stars with sunshines

The Baha’i writings boldly emphasize and state that the ultimate goal of human existence and purpose of life for every human soul is that each one should attain moral and spiritual excellence, which is in the highest sense the alignment of one's inner being and outward behavior with the will of an All-Loving, All-Merciful Creator; a Will that is so vividly and clearly crystallized in the revealed Texts and expounded in the teachings and exhortations of the Faith and Its Founders.  Each individual has been bestowed with an innate potential and a unique destiny by God--a destiny which unfolds and shapes in accordance with the free exercise of one’s faculties and will power when faced with diverse choices and challenges, and presented by options and opportunities in one’s life—a freedom and right to practice and develop one’s potential which is not only everyone’s gift and advantage, but is at the same time his and hers responsibility and purpose in life.  Through moral exercise of the divinely conferred free will, and vigilantly perceiving the manifold opportunities provided for the development of one’s potential, each could and shall only attain spiritual glory and advancement.

 

"Were man to appreciate the greatness of his station and the loftiness of his destiny he would manifest naught save goodly character, pure deeds, and a seemly and praiseworthy conduct."  (“Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p, 172)

“We aspire to find true human beings in this world. Man becomes human only through spiritual life, and the foundation of such a life is made up of heavenly perfections, divine attributes, service to humanity, eagerness to receive eternal bounties, praiseworthy morals, unity, love of God, wisdom and knowledge of God. If the aim were this physical life only, then this creation would be in vain and men would not have more honor or be nobler than other creatures. The greatest of sensual pleasures, beauty of appearance and freedom are found among the animals. Birds excel all in sensual pleasures, for they build nests on the loftiest branches and breathe the purest air. All seeds and fruit are their property. Limpid streams, charming plains, beautiful fields, verdant hills, green valleys, exquisite gardens and lovely flowers are all for their pleasure and happiness. They have no grief, regrets, aspirations, ambitions, quarrels, contentions, wars or massacres. If the purpose of existence is sensual life and pleasures, then animal and man are equal. Happiness and pleasure are rather the possession of the bird and not those of distressed and sorrowful men." (Words Of `Abdu’l-Baha, 2 October 1912, San Francisco, “Mahmud’s Diary”)

As we each diligently exert ourselves to achieve our high destiny and the purpose of our life—and we should be doing just that with heart and soul and to the best of our abilities and more—aligning both our inner being and our outward behavior with the will of God and the lofty principles and exhortations which the revealed Words in the holy Scriptures introduce, guide and teach us; thus, unfolding and developing our potential through their transforming powers, and endeavoring every day a bit better to translate the truths enshrined in them into actions and our day to day life, however inadequately and in small ways, we positively influence the advancement of society and serve the betterment and happiness of others as a whole.  When we through the knowledge and understanding of the Words of God—the divine elixir—exert to improve our character and conduct and likewise centre our thoughts on serving others by helping and reorienting their minds to exercise their own free will in doing the same; when we think of the advancements and needs of others beyond ourselves and our own needs, we find answers to our own prayers too.  The power of example thus kindled, generating light and energy, elevates and inspires our own being and we grow spiritually and nobly, becoming ever happier and more blissful. 

“Be ye loving fathers to the orphan,
and a refuge to the helpless, and a treasury for the poor, and a cure for the ailing. Be ye the helpers of every victim of oppression, the patrons of the disadvantaged. Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race. Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection, to disdain, hostility, injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only. Let each one of God’s loved ones centre his attention on this: to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s grace. Let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some benefit to him. Let him improve the character of each and all, and reorient the minds of men.”  (Tablet of Hague”, revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha)

You are welcome to visit my three other blogs—English, Chinese bilingual, and Persian—below:

Learning Felicityhttp://learningfelicity.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings

http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

The Day Star "آفتاب جهانتاب" Aftab i Jahantabhttp://thedaystaraftabijahantab.blogspot.com/

Upliftment of Minds, Hearts, and Spirits

 

