The greatest gift

The greatest gifts, I realized this weekend, that God has generously showered upon each one of us, are our friends and loved ones. I feel truly blessed to have the friends I have, for the love they express, the thoughtfulness of their actions, and the care they lavish upon me. I can only hope that I am able to return that in equal measure.

Reaffirming what I said in a previous post, life truly is ever so precious.

Good vs. bad

Something very interesting I just read - contrary to many philosophies, in the Baha'i faith, there is no dualism of Good and Bad. The Baha'i concept of bad is that it is either

1. the absence of good: and so darkness is the absence of light, dishonesty is the absence of honesty, and so on.

or

2. the incompatibility between two good things: and so, for example, men and poisonous snakes are incompatible, but that does not make snakes "bad".

If we really think about it, all the different occasions we label people or actions as "bad" can easily be fit into these two categories. It is when we believe that things/people are intrinsically bad that we let negative emotions take over positive emotions - and so hate replaces love, war replaces unity. Instead if we believed that people were innately good (as they all come from God), and have all the virtues of God embedded in them, but commit "bad" actions because they have not realized this, it changes the complete attitude we have towards them. Our role, in our interactions with others, then, is not to find the faults in them, but rather to harvest the fruits of goodness in them.

Prayer

Yesterday's study circle discussion revolved largely around prayer - and there is a lot to say about that. But I'm just going to be lazy and refer you back to a previous post of mine on prayer here

Happy reading! :)

Color

Today as i biked in to campus, I saw this house with a path leading up to it. And covering that path was the most beautiful arched canopy of deep lilac flowers. It was just the most lovely thing ever...

Every day as i bike to work this spring i notice something new, something different, some bit of color here, a unique flower there. And it just makes me realize how beautifully varied and colorful God has made this world, what an intricate tapestry he has woven for us to rejoice and revel in. The never-ending bounties of nature always seem to me to be one of the purest reflections of the infinite beauty of God...

It also reminded me of these lines from the song "Bum bum bole" from the recently released Hindi movie, Taare Zameen Par (a must see for all those who haven't seen it). This part of the song goes:

"Aisi rangon bhari apni duniya hai kyun
Socho toh socho na
Pyar se chunke in rangon ko
Kisi ne sajaya yeh sansar hai
Jo itni sundar hai apni duniya
Upar wala kya koi kalakaar hai"

Loosely translated, it says, "Why is our world so full of color? Think and wonder... Someone has lovingly chosen all these colors and decorated it. Our world is so beautiful, surely the One above (God) must be an artist?"

Life is so precious, isnt it?

This is the day

"This is the Day in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests."

-- Baha'u'llah

A mine of gems

"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom."

-- Baha'u'llah

We studied the above quote today in our newly begun study circle in the context of the education of children. The quote gives a very strong sense of the ideal attitude of a teacher towards teaching children. The standard view of education is one where one views it as filling empty vessels - so we all supposedly come into the world with no knowledge, and the purpose of education is to give us that knowledge.

In sharp contrast, the above quote talks about humans not as empty vessels, but as "mines rich in gems of inestimable value". Therefore, we are already born with a lot of talents and qualities and virtues lying latent within us - and so the true role of a teacher is really to mine those qualities and bring them out.

This is in particular true when it comes to spiritual education - and so we do not teach our kids values that they never possessed - rather, our job is to bring out those virtues that already exist within them in a potential form. Humans are intrinsically regarded as noble beings - and therefore we are all credited with a Higher Self, one which has the capacity to reflect all the qualities of God. And it is true spiritual education that enables us to tap these capacities, bring them out and express them for the benefit of mankind. It is therefore the teacher's responsibility to enable each child to realize the existence of these priceless gems within himself/herself, and bring them to fruition. Such an act is considered the highest form of service, and equivalent to the worship of God.

This view of humans and education seems totally remarkable to me - especially when I think back to my days in school, and consider the nature of our entire education system. If only it were based on love, and a recognition that each child is special and possesses innate talents, how different would the interactions between teachers and students be! If teachers taught of their students not just as some people they are required to teach - but if instead each student were considered a unique and beautiful creation of God - how much more rewarding would the processes of both teaching and learning be!

