Westgate attack

people coming together as one

the helicopters continue to fly above our home.  it's been 27 hours since the Westgate mall was attacked.  we live a couple of miles from the mall.  we were there that morning. 

we found our grocery receipt from that day -- it reads 12:03pm.  the gunmen were probably in the upper parking lot by that time.  shots were reported soon after we left.  we usually shop there on Saturday afternoons..but not yesterday.  by the grace of God and His Will we were inspired to leave our home earlier to avoid the crowds and have most of the day at home to unpack our shipment which had just arrived on Friday.

we keep pondering what would have happened if we were there..

"There has been a revival of religious fanaticism in all parts of the globe, and among people of varied faiths. It is a truly worldwide phenomenon and, in our view, a deeply disturbing one, for religious fanaticism breeds hatred and violence. We need not look far to find numerous examples in the world today of the civil strife, terror and human suffering that religious fanaticism has wreaked upon religious communities and entire nations. Its pernicious influence can be found at the root of all too many of the wars, conflicts and other ills undermining peace in the world, including the problem of terrorism.

"Fanaticism represents a perversion of religion and is directly contrary to the humane teachings brought by the Founders of all the great religions of the world. We believe that the purpose of every religion has been to promote unity among all the peoples of the world, and to outlaw war and violence in human affairs. All the major religions have taught the "Golden Rule." The violence and disruption associated with religious fanaticism testifies to its spiritual emptiness. Fanaticism destroys the very foundations of human solidarity by dividing the world into contending factions, each believing itself to be superior to others and to have an exclusive claim on religious truth. These actions and attitudes negate the very purpose of religion."

~ Baha'i International Community, 1987 Mar 03, Eliminating Religious Intolerance

*****

"From the seed of reality, religion has grown into a tree which has put forth leaves and branches, blossoms and fruit. After a time this tree has fallen into a condition of decay. The leaves and blossoms have withered and perished; the tree has become stricken and fruitless. It is not reasonable that man should hold to the old tree, claiming that its life forces are undiminished, its fruit unequaled, its existence eternal.

The seed of reality must be sown again in human hearts in order that a new tree may grow therefrom and new divine fruits refresh the world. By this means the nations and peoples now divergent in religion will be brought into unity, imitations will be forsaken and a universal brotherhood in the reality itself will be established. Warfare and strife will cease among mankind; all will be reconciled as servants of God. For all are sheltered beneath the tree of His providence and mercy.

God is kind to all; He is the giver of bounty to all alike, even as His Holiness Jesus Christ has declared that God "sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust"; that is to say, the mercy of God is universal. All humanity is under the protection of His love and favor, and unto all He has pointed the way of guidance and progress."

 ~ Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 226

A Tranquil Heart

“The greatest bestowal in the world of existence is a tranquil heart, and it is impossible for man to obtain a tranquil heart save through the good pleasure of the Lord.  That is, a man may so adorn the temple of his being with lofty attributes and philanthropic deeds as to be pleasing at the Threshold of the Almighty.  This is the only Path and there is no other Path.  My point is this:  Let all your thoughts, your ideals, your aims and purposes revolve day and night around one common object – that is, to live in accord with the good pleasure of the Lord.  Then all the doors of felicity will be opened before your faces, you will become successful in all your undertakings, and you will be confirmed in all your accomplishments.  The basic principle is the good pleasure of the Lord:  and the good pleasure of God is obtained through a tranquil heart, and the tranquility of the heart is only gained by living in accord with the Divine Teachings and Exhortations.  When a person attains to this station he is contented and peaceful.  Then he will become prosperous in all affairs and enter into Paradise.”

 ~ Abdu'l-Baha, Star of the West, vol.16, p.401

garden view outside the Shrine of the Bab

Just hearing the word 'tranquil' lends to a calmness of my being.  It is the one virtue of my soul that seems to stretch as I breathe in deeply and embrace the moments as they come throughout the day.  It is also the one virtue that is almost nonexistent in moments when life seems to bombard me with chaos and the shortcomings of human character.  I cherish those moments when I am riding the wave of tranquility while all else around me is crashing and stumbling, arguing and deceiving, hurting and hating.  But it is not easy for me to always ride those waves..