 “Today all people are immersed in the world of nature. That is why thou dost see jealousy, greed, the struggle for survival, deception, hypocrisy, tyranny, oppression, disputes, strife, bloodshed, looting, and pillaging, which all emanate from the world of nature. Few are those who have been freed from this darkness, who have ascended from the world of nature to the world of man, who have followed the divine Teachings, have served the world of humanity, are resplendent, merciful, illumined and like unto the rose garden. Strive thine utmost to become godlike, characterized with His attributes, illumined and merciful, that thou mayest be freed from every bond and become attached at heart to the Kingdom of the incomparable Lord. This is Baha’i bounty, and this is heavenly light.” (Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Selections from the Writings of `Abdu’l-Baha”, p. 206)

We have the power to change the world! Well, the power to change an immediate little corner of the world rather, for sure--if we so choose and aim to do. Each and every one of us have an enormous power to influence people around us--and what makes the world, a world, first and foremost is its people. The ability to influence and inspire is an incredible power, as it is a superb responsibility. Every word that we utter, however casually, every action we commit and manifest, and every single thought and sentiment that we entertain in our minds and hearts, can influence others and will have an effect in our surrounding--positively and otherwise. As ours impact others, so may and will do their actions and words affect us, even the invisible energies and thoughts which they possess and carry along could have a possible influence on us and our doings and thoughts. To be aware and vigilant to this will not only protect us from the negative energies and effects, instead leading us to the sources of positive forces and impacts which would inspire us, but it will more importantly empower us with a constructive supremacy and positive wisdom and capacity of influencing our environment and inspiring its people in lofty ways at every step of daily life; thus, greatly contributing to the betterment, the worthy and upward progress, the beauty and happiness of the world of living. We should also be humbly open and intelligently receptive in welcoming others’ positive thoughts and contributions, which not only affects them in building and strengthening their capacities and confidence and having them feel special and valuable, it will also be an astute way of learning, conducive to greater wealth of knowledge and understanding in our being. Woodrow Wilson has a nice line that I like very much; he had once said: “I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow [from other people].” This is wisdom, this is respect and appreciation of other people’s thoughts and talents, and it is a practical, beneficial and morally healthy practice—not only for us individually—but also  for a collective and peaceful life harmoniously set on the mode of mutual cooperation, learning and advancement. It is an intelligent way of enjoying the gifts of minds, and parallel to it and perfectly complementary is the finest and noblest sentiments that can emanate from our hearts, from a universal love to every human being which is innate yet concealed in them.  When through the ‘Truth’ discovered through our intelligent open minds and through a belief thus flourishing in our hearts, they develop their capacities hand-in-hand and realize that every single person is a ‘trust’ to the world, to us all, a ‘potentially noble’ and honored being.  And such a profound knowledge and worthy understanding permeating our minds and creating lofty sentiments in our hearts, by turn translate into a loftiest and sweetest engagement of all: service to mankind.  Everything fruitful and supreme begins from a tiny and healthy thought, like a fine seed which becomes a mighty tree, or like a gentle and pure ray of light which finds its way into a dark space and tells the story of the dazzling sun in the sky, opening the doors heavenward. Starting little, imagine what an inspiration a sincerely encouraging positive word can create for a colleague, the friend, a family member whom we meet every day and talk to next, or a new person whose path crosses ours today? It can build wonders!  Every word has a spirit and a life. To know it first-hand, experience it in action by passing on one or two with an intelligent mind and a sincere intention, and you shall witness the magic!  (Blogger, n.Sh.)