Thoughts

"When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. "

-- Abdu'l Baha

Through this period of fasting, I have found myself ruminating on the above quote to a greater and greater extent. I find myself much more conscious of my thoughts, words and actions, and on multiple occasions have caught myself thinking/doing something which I probably shouldn't be - and have tried to change that. This has made me realize how much power there is in one's thoughts - and how, through the power of one's will and determination, one can overcome the most negative of emotions. And the key, as the quote says above, is not to just try and not think negative thoughts - but rather, to replace any negative thought with a more powerful positive one. If you dislike something about a situation - find something positive in it to focus on. If you feel turned off by something a friend says/does - focus on their positive actions instead. If you're angry at someone - think of the last thing they did that made you very happy. If you are repelled by some quality in someone - find some quality in them that really attracts you to them.

The more I'm able to incorporate this principle in my most routine daily thoughts and actions, the more I find it gives me peace of mind and a feeling of well-being towards all.

There is of course a looooooong way to go yet... :)

Love

"There are four kinds of love. The first is the love that flows from God to man; it consists of the inexhaustible graces, the Divine effulgence and heavenly illumination. Through this love the world of being receives life. Through this love man is endowed with physical existence, until, through the breath of the Holy Spirit—this same love—he receives eternal life and becomes the image of the Living God. This love is the origin of all the love in the world of creation.

The second is the love that flows from man to God. This is faith, attraction to the Divine, enkindlement, progress, entrance into the Kingdom of God, receiving the Bounties of God, illumination with the lights of the Kingdom. This love is the origin of all philanthropy; this love causes the hearts of men to reflect the rays of the Sun of Reality.

The third is the love of God towards the Self or Identity of God. This is the transfiguration of His Beauty, the reflection of Himself in the mirror of His Creation. This is the reality of love, the Ancient Love, the Eternal Love. Through one ray of this Love all other love exists.

The fourth is the love of man for man. The love which exists between the hearts of believers is prompted by the ideal of the unity of spirits. This love is attained through the knowledge of God, so that men see the Divine Love reflected in the heart. Each sees in the other the Beauty of God reflected in the soul, and finding this point of similarity, they are attracted to one another in love. This love will make all men the waves of one sea, this love will make them all the stars of one heaven and the fruits of one tree. This love will bring the realization of true accord, the foundation of real unity."

-- Abdu'l Baha

The nature of education

"Education is of three kinds: material, human and spiritual. Material education is concerned with the progress and development of the body, through gaining its sustenance, its material comfort and ease. This education is common to animals and man.

Human education signifies civilization and progress—that is to say, government, administration, charitable works, trades, arts and handicrafts, sciences, great inventions and discoveries and elaborate institutions, which are the activities essential to man as distinguished from the animal.

Divine education is that of the Kingdom of God: it consists in acquiring divine perfections, and this is true education; for in this state man becomes the focus of divine blessings, the manifestation of the words, "Let Us make man in Our image, and after Our likeness." This is the goal of the world of humanity."

-- Abdu'l Baha

More on fasting

Some thoughts on fasting that I've been thinking about for obvious reasons:

1. The act of physically fasting, as heavily emphasized in the Baha'i writings, is only symbolic of a more general spiritual fast. And so the period of fasting is supposed to be a time where one is more conscious of one's spiritual reality, more focused on improving oneself, more aware of one's thoughts and actions, and bringing them more in alignment with one's ideals/values. Fasting, therefore, contrary to what a lot of people believe, doesn't stop short at just not eating/drinking for some span of time.

2. Having said that, the act of physical fasting, I've realized, is important for it contiually reminds one of the fact that one is fasting, why one is fasting, and that this is a special period of time. If one just told oneself that physical fasting is merely symbolic, and so it didn't really matter as long as one were able to undergo the spiritual fasting, I doubt the process of spiritual fasting would actually happen - it is so easy to forget these things in the day-to-day hassles of life. Physical fasting, however, does change one's regular routine, and serves as a constant reminder of the importance of this period.

3. In addition, fasting enables one to cultivate a certain level of discipline and detachment. One realizes how much one consumes that one could so easily do without - and so it does help in reducing attachment to things in general!

