Growing Spiritually in the Community of the Most Great Name/Text

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[Page 1]Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada

© 1993 All rights reserved

Printed in Canada [Page 2]Processes of the

THREE YEAR PLAN 1993-1996

Enhancement of the vitality of the faith of individual believers

Development of the human resources of the Cause

Fostering the proper functioning of local and national institutions

(What can I do to help foster these processes. . .?) [Page 3]SOME ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

_ 1 Recite each day one of the Obligatory Prayers with pure-hearted devotion.

2 Regularly read the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening, with reverence, attention and thought.

3 Prayerfully meditate on the teachings to understand them more deeply, fulfill them more faithfully, and be able to convey them more accurately to others.

4 Strive every day to live more in accordance

with the high standards set forth in the Teachings. 5 Teach others about the Cause of God.

6 Selflessly serve in the work of the Cause and in carrying on a trade or profession. Pursue excellence in all things.

7 Fulfil our obligation to pay the Huqutqu lah.

& Contribute to the Funds of the Cause regularly and sacrificially.

9 Memorize prayers and Writings. [Page 4]PRAYING

",. the wisdom of prayer is this, that it causeth a connection between the servant and the True One, because in that state man with all heart and soul turneth his face towards His Highness, the Almighty, seeking His association and desiring His love and compassion."

‘Abdu'l-Baha, Bahd't World Faith, p. 368

",. .prayer and fasting is the cause of awakening and mindfulness and conducive to protection and preservation from tests."

‘Abdu'l-Baha, Bahai World Faith, p. 368

".. .pray to God that He may strengthen you in divine virtue, so that you may be as angels in the world, the beacons of light to disclose the mysteries of the Kingdom to those with understanding hearts."

‘Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 61 [Page 5]READING

"Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My Words, that ye may unravel its secrets and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths."

Baha'u'llah, Synopsis and Codification of the Kitdb-i-Aqdas, p. 27

Remember My days during thy days. . ." Tablet of Ahmad, Baha? Prayers, p.211

"The understanding of His words and the comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no wise dependent upon human learning. They depend solely upon purity of heart, chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit." Baha'u'llah, Kitdb-i-Igan, p. 211

"The Great Being saith: The Word is the master key for the whole world, inasmuch as through its potency the doors of the hearts of men, which in reality are the doors of heaven, are unlocked. . . . It is an ocean inexhaustible in riches, comprehending all things. Every thing which can be perceived, is but an emanation therefrom.

Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 173 [Page 6]MEDITATING

It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers; the light breaks forth and reality is revealed. .

‘Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 174

This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal nature, discerns the reality of things, puts

man in touch with God. ‘Abdu'l-Baha Paris Talks, p. 175

Were men to meditate upon the lives of the Prophets of God, so easily would they come to know and understand the ways of these Prophets that they would cease to be veiled by such deeds and words as are contrary to their‘own worldly desires.

Baha'u'llah, Kitdb-i-Iqan, p. 53 [Page 7]ACTING

"O my friends! Quench ye the lamp of error, and kindle within your hearts the everlasting torch of divine guidance. For ere long the assayers of mankind shall, in the holy presence of the Adored, accept naught but purest virtue and deeds of stainless holiness."

Baha'u'llah, Perszan Hidden Words, #35

"And yet, is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself both outwardly and inwardly. . .? For if the character of mankind be not changed, the futility of God's universal Manifestations would be apparent."

Baha'u'llah, Kitdb-i-Iqdn, p. 240

"If in this day a soul shall act according to the precepts and the counsels of God, he will serve as a divine physician to mankind. . .he will call the dead of this contingent world to life. . . Thus shall a sorry gnat become an eagle in the fulness of his strength. . ."

‘Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings

of Abdu 'l-Bahd , p. 23 [Page 8]TEACHING

"Arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you at all times, and shall strengthen you through the power of truth. We are truly almighty. Whoso hath recognized Me, will arise and serve Me with such determination that the powers of the earth and heaven shall be unable to defeat his purpose."

