Deepening the Spiritual Life/Text
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DEEPENING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
BAHÁ’Í REFERENCES SUITABLE FOR GROUP DISCUSSION OR INDIVIDUAL MEDITATION.
A STUDY OUTLINE BY HORACE HOLLEY
APPROVED BY THE STUDY OUTLINE COMMITTEE, 1939-40 APPROVED BY REVIEWING COMMITTEE, 1939-40
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING COMMITTEE P.O.BOX 348,GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX NEW YORK, N.Y.
I. PURPOSE AND METHOD
The purpose of this Outline is to suggest an approach to the Bahá’í Teachings by which the believer's awareness of the spiritual life will be intensified. The aim is not to increase the believer's intellectual knowledge, but to stimulate his capacity for realizing truth in terms of inner experience.
Whether the Outline is employed by an individual or made the basis of group discussion, the fundamental intention is the same; namely, to open the heart to the power of the Creative Word, and maintain the sacred atmosphere of spiritual reverence in which truth can be shared but not imposed by argument and analysis.
The continuity of subjects, and the selections from the Holy Utterance, tend to emphasize the aspiring, humble and personal aspect of one‘s character, and if the Outline is used by a group each believer should realize that this particular effort can only be realized on a level above personal feeling. The group, moreover, can not be made a substitute for individual effort and attainment.
The Outline will serve as basis for a group meeting held once a week for six weeks.
Each participant is expected to prepare himself by prayer and meditation for the meeting, observe regularity of attendance and orderliness in discussion, and contribute as much as possible to the spirit of devotion and reverence.
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The program proposed for the meetings is:
- Opening prayer
- Readings indicated in Outline
- Discussion of the subject
- Closing prayer
In addition to the material provided for six meetings, it is recommended that each believer make use of the following special references intended for daily meditation. Each passage is to be read and pondered daily for a week.
FOR DAILY MEDITATION (from "Gleanings From the writings of Bahá’u’lláh):
- Pages 261-264
- Pages 167-169
- Pages 184-192.
- Pages 64-69
- Pages 264-270
- Pages 279-285
III. SUBJECTS AND REFERENCES 1. GOD'S WILL FOR MAN: THE PURPOSE OF CREATION
Readings: "Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh": pages 319-322; 177-179; 316-517: 325-327 (from "O my servants" to "My divine knowledge").
2. THE SOUL AS CAPACITY TO KNOW AND IDVE GOD
Readings: "Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh": pages 237-258 (from "Thou art God's shadow" to "and rule therein"); 143, 149 (from "And now, concerning" to "is from yourselves"); 153-155; 153-159 (from "Thou hast asked“ to "in their depths"); 194-1953. PRACTISE IN ATTAINMENT OF TH SPIRITUAL LIFE
Readings: "Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh": pages 294-297; 322-323: 104-106 (from “Say: O people" to "the All-Merciful"); 7-9; "Words of Wisdom", The , Realit of Nhn, pages 3-5; The Illuminati, 'AEEE'1-Baha, "Baha'I Scriptures", pages 523-324. Evolution, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, "Bahá’í Scriptures“, pages 524-325.*
- The Illuminati, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s address at the Friends Meeting House, London,
can also be found in other books, and the address on Evolution is included in "The Promulgation of Universal Peace".
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4. CHARACTER: THE FOUNDATION OF SPIRITUAL EFFORT
Readings: “Gleanings From the Writings of Ba.h3.*u'~lláh": pages 290-2291; 232-2333 (from "Know thou for a. certainty" to “Walk uprightly")3 540 (from "The All-Nbrciful" to "Day of God"); 86-87; 200-205.
5. TRUE SELF-REALIZAT ION: THE PRINCIPLE OF TRUSTWORTHINESS
Readings: "Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh": pages 176-177 (fram "0 would that the world" to "can support"): 337-358 (from "thou who hast surrendered" to “the A1l~Wise"); 276 (from "Know ye that" to "are truly thankful"); 289«29O (par. CXXXIII); 292-293 (from “people of the Bayén" to "but know it"); 517-318: 541-542; 285. .
6. SOCIAL PERSONALITY: THE PILLARS OF CIVILIZATION
Readings: “G1eanin,g_;s From the ‘-iiritsings of Bahá’u’lláh": pages 335«556; s15m31e; 215 (from "All men have been" to "have been created"): 342-345 (from "Who-so cleaveth" to "interests of the Faith"); 95-94 (from "Every man of insight" to "every one of you"); 175 (par. LXYXVIII).