4. Just as physical fasting is a token of spiritual fasting, likewise I believe the fasting period itself is merely symbolic of how one should ideally lead one's life in general, throughout the year. Ideally one would not need to physically fast to remind oneself to be more spiritual. And likewise, ideally one would not need a special period of time every year to be spiritual - it should be a more constant state.

5. A combination of prayer and a more continuous process of introspection, reflection, and evaluation of one's thoughts and actions (even the most minor) goes a long way in furthering one's spiritual growth.

"The fasting period... is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character."

-- Shoghi Effendi

A pair of shoes

V told this most amazing story of this realization that had come to her many years ago. She was in Monaco then, I think, all set to go on a trip to the then Czechoslovakia as part of a teaching program for the Baha'i Faith. She was thoroughly excited about the trip, and about the idea of being able to do service for people. Right before she was due to leave, though, she had severe colitis - a condition that had always affected her, but this time it hit her full force, and she ended up having to be hospitalized, and was in the ICU for several days. Laying there in the hospital, surrounded by all those nasty tubes and devices, she prayed, and asked of Baha'u'llah - "Oh, I had wanted to go on this trip just to be of service. Why then have you stopped me from going there, O God? All I wanted to do was to serve - and yet here I am, stuck in this hospital!"

She was quite besides herself for a while, but then suddenly for an instant, there came to her mind the image of a picture she had her in home, of the shrine of Baha'u'llah, with a pair of shoes outside the door. And in that instant, she had a sudden realization - we all always want to do things the way we like, even when it comes to service we want to choose how to serve, we always want to be the legs that go everywhere. But what we really need to be content with is being the shoes - not the legs. We have to be content with being led along the path and cannot always control everything that happens. I cannot say, "Oh, I will serve, but only between 2pm and 4pm in this role at this place, in this manner" - I have to accept the circumstances I find myself in, and in that situation find the best way to serve God and humanity.

I found that image of a pair of shoes to be very powerful and thought-provoking. And as always, as with everything V ever says/does with all her love and purity, it did not fail to inspire.

Gifts and tests

A statement made by V at dinner today that really struck my heart:

"Life is so full of the most wonderful gifts and tests."

Yes, they're both wonderful. For there is so much beautiful in the world. And also so much to learn from.

Kindness

Today one of our study circle discussions revolved around the idea of a kindly tongue, and how it attracts the hearts of men. A reminded me, when I told her about it, that I'd blogged about this before (quite a memory!) and so I will direct your attention to the following post:

A kindly tongue

There is an interesting dynamic that exists between being loving/kind, and yet truthful and just. Often it seems like the two might be contradictory, or impossible to achieve together - but I think its possible to balance the two in any situation. The ideal of course is to always be truthful or just - and at the same time present the truth in the garb of kindness and love. There is this idea presented in the quote that a kindly tongue "clotheth the words with meaning" - which might give us some insight into why often, even when we advise/help someone sincerely or try to explain some thought/idea to them, they do not understand our words/actions. Even the truth needs to be spoken with pure loving-kindness to be truly understood and appreciated.

A few remarkable people who were able to achieve this ideal come to mind - such as Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Yudhishthira, Abdul Baha etc - come to mind, and it is obvious that this is not just some far-out, unreachable Utopian picture, but something we can surely inculcate in our lives too with some effort. Further, the fact that we still remember people like these years, sometimes eons after their passing, shows us the lasting effect of such qualities.

Fasting

Fasting is the cause of awakening man. The heart becomes tender and the spirituality of man increases. This is produced by the fact that man's thoughts will be confined to the commemoration of God, and through this awakening and stimulation surely ideal advancements follow... Fasting is of two kinds, material and spiritual. The material fasting is abstaining from food or drink, that is, from the appetites of the body. But spiritual, ideal fasting is this, that man abstain from selfish passions, from negligence and from satanic animal traits. Therefore, material fasting is a token of the spiritual fasting. That is: "O God! As I am fasting from the appetites of the body and not occupied with eating and drinking, even so purify and make holy my heart and my life from aught else save Thy Love, and protect and preserve my soul from self-passions... Thus may the spirit associate with the Fragrances of Holiness and fast from everything else save Thy mention."

-- Abdul Baha