Tranquility of heart is a state of being that comes and goes in daily life.  It is a balancing act to maintain that deep serenity as life's challenging circumstances and happenings oftentimes easily disturb it.  I love this quote because it brings tranquility to my consciousness in a way of having the power to choose how to respond to the tests of life rather than react to them.  I feel empowered to draw upon the virtues latent in my soul and use them as my spiritual swords to combat the negative forces that are affecting me.  This quote strengthens my ability to remain still while moving, to remain focused while disturbed, and to remain calm while upset.  

All I truly desire in this life is God's good pleasure.  The difficulties, injustices and sufferings of life are meant to strengthen our souls as we practice using our spiritual powers rather than being defeated by the enslavement of our material traits -- anger, frustration, impatience, etc.  The more I can fix my gaze, my perspective and my vision on attaining the good pleasure of God, the more I will tap into remaining calm, considerate, courteous, forgiving, patient, long-suffering, etc. because I am ever aware of God's desire for how to best be His servant.  This is best demonstrated as a parent but even in our safe-haven of a family, I lose my balance and succumb to my lower nature and express anger and frustration.

I carried this quote in my heart all day yesterday while our children were at school.  I was preparing myself for the moment when a conflict may arise between them.  I was determined to demonstrate tranquility; I wasn't going to let it be a wave I might miss riding.  My consciousness was so heightened, so aware of needing to be patient, wise and compassionate that when they started yelling at each other about something they both felt very strongly about, I was able to keep that inner peace.  I listened.  I let them vent their anger without becoming upset at their anger and hurtful words.  I asked them to silently reflect.  I encouraged the best in them.  I waited patiently for them to let the anger dissipate.  After a while (that seemed long but worth it!) they had sincerely apologized and the storm was over.  The calm resumed and soon became joy again.  They needed me to listen and give them the strength they have within them to look at their own shortcomings and not be stuck in the rut of blaming the other person.  The more I can demonstrate a tranquil heart in our family life, the better I am able to manage the greater struggles of disunity and disintegration that face humanity -- and certainly humanity needs to be healed by the powerful force of a tranquil heart.

Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquility on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!

~ Bahá'u'lláh

'we need a change of heart'

~ artwork by Carey Corea ~

"We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life molds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions."
 ~ the Baha'i Writings

i find my heart reflecting a lot about the environments in which people live -- are they are surrounded by dirt roads and or concrete jungles, flowers or graffiti, a joyful family or an abusive family?  i wonder how many noble and high-minded people come from environments which are harsh, bleak, depressing or violent.  i wonder how a beautiful, loving, supportive and nurturing environment cannot prevent someone from committing a crime.  i wonder how a child who is surrounded by guns, gangs and hopelessness still makes a positive effect on his environment.  i wonder how men of all classes and cultures continue to rape women knowing that humanity's collective environment now finally disapproves of this barbaric and atrocious sin.

my reflections continue to saturate my heart in ways that i wonder how i am molding my environment.  my heart is easily affected by the pain of this life, most of which is the result of injustice in one form or another.  my heart is also easily touched by the beauty and splendor of this world, all of which is a sign of God in one form or another..

"..I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.."

i am struggling to not let the darkness of this world linger in my heart or make it heavy with sadness.  i cannot stop thinking of women and girls being raped, children becoming soldiers, soldiers destroying the peace of a village, weapons of war being sold on the black market, traffickers committing unthinkable beastly acts, and hard-working humble souls being forced to work in conditions that we label 'modern day slavery'.

i am tired of not being able to find clean, decent music videos, or a tv program that isn't full of promiscuity, profanity, vulgarity and licentious violence.  i am tired of not being able to find a modern novel for youth without sexualitiy and perversions of the human spirit.   i am tired of trying to filter out all that robs my children of their innocence, nobility and purity. 

i am feeling bombarded and overwhelmed by superficiality, extravagance, decadence, lawlessness, corruption, disbelief, the chill of irreligion, unbridled materialism -- some of the rampant evils described by Shoghi Effendi that are biting into the fabric of society in ways that dampen my enthusiasm and sometimes extinguish my radiance.

i continually turn to the Baha'i writings for wisdom, encouragement and inspiration as i strive to mold my heart with all that is godly and protect it of all that is worldly:

"a world, in sum, 'enervated by a rampant and brutal materialism; disintegrating through the corrosive influence of moral and spiritual decadence'...  In 1941 Shoghi Effendi castigated the prevalent trends of society in no uncertain terms: "the spread of lawlessness, of drunkenness, of gambling, and of crime; the inordinate love of pleasure, of riches, and other earthly vanities; the laxity in morals, revealing itself in the irresponsible attitude towards marriage, in the weakening of parental control, in the rising tide of divorce, in the deterioration in the standard of literature and of the press, and in the advocacy of theories that are the very negation of purity, of morality and chastity -- these evidences of moral decadence, invading both the East and the West, permeating every stratum of society, and instilling their poison in its members of both sexes, young and old alike, blacken still further the scroll upon which are inscribed the manifold transgressions of an unrepentant humanity."   (Ruhiyyih Khanum, The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, p. 178)

"Parallel with this, and pervading all departments of life -- an evil which the nation, and indeed all those within the capitalist system, though to a lesser degree, share with that state and its satellites regarded as the sworn enemies of that system -- is the crass materialism, which lays excessive and ever-increasing emphasis on material well-being, forgetful of those things of the spirit on which alone a sure and stable foundation can be laid for human society."    (Ruhiyyih Khanum, The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, p. 179)

if my 'inner life' -- my heart -- is not directed upwards toward the teachings of God and purposefully reflecting its qualities and principles, it can easily become too entangled with the world, forgetful of its Maker.    as my innermost thoughts are having an influence on the world around me, i find myself in a crucible of 'mutual reactions' that are combating the negative influences of the environment from which i cannot escape.

i see my little world like an organic fortress which breathes life in and out through its walls.  there is a flow of energy in and out -- sometimes it's negative energy that detracts from the optimal environment i'm striving to create.  when i am not patient with someone's fault or failure, or if i am being critical instead of understanding, i am sending out negative vibes to the environment around me.  each day i am striving to be little closer to the divine standard while managing all of the forces around me and within me.  my state of spiritual consciousness must be vigilant or else it's too easy to slip into negativity, lethargy or complacency.

as my heart navigates itself through this life from day to day, i continue striving to protect it from the outside world, thereby molding my environment the best i can to one that is as far removed from the dangers of materialism, immorality and ungodliness as possible.  at the same time, i am constantly holding my heart and thoughts accountable to what i allow in, to what i allow them to be occupied with in this world.  since we are organic with the world, i'm trying everyday to make choices which enable both myself and the environment around me to be healthy, or to make progress, or to achieve excellence in all things and be supported by all the positive forces and energy that allows an organism to thrive..

"No movement in the world directs its attention upon both these aspects of human life and has full measures for their improvement, save the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh.  And this is its distinctive feature.  If we desire therefore the good of the world we should strive to spread those teachings and also practice them in our own life. Through them will the human heart be changed, and also our social environment provides the atmosphere in which we can grow spiritually and reflect in full the light of God shining through the revelation of Bahá'u'lláh.

"..We need a change of heart, a reframing of all our conceptions and a new orientation of our activities. The inward life of man as well as his outward environment have to be reshaped if human salvation is to be secured."

"One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh."

    ~ Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Administration

children. suffering. change.

"Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future. They bear the seeds of the character of future society which is largely shaped by what the adults constituting the community do or fail to do with respect to children. They are a trust no community can neglect with impunity. An all-embracing love of children, the manner of treating them, the quality of the attention shown them, the spirit of adult behavior toward them -- these are all among the vital aspects of the requisite attitude. Love demands discipline, the courage to accustom children to hardship, not to indulge their whims or leave them entirely to their own devices."

