The Month of Bahá (Splendour)

The essence of wealth is love for Me; whoso loveth Me is the possessor of all things, and he that loveth Me not is indeed of the poor and needy. This is that which the Finger of Glory and Splendour hath revealed.
(Bahá’u’lláh)

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Happy Naw-Rúz

 

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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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