Human spirit and the mind

The human spirit, which distinguishes man from the animal, is the rational soul, and these two terms—the human spirit and the rational soul—designate one and the same thing. This spirit, which in the terminology of the philosophers is called the rational soul, encompasses all things and as far as human capacity permits, discovers their realities and becomes aware of the properties and effects, the characteristics and conditions of earthly things. But the human spirit, unless it be assisted by the spirit of faith, cannot become acquainted with the divine mysteries and the heavenly realities. It is like a mirror which, although clear, bright, and polished, is still in need of light. Not until a sunbeam falls upon it can it discover the divine mysteries.

As for the mind, it is the power of the human spirit. The spirit is as the lamp, and the mind as the light that shines from it. The spirit is as the tree, and the mind as the fruit. The mind is the perfection of the spirit and a necessary attribute thereof, even as the rays of the sun are an essential requirement of the sun itself. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)

Baha’i education of young people

The House of Justice feels that among the most important considerations for the education of young people is not only their study of the Bahá’í teachings but their active involvement, according to their capacity, in the life and work of the community—especially their participation in the Divine Plan, including teaching, community building, and involvement in the life of society. Such wholehearted participation will assuredly confirm them in their faith. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 4 November 2019 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

“the Cause has the spiritual power to re-create us”

The believers, as we all know, should endeavour to set such an example in their personal lives and conduct that others will feel impelled to embrace a Faith which reforms human character. However, unfortunately, not everyone achieves easily and rapidly the victory over self. What every believer, new or old, should realize is that the Cause has the spiritual power to re-create us if we make the effort to let that power influence us, and the greatest help in this respect is prayer. We must supplicate Bahá’u’lláh to assist us to overcome the failings in our own characters, and also exert our own will-power in mastering ourselves. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 27 January 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Prayer and Devotional Life’, Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, February 2019)

Preparing oneself before entering the Nineteen Day Feast

You must continue to keep the Nineteen Day Feast. It is very important; it is very good. But when you present yourselves in the meetings, before entering them, free yourselves from all that you have in your heart, free your thoughts and your minds from all else save God, and speak to your heart. That all may make this a gathering of love, make it the cause of illumination, make it a gathering of attraction of the hearts, surround this gathering with the Lights of the Supreme Concourse, so that you may be gathered together with the utmost love.

O God! Dispel all those elements which are the cause of discord, and prepare for us all those things which are the cause of unity and accord! O God! Descend upon us Heavenly Fragrance and change this gathering into a gathering of Heaven! Grant to us every benefit and every food. Prepare for us the Food of Love! Give to us the Food of Knowledge! Bestow upon us the Food of Heavenly Illumination!

In your hearts remember these things, and then enter the Unity Feast. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Star of the West’, vol. IV, no. 7, 13 July 1913; The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, The Nineteen Day Feast)

“Do not complain of others.”

If some one 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 bearer. 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. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

“Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred”

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. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

The “central theme” of the Baha’i Faith

In every Dispensation the light of Divine Guidance has been focussed upon one central theme.... In this wondrous Revelation, this glorious century, the foundation of the Faith of God and the distinguishing feature of His Law is the consciousness of the Oneness of Mankind. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Cited by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)

Benefits of prayer

Man becomes like a stone unless he continually supplicates to God. The heart of man is like a mirror which is covered with dust and to cleanse it one must continually pray to God that it may become clean. The act of supplication is the polish which erases all worldly desires. The delight of supplicating and entreating before God cuts one's heart from the world… prayer is a key by which the doors of the kingdom are opened. There are many subjects which are difficult for man to solve. But during prayer and supplication they are unveiled and there is nothing that man cannot find out. Muhammed said: "Prayer is a ladder by which everyone can ascend to heaven." If one's heart is cut from the world his prayer is the ascension to heaven. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bha, recorded by Alma Albertson and other pilgrims, Haifa, November and December, 1900; Star of the West, vol. 8, no. 4, May 17, 1917)

Our material civilization must become like “the most unclouded glass, through which the light of our spiritual civilization” would shine