~ The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 157, 2000, p. 8

children all throughout the world are victims of war, violence, rape, trafficking and abandonment.   it can extinguish all our joy if we dwelt on the pain of what these young souls have faced from adults who have hurt them in these horrendous ways..

this past week's school massacre in Connecticut has touched the world through international media which has projected the horrific manner in which a gunman killed these 20 innocent souls.  i did not listen to most of the coverage living here in Ghana, but what i did read and see on the internet made the pain in my heart reach out to every child in the world who has suffered from such atrocities.  it made me want to tell the untold stories of countless lives that have been destroyed and damaged by the tragic ways in which adults have acted toward them..

suffering and calamities, trials and tragedies, ultimately serve to waken us from our slumber of negligence or lethargy and stir in us the desire to change..and the desire for change.

change begins always with the individual and expands gradually to communities and nations.  it depends on one's determined will to continually make efforts above and beyond satisfying one's needs and interests -- efforts that are motivated by service to the greater cause, the common good, the betterment of the world.  this volition of will must make tireless exertions throughout life.  for our outer lives to change, our inner life must change -- we must consciously strive to practice the virtues of God everyday.  change can be instant, but for the most part it is gradual and painstakingly slow..

humanity is at a new stage of consciousness and has reached a certain level of its innate spiritual capacity.  what used to be accepted as natural or common, like slavery or women being kept uneducated, is now viewed as barbaric or unjust.  humanity is gradually evolving to a point of accepting that war is destructive, or that all children must be protected from harm.. humanity is undergoing a collective experience of changing ever so gradually toward reaching a spiritually mature standard of what is acceptable behavior.

"Every child is potentially the light of the world -- and at the same time its darkness; wherefore must the question of education be accounted as of primary importance. From his infancy, the child must be nursed at the breast of God's love, and nurtured in the embrace of His knowledge, that he may radiate light, grow in spirituality, be filled with wisdom and learning, and take on the characteristics of the angelic host."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p.130

every child born into this world is endowed with the capacity to reach his fullest potential intended by God as a unique soul endowed with spiritual capacity to reflect the light of God.

i want to rid the world of every act of evil that hurts and kills children.  i know that i am only a small strand in the web of humanity, but i am vital to the health and strength of the web, given the interconnectedness of it all.  i am to live each moment the very best that i can in the spot where i am located, and with the people whose lives i touch -- upholding the highest standard of conduct, of friendliness and servitude, with pure intentions and a selflessness that is essential in creating strong bonds of unity with others.

i cannot change the entire world but i can affect many people's hearts by living a life that is as spiritually enamored and full of servitude to humanity as i can.  i can help reduce the existing pain that exists in so many people's hearts -- which leads them to suicide, killing other people, etc. -- by trying to be that beam of love which banishes the darkness inside of people because they have been alienated, abandoned, abused, ridiculed, etc.  each of us has this duty, this great responsibility, to live as though everyone around us in our lives is a part of us, touched at a soulful level by how much love we share through our genuine acts of kindliness, helpfulness, charity and caring each day.

i am one with the world -- the joy of one is the joy of all; the pain of one is the pain of all.  just as in the human body, each cell must cooperate and do its job in order to help the body achieve maximum health.  my prayer is to be the healthiest cell for the body of humanity..

guidance from the Baha'i Writings brings my heart into alliance with the great Plan of God and my role in carrying forward an ever-advancing spiritual civilization which will alleviate the suffering of children throughout the world:

"That which is of paramount importance for the children, that which must precede all else, is to teach them the oneness of God and the Laws of God. For lacking this the fear of God cannot be inculcated, and lacking the fear of God and infinity of odious and abominable actions will spring up, and sentiments will be uttered that transgress all bounds..."

~ Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 236

"..education cannot alter the inner essence of a man, but it doth exert tremendous influence, and with this power it can bring forth from the individual whatever perfections and capacities are deposited within him. A grain of wheat, when cultivated by the farmer, will yield a whole harvest, and a seed, through the gardener's care, will grow into a great tree. Thanks to a teacher's loving efforts, the children of the primary school may reach the highest levels of achievement; indeed, his benefactions may lift some child of small account to an exalted throne. Thus is it clearly demonstrated that by their essential nature, minds vary as to their capacity, while education also playeth a great role and exerteth a powerful effect on their development."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 131

"And as to the world’s evil plight, we need but recall the writings and sayings of Bahá’u’lláh, who, more than fifty years ago, declared in terms prophetic the prime cause of the ills and sufferings of mankind, and set forth their true and divine remedy. “Should the Lamp of Religion be hidden,” He declares, “Chaos and confusion will ensue.” How admirably fitting and applicable are these words to the present state of mankind!