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahé'u'llah, p. 137

"Whoso ariseth, in this Day, to aid Our Cause,

and summoneth to his assistance the hosts of a

praiseworthy character and upright conduct, the

influence from such an action will, most certainly,

be diffused throughout the whole world." Baha'u'llah, Gleaning from the Writings of Bahé'ullah, p. 287

"|. divine confirmations can only come in active service. Prayer, meditations and good resolve are not enough. Action is the crucible where the heavenly blessings are forged — and they come only in active teaching."

Shoghi Effendi [Page 9]SERVING

"Tt is our duty and privilege to translate the love and devotion we have for our beloved Cause into deeds and actions that will be conducive to the highest good of mankind."

The Bahai Life, p. 2

"We must gird ourselves for service, kindle love's flame, and burn away in its heat." ‘Abdu'l-Bahd, Selections from the Writings of Abdu l-Bahé, p. 267

"May you be devoted to the love and unity of mankind, and through your efforts may the reality deposited in the human heart find its divine expression. I pray for you, asking the assistance and confirmation of God in your behalf."

‘Abdu'l-Bahé Promulgation of Universal

Peace, p. 90

"O My Servant! Ye are the trees of My garden; ye must give forth goodly and wondrous fruits, that ye yourselves and others may profit therefrom. Thus it is incumbent on every one to engage in crafts and professions, for therein lies the secret of wealth, O men of understanding.!"

Baha'u'llah, Persian Hidden Words, #80. [Page 10]HuqQvtqu'LLAH

Say: O people, the first duty is to recognize the one true God—magnified be His glory—the second is to show forth constancy in His Cause and, after these, one's duty is to purify one's riches and earthly possessions according to that which is prescribed by God. Therefore, it beseemeth thee to meet thine obligation to the Right of God first, then to direct thy steps towards His blessed House.

‘Abdu'l-Baha, Huquigqu lah, p. 26, #75

Know thou, moreover, that those who faithfully serve the All-Merciful will be enriched by Him out of His heavenly treasury, and that the Huqtig offering is but a test applied by Him unto His servants and maidservants. Thus every true and sincere believer will offer Huquiq to be expended for the relief of the poor, the disabled, the needy, and the orphans, and for other vital needs of the Cause of God. Baha'u'llah, Huguqu lldh, p. 11, #31

It is clear and evident that the payment of the Right of God (Huqtiq) is conducive to prosperity, to blessing, and to honour and divine protection.

Baha'u'llah, Huguqu lah, p. 2, #6 And such benefits will indeed accrue if the Huquiq is

offered with the utmost joy and radiance and in a spirit of perfect humility and lowliness.

Baha'u'llah, Huguiqu Ulah, p. 1, #2 [Page 11]CONTRIBUTING

It is the spirit, and not the mere fact of contribut ing that we should always take into account when

we stress the necessity for a universal and whole hearted support of the various funds of the Cause. Shoghi Effendi, Baha’ Funds and Contributions, p. 10

There is a profound aspect to the relationship between a believer and the Fund, which holds true irrespective of his or her economic condition. When a human soul accepts Baha'u'llah as the Manifestation of God for this age and enters into the divine Covenant, that soul should progressively bring his or her whole life into harmony with the divine purpose — he becomes a coworker in the Cause of God and receives the bounty of being permitted to devote his material possessions, no matter how meagre, to the work of the Faith.

Universal House of Justice, Bahd't Funds

and Contributions, p. 28 [Page 12]Giving to the Fund, therefore, is a spiritual privilege, not open to those who have not accepted Baha'u'llah, of which no believer should deny himself. It is both a responsibility and a source of bounty. This is an aspect of the Cause which, we feel, is an essential part of the basic teaching and deepening of new believers. The importance of contributing resides in the degree of sacrifice of the giver, the spirit of devotion with which the contribution is made and the unity of the friends in this service; these attract the confirmations of God and enhance the dignity and self-respect of the individuals and the community.

