rare as demon as phoenix

a True Friend

“The poet spoke truly when he said that three things are scarce, namely, the demon, the phoenix and the faithful friend. Yes, like the demon and the phoenix, the true friend is rare.”  (Words by `Abdu'l-Bahá, August 9, 1912, “Mahmud’s Diary”)

                                  

`Abdu'l-Bahá, the Appointed Successor of Bahá’u’lláh—the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith—and the Authorized Interpreter of His Writings, was the Perfect Exemplar and the embodiment of every Bahá'í ideal. Every word that He uttered and every act manifested by Him, taught and inspired spirituality, unity, and love.  He spoke of love, promoted love and exemplified love and fellowship at every moment of His life, in His conduct and His dealings with every person, gracefully and with utmost dignity, magnificently generous and utterly magnanimous. His was the love which was abundant, universal and divine, transcending every limit and going beyond every color and race, country and religion, status and ranks, relations and ties; in brief, His love and friendship, His compassion and fellowship was not mixed and influenced by ‘self’, was not tarnished by any traces of selfishness; it soared high above any conditions and expectations, winged far up and beyond any recognitions and distinctions.  His love originated from the love of the One Beloved, the Creator; hence, He saw God’s image in every human being, and loved every soul for His sake, ‘God said, “Let us make a man with our image and resemblance.” (Genesis, 1:26)’—a love thus reaching from Him to everyone was naturally and abundantly sincere, spotless and infinitely generous.  His acts translated His own Words, “When you love a member of your family, a friend, or a compatriot, let it be with a ray of the Infinite Love! Let it be in God, and for God.”

“Worldly friends, seeking their own good, appear to love one the other, whereas the true Friend hath loved and doth love you for your own sakes.” 

(Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, "Hidden Words", Persian #52)

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Inked ThinkPen
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Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings
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 Perfection   and   Paradise

As humanly it is, we often may say or hear different words and opinions, not all always and fully being in one supportive direction and harmony—because we change, and so our opinions change; at times independently, at times influenced by results and experiences, or by others, rightfully or unfairly—some of us change in positive ways, a few always positively, but many of us also in other diverse directions.  And the fear is that when the clock of life stops, where does one stand at that very moment?  It is overwhelming actually, when we think about it, perhaps even scary; not just the thought of being extinguished and being no more, but for those who believe that this contingent world—that is the world of matter, the physical one alive to the five bodily senses—is just a stage in the unfolding and developing process of a human being’s reality and existence, the true and responsibly positive concern is that how and at what level of progress and advancement the clock in this mortal world will stop for them.  Will it end at a high note with flying colors, at a state where one will be in a tranquil peace of having at least tried his and her best with whatever circumstances and conditions which one had been gifted and endowed? Or, would it be a case in which one sees and realizes the lost opportunities, negligent denials, missing the points and a withered life-time? While these conditions and circumstances shall of course remain mysteriously unknown until the unheralded destined time in each of our cases, there are two facts and real points in relation which to minds that ponder fairly and perceive could not seem otherwise—one, is that regardless of anyone’s endeavors and highest possible exertions and trying, no human being is or can ever be perfect, as it is not possible to be a perfect human being as mortal, finite and weak that we all are in relation to the Creator of the universe and its Fashioner; other one, is that no matter at what point the clock in this world may stop for us and in which degree of progress and development our being and soul might be at that time, we can ever and shall always continue to advance and keep on our journey in the limitless realms beyond by the mercy and favors of the Fashioner of all.  It is just that the more we advance here during our life-time on the earth, the continuing point from this world onwards shall be higher up and forward.  To advance and upgrade, to reach to its best degree and obtain relevant perfection, is in fact the purpose of each and every existent being below the human realm too—whether from the mineral and vegetable world, or the animal kingdom alike.  It is the truth and philosophy, the innate nature and law of the creation, and there is an objective and purpose for each and every creature which constitute the whole.  The objective is to yield the desired outcome and ultimate possible perfection.  Of these processes in existent world, there are those which have a definite start and a defined end.  As for the ones which relate to human beings’ development and the progress of our realities, however, each process has a definite beginning, blessed with a noble purpose and a potentially unique position in the case of each one, supported and guided by defining principles, values and means, of both the earth and the heaven; but, its end is infinite and eternal.  Therefore, the unfolding growth and advancement of the reality of each human being, and the humanity as a whole, constitute perfection in its every level and aspect, as is itself a process which is progressive and ever-advancing forward and towards the ultimate Perfection.  

