As the bird soars higher in the sky it is only seen smaller

Have you ever noticed, and then thought and reflected about it?  Well, other than that of the obvious and known which the physical science has long discovered and explained?

Only for those who are on the ground, the flying birds seem small. And the higher one soars, the smaller it becomes.  Some birds may forge so up and high that they appear no more and vanish from the earthly eyes. Earthly eyes that often fly very low, jump a bit here and there in intervals, some perhaps even only content with a minimal moving around, picking up seeds and warms to indulge and then with drooping moods take shelter under a dark shadow, rest their heavy and muddy wings in idleness and sloth.  But for those who aspire the heights and do fly themselves, the flying birds are always the giants; the emblems of courage, high energy and grace they are—what the other ones seek and are inspired by, find as sources of pride and lofty examples to be learned and followed by.  Their power of example imparts growth and success, encourages and uplifts the others’ flights, and generously embraces and sustains the beginning heights.

The truest giants never flinch and pause, they keep flying and aim ever higher, complacency and selfish pride has no chance to win them by; their feathers are strongest but velvet soft, have no colors by shine like rainbows and light bulbs, and they neither mind rebuffs nor hear in their heads lingering applauds. They focus on their flights and mind and care to pull others too along up and high. They compete well, but with their own capacities and potential, hoping to be the first, and if they keep flying without any stops or doubts, smiling with sunshines and giving cheers to stars, they will, and “They shall be first among the pure, the free and the wise.” (Shoghi Effendi, The Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, “The Art of The Living”)

You are welcome to visit the recent post on my  other blog below: Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/

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 alas otherwise too. As ours impact others, so may and will do others’ actions and words, and the energies and thoughts which they possess and carry along have effects on us and ours. To be conscious of this and vigilant to every effect not only protects us from the negative energies and influences, instead leading us to the sources of positive forces and impacts which would inspire us, but it will even more importantly empower us with a constructive supremacy and positive wisdom of influencing others and having impacts on the quality and spirit of our environment. Ours could be an awakening bell, inspiring silently or loudly the people at every step of daily life, and contributing one bit at a time to the betterment and overall health of the world.  This is true wisdom; this is leadership!  It is serving mankind.  Imagine what an inspiration a sincerely encouraging and positive word can create for a colleague, the friend, a family member, a neighbor, whom we meet every day and talk to next, or just a new person whose path crosses ours today?  Such consciousness and spirit can build wonders!  Consciousness that every word has a spirit and a life. If it is uttered, it should have purpose. If it had no purpose, should not have been spoken.  And the purpose of every word and its spirit is determined by our thoughts and spirits.  When they animate radiance, sincerity, and good-will, they create wonders.  Let’s pass on one or two real words today with an intelligent mind and a sincere intention, and we shall witness the power and the magic!

“Every word is endowed with a spirit, therefore the speaker or expounder should carefully deliver his words at the appropriate time and place, for the impression which each word maketh is clearly evident and perceptible.  The Great Being saith:  One word may be likened unto fire, another unto light, and the influence which both exert is manifest in the world…   One word is like unto springtime causing the tender saplings of the rose-garden of knowledge to become verdant and flourishing, while another word is even as a deadly poison.  It behoveth a prudent man of wisdom to speak with utmost leniency and forbearance so that the sweetness of his words may induce everyone to attain that which befitteth man's station.”  (“Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p. 137)

 You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/
Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings
http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

“The Divine Springtime is come, O Most Exalted Pen, for the Festival of the All-Merciful is fast approaching. Bestir thyself, and magnify, before the entire creation, the name of God, and celebrate His praise, in such wise that all created things may be regenerated and made new.”  

(“Gleanings of the Writings of Baha’u’llah”, p. 27)

Baha'i Ridvan Festival, which is commemorated and celebrated each year for twelve days, during the period of April 21-May 2-- marks Baha'u'llah's Declaration of His Mission to His companions in 1863.  It is the "holiest and most significant of the Baha'i Festivals".  

To learn more about the Ridvan Festival and the history of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah, please visit:  

http://www.Bahai.org/ 

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/
Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings
http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

Guidance and Protection

to be ever better and happier!

Humanity and all that pertains to its realm is constantly changing, in its every aspect and all that belongs to it and is bound by its limitations, natural laws and existence and its governing relations--our individual beings, behaviors and thoughts being no exceptions.  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. 

