Báb spoke of a person to come after Himself which He called, "Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest." He may be likened to John the Baptist who spoke of the coming Messiah, Jesus the Christ. The Báb's teachings spread throughout Persia like a wildfire and immediately the Persian officials became alarmed. Since this nation was (and still is) an Islamic state (specifically that of the Shiah sect), the Islamic leaders-the Mullahs and Ulamas-began denouncing the Báb and persecuting His believers. In the beginning, such persecution was on the more mild state. Two of the Báb's believers who began teaching the Faith were arrested and the governor of the province of Fárs, "...reviled and cursed him [one of the two believers], ordered his attendants to strip him of his garments and to scourge him with a thousand lashes. He then commanded that the beards of both Quddús and Mullá Ṣádiq should be burned, their noses be pierced, that through this incision a cord should be passed, and with this halter they should be led through the streets of the city. 'It will be an object lesson to the people of Shíráz,' Ḥusayn Khán declared, 'who will know what the penalty of heresy will be.'" (The Dawn Breakers)
At this point, one must be in a confused state. How can this be a more mild punishment? As the Bábi Faith grew, more and more people began to follow the Faith and awaiting the coming of Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest. The Islamic clergy felt nothing but fear could turn people away from the Báb. They had the Shah exile the Báb to the most remote parts of the country. At the height of the persecution, the Persian army was sent against a band of Bábis making their way through a town. For a five month period of time, the army clashed against this band who protected themselves in a fort. Every one of them was killed or imprisoned. In 1850, the Báb Himself was hung in the barracks square in Tabriz and a contingent of 750 soldiers took His life.
This however did not stop the movement. Bahá'u'lláh, a follower of the Báb, was released from prison in 1853 and exiled to Baghdad with His family and some of the other Bábis. Many people began to realize Bahá'u'lláh was a very special person due to His kindness and magnetic personality. In 1863, when He was about to be exiled again to Constantinople (again, the Islamic clergy began to see a gain in popularity in This Figure and were afraid He would take away from their power), Bahá'u'lláh declared He was Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest. The Bábis began then to referring themselves as Bahá'ís. From here Bahá'u'lláh was exiled to Adrianople and finally to Akka, the prison city, the penal colony, where the worst prisoners-thieves, murderers, highway men, were sent. In each city, Bahá'u'lláh gained such a following that the leaders did not feel comfortable with having Him nearby. He died as a prisoner in 1892.
Returning to Iran. The persecution of the Bahá'ís never stopped. Due to humanitarian voicing however, it has declined to an extent. However, after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, this all changed. Bahá'ís began to be openly persecuted and killed. After the hanging of seven Bahá'í women began publicized (years after their deaths), public outcry increased to the extent that the persecution went underground.
In a document called the Closed Doors Document, the Iranian government planned the expulsion of all Baháís from education (in Iran and worldwide if possible). Here is a transcript of that very letter http://denial.bahai.org/002_1.php
Finally, the present. Now. Today. Within the next twentyfour hours, a group of Seven Bahá'ís are being put on trial. Their charge? Spying for Israel, spreading corruption on Earth and many others. Here is an article one may peruse giving more information on these Seven Bahá'í leaders.
http://news.bahai.org/story/719
Let me now refute the two above charges. After looking through the history, we know that the Bahá'ís were in Israel while it was still an Ottoman Province and then Palestine. The fact that they have their administrative body and Holy Places in Israel does not mean they spy for Israel. They were simply exiled there by the body who now accuses them of espionage.
Now corruption on Earth... This is a ridiculous charge. The Bahá'í Faith seeks to unite the world and eliminate all forms of prejudice. It believes that all of humanity is a family, that we are all brothers and sisters. How can this be corruption? If corruption is bringing people together, then their view of a perfect society is one of disunity and chaos.
In the past few months, we have seen journalists and other people taken into custody and put on trial in the most ludicrous of methods in Iran. The same may be expected for these seven Bahá'í leaders. All we can do at this point is pray.
You look around the world and pick any nation with a minority throughout history. This minority, somehow or another, is discriminated against. Even in the United States today, it is near impossible for people who are not of the Protestant sect of Christianity to achieve the presidency. Those who are of any other system of belief are usually shunned aside. In Iran, the news propagates President Ahmadinejad's, and every other (I believe) past president's, dislike of Israel and at times the discrimination of the Jews in Iran. However, there is a discrimination which is at the point of persecution which has been occurring in Iran since 1844.