Human perfection is relative, not absolute. The absolute perfection belongs to the Creator. That relative perfection is the “paradise” of man—the embodiment and abode, the token and reflection of the merging of our free wills with the Will of the All-Mighty—His is the invitation and unerring command, the favoring mercy and limitless bounty, the admittance, the justice and the loving acceptance; and ours, is the yearning welcome and joyous thanksgiving in words and actions, is in attitudes and choices, intelligent discoveries and vigilant submissions, nay is in radiant acquiescence, with "Combination of courage and restraint, magnanimity and power, broad-mindedness and loyalty", and with a heart even as the day-star, a shining brow, a musk-scented breath, an exposition crystal-clear, a high resolve, a spiritual character, to the Will from which all were born and the One that empowered all of ours.  As humans’ perfection is relative—so is their abiding place in “paradise”.  We can have a say—we do, and we should—trying more and exerting better and higher in all that fall on our parts, for our own good and the good of the whole, lovingly, knowingly, freely!

"No created thing shall ever attain its paradise unless it appeareth in its highest prescribed degree of perfection. For instance, this crystal representeth the paradise of the stone whereof its substance is composed.  Likewise there are various stages in the paradise for the crystal itself... So long as it was stone it was worthless, but if it attaineth the excellence of ruby—a potentiality which is latent in it—how much a carat will it be worth?  Consider likewise every created thing." 

("Selections from the Writings of the Bab", p.p. 88-89)

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Inked ThinkPen
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"Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only..."

Almost everyone can perceive sincerity in a behavior and action, inhale it from said and written words, sense it through a swiftly passing movement, a silent glance, a quiet smile, and from the loud or the silence itself.  Somehow, our hearts recognize and know, our minds detect and register—that genuine substance which flows gently like a sweet stream or as a fragrant breeze does, wafting over our soul and delightfully refreshing its being.  Such a gift then will naturally, and ought to certainly, be welcomed with genuinely spotless and matching appreciation, embraced and taken to a heart sincerely grateful. 

Granted that we may have been gifted by a bright perception and vision, and that our judgments are not clouded and impaired by unfortunate bias, failures of the kind, and complexities of pre-meditated and pre-deducted conclusions at every given time—conditions which are evidently impossible to be possessed all and perfectly too by anyone and all the time—we daily meet actions and reactions, observing and interacting mutually with people in countless ways, placed willingly or otherwise to receive the spoken and written, that we may believe some are partially or all together not sincere and genuine.  What do we do?  What should we do?  If it be clear to the best of our faculties and senses that someone is selling us, so to speak, something that is not genuine, is not real, has mixed ingredients than those which are presented and proclaimed, claiming a partial end and an ulterior objective—do we buy it? Do we accept and take it to heart?  If we do, what kind of statement we would be revealing about our own state, our moral taste and its quality?  Of course, these questions are not aimed to create, and should not encourage, doubtfulness, scrutiny and suspicion in our thoughts and behaviors towards others, nor to draw our attention and focus off the positive and upbeat path; on the contrary, it is hoped to inspire a meaningful pause to ponder by example on our own motives and attitudes, our own givings and dealings with others. When we take time and pause to contemplate and establish a fair conversation in the silence of our own conscience, our powers and capacities with which we are all invested so bountifully will join hands in keeping us vigilantly sensitive and interested in correcting our own, setting by turn an unassuming and silent example—without a least thought of self-praise or a subtlest sense of superiority. 

When we adapt such disciplined style and tread such a path of conduct ourselves, we then, as exhorted by noble principles and high moral standards, acquire the strength to overlook others’ unfamiliar tastes and habits, and instead endeavor to find only positive traits of their characters and doings to focus upon and appreciate.  A life pattern like this, in our individual and collective times alike, shall keep us learning ever-better, reminding ourselves to cultivate sincerity and purity of motive in our own dealings with others, whatever the relationship and however close or distant, in every way which we act and interact with them.   Sincerity is a matchless virtue—indeed, it is that very essence, that “key to the doors of the Lord’s bounty and loving-kindness”, that divine brilliance, true intelligence, and matchless jewel in one’s character; that magical moral power which draws God’s choicest blessings and attracts His bestowals and favors.    

"... 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..."

("Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha", p. 3)

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To learn more about the Baha'i Faith visit: http://www.Bahai.org/

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