The Month of Kalimát (Words)

The Hidden Words is a treasury of divine mysteries. When thou ponderest its contents, the doors of the mysteries will open.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

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Words of Light: A Bahá’í Guardian’s Counsel for the Fast and Beyond

 

Dear friends,

Allah'u'Abha!

May this short note arrive with happiness and glad-tidings for this month of the Fast!

Baha'u'llah states that we fast for the love of God:

"In the Name of Him Who hath been promised in the Books of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed! The days of fasting have arrived wherein those servants who circle round Thy throne and have attained Thy presence have fasted. Say: O God of names and creator of heaven and earth! I beg of Thee by Thy Name, the All-Glorious, to accept the fast of those who have fasted for love of Thee and for the sake of Thy good-pleasure and have carried out what Thou hast bidden them in Thy Books and Tablets. I beseech Thee by them to assist me in the promotion of Thy Cause and to make me steadfast in Thy love, that my footsteps may not slip on account of the clamor of Thy creatures. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. No God is there but Thee, the Quickener, the All-Powerful, the Most Bountiful, the Ancient of Days."--Baha'u'llah. 

We don't know God in essence. We know God in thought. The thought of His essence...

And this essence appears in spiritual qualities and attributes in the person of the manifestation of God who gives us this original thought.

Once the gift of this thought is given and received, anyone can give that gift to another and pass that thought on along for free...and all are welcome to turn directly to the primary source.

Therefore, tracing the origin of the thought to its source is a matter of scientific and historical integrity: and in the case of "the thought of God" we have the progressive civilizations of the Buddha, Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, Adam, Zoroaster, and the current Revelation of today.

Knowing the primary source is key.

The idea of the thought of the Creator has been around a long time. It is an ancient concept, even if it's new to you.

Everything we know about the Creator originates from the words, actions, teachings and demonstration of the Manifestation of God that is our first teacher and primordial educator in the ever advancing civilization of God.

Through entering in to the Covenant of God, to love one another and to abolish all war, our faith is assured; and safety, security and salvation is safeguarded for all.

I have attached here, some important comments from 'Abdu'l-Baha about suggestions on how to actually end wars, and even how to prevent war, when initially attacked by another nation. These authentic pilgrim notes, give us a glimpse on how we may imagine and implement solutions for peace established upon the foundation of justice today.

May this short note brighten our eyes, and gladden all our hearts! For the blessings and favors of God to be bestowed upon all the people of the world this up coming Naw Ruz and Ridvan. In like manner--as the Naw Ruz of the Bab of 4BE--Naw Ruz 2025, will be filled with a special potency and wonderful spiritual gifts for the faith, thus opening this coming brand new year! And, as such, this current fast, during the planetary alignment and lunar and solar eclipses coordinates a world fast and holy period from the sacred calendars of all faiths and traditions also in alignment and conjunction now at this time.

May wisdom conquer the stupidity of war!

Amen.

From Nine Years in Akka:

The Russo-Japanese War

(Feb 8, 1904 – Sep 5, 1905)

"One day several European visitors arrived and attained the presence of 'Abdu'l-Baha as described previously, with much insistence and stubbornness. First they asked about political questions, to which 'Abdu'l-Baha refused to reply. "We have no involvement in the world of politics," He said. ...

"Who will win the war?" they asked. 

As 'Abdu'l-Bahá remained silent, they realized that they had trespassed the bounds of courtesy, and so they modified the political nature of the issues, adopted a moral approach, and asked, "Of course, we know that Japan was the instigator and invader, but could Russia have avoided engaging the Japanese in the conflict?"

The Master replied, "Yes, they could have, since they were the ones who initiated the declaration of world peace and were the spearhead in motivating other governments in the establishment of the World Peace Conference at The Hague.

"It would have been better had they not gone to war, but had adopted a defensive position. Then, in collaboration with other governments, they could have issued an ultimatum to Japan." '

'Abdu'l-Baha continued in this vein, uttering astonishing concepts which left His stunned listeners overwhelmed.

Using a world map, He pointed out the frontiers of Russia, gave the number of their warships and categorized them in groups, indicating the role of each group in battle. He then explained how Russia could have effected a general retreat, in the meantime communicating with neighbouring governments and inviting their participation in the issuing of an ultimatum for a ceasefire. 

Then He elaborated on the design and execution of a Comprehensive Peace Plan.

'Abdu'l-Bahá's descriptions were so clear and lucid that His listeners were beside themselves with astonishment and delight.

