Befriended Stranger

The new members of the Universal House of Justice have been elected and announced. Many have posted on this dignified process and momentous event and some have expressed eloquently the things I tried to convey in my own comment at the Arlington Baha’is website, by visually illustrating the difference between the Baha’i electoral process and other such processes.

What makes me reflect today is the gift of continuity this election represents. Recently, I had the honor of talking at a fireside on the Covenant of Baha’u'llah, and one of the guests there was an elderly lady who had become a Baha’i in the 1940s. It was fascinating to listen to her talk about the uncertainty during the days after the passing of Shoghi Effendi. Nobody at the time knew what will happen next. Nobody even had an idea that the Universal House of Justice would be first elected in six more years — most people assumed that this would be something happening in the distant future. Similar thoughts were shared by a veteran Persian believer during a public discussion at the One World Baha’i School — we have no idea what the burden of uncertainty must have been for those who endured in that time of transition, and what the relief it must be to see today a global faith, peacefully organized and illustrating on a daily basis, in words and deeds, that the the source to the healing of humanity are the Teachings of of Baha’u'llah.

We just cannot underestimate the gift of continuity the Covenant of Baha’u'llah has bestowed upon us. In no other time in the history of humanity and organized religion has the unity of the faithful been guaranteed by providing a democratically elected, infallible (because of guidance from Baha’u'llah) body to guide us, and humanity, towards the apex of prosperity. Thank you, Baha’u'llah!

Ya’Baha’ul’Abha!

Life is unpredictable. No matter how much here in the West we might fool ourselves that we can control life, there is just no way to predict it. I am telling myself all this because I want to remind myself when I catch myself thinking that I am living through the most difficult days of my life that in fact I do not know if they are indeed the most difficult ones. For I know there is value in discovering closeness to God through suffering, and moreover there is no telling if even more difficult days are not coming up…

So, with such “shiny” thoughts, it is so easy to become gloomy. What I am finding to unfailingly uplift me, though, is refocusing on Baha’u'llah, whether through reading the writings, praying, listening to Baha’i music, or serving others and teaching the Faith.

Last night I went to Macy’s to buy photo frames for the school photos of my beautiful daughters. I had opened the boxes of the frames to make sure they were intact. The lady at the cashier’s desk was very friendly and thorough in her work and even though I asked her to not bother to put the frames in their boxes, she insisted on doing it right. I commented on what good work she did and how in the Baha’i Faith we believe that work in the spirit of service equates worship. I then asked her if she knew of the Baha’i Faith and when she inquired about it, I shared with her the one paragraph intro to the Faith (thanks to Ruhi 6 and Anna’s presentation), and then gave her a little card with the Baha’i principles written in Spanish (the lady was from Latino origin). She in her own turn thanked me for sharing with her what seemed to her like the truth of all religions. We both agreed that religion should be the cause of unity, and wished each other a good day.

I am writing this because I am observing how this simple act of sharing the Faith is so uplifting to me. Because in the end, even when everything else fails, God’s love never fails:

For every one of you his paramount duty is to choose for himself that on which no other may infringe and none usurp from him. Such a thing — and to this the Almighty is My witness — is the love of God, could ye but perceive it.

(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 261)

I read this passage from Baha’u'llah’s Gleanings yesterday morning and it struck me with its profound truth. When this morning I wanted to find this passage in Ocean, the online library, I used the phrase “for every one of you”. And I was rewarded with another gem containing these words:

Every man of insight will, in this day, readily admit that the counsels which the Pen of this wronged One hath revealed constitute the supreme animating power for the advancement of the world and the exaltation of its peoples. Arise, O people, and, by the power of God’s might, resolve to gain the victory over your own selves, that haply the whole earth may be freed and sanctified from its servitude to the gods of its idle fancies — gods that have inflicted such loss upon, and are responsible for the misery of, their wretched worshipers. These idols form the obstacle that impedeth man in his efforts to advance in the path of perfection. We cherish the hope that the Hand of Divine power may lend its assistance to mankind, and deliver it from its state of grievous abasement.