 "Ours is then the duty and privilege to labor, by day and by night, amidst the storm and stress of these troublous days, that we may quicken the zeal of our fellow-men, rekindle their hopes, stimulate their interest, open their eyes to the true Faith of God and enlist their active support in the carrying out of our common task for the peace and regeneration of the world.

"Let us pray to God that in these days of world-encircling gloom, when the dark forces of nature, of hate, rebellion, anarchy and reaction are threatening the very stability of human society, when the most precious fruits of civilization are undergoing severe and unparalleled tests, we may all realize, more profoundly than ever, that though but a mere handful amidst the seething masses of the world, we are in this day the chosen instruments of God’s grace, that our mission is most urgent and vital to the fate of humanity, and, fortified by these sentiments, arise to achieve God’s holy purpose for mankind."

 ~ Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Administration, pp. 50-52

conduct ~ stretching spiritual muscles

"O ye friends of God! Show ye an endeavor that all the nations and communities of the world, even the enemies, put their trust, assurance and hope in you; that if a person falls into errors for a hundred-thousand times he may yet turn his face to you, hopeful that you will forgive his sins; for he must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent. This is the conduct and the manner of the people of Baha'..."

    ~ Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v2, p. 436

trash piling up while waiting for the owner to supply the bin

i have studied this quote and always thought of it as something quite extraordinary.  i could not imagine one person i know falling into errors 100,000 times let alone being able to forgive that person and bring hope and consolation to his heart..

i have been facing continuous 'errors' for three weeks by the owner and contractors of the house we recently moved into.  their blatant and repeated lack of honesty and trustworthiness, unreliability and poor workmanship have combined to create a situation in which i started thinking and speaking negatively toward them.

i couldn't accept their lack of morals graciously.  i couldn't embrace the incompetency of work or craftsmanship.  the virtues of God felt far from my reach -- patience and understanding were not springing up within my heart.  internally i felt contempt and a bit of rage.  worst of all, i couldn't rely on or trust anyone..

after a week of being bombarded by accumulated 'errors', i was no longer able to cooperate peacefully with them at all.  i had started raising my voice and speaking impolitely.  i recognized that it was time to center myself spiritually.  i started asking my husband to work with them when he was home.  i retreated or kept my distance as much as possible.  whatever prayerful state i was in when i awoke in the morning was gone by noon.  too many compounded, insidious occurrences that brought all of my spiritual weaknesses to the surface..

i had to look at myself and honestly assess what qualities of God i needed to grow in.  this situation was beyond the normal sense of bringing myself to account each day.  i had developed an all-consuming attitude of irritability and complaint that needed serious attention.  i had lost that radiant, pure-hearted joy which depicts my way of life.  i typically live each day consciously mindful of the suffering of the peoples of the world, so how could i be so frustrated and not able to willingly accept the hardships that come along with material life (like an oven we bought within our budget, not knowing it has to be lit with a match or that the metal rack is so flimsy i cannot put a heavy glass dish on it)?  how could i complain about the repeated inability of the plumber to fix the leaks when my neighbors don't even have indoor plumbing?  how could i feel contempt for the owner of the house who has broken his word every time while we are fortunate to even live in a spacious, new house?  it made me feel deeply conflicted and frozen with shame because i could not empty my heart or mind of these negative feelings..

i shared how i was feeling with my husband and listened to his observations.  he pointed out first that my excessive complaining about the material aspects of the house (broken faucets, newly installed cabinets covered with contact paper, a washing machine that moves violently no matter what we've tried, poor drainage and lack of sealant around the windows) was conveying to our children that it's acceptable to complain.  he then explained how we chose to live in Africa -- how we must accept the good and the bad, so to speak.  he also shared how it helps him to not get upset by what other people do because everyone answers to God; it's our duty to be detached from the conditions and circumstances of this life and material world.

i was moved to see how my behavior was making a negative imprint on the children's life experience.  i felt like all of my husband's points were true and valid -- i love being on this continent  and deeply know that i must focus on my own spiritual deficiencies while facing every test or challenge in this life as God's way of perfecting my soul.  it made me realize that my inability to overcome being irritated was not just a combination of having high expectations of moral conduct along with the expectation that goods and services will be of the best quality.  i also have an attachment to not wanting to lower my standard of living.  i feel like i have already chosen a life outside of America that is less comfortable with less conveniences -- this situation of compounded 'errors' toward me, however, revealed that i am still holding on to a good quality kitchen, washing machine, wardrobe, plumbing, etc.