“Just as there are laws governing our physical lives, requiring that we must supply our bodies with certain foods, maintain them within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives. These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by the Manifestation of God, and obedience to them is of vital importance if each human being, and mankind in general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, these various aspects are interdependent. If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the individuals who must live within it.” (“Baha’i World”, v. 15, p. 34)

“A good character is in the sight of God and His chosen ones and the possessors of insight, the most excellent and praiseworthy of all things, but always on condition that its center of emanation should be reason and knowledge and its base should be true moderation…”  (“The Secret of Divine Civilization”, pp. 59-60)

“Immeasurably exalted art Thou, O Lord! Protect us from what lieth in front of us and behind us, above our heads, on our right, on our left, below our feet and every other side to which we are exposed. Verily, Thy protection over all things is unfailing.”  (Revealed by The Bab, “Baha’i Prayers”, p. 134) 

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meaningshttp://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

“…if he seems to be lonely try to help him, give him of your willing service; if he be sad console him, if poor succour him, if oppressed rescue him, if in misery comfort him.  In so doing you will manifest that not in words only, but in deed and in truth, you think of all men as your brothers.” (`Abdu’l-Baha; “Paris Talks”, p. 16)

True merit of “Service”

Whatever the measure and regardless of its form and outer significance, a ‘service’ should be offered sincerely and selflessly.  It should encourage freedom and be detached, light and free—of any attached strings of expectations, obliging burdens, or imposed feelings of guilt, inferiority and being in debt.  Yet again, no one should be forced to render a ‘service’; it should only be done voluntarily and through the free exercise of one’s own will-power.  Act of service deserves and merits the call for one’s own willing initiative and desire, depending on one’s own volition and conscious act, not ‘being volunteered’ for or having been imposed upon.  It should not be done for the sake of saving personal benefits in difficult situations, nor be considered popularity maintenance and an effort to preserve one’s reputation within the crowed.  Rendering a ‘service’ is an act that always involves a degree of sacrifice on one’s part; thus, it stretches beyond and stands far above the limits and obligations of one’s daily duties and job assignments performed merely for earning a living, with sole incentive of survival and securing one’s own material life.  Service is a nobly independent act and not a one to be confused with a forced rendering out of helplessness or insecurity or of desperation to receive attention, praise and popularity, nor it should be done because of any other reasons and mixed with ulterior motives—but only to be of a benefit and some goodness, promoting the best interests of the cause(s) and the person(s) that are being served.

“Man's merit lies in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavors be spent in promoting your personal interest. Bestow in your days of plenty, be patient in the hour of loss.”

“Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p. 138)

“Service in love for mankind is unity with God.”

(`Abdu’l-Baha; “The Promulgation of Universal Peace”, p. 186)

*

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/
Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings
http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

 

Worthy Progress, Conscious Existence, and Breathing Life  

“This is a sign of progress:  The person who is satisfied with himself is the manifestation of Satan and the one who is not satisfied is the manifestation of the Merciful One. An egotist does not progress but the one who thinks himself imperfect will seek perfection for himself and will progress. If a man has a thousand good qualities, he must not look at them. He must search always for his shortcomings.  For example, if a man has a building which is well-constructed and fully decorated but which has a small crack in one of its walls, he will, no doubt, forget the rest and turn his whole attention to repairing that crack. Furthermore, the attainment of absolute perfection for a human being is impossible; thus, however much he may progress he is still imperfect and has above him a point higher than himself. And the instant he sees this point he will not be satisfied with himself.” (Words of `Abdu’l-Baha, 21 August 1912, Green Acre, “Mahmud’s Diary”)

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 her 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 only and shall 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)

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/
Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings
http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

 

apex of nobility

“It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity.”  (Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 90)

What would otherwise be there any meaning and truth in professing to believe in God，and where would a perceptive mind and fair conscience and vision find a merit and view a benefit of adhering to any practices in the name of Faith?

“The purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves. That the divers communions of the earth, and the manifold systems of religious belief, should never be allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is, in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His Religion. These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are the rays of one Light. That they differ one from another is to be attributed to the varying requirements of the ages in which they were promulgated.”

(Gleanings from the Writings Baha’u’llah, p. 287)

The revealed Words and the holy Text is the “Divine Elixir” which alone can transmute the crude metal of human nature into pure gold, and will with its nurturing power transform and unfold the potential latent in his and her being to manifest a capacity and perfection worthy of human nobility and the brilliant heights destined for its advancement.

"When divers shades of thought, temperament and character, are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest. Naught but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas and convictions of the children of men."

(Shoghi Effendi, “The World Order of Baha’u’llah”, p. 42)

“O Son of Spirit! Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “Hidden Words”

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/
Timeless Treasures: Words with

Meaningshttp://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

Counting our blessings,

We will see as bright as the morning sun that the Blessings and bountiful favors are truly immense.