In one of the Tablets these words have been revealed: O people of God! Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men. This can best be achieved through pure and holy deeds, through a virtuous life and a goodly behavior. Valiant acts will ensure the triumph of this Cause, and a saintly character will reinforce its power. Cleave unto righteousness, O people of Baha! This, verily, is the commandment which this wronged One hath given unto you, and the first choice of His unrestrained Will for every one of you.

O friends! It behoveth you to refresh and revive your souls through the gracious favors which in this Divine, this soul-stirring Springtime are being showered upon you. The Day Star of His great glory hath shed its radiance upon you, and the clouds of His limitless grace have overshadowed you. How high the reward of him that hath not deprived himself of so great a bounty, nor failed to recognize the beauty of his Best-Beloved in this, His new attire. Watch over yourselves, for the Evil One is lying in wait, ready to entrap you. Gird yourselves against his wicked devices, and, led by the light of the name of the All-Seeing God, make your escape from the darkness that surroundeth you. Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self. The Evil One is he that hindereth the rise and obstructeth the spiritual progress of the children of men.

(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 93)

Oh, and finally about the Ninth Day of Ridvan! Today the new Universal House of Justice will be elected and announced! Ya Baha’u'l’Abha! And just in time, the web site for the Baha’i International Community has been redesigned!

More than a year ago I started this blog with an entry quoting a book review of “In Defense of Food”, the book by Michael Pollan which was succinctly captured by the healthy advice mantra “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Today I came across an interview with the author of this book which further sheds light on what is wrong with “nutritionism” and how to find the joy of eating today. Part of the answer is… gardening. The timing couldn’t have been better. The Washington Post started publishing a series on articles on the worldwide food shortage crisis. As I was planting a garden, I was reflecting on whether this is just a nice hobby, or a natural instinct to be closer to Mother Nature, or a therapeutic exercise, or honing life skills for hard days that might be coming, or teaching my daughters on where food actually comes from, or an attempt to provide local food (it does not get any more local than your own garden) as a counterpoint to the whole organic food craze. There is so much to be grateful for having a garden!

The other aspect of it is, of course, the Garden of Ridvan. It was in a garden near Baghdad, Iraq, in the spring of 1863, that Baha’u'llah revealed to His followers that He was the Promissed One of All Religions. So much to be grateful for a garden!

I just finished reading “Gems of Divine Mysteries” by Baha’u'llah. This was one of the required reading for a class which also includes study of the “Kitab-i-Iqan”. The Gems is similar in style to the Seven Valleys and it describes severals Cities of God as stages of spiritual development. These Cities are, of course, metaphors and are not limited to physical aspects they imply. Thus traveling between them, as well as the distance between them, is not limited to physical measures. Reaching a station is the result of detachment. Loosing this station is the result of pride and vainglory:

Know, moreover, that should one who hath attained unto these stations and embarked upon these journeys fall prey to pride and vainglory, he would at that very moment come to naught and return to the first step without realizing it.
- Baha’u'llah, “Gems of Divine Mysteries”, paragraph 109, page 74

There is a flood warning in Northern Virginia. The rain pours and the air is pure. The gentle sprouts of the grape vines we planted last year are becoming more confident and opening the petals of their soft-green and purple leaves. It is the first day of Ridvan!

Verily, all created things were immersed in the sea of purification when, on that first day of Ridvan, We shed upon the whole of creation the splendours of Our most excellent Names and Our most exalted Attributes. This, verily, is a token of My loving providence, which hath encompassed all the worlds. Consort ye then with the followers of all religions, and proclaim ye the Cause of your Lord, the Most Compassionate; this is the very crown of deeds, if ye be of them who understand.

