Fire and Light

An Exploration of My Faith in Bahá’u’lláh

Journal

We Are the Revelations of God’s Mercy

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#184 of Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh.

Paragraph 2:

Divest, then, Thy servants, O my God, of the garments of self and desire, or grant that the eyes of Thy people may be lifted up to such heights that they will discern in their desires naught except the stirring of the gentle winds of Thine eternal glory, and may recognize in their own selves nothing but the revelation of Thine own merciful Self,…

The “or” is interesting. Bahá’u’lláh is asking God to just go ahead and divest His servants of self and desire without their having to do it on their own OR grant that their eyes may be lifted up so high that they will see nothing except God’s eternal glory and may see that God is revealed in themselves and will work toward making that vision a reality.

Merciful Self

And “merciful Self” is powerful because we are the revelations of His mercy. Does that mean that our existence is the “revelation” or that we can reveal or exhibit His mercy by our actions? Or maybe both.

Since one of the foundations of the Baha’i Faith is that humans have free will and are responsible for our actions, I think the answer is that we can personify His mercy.

So what does that mean?

compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.  ~~Google search

While most of us do not have the authority to punish someone else (even if we think we might) it is certainly within our power to harm other people. Everyday. In every encounter. And certainly, we see that every day in media, social media, and interpersonal actions. We have become so self-righteous, and not just in a religious meaning.

Self-righteousness or “Cancel Culture” is the mode that gains the most likes and shares. It makes us feel good. It resounds with superiority and schadenfreude. Every slip of the tongue or mistake is held up to ridicule and is evidence that the person is obviously inferior, mentally, spiritually, or politically.

To be merciful in this day is to restrain yourself from proclaiming another person’s faults, misunderstandings, or slips of the tongue. It is avoiding schadenfreude. It is knowing that someday, one will be the victim, and will require mercy in return.

The Meaning of Life

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We are spiritual beings. Our spiritual life begins at conception in this material world. Just as our physical bodies develop in our mothers’ wombs, our spiritual develop during our lives in this material world.

How do we develop spiritually?

Our spiritual development in the material world is measured by our developing spiritual qualities, also called virtues. Hope, perseverance, patience, love, compassion, dedication, empathy, fairness, modesty, humility, justice, joyfulness, tolerance, responsibility are all virtues and there are many, many more.

To help us develop these virtues we have tests.

Why Another Religion?

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As the body of man needeth a garment to clothe it, so the body of mankind must needs be adorned with the mantle of justice and wisdom. Its robe is the Revelation vouchsafed unto it by God. Whenever this robe hath fulfilled its purpose, the Almighty will assuredly renew it. For every age requireth a fresh measure of the light of God.

~Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, XXXIV

The Human Heart

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By this he meaneth that his heart, which is the seat of the All-Merciful and the throne wherein abideth the splendor of His revelation, is forgetful of its Creator, hath strayed from His path, hath shut out itself from His glory, and is stained with the defilement of earthly desires….

How often hath the human heart, which is the recipient of the light of God and the seat of the revelation of the All-Merciful, erred from Him Who is the Source of that light and the Wellspring of that revelation.
~ Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings XCIII

It wasn’t until last night when I was reading the 93rd Gleanings that it dawned on me that even though the heart is the throne of God, God did not make it naturally accept Him. We have to work on it, “polish it” as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says.

The most important thing is to polish the mirrors of hearts in order that they may become illumined and receptive of the divine light…. Therefore, our duty lies in seeking to polish the mirrors of our hearts in order that we shall become reflectors of that light and recipients of the divine bounties which may be fully revealed through them.

~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, #6, 14 April 1912

And another thought, God has given us free will. He wants us to invite Him into our hearts. He could just hang out there and limit our choices, but He wants us to choose Him, to follow His laws for love of Him.

The heart is forgetful so that we have to continually invite Him in, continually renew our relationship with Him.

God’s Praise

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O Thou Whose face is the object of my adoration, Whose beauty is my sanctuary, Whose habitation is my goal, Whose praise is my hope, Whose providence is my companion, Whose love is the cause of my being, Whose mention is my solace, Whose nearness is my desire, Whose presence is my dearest wish and highest aspiration,…

Bahá’u’lláh

I said this prayer this morning and “Whose praise is my hope” struck me. I never thought of getting praise from God before, even though I have said this prayer many, many times. The idea of God praising ME is hard for me to get my head around. What would praise FROM God look/sound like?

Of course, this is one of those tricky phrases whose meaning can be reversed. It is my HOPE to praise God, which makes more sense and until this morning, that is the way I understood it.

But the thought that God would praise me is interesting and unanswerable. I have no clue what form that praise would take. Would I even recognize it for what it was?

There is so much in just these few phrases that I quoted above. I will have to address some of it later.

Barbara Van Winkle

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I dropped out of the Faith for several years. Ok, several really means more than 20 years. And by dropped out, I don’t mean that I didn’t believe in Baha’u’llah or the Faith. I just didn’t do much. I was an isolated believer who made minimal attempts to participate in Baha’i activities in the communities around me.

For the last couple years, I have felt the pull to do more, to be a better Baha’i. I still haven’t been able to develop a daily prayer routine, let alone, two, one in the morning and one at night. I also haven’t developed a consistent habit of studying the Sacred Writings.

I have foundered. But now, I think I am beginning to see my way. I have started studying the letters and guidance on the Plans of the Faith. I really have not paid any attention in the last 20+ years to what has been going on in the Baha’i Faith.