From the inception of the Bahá'í Faith in Iran (1844 AD), its members have been persecuted, removed from their occupations, sent to prison, separated from their families, exiled, humiliated and even murdered. Lord Curzon writes,
“Before I quit the subject of the Persian law and its administration, let me add a few words upon the subject of penalties and prisons. Nothing is more shocking to the European reader, in pursuing his way through the crime-stained and bloody pages of Persian history during the last and, in a happily less degree, during the present century, than the record of savage punishments and abominable tortures, testifying alternately to the callousness of the brute and the ingenuity of the fiend. The Persian character has ever been fertile in device and indifferent to suffering; and in the field of judicial executions it has found ample scope for the exercise of both attainments. Up till quite a recent period, well within the borders of the present reign, condemned criminals have been crucified, blown from guns, buried alive, impaled, shod like horses, torn asunder by being bound to the heads of two trees bent together and then allowed to spring back to their natural position, converted into human torches, flayed while living."-circa 1900 (Introduction of The Dawn Breakers)
These persecutions were not saved only for the early Bahá'ís, but for everybody. However, to a greater extent, the Bahá'ís faced the barrel end of this persecution.
Let me write a brief history of the Bahá'í Faith and perhaps this will help us all understand the current situation. In 1844, the Báb (meaning the Gate) declared that He was a Manifestation of God heralding the coming of a new day. The Báb spoke of a person to come after Himself which He called, "Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest." He may be likened to John the Baptist who spoke of the coming Messiah, Jesus the Christ. The Báb's teachings spread throughout Persia like a wildfire and immediately the Persian officials became alarmed. Since this nation was (and still is) an Islamic state (specifically that of the Shiah sect), the Islamic leaders-the Mullahs and Ulamas-began denouncing the Báb and persecuting His believers. In the beginning, such persecution was on the more mild state. Two of the Báb's believers who began teaching the Faith were arrested and the governor of the province of Fárs, "...reviled and cursed him [one of the two believers], ordered his attendants to strip him of his garments and to scourge him with a thousand lashes. He then commanded that the beards of both Quddús and Mullá Ṣádiq should be burned, their noses be pierced, that through this incision a cord should be passed, and with this halter they should be led through the streets of the city. 'It will be an object lesson to the people of Shíráz,' Ḥusayn Khán declared, 'who will know what the penalty of heresy will be.'" (The Dawn Breakers)
At this point, one must be in a confused state. How can this be a more mild punishment? As the Bábi Faith grew, more and more people began to follow the Faith and awaiting the coming of Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest. The Islamic clergy felt nothing but fear could turn people away from the Báb. They had the Shah exile the Báb to the most remote parts of the country. At the height of the persecution, the Persian army was sent against a band of Bábis making their way through a town. For a five month period of time, the army clashed against this band who protected themselves in a fort. Every one of them was killed or imprisoned. In 1850, the Báb Himself was hung in the barracks square in Tabriz and a contingent of 750 soldiers took His life.
This however did not stop the movement. Bahá'u'lláh, a follower of the Báb, was released from prison in 1853 and exiled to Baghdad with His family and some of the other Bábis. Many people began to realize Bahá'u'lláh was a very special person due to His kindness and magnetic personality. In 1863, when He was about to be exiled again to Constantinople (again, the Islamic clergy began to see a gain in popularity in This Figure and were afraid He would take away from their power), Bahá'u'lláh declared He was Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest. The Bábis began then to referring themselves as Bahá'ís. From here Bahá'u'lláh was exiled to Adrianople and finally to Akka, the prison city, the penal colony, where the worst prisoners-thieves, murderers, highway men, were sent. In each city, Bahá'u'lláh gained such a following that the leaders did not feel comfortable with having Him nearby. He died as a prisoner in 1892.
Returning to Iran. The persecution of the Bahá'ís never stopped. Due to humanitarian voicing however, it has declined to an extent. However, after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, this all changed. Bahá'ís began to be openly persecuted and killed. After the hanging of seven Bahá'í women began publicized (years after their deaths), public outcry increased to the extent that the persecution went underground.
In a document called the Closed Doors Document, the Iranian government planned the expulsion of all Baháís from education (in Iran and worldwide if possible). Here is a transcript of that very letter http://denial.bahai.org/002_1.php
Finally, the present. Now. Today. Within the next twentyfour hours, a group of Seven Bahá'ís are being put on trial. Their charge? Spying for Israel, spreading corruption on Earth and many others. Here is an article one may peruse giving more information on these Seven Bahá'í leaders.
http://news.bahai.org/story/719
Let me now refute the two above charges. After looking through the history, we know that the Bahá'ís were in Israel while it was still an Ottoman Province and then Palestine. The fact that they have their administrative body and Holy Places in Israel does not mean they spy for Israel. They were simply exiled there by the body who now accuses them of espionage.
Now corruption on Earth... This is a ridiculous charge. The Bahá'í Faith seeks to unite the world and eliminate all forms of prejudice. It believes that all of humanity is a family, that we are all brothers and sisters. How can this be corruption? If corruption is bringing people together, then their view of a perfect society is one of disunity and chaos.