(Baha’u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 47)

I am only starting to discover the depth of Shoghi Effendi’s writings! Here are few profound statements by him on the subject of overcoming ego:

The more we search for ourselves, the less likely we are to find ourselves; and the more we search for God, and to serve our fellow-men, the more profoundly will we become acquainted with ourselves, and the more inwardly assured. This is one of the great spiritual laws of life.
- Shoghi Effendi

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

Regarding your own condition: He strongly urges you not to dwell on yourself. Each one of us, if we look into our failures, is sure to feel unworthy and despondent, and this feeling only frustrates our constructive efforts and wastes time. The thing for us to focus on is the glory of the Cause and the Power of Bahá’u'lláh which can make of a mere drop a surging sea! You certainly have no right to feel negative; you have embraced this glorious Faith and arisen with devotion to serve it, and your labours are greatly appreciated by both the Guardian and your fellow-Bahá’ís. With something as positive as the Faith and all it teaches behind you, you should be a veritable lion of confidence, and he will pray that you may become so.
- Shoghi Effendi

Last night I attended a thought-provoking discussion on what hinders our ability to build capacity — spiritual, mental, intellectual. The brief answer was: a power struggle. I was reflecting on the self-prejudice we subconsciously impose on our inability to recognize our inner wisdom and inner value.

Today, I read a most intriguing interview with a very interesting and talented artist, Ivan Lloyd:

I read an interview with John McLaughlin, the jazz guitarist, where he said that when he got on stage before an audience he strove to achieve a mental state where he was in total communion with God before beginning the performance. He said success with such a mental state was rare but achievable. Is this the same thing as your “familiar space”?

I can’t say it’s like that for me, because improvising as a painter differs from the precision demanded of musicians. It’s more about warming up as I proceed to work. For the first half-hour I’m dealing with that conversation in my head, you know, that inner voice that brays like a parent. Instead of trying to suppress the dialogue I let it ramble on until I don’t listen anymore. About the same time, my brush strokes become automatic and there’s an inner peace. That state of being has little do with identity, let’s say, me the composer, or me the artist. On the contrary! The thought process is more of an intellectual hindrance to the creative process. Rather than impose my imagery on the canvas, I strive to be an instrument, or conduit, for images to manifest from another plane, in spite of my ego. It’s a fluid organic process and from that point of view it is that “familiar space,” that inner sanctum, if you will.

In that case you would advocate artists should practice some form of mental exercise or yoga as a way to silence the babbling that goes on in the mind; babbling which interferes with the creative process?
The creative process is so uniquely individual, each person approaches it differently. I don’t recommend yoga or mental exercises to quieten that babbling brook we call the thought process. You can’t silence or subdue this phenomena without concentrated breathing exercises, leading to deep meditation, which implies shutting down the senses to outside stimuli, in which case you’d be in no condition to paint. The painting process in itself is good enough therapy, and letting go of preconceived ideas is helpful in achieving the same results, without meditation.

So, I am reflecting on the power struggle between the mind and the heart… Indeed, the way to win this battle is to let go of the battle. Because, as the presenter last night paraphrased the Buddha, “The moment you thought you’ve got it, you’ve lost it”.

I’ve been struggling lately to clarify for myself the interdependence between justice and unity. What kept on coming to my mind was this Hidden Word:

2. O SON OF SPIRIT!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.

(Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

Justice, as expressed in the ability to see through one’s own eyes, seems to be so much broader and powerful than justice dispensed through court systems. Thus the need to cultivate this ability, to see justly, is of paramount importance. But what I was after was a bit of a “chicken and egg” question: what comes first in our struggle to establish unity — justice as a precondition for unity, or unity as the condition for establishing justice. During a conversation tonight, a dear friend, Layli, helped me to sort this out by encouraging me to go to the Baha’i Writings:

The word of God which the Supreme Pen hath recorded on the sixth leaf of the Most Exalted Paradise is the following: The light of men is Justice. Quench it not with the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men. The ocean of divine wisdom surgeth within this exalted word, while the books of the world cannot contain its inner significance. Were mankind to be adorned with this raiment, they would behold the day-star of the utterance, ‘On that day God will satisfy everyone out of His abundance,’[1] shining resplendent above the horizon of the world. Appreciate ye the value of this utterance; it is a noble fruit that the Tree of the Pen of Glory hath yielded. Happy is the man that giveth ear unto it and observeth its precepts. Verily I say, whatever is sent down from the heaven of the Will of God is the means for the establishment of order in the world and the instrument for promoting unity and fellowship among its peoples. Thus hath the Tongue of this Wronged One spoken from His Most Great Prison.
[1 cf. Qur'án 4:129.]

(Baha’u'llah, Tablets of Baha’u'llah, p. 66)