One of them said, "I wish the politicians of the world were aware of these possibilities."

...

"The Czar of Russia suggested the Hague Peace Conference and proposed a decrease in armament for all nations. In this Conference it was proved that Peace was beneficial to all countries, and that war destroyed trade, etc. The Czar's words were admirable though after the conference was over he himself was the first to declare war (against Japan).

      

"Knowledge is not enough; we hope by the Love of God we shall put it into practice. A spiritual universal Force is needed for this. Meetings are good for engendering spiritual force. To know that it is possible to reach a state of perfection, is good; to march forward on the path is better. We know that to help the poor and to be merciful is good and pleases God, but knowledge alone does not feed the starving man, nor can the poor be warmed by knowledge or words in the bitter winter; we must give the practical help of Loving-kindness."

Q. "What of the Peace Congress?"

     

"It resembles many drunkards gathered together to protest against the drinking of alcohol. They say drink is horrible and they straightway go out from the house to drink again." ('Abdu'l-Baha in London)

Hope springs eternal!!! The more dire the situation becomes, the deeper the desire for the remedy. For 6000 years man has been fighting and struggling to survive. Today all at once, with internet, global communication, global travel, world fair trade: we have the ways and means to Abolish all war, and to cooperate together everywhere in order to live better lives in our short journey on earth, demonstrating meeting our needs together, and not short-changing anyone at another's expense. 

Once characters and personalities are reformed, then structures and institutions shall follow. Because it takes people who are world reformers to reform those institutions that no longer serve properly human needs. And the practice of all the successful world reformers is personal growth and development. Problem solvers are needed because there are problems. Therefore problems are a good thing because they give us opportunities for something positive for us to do; and for something positive for us to do together. Happiness may be defined, as the successful solution for our problems. Therefore God gives us problems so we'll be happy!

I remain yours,

Your servant, 

Neal

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The Month of Masáʼil (Questions)

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Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

 

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Happy Ridván

 

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Celebrations of Ayyam-i-Ha

 

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Naw Ruz Prayer

Naw Ruz Prayer

Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Ruz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhorrent unto Thee. Grant, O my Lord, that the fire of Thy love and the heat produced by the fast enjoined by Thee may inflame them in Thy Cause, and make them to be occupied with Thy praise and with remembrance of Thee.

Since thou hast adorned them, O my Lord, with the ornament of the fast prescribed by Thee, do Thou adorn them also with the ornament of Thine acceptance, through Thy grace and bountiful favor. For the doings of men are all dependent upon Thy good-pleasure, and are conditioned by Thy behest. Shouldst Thou regard him who hath broken the fast as one who hath observed it, such a man would be reckoned among them who from eternity had been keeping the fast. And shouldst Thou decree that he who hath observed the fast hath broken it, that person would be numbered with such as have caused the Robe of Thy Revelation to be stained with dust, and been far removed from the crystal waters of this living Fountain.

Thou art He through Whom the ensign “Praise-worthy art Thou in Thy works” hath been lifted up, and the standard "Obeyed art Thou in thy behest" hath been unfurled. Make known this Thy station, O my God, unto Thy servants, that they may be made aware that the excellence of all things is dependent upon Thy bidding and Thy word, and the virtue of every act is conditioned by Thy leave and the good pleasure of Thy will, and may recognize that the reins of men's doings are within the grasp of Thine acceptance and Thy commandment. Make this known unto them, that nothing whatsoever may shut them out from Thy Beauty, in these days whereon the Christ exclaimeth: “All dominion is Thine, O Thou the Begetter of the Spirit;” and Thy Friend crieth out: “Glory be to Thee, O Thou the Best-Beloved, for that thou hast uncovered thy Beauty, and written down for Thy chosen ones what will cause them to attain unto the seat of the revelation of Thy Most Great Name, through which all the peoples have lamented except such as have detached themselves from all else except Thee, and set themselves towards Him Who is the Revealer of Thyself and the Manifestation of Thine attributes.”

He Who is Thy Branch and all Thy company, O my Lord, have broken this day their fast, after having observed it within the precincts of Thy court, and in their eagerness to please Thee. Do Thou ordain for Him, and for them, and for all such as have entered Thy presence in those days all the good Thou didst destine in Thy Book. Supply them, then, with that which will profit them, in both this life and in the life beyond.

Thou, in truth, art the the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

 

CHINAVAT November 20, 2020

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