“When man’s soul is rarified and cleansed, spiritual links are established, and from these bonds sensations felt by the heart are produced. The human heart resembleth a mirror. When this is purified human hearts are attuned and reflect one another, and thus spiritual emotions are generated. This is like the world of dreams when man is detached from things which are tangible and experienceth those of the spirit. What amazing laws operate, and what remarkable discoveries are made! And it may even be that detailed communications are registered...” (Revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, p. 108)

“The worlds of God are in perfect harmony and correspondence one with another. Each world in this limitless universe is, as it were, a mirror reflecting the history and nature of all the rest. The physical universe is, likewise, in perfect correspondence with the spiritual or divine realm. The world of matter is an outer expression or facsimile of the inner kingdom of spirit. The world of minds corresponds with the world of hearts.” (Revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “The Promulgation of Universal Peace”, p. 270)

Please click on the link and enjoy:

Create in me a pure heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=priSx7SvZ5Q

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." (From the Christian Holy Writings, King James Bible, 1 John)

"Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul." (From the Baha'i Holy Writings, “Selections from the Writings of `Abdu’l-Baha”)

"Everybody can be great... because anybody can SERVE. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." (Martin Luther King) 

"This is worship: to SERVE mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer." (Words by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, “Paris Talks”, p. 176)

ThinkPen

Radiance and joy is light which gives life to hearts and guides minds to right! (Blogger—n.Sh.)

Light of the World

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With abounding, reflective and joyous honor, having shared earlier the Message of the Universal House of Justice issued this month, October 2017, joining everyone from all strata of society across the globe—regardless of varying backgrounds, beliefs and ideals—who have been and were hailing and commemorating, officially, collectively and individually, in every single nation, city and locality on the surface of the planet, on the occasion of:

The 200^th anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, The Founder of the Baha’i Faith

I reached to tens of dozens, nay hundreds, of souls in my neighborhood and within the circles of my colleagues, friends and associates—because the healing Message of the Revelation of Baha’u’llah was and is for every human being to hear, to investigate and reflect upon with total freedom and independence of spirit and mind, and then translate Its Truth into daily actions and pursuits in every aspect of the life as a whole, as they understand ever more, advancing and growing through It to the heights as lofty as they may aspire and would choose and endeavor to attain; because, Baha’u’llah’s coming was not a choice made by humanity, it was the Creator’s Will; and it was the time and so very needed, like a long-awaited remedy to the ailing humanity, a living water to the thirsty lips of the children of God, a light to the wondering masses across the globe—each of us, however modest or luxurious our circumstances and whatever the standards, simple or complex that our lives may be, we all are wondering and confused, feel out of place or misplaced, searching for answers, looking for change, wishing for better and best, praying and hoping for joy and beauty, peace and happiness all the time.  We will find the answer to true happiness and lasting peace, only when we gain the consciousness of the “Oneness of Mankind”, meaning that we are all one as humans, when we learn and realize the Truth that “All the Religions are One”, and that we all are created by “One God”.  Baha’u’llah’s Revelation teaches these Principles, these matchless Concepts.  Searching for, understanding of, and acquiring this New Knowledge is indeed so very momentous! 

Contrary to many brilliant minds and alert and vigilant souls and hearts who welcomed to join in these celebrations, wanting curiously to know more, reading the messages right so lucidly reflected in the Words of Baha’u’llah, and perceiving the signs of our time aright at this momentous juncture, there were some too who seemed very indifferent, not interested, oblivious of all the calling issues of present world, being in denial even that there was anything wrong or unseemly at all with the humanity at the present; as if I was talking to the skeletons—literally!   

And that kind of response and reaction was fine with me; it was sad, but it was OK.  They just could not see and realize the difference between the life and death, joy and sorrow, the distinguishing features between the state of upliftment and growth with that of stillness and flowing low—they were of course free to see things as they wished, and I respected their choice.  To me each and every human being is noble, full of inestimable capacity and potential for growth beyond each one’s wildest imaginations; whether they themselves realize and perceive it, or else may choose to pretend that they are fine, in no need of such self-knowledge and striving to grow.

You the noble reader of this post--which is noted and shared unassumingly, but only happily and with a sincere spirit of service and goodness--must be a vigilant, bright and enlightened soul, awake and curious in mind and sensitive in heart.  I invite you to watch the following film just released and enjoy.  In this troubled and entangled world, there is light--a "Luminous Light"!

Light to the World

http://www.bahai.org/light-to-the-world/