Bahá’í Community Life/Spiritual Education (Deepening)
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Báb. Naw-Rúz is a festive occasion marking the end of the nineteen-day fast and reminding one of the springtime in which God periodically sends a new Manifestation to guide mankind.
Some holy days are very solemn occasions. On July 9 Bahá’ís pause to remember the Martyrdom of the Báb. On that day the Báb was shot and killed on government orders. He had committed no crime. He was simply bringing new Teachings from God and telling people to turn toward justice. Another solemn holy day is May 29, the anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s passing.
Holy days can be observed in many ways. It is a duty of the Local Spiritual Assembly to see that some activity is planned for the believers. On the joyous holy days the community may arrange for prayers and a picnic or a public meeting, or for a service project or a children’s party. The community should remember solemn holy days with a quiet observance, including prayers and meditations.
In some ways the Bahá’í holy days are like the holy days in other religions. For example, the Christians celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas and remember His death at Easter. They usually do not work on those two days. In a similar manner Bahá’ís remember the important events in the lives of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and mark other special occasions; and they do not work on those days. Parties and gift-giving occur during Intercalary Days, which last from February 26 to March 1. These days are devoted to hospitality, charity, and the giving of presents. Naw-Rúz, too, is a time for festive parties and for some a time of gift-giving.
5. Spiritual Education (Deepening)
[edit]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 Islám has the Qur’án. The Bahá’í Faith also has Holy Scriptures. It has not one Holy Book but many books which contain the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. 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 Bahá’ís have the Word of God with Bahá’u’lláh’s own signature or seal. Many of His books and letters have been translated into English and other languages and are available for Bahá’ís to study.
Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings contain the remedy which will heal a sick world and establish unity. It is very important for each Bahá’í to study His Writings because each must contribute to the building of God’s Kingdom on earth. Bahá’u’lláh’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. . . .”14 There is always more to learn, no matter how long a person has been a Bahá’í.
In addition to studying the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, one must also study the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, appointed by Bahá’u’lláh the Center of His Covenant, and the writings of Shoghi Effendi, appointed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose for the human race? Why did He submit to great suffering? What does Bahá’u’lláh mean by “a new race of men”? What important changes will He bring about?15
If one continually deepens himself, he will be better able to teach the Cause to his friends and to proclaim Bahá’u’lláh’s message. Bahá’u’lláh 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.”16 One must know the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and strive to reflect them in his daily life or people will not be interested in listening to him.
Every Bahá’í 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 Bahá’u’lláh’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 Bahá’ís. Listening to other people’s comments often helps increase one’s own understanding.
6. Spiritual Education of Children and Youth
[edit]The spiritual education of children and youth is very important. Young people will one day be responsible for the progress of the Cause. They must be given spiritual training which will enable them to do their part in building the Kingdom of God on earth. Young people are like young trees, which grow accord-