|
The Devotional Attitude
|
Pages 89-90
|
|
The Devotional Attitude
| |
1 |
In order that we may attain the spiritual condition in which
conversation with God becomes possible, `Abdu'l-Bahá
says: --
| |
2 |
We must strive to attain to that condition by being
separated from all things and from the people of the world
and by turning to God alone. It will take some effort on
the part of man to attain to that condition, but he must
work for it, strive for it. We can attain to it by thinking
and caring less for material things and more for the
spiritual. The further we go from the one, the nearer we
are to the other. The choice is ours.
| |
3 |
Our spiritual perception, our inward sight must be
opened, so that we can see the signs and traces of God's
spirit in everything. Everything can reflect to us the light
of the Spirit. (from a talk reported by Miss Ethel J.
Rosenberg).
| |
4 |
Bahá'u'lláh has written: -- "That seeker ... at the dawn
of every day ... should commune with God, and, with all
his soul, persevere in the quest of his Beloved. He should consume
every wayward thought from the flame of His loving
mention. ..." -- Gleaning from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh,
p. 265.
| |
5 |
In the same way, `Abdu'l-Bahá declares: --
| |
6 |
When man allows the spirit, through his soul, to enlighten
his understanding, then does he contain all creation.
... But on the other hand, when man does not
open his mind and heart to the blessing of the spirit,
but turns his soul towards the material side, towards the
bodily part of his nature, then his he fallen from his high
place and he becomes inferior to the inhabitants of the
lower animal kingdom.
| |
7 |
Again, Bahá'u'lláh writes: --
| |
8 |
Deliver your souls, O people, from the bondage of self,
and purify them from all attachment to anything besides
Me. Remembrance of Me cleanseth all things from defilement,
could ye but perceive it. ...
| |
9 |
Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been
received by thee, ... that the sweetness of thy melody
may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all
men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the
verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty
shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered
by his mouth. ... -- Gleanings from the Writings of
Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 294-295.
| |
|
|