I was watching a talk by Tom Price on the 5 Year Plan on Youtube and he pointed out the changes that have gone on. He said that if a Baha’i had been asleep, Rip van Winkle style, for the last 20 years, and woke up now (actually the talk was in 2011, I believe) they would be very confused because of all the terminology and the actions by the Baha’is themselves.

I recognized myself in that analogy. Even though I have been conscious, I have deliberately not paid attention to what was going on. “That’s for other places, not here. No one is interested in the Faith here.” That, at least, was my justification.

But now that I am reading the Plans, I understand that there is a structure or framework for action. There are concrete things I can do, actions I can take. I have a place to start.

When I became a Baha’i in 1986, the method of teaching the Faith was to invite people to Firesides, talk to them about the Faith, and if someone signed a card, that was great. Then…….it was up to them to deepen themselves in the Faith. There would be study sessions called “Deepenings” on various topics as someone felt moved to give them, but it wasn’t organized. New Baha’is could attend Firesides and learn more that way or buy books.

It worked, sort of, but the Universal House of Justice realized that it would not work for integrating large numbers of people into the Faith. “Entry by Troops” is the term used in the Baha’I writings to indicate large numbers of people joining the Faith.

The Ruhi Institute was established in Columbia, I believe in the 1980s. It’s purpose was to develop ways to educate and integrate new Baha’is. It developed a series of study books on spiritual topics: “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit,” “Arising to Serve,” and “Teaching Children’s Classes.”

One of the reasons I “checked out” was lack of access to Ruhi courses. Last week I was reading over an analysis by the International Teaching Committee written in April 2003, it reminded me of this. At the beginning of this great effort of growth and consolidation, the beginning of the process relied on believers going through the classes. Since I didn’t have access, there was no way for me to start or participate.

Now there is less emphasis on Ruhi classes to get a cluster started. It is still a part, but now I can start with devotional gatherings. I believe there is also a loosening of requirements for people to become tutors. Last I heard, once you have completed one course, you can tutor that and other courses.

Soooo, here I am re-awakened and ready to teach the Faith to others.

The Golden Rule

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The Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31) is present in most of today’s religions. In the New Testament, Jesus is asked what the most important commandment is. In Mark 12 and Luke 10, He answers that the most important is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then he says the second most important is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Despite the Golden Rule’s presence in most religions, in practice, it is one of the most ignored laws of God.  It seems most people narrow the definition of “neighbor” (used in both the New Testament and the Quarran) to those people who are like themselves and whom they like and they can take advantage of, mistreat, or kill everyone else, no problem.

This is one example of why I like the concept of progressive revelation. When previous generations ignore or change their understandings of a previous revelation, the next can correct them and basically say, “Hey, I really, really meant this!”

The topic of not only getting along with other people no matter what their religion, skin color, economic status is, but LOVING them and SERVING them is addressed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá over and over and over again. I believe He addresses it many more times than any other single topic.

Jesus — Mark 12:28-31

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

Jesus —  Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Mohammad — Quran, 4:36, Surah An-nisa

Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good – to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess [the slave]: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious.

Bahá’u’lláh — Tablet to the Son of the Wolf

And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.

Bahá’u’lláh — Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Words of Paradise

O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself. Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation.

Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá —

You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind. Do not exalt yourselves above others, but consider all as your equals, recognizing them as the servants of one God. Know that God is compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love for every race, and be kind toward the people of all nationalities. Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another. Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If someone commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the hearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart. Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear.

In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity. Be trustworthy, sincere, affectionate and replete with chastity. Be illumined, be spiritual, be divine, be glorious, be quickened of God, be a Bahá’í.

I Believe Because I Do

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I first heard about the Faith from Seals and Croft, the 70s duo. They talked about the Faith whenever they were on talk shows. Then, about 1982, I saw a table of information at the county fair and took some of the information and then I called the phone number on one of the pamphlets. I talked to some nice local Baha’is and went to meet them.

They gave me a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, a standard introduction to the Faith, and a copy of Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. I liked what I read in Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. I liked the idea that all the religions are one religion and that the prophet-founders are human beings, separate from God. I was raised as a Catholic, but I could not get my head around the idea of a god in three pieces. I wanted to believe in one supreme being, not something sliced up like a pizza.

I was drawn to emphasis on one humanity and that we need to help each other. I was looking for a belief system where I didn’t look down on my mother for remaining a Catholic or anyone else for believing the way they did.

To be a Bahá’í simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood.

~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Hell is not a separate place where souls go after death in the Bahá’í Faith. You don’t get just one chance to get it right and go to heaven or fail and go to hell. I liked that a lot.

There was a lot more in the book that I liked, but what really convinced me about the truth of the Bahá’í Faith, was reading the word of Bahá’u’lláh. Sometimes the King James English can sound strange to our ears, but when I read His words, something inside me responded. Even if I didn’t agree or didn’t want to accept something, my heart still told me it was true for me.

When someone tries to convince me that I am wrong and that Bahá’u’lláh is wrong, it doesn’t have an affect on me because I didn’t become a follower of Bahá’u’lláh because of reasoned arguments or proofs. I started to follow Bahá’u’lláh because my heart told me to. I am crap at apologetics because I do not believe in God because of reason (see my post here) and I do not believe in Bahá’u’lláh because of reason.

I believe because I do.

Every so often I do question whether Bahá’u’lláh is who He says He is and if the Bahá’í Faith is true. I can’t find any argument against them and besides, even if they are wrong, I know that I am a better person because of my faith. I have been motivated to be nicer, to think of others, to good things for other people. I have also found great consolation in the writings and prayers. My problems may not be solved, but mind and soul are calmed.

I believe because I do.