now it was up to me to put forth a mighty effort, with full determination, to change my perspective and actually practice the virtue of detachment (ie., not being negatively affected by any situation).  everything in my life that is beyond my control is God's Will.  the key for me is to attain that inner power of detachment from this world, through my love for Him, which enables me to cling to God and surrender to His Will.

i started this process by observing silence and offering a prayer whenever feeling the urge to complain about anything negative situation.  i am still reminding myself to use these 'errors' as perfect opportunities to grow in the qualities of God.  this has always been how i view my struggles and suffering, but this situation was new territory for my soul, a new challenge that was stretching my spiritual muscles.  i'm still very far from the spiritual standard that someone 'must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent' after many errors, but it feels better no longer being consumed by negative emotions..

for the first time in my life, this counsel of Abdu'l-Baha has touched my life in a practical way by helping me begin to try and apply it.  these words have served as the source of inspiration and guidance for me to overcome my lower nature and tap into my spiritually potential.  i continue to recite and reflect on it each day.  i am still striving to have a pure heart when faced with this ongoing situation, but am now able to bring to mind the high standard of offering hope and forgiveness to those who have wronged me.  i am also consciously trying to accept every material hardship as a means for my spirit to grow as well.  as the creative spirit in the Word of God mysteriously works on our souls, the frustration and anger can be transformed into wisdom and sincerity if i make constant exertions to exercise these qualities of God within my soul..

as my never-ending spiritual journey evolves, i rely on the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha:

"The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and we must therefore hold fast to the tools of perception and knowledge. Good character must be taught. Light must be spread afar, so that, in the school of humanity, all may acquire the heavenly characteristics of the spirit, and see for themselves beyond any doubt that there is no fiercer hell, no more fiery abyss, than to possess a character that is evil and unsound; no more darksome pit nor loathsome torment than to show forth qualities which deserve to be condemned.

The individual must be educated to such a high degree that he would rather have his throat cut than tell a lie, and would think it easier to be slashed with a sword or pierced with a spear than to utter calumny or be carried away by wrath.

Thus will be kindled the sense of human dignity and pride, to burn away the reapings of lustful appetites. Then will each one of God's beloved shine out as a bright moon with qualities of the spirit, and the relationship of each to the Sacred Threshold of his Lord will be not illusory but sound and real, will be as the very foundation of the building, not some embellishment on its facade."

~ Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 136

mindful of our thoughts

i have been thinking a lot recently about the many kinds of thoughts that enter my mind each day..

i bring God to mind throughout the day -- mindful of my wholehearted reliance upon Him, gratitude toward Him and above all, love for Him, the one Creator.  this is the overall spirit in which i live this life as a soul..

as much as these elevated thoughts are consciously wrapped up in and interwoven with love in my heart, there are a lot of other thoughts happening in my mind as well.  i am constantly thinking about friends, past memories and future possibilities, reflections from what i've read, news stories, world issues, life decisions, family, meals to prepare, things to get done, etc.. these thoughts are random and almost effortless, just part of what makes up who i am in terms of importance and responsibilities as an individual.

at a deeper level, though, there are the kinds of thoughts which creep into my mind and trouble the soul, agitate the heart, and detract from the light within me:   hurt, regret, prejudice, negativity, anger, fear, anxiety, insecurity, etc.  they take the form of sentences like 'i wish..' and 'what if..'

these kinds of inner thoughts require conscious attention and effort to purify, discipline or silence.  the more pure my heart is and the more attached i am to God rather than this world, the less present these wayward thoughts are within me.

i strive to empty my mind of these thoughts by replacing them with prayer and meditation.  i am learning to be evermore conscious of what i am thinking so that my mind can be free of the clutter which pollutes my soul and prevents it from being purified of all that is worldly.  i want to protect my soul from thoughts which are harmful to my well-being.

there is much guidance from the Baha'i Writings on how thoughts must be directed in this life.  through effort and attention, we can elevate and focus our thoughts, enabling ourselves to grow in detachment from this material world and grow nearer to God:

O people of God! Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men.