In the past few months, we have seen journalists and other people taken into custody and put on trial in the most ludicrous of methods in Iran. The same may be expected for these seven Bahá'í leaders. All we can do at this point is pray.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Intonations
Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul,
and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb.Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom. -Bahá'u'lláh
First let us see the phrase, "them who have drawn nigh unto Him..." These people are the Concourse on High (i.e. martyrs, the angels of heaven, etc.) and are thus the most beautiful and most wondrous of all beings. Thus, when intoning the words of God, they need to be like that of those who have drawn nigh unto Him. Such a melody would be able to attract all hearts. You know when you get a chill (in your spine or something) when you hear some sort of music which is outright gorgeous? This is I believe the state one must be in.
This quote is extremely important though because it proves the power of prayer revealed by God in comparison to those which people recite in other religions from their hearts (i.e. Christianity). It is wonderful that people wish to create their own prayers, but let us see what Bahá'u'lláh has to say to compare the two. He says, "Whoso reciteth... the verses... of God... the scattering angels... shall scatter abroad... the words... and cause the heart of every righteous man to throb." It is these words of God which have true power and will have an effect on the world (remember also to be in a state of prayer-reverence, respect, humility). It says "the heart of every righteous man to throb." Does that mean not righteous men will not receive the effects? They will recieve it, but they will be unable to feel it... Recall, Arabic Hidden Word #5 says, "Love Me that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not My love can in no wise reach thee..." If we love God, this power is felt. The next sentence continues with this idea. Effects will sooner or later exercise its influence. So if you are praying for somebody and no effect is felt... keep praying. It will effect him/her. If not in this world, it will be easier in the next.
The word thus means "in this way". So, it was in this way that the Revelation of God (not just Bahá'u'lláh, but all of Revelation) been set down, through intonation which the angels scattered throughout the world. So people all over felt its effect even without realizing it. Thus, you see great advancements during the time of the Manifestation materially as the Revelation is unknown-they are unaware of its effects, as many people of the world are today. And this is the Will of God-the Source of Power and Wisdom. Wisdom, power... all these things which advance with each Manifestation are coming from God (so kings were not wrong when they say they got their power from God... though they did not rule with justice... see Hidden Word #2 Arabic), and are through Revelation, scattered throughout the world.
I am going to start posting links on the left hand side of the blog to assist the reader and myself to certain passages, especially the Hidden Words. If anybody has a link they think I should share, let me know. I am a bit low on comments (0 thus far) so perhaps we can get some participation from people who visit the blog so we can build from one another and not just from one person.
and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb.Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom. -Bahá'u'lláh
First let us see the phrase, "them who have drawn nigh unto Him..." These people are the Concourse on High (i.e. martyrs, the angels of heaven, etc.) and are thus the most beautiful and most wondrous of all beings. Thus, when intoning the words of God, they need to be like that of those who have drawn nigh unto Him. Such a melody would be able to attract all hearts. You know when you get a chill (in your spine or something) when you hear some sort of music which is outright gorgeous? This is I believe the state one must be in.
This quote is extremely important though because it proves the power of prayer revealed by God in comparison to those which people recite in other religions from their hearts (i.e. Christianity). It is wonderful that people wish to create their own prayers, but let us see what Bahá'u'lláh has to say to compare the two. He says, "Whoso reciteth... the verses... of God... the scattering angels... shall scatter abroad... the words... and cause the heart of every righteous man to throb." It is these words of God which have true power and will have an effect on the world (remember also to be in a state of prayer-reverence, respect, humility). It says "the heart of every righteous man to throb." Does that mean not righteous men will not receive the effects? They will recieve it, but they will be unable to feel it... Recall, Arabic Hidden Word #5 says, "Love Me that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not My love can in no wise reach thee..." If we love God, this power is felt. The next sentence continues with this idea. Effects will sooner or later exercise its influence. So if you are praying for somebody and no effect is felt... keep praying. It will effect him/her. If not in this world, it will be easier in the next.
The word thus means "in this way". So, it was in this way that the Revelation of God (not just Bahá'u'lláh, but all of Revelation) been set down, through intonation which the angels scattered throughout the world. So people all over felt its effect even without realizing it. Thus, you see great advancements during the time of the Manifestation materially as the Revelation is unknown-they are unaware of its effects, as many people of the world are today. And this is the Will of God-the Source of Power and Wisdom. Wisdom, power... all these things which advance with each Manifestation are coming from God (so kings were not wrong when they say they got their power from God... though they did not rule with justice... see Hidden Word #2 Arabic), and are through Revelation, scattered throughout the world.
I am going to start posting links on the left hand side of the blog to assist the reader and myself to certain passages, especially the Hidden Words. If anybody has a link they think I should share, let me know. I am a bit low on comments (0 thus far) so perhaps we can get some participation from people who visit the blog so we can build from one another and not just from one person.
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