Our material civilization has progressed greatly with the perfection of the crafts and the forward steps of material science, but our spiritual civilization, that which is based on divine morals, has declined and become degraded. We should strive to make our material civilization the purest possible medium, the most unclouded glass, through which the light of our spiritual civilization must shine. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to a number of clergymen who called on April 13, 1912 in New York city; recorded by Dr. Zia Baghdadi, ‘Abdu’l-Baha in America’, Star of the West, vol. 19, no. 2, May 1928)

Book: ‘Baha’u’llah and the New Era’ – “gives the finest and most effective presentation of the various aspects of the Cause”

… in connection with various aspects of his (Dr. Esslemont’s) book. I am enclosing various suggestions of Mr. Dreyfus-Barney and of Mr. Roy Wilhelm made by them at my request, during their last sojourn in the Holy Land. I submit them to Dr. Esslemont’s consideration as well as to that of the Spiritual Assembly. I very deeply regret my inability to give the attention I desire to this admirable work of his, but will assuredly do all in my power to aid him in the final stages of his work. I am certain however that the book as it now stands gives the finest and most effective presentation of the various aspects of the Cause to the mind of the Oriental as well as to that of the Westerner. May it arouse a genuine and widespread interest in the Cause throughout the world. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 23 December 1922; ‘The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahá’í Community’) 

Meaning of “Baha’i”

While in New York city, a reporter asked ‘Abdu’l-Baha what Baha'i meant.

‘Abdu’l-Baha answered: "It means to love all the world, to love humanity, to serve it, to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Dr. Zia Baghdadi, ‘Abdu’l-Baha in America’, Star of the West [The Baha'i Magazine], vol. 19, no. 2, May 1928)

The “last words of the Báb to the gazing multitude, as the regiment prepared to fire its volley”

An old photograph of the Barrack in Tabriz
where the Bab was martyred in 1850

O wayward generation! Had you believed in Me every one of you would have followed the example of this youth, who stood in rank above most of you, and would have willingly sacrificed himself in My path. The day will come when you will have recognized Me; that day I shall have ceased to be with you. 

- The Báb  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)

Teaching the Cause of God: - to “sow the seed of the Word of God” in “a pure soil”

Arise thou to serve the Cause of thy Lord; then give the people the joyful tidings concerning this resplendent Light whose revelation hath been announced by God through His Prophets and Messengers. Admonish everyone moreover to observe prudence as ordained by Him, and in the Name of God advise them, saying: It behoveth every one in this Day of God to dedicate himself to the teaching of the Cause with utmost prudence and steadfastness. Should he discover a pure soil, let him sow the seed of the Word of God, otherwise it would be preferable to observe silence. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’)

The “manifestation of the Holy Spirit”

…the manifestation of the Holy Spirit: Whensoever it appears, it invests the world of humanity with a new life and endows human realities with a new spirit. It clothes all existence with a glorious attire, disperses the darkness of ignorance, and causes the light of human perfections to shine resplendent. It is with such a power that Christ renewed this cycle—whereupon the divine springtide pitched its tent, with utmost vitality and grace, in the realm of humanity and perfumed the senses of the enlightened souls with its life-giving breezes.

In the same way, the manifestation of Bahá’u’lláh was a new springtide which appeared with the sweet savours of holiness, with the hosts of everlasting life, and with a power born of the celestial kingdom. He established the throne of God’s sovereignty in the midmost heart of the world and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, revived the souls and ushered in a new cycle. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)

Holy Spirit

…the Holy Spirit… is the mediator between God and His creation. It is like a mirror facing the sun: Just as a spotless mirror receives the rays of the sun and reflects its bounty to others, so too is the Holy Spirit the mediator of the light of holiness, which it conveys from the Sun of Truth to sanctified souls. This Spirit is adorned with all the divine perfections. Whensoever it appears, the world is revived, a new cycle is ushered in, and the body of humanity is clothed in a fresh attire. It is like the spring: When it arrives, it transports the world from one condition to another. For at the advent of springtide the black earth, the fields, and the meadows become green and verdant; flowers and sweet-scented herbs of every kind spring forth; trees are endowed with a new life; wondrous fruits are produced; and a new cycle is inaugurated. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  ('Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)