  

Center your thoughts in the Well-Beloved, rather than in your own selves.

He should consume every wayward thought with the flame of His loving mention, and, with the swiftness of lightning, pass by all else save Him.

(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah)

So great is the folly and perversity of the people, that they have turned their face toward their own thoughts and desires, and have turned their back upon the knowledge and will of God -- hallowed and glorified be His name!

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan)

*****

...material ideas and worldly thoughts attract man to the center of self. Anger, passion, ignorance, prejudice, greed, envy, covetousness, jealousy and suspicion prevent man from ascending to the realms of holiness, imprisoning him in the claws of self and the cage of egotism.

(Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 546)

What could be better before God than thinking of the poor?

The man who thinks only of himself and is thoughtless of others is undoubtedly inferior to the animal because the animal is not possessed of the reasoning faculty.

He who is so hard-hearted as to think only of his own comfort, such an one will not be called man.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 42)

Leave all thought of self,
and strive only to be obedient and submissive to the Will of God.

...the trials which beset our every step, all our sorrow, pain, shame and grief, are born in the world of matter; whereas the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual joy. The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by, but they only touch the surface of his life, the depths are calm and serene.

Today, humanity is bowed down with trouble, sorrow and grief, no one escapes; the world is wet with tears; but, thank God, the remedy is at our doors. Let us turn our hearts away from the world of matter and live in the spiritual world! It alone can give us freedom! If we are hemmed in by difficulties we have only to call upon God, and by His great Mercy we shall be helped.

 Think not of your own limitations, dwell only on the welfare of the Kingdom of Glory.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks)

  
Let us put aside all thoughts of self; let us close our eyes to all on earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor complain of our wrongs.

Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race.

Every imperfect soul is self-centred and thinketh only of his own good.

...ye must also be thinking of everyone, so that mankind may be educated, character moderated and this world may turn into a Garden of Eden.

So long as the thoughts of an individual are scattered he will achieve no results, but if his thinking be concentrated on a single point wonderful will be the fruits thereof.

Think ye of love and good fellowship as the delights of heaven, think ye of hostility and hatred as the torments of hell.

...think none to be your foe.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha)

...now assure thee, O servant of God, that, if thy mind become empty and pure from every mention and thought and thy heart attracted wholly to the Kingdom of God, forget all else besides God and come in communion with the Spirit of God, then the Holy Spirit will assist thee with a power which will enable thee to penetrate all things, and a Dazzling Spark which enlightens all sides, a Brilliant Flame in the zenith of the heavens, will teach thee that which thou dost not know of the facts of the universe...

    (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 706)

...search out your own imperfections and not think of the imperfections of anybody else.
    (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace)

...must always be thinking of doing good to someone, of love, consideration, affection and assistance to somebody.

Every soul of the friends of God must concentrate his mind on this, that he may manifest the mercy of God and the bounty of the Forgiving One.

    (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 217)

*****

looking through this window of the Baha'i gardens fills my mind with prayerful reflections.  it makes me feel present and still with myself as a soul, conscious of my inner spirit.  no thoughts of myself linger in this moment of stillness.

if our thoughts are like a mirror, then they are reflecting what we focus them on.  if we live this life in love with ourselves, rather than worshiping our Creator, our thoughts will be consumed with greed, jealousy, vanity, and covetousness.  if we are striving each day to see the Beauty of God within us and around us, then our thoughts will be considerate, fair, honest, and full of care.


i wonder what occupies other people's minds and how they are managing the throne of their inner temple..

deeper meanings ~ the spirit of life

i've been reflecting a lot lately.  a crisis has touched my life and i no longer see things in life quite the same.  so many of the petty preoccupations and superficial attachments to my life have given way to a deeper connection with myself as a soul and the essence of what this life is really about.

the older i become, the more clear it becomes that no amount of education, money, possessions or status will ever satisfy our soul's need for love..

all of the material ways we form an identity -- race, nationality, age, culture and class -- and all of the ways we nurture our ego, lead ultimately, at some point, to disappointment, disillusion, emptiness, loneliness and discontent.  none of these nurture the innermost part of who we are, our soul, which is the essence of who we are.

many people grow up without unconditional love.  they feel abandoned or alone.  they feel expected to be someone they aren't or achieve something they don't truly want to do.  some haven't received enough affection, forgiveness, fair treatment, patience, or understanding.

