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5. Spiritual Education (Deepening)
In each great religion of the past there has always been a Holy Book which the followers of that religion studied and used as a guide for their lives. Each Holy Book contained the words of the Prophet who founded the religion. For example, Christianity has the Bible, and Islam has the Qur'an. The Baha’ Faith also has Holy Scriptures. It has not one Holy Book but many books which contain the Writings of Baha’u’Ildh. In past religions the
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teachings of the Prophet were usually passed on by word of mouth and written down many years later by someone else. The Prophet’s teachings may have been changed or misunderstood by those writing them down. Today Bahda’is have the Word of God with Bahda’u’llah’s own signature or seal. Many of His books and letters have been translated into English and other languages and are available for Baha’is to study.
- Baha’u Ilah’s Writings contain the remedy which will heal a sick world and establish unity. It is very important for each Baha'i to study His Writings because each must contribute to the building of God’s Kingdom on earth. Baha’u’Illah’s Writings are so vast and so full of wisdom that one needs to study them again and again. The Universal House of Justice says, “Let the friends immerse themselves in this ocean... .”’'4 There is always more to learn, no matter how long a person has been a Bahai.
In addition to studying the Writings of Baha’u’llah, one must also study the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahda, appointed by Bah@’u'llah the Center of His Covenant, and the writings of Shoghi Effendi, appointed by ‘Abdu’1-Baha the Guardian of the
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Cause of God. The messages from The Universal House of Justice, the supreme and infallible governing body of the Baha’i Faith, are also an important part of one’s study. The Universal House of Justice has given four questions to think about when one studies or deepens in the Faith: What is Bahda’u’llah’s purpose for the human race? Why did He submit to great suffering? What does Baha’u’llah mean by “‘a new race of men’? What important changes will He bring about?!®
If one continually deepens himself, he will be better able to teach the Cause to his friends and to proclaim Baha’u’llah’s message. Baha’u’llah has written, ‘‘Whoso ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else, teach his own Self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him. Unless he teacheth his own self, the words of his mouth will not influence the heart of the seeker.’’ 1® One must know the Teachings of Baha’u’llah and strive to reflect them in his daily life or people will not be interested in listening to him.
Every Baha’i is responsible for deepening himself and should pray and read the Writings daily. If one studies a little each day, gradually he will understand more and more of Bahda’u’llah’s Revelation. Physical exercise may seem difficult at first; but if one does a few exercises each day, his muscles slowly grow stronger. The spiritual exercises of prayer and study may also be difficult in the beginning, but they will develop and strengthen the soul.
The believers in each community may also gather together for study classes. Sometimes it is helpful to discuss the Writings with other Baha’ is. Listening to other people’s comments often helps increase one’s own understanding./