Universal House of Justice, Baha? Funds

and Contributions, p. 28 [Page 13]MEMORIZING

".. .every breast which committeth His Words to memory, God shall cause, if it were that of a believer, to be filled with His love. . ." The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 99

"From the texts of the wondrous, heavenly Scriptures they should memorize phrases and passages bearing on various instances, so that in the course of their speech they may recite divine verses whenever the occasion demandeth it, inasmuch as the holy verses are the most potent elixir, the greatest and mightiest talisman. So potent is their influence that the hearer will have no cause for vascillation."

Bahd'u'llah, Tablets of Bahd'u'lldh, p. 200

"Every single letter proceeding from Our mouth is endowed with such regenerative power as to enable it to bring into existence a new creation — a creation the magnitude of which is inscrutable to all save God." Bahda'u'lldh, World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 107 [Page 14]FOSTERING SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY DEVELOPMENT

The divinely ordained institution of the local Spiritual Assembly operates at the first levels of human society and is the basic administrative unit of Baha'u'llah's World Order. It is concerned with individuals and families whom it must constantly encourage to unite in a distinctive Baha'i society, vitalized and guarded by the laws, ordinances and principles of Baha'u'llah's Revelation. It protects the Cause of God; it acts as the loving shepherd of the Baha’t flock. Universal House of Justice, Canada and the Five Year Plan, p. 8

The friends are called upon to give their wholehearted support and cooperation to the Local Spiritual Assembly, first by voting for the membership and then by energetically pursuing its plans and programmes, by turning to it in time of trouble or difficulty, by praying for its success and taking delight in its rise to influence and honour. This great prize, this gift of God within each community must be cherished, nurtured, loved, assisted, obeyed and prayed for. Universal House of Justice, Canada and the Five Year Plan, p. 10 [Page 15]PARTICIPATING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 19 Day Feast

As to the 19 Day Feast, it rejoiceth mind and

heart. If this Feast be held in the proper

fashion, the friends will, once in nineteen days,

find themselves spiritually restored, and

endued with a power that is not of this world ‘Abdu'l-Baha, Bahd't Meetings: The Nineteen Day Feast, p. 19

"This Feast was established by His Highness the Bab, to occur once in nineteen days. Likewise, the Blessed Perfection (Baha'u'llah) hath commanded, encouraged and reiterated it. Therefore, it hath the utmost importance. Undoubtedly you must give the greatest attention to its establishment and raise it to the highest point of importance, so that it may become continual and constant. The believers of God must assemble and associate with each other in the utmost love, joy and [Page 16]fragrance. They must conduct themselves (in these Feasts) with the greatest dignity and consideration, chant divine verses, peruse instructive articles, read the Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha , encourage and inspire each other with love for the whole human race, invoke God with perfect joy and fragrance, sing the verses, glorifications and praises of the Self-subsistent Lord and deliver eloquent speeches. ‘Abdu'l-Baha, Baha? Meetings: The Nineteen Day Feast, p. 19-20

Do not call it a meeting! Call it a confluence of holy souls; a convocation of those who love the Lord; a retreat for the people of the All-Merciful; a palace-hall for all who sing His praise. For the members of that gathering are each one a lighted taper, and that council a mansion of the moon and stars. It hath been blessed by the Lord of all mankind, and hath made current the Feast as set forth in the Most Holy Book."

‘Abdu'l-Baha, Bahd't Meetings: The

Nineteen Day Feast, p. 19 [Page 17]O SON oF BEING!

BRING THYSELF TO ACCOUNT EACH DAY ERE THOU ART SUMMONED TO A RECKONING...

Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p- 236 [Page 18]PRAISE BE UNTO THEE, O OuR Gop, THAT ‘THOU HAST SENT DOWN UNTO US THAT WHICH DRAWETH US NIGH UNTO THEE, AND SUPPLIETH US WITH EVERY GOOD THING SENT DOWN BY THEE IN THY BOOKS AND THY SCRIPTURES. PROTECT US, WE BESEECH THEE, O My LORD, FROM THE HOSTS OF IDLE FANCIES AND VAIN IMAGINATIONS. THOU, IN TRUTH, ART THE MIGHTY, THE ALL-KNOWING.

BaHA'U'LLAH, Long Obligatory Prayer �