Instead of habitually and conventionally seeing the things that are lacking, things which we do not have, advantages which are missing for us, we should see how much we already possess, count things that are favored to us, and to count and treasure them with heart and soul.

“The earth is in the motion and growth; the mountains, hills and prairies are green and pleasant; the bounty is overflowing; the mercy universal; the rain is descending from the cloud of mercy; the brilliant Sun is shining; the full moon is ornamenting the horizon of ether; the great ocean-tide is flooding every little stream; the gifts are successive; the favors consecutive; and the refreshing breeze is blowing, wafting the fragrant perfume of the blossoms. Boundless treasure is in the hand of the King of Kings! Lift the hem of thy garment in order to receive it.”

 (`Abdu’l-Baha; “Baha’i World Faith

”, p. 351)

*

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my bilingual blog below:

Timeless Treasures: Words with Meaningshttp://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/

Understanding and Independence of Soul; Nobility and Distinction of Humanity

Wouldn’t any intelligent mind, a free soul invested with clear, sound and healthy perception, one who enjoys fairness in heart and treasures his and her sight by focusing it on bright and lofty visions, welcome new discoveries and learning, going beyond age-old habits and traditions beclouded with diverse prejudices, inherited bias and hatreds?!  Let’s think a moment and then ask ourselves, why in this time and period which we in the name of freedom sink ourselves so liberally and often in extremes into the floods and flows of commodities and merchandise of every sort—physical, mental and emotional alike—generously unaware and easily uncaring we allow them to dominate and govern our thoughts and sentiments, our time and resources? Domination and influence which often is labeled as ‘motivating the freedom of choice’, but as we may helplessly realize too from time to time, it is in actuality and practice the manipulation and even abuse of all what we possess, our power of differentiation and deducting ability and choice included. Why then, I earnestly wonder and genuinely suggest, not giving ourselves a chance to hear and read these thoughts, receiving the information and learning, exploring and investigating for ourselves whether indeed they bear the truth?  Isn’t the highest advantage of humanity, indeed the very singular reason which distinguishes mankind from the other creatures—however cherished, lovely and charming though they each in relevant degrees and rightful measures may be and are—that the human beings are gifted by intelligence and granted with the power of understanding, vision and sight?  What harm would there be to expose our  searching selves entangled as they are in the whirlpool of this troubled, confused and at times lamentably frightening and morally degenerated society, towards a horizon which breaths light and rains down refreshing insights? Such a blissful break that would be for our silently yearning and innately noble souls, born for and living only to grow and attain the summit of perfection and glory!

“O SON OF SPIRIT!  I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty?  Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself?  Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another?  Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting.” (Revealed by Baha’u’llah, “Hidden Words”, Arabic #13)

To a vigilantly perceptive and fairly observing mind of the present society, this should not be hard to be heard in agreement that, “Human character is debased, confidence is shaken, the nerves of discipline are relaxed, the voice of human conscience is stilled, the sense of decency and shame is obscured, conceptions of duty, of solidarity, of reciprocity and loyalty are distorted, and the very feeling of peacefulness, of joy and of hope is gradually extinguished…” (Shoghi Effendi, “WOB”, p. 187)

“The wrong in the world continues to exist just because people talk only of their ideals, and do not strive to put them into practice. If actions took the place of words, the world’s misery would very soon be changed into comfort.” (Talk by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Paris Talks”, pp. 16-17)

“God has given man the eye of investigation by which he may see and recognize truth. He has endowed man with ears that he may hear the message of reality and conferred upon him the gift of reason by which he may discover things for himself. This is his endowment and equipment for the investigation of reality. Man is not intended to see through the eyes of another, hear through another’s ears nor comprehend with another’s brain. Each human creature has individual endowment, power and responsibility in the creative plan of God.” (`Abdu’l-Baha, “Promulgation of Universal Peace”, p. 293)

“Man's distinction lieth not in ornaments or wealth, but rather in virtuous behaviour and true understanding.” (From “Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p.  57)

“O Thou kind Lord! We are servants of Thy Threshold, taking shelter at Thy holy Door. We seek no refuge save only this strong pillar, turn nowhere for a haven but unto Thy safekeeping. Protect us, bless us, support us, make us such that we shall love but Thy good pleasure, utter only Thy praise, follow only the pathway of truth.”

(From a Prayer by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Selections from theWritings of `Abdu’l-Baha”, p. 232)

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/
Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings
http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/