~ Shrine of Baha'u'llah ~

our souls desire unconditional love -- love which transcends our identity.

nothing material sustains our soul.

nothing of this world leads to happiness or joy..

"Spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable. 

This kind of happiness appeareth in one's soul with the love of God

 and suffereth one to attain to the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity. 

Therefore, endeavor as much as thou art able

 in order to illuminate the lamp of thy heart by the light of love."
 

(Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 673)

below are a few words in my life which have taken on a deeper meaning:

illness -- one of the many tests of this life in which we are given the opportunity to turn to God, our Maker, and rely on Him and trust in Him, no matter how grave or agonizing the condition.

darkness -- many, many moments throughout many days when one feels the pain and often unbearable struggles of suffering without knowing how or when one will come through it

faith -- beseeching the Almighty One throughout countless moments of helplessness and powerlessness as one clings to the power of divine assistance day after day without any apparent sign of confirmation

beauty -- the process and reality of transformation from a lower state of existence into a higher one that is reflected and sustained by many spiritual qualities such as radiant acquiescence, humility, purity, patience and servitude to God

success -- overcoming obstacles that accumulate and occur throughout life which serve as barriers to one's spiritual progress and well-being

this life is a spiritual journey.  if we desire peace in this world, surely it begins with love.  our innermost beings must be sustained by all of the elements of a spiritual life, beginning with unconditional love for one another.. the source of this love is the Love of God.

"O loving God! I am a young child, a suppliant, a captive. Be Thou my refuge, my support, my protector. I am in distress: give me the means of tranquillity. I am needy: bestow upon me the treasure of the Kingdom. I am dead: give me the Spirit of Life. I am weak: favor me with power and strength, so that I may be a maid-servant in Thy Threshold, with perfect purity and sanctity; sacrifice myself unto Thee, be quit of myself and seek Thee, walk in the path of Thy good pleasure, speak Thy secret and witness the signs of Thy Oneness wherever I look. O God! Make me ablaze, like unto the fire of Thy love, and make me free from attachment to this mortal world, until I find the peace of soul and the rest of conscience.

"Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty! Thou art the Hearer, the Seer!"

(Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 196)

self-mastery

the other day i was pondering my struggle here living in ghana. i have gone around and around in my head and in my heart about outward circumstances that have been leaving me without energy. it's more than just missing loved ones and the cultures of south africa. it's more than facing the traffic and lack of infrastructure here. and it's definitely more than the typical things in life that test our resolve, patience, forbearance, etc.

it entered my heart finally that my soul just isn't at peace.  it shouldn't matter what is happening around me.  happiness and contentment are never based on outer circumstances.  they are qualities of the soul.  a peaceful soul is acquiescent, radiantly acquiescent.  a peaceful soul is calm, full of patience, and able to put faith into practice by trusting that everything is God's Will..and God's Will always benefits our souls.

i can feel this internal struggle happening, making me feel discontent when dwelling on what it is that i want to change.  what is essential is that i surrender.  i must stop trying to resist God's Will -- i.e., all of the situations and circumstances of life here in Ghana.  i must stop struggling against what i can't change:

"Whosoever is occupied with himself is wandering in the desert of heedlessness and regret. The 'Master Key' to self-mastery is self- forgetting. The road to the palace of life is through the path of renunciation."    

                                                      (Lights of Guidance, p. 114)

no matter how much i find a situation difficult for me, this counsel to forget what i want is truly the 'light of guidance' for my soul.  i am praying and striving to surrender.  it's a spiritual journey of communing with God while often feeling quietly alone in my struggle to forget myself.  i'm not there yet but i can feel myself feeling less disturbed when i focus on giving up my will for the sake of God's Will.  it requires complete conscious effort at first.  the more effort i make to conform to the Will of God, the easier and quicker it will be for me to evolve into exhibiting that spiritual habit of effortless acquiescence.  i must always remember the 'master key'..