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923. Consult Competent Physicians When Ill
"Resort ye, in times of sickness, to competent physicians; We have not set aside the use of material means, rather have We confirmed it through this Pen, which God hath made to be the Dawning-place of His shining and glorious Cause."
- (Bahá’u’lláh: Kitáb-i-Aqdas, K113, p. 60)
924. Prayers for Spiritual and Material Healing
"… The prayers which were written for the purpose of healing are both for the spiritual and material healing. Therefore chant them for the spiritual and material healing. If healing is best for the patient surely it will be granted. For some who are sick, healing for them shall be the cause of other ills. Thus it is that wisdom does not decree the answer to some prayers.
"O maid-servant of God. The Power of the Holy Spirit heals both material and spiritual ills."
- (‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Tablet to Ella Goodall Cooper: Daily Lessons Received at Akka, 1976 ed., p. 86)
925. The Greatest Name Influences Both Spiritual and Physical Matters
"That the Most Great Name exerciseth influence over both physical and spiritual matters is sure and certain."
- (From a Tablet to an individual believer, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Selections from Bahá’í Writings on Some Aspects of Health, Healing, Nutrition and Related Matters, April 1984, p. 2)
"O maid-servant of God! Continue in healing hearts and bodies and seek healing for sick persons by turning unto the Supreme Kingdom and by setting the heart upon obtaining healing through the power of the Greatest Name and by the spirit of the love of God."
- (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. III, p. 629)
926. Two Ways of Healing Sickness
"There are two ways of healing sickness, material means and spiritual means. The first is by the treatment of physicians; the second consisteth in prayers offered by the spiritual ones to God and in turning to Him. Both means should be used and practiced.
"Illnesses which occur by reason of physical causes should be treated by doctors with medical remedies; those which are due to spiritual causes disappear through spiritual means. Thus an illness caused by affliction, fear, nervous impressions, will be healed more effectively by spiritual rather than by physical treatment. Hence, both kinds of treatment should be followed; they are not contradictory. Therefore thou shouldst accept physical remedies inasmuch as these too have come from the mercy and favour of God, Who hath revealed and made manifest medical science so that His servants may profit from this kind of treatment also. Thou shouldst give equal attention to spiritual treatments, for they produce marvellous effects.
"Now, if thou wishest to know the true remedy which will heal man from all sickness and will give him the health of the divine kingdom, know that it is the precepts and teachings of God. Focus thine attention upon them."
- (‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 151-152)
927. Two Processes of Healing—Prayer Alone not Sufficient
"As you know Bahá’u’lláh has ordained that in case of illness we should always consult the most competent physicians. And this is exactly what the Guardian strongly advises you to do. For prayer alone is not sufficient. To render it more effective we have to make use of all the physical and material advantages which God has given us. Healing through purely spiritual forces is undoubtedly as inadequate as that which materialist physicians and thinkers vainly seek to obtain by resorting entirely to mechanical devices and methods. The best result can be obtained by combining the two processes, spiritual and physical."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, March 12, 1934: Extracts from the Guardian's Letters on Spiritualism, Reincarnation and Related Subjects, p. 9)
928. Spiritual and Material Healing Essential and Complementary
"With regard to your question concerning spiritual healing. Such a healing constitutes, indeed, one of the most effective methods of relieving a person from either his mental or physical pains and sufferings. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has in His 'Paris Talks' emphasized its importance by stating that it should be used as an essential means for effecting a complete physical cure. Spiritual healing, however, is not and cannot be a substitute for material healing, but it is a most valuable adjunct to it. Both are, indeed, essential and complementary."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 16, 1935: Selections from Bahá’í Writings on Some Aspects of Health, Healing, Nutrition and Related Matters, April 1984, p. 10)
929. Physical Healing Must be Reinforced by Spiritual Healing
"With reference to your question concerning spiritual healing. Its importance, as you surely know, has been greatly emphasized by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Who considered it, indeed, as an essential part of physical processes of healing. Physical healing cannot be complete and lasting unless it is reinforced by spiritual healing. And this last one can be best obtained through obedience to the laws and commandments of God as revealed to us through His Manifestations. Individual believers, however, can also help by imparting healing to others. But the success of their efforts depends entirely on their strict adherence to the Teachings, and also on the manner in which they impart them to others. According to Bahá’u’lláh man cannot obtain full guidance directly from God. He must rather seek it through His Prophets. Provided this principle is clearly understood and explained, the Guardian sees no harm that the friends should try to effect spiritual healing on others. Any such cure effected, however, should be done in the name of Bahá’u’lláh and in accordance with His teachings. For God, and God alone, is the Supreme and Almighty Physician and all else are but instruments in His hands."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 23, 1935: Extracts from the Guardian's Letters on Spiritualism, Reincarnation and Related Subjects, p. 8)
930. Healing of Illness—There is no such thing as "Bahá’í Healers"
'The Guardian knows nothing about your kind of healing, nor would he care to go into the question in detail, as he has no time for such matters. But he can lay down for your guidance certain broad principles: there is no such thing as Bahá’í healers or a Bahá’í type of healing. In His Most Holy Book (the Aqdas) Bahá’u’lláh says to consult the best physicians, in other words, doctors who have studied a scientific system of medicine: He never gave us to believe He Himself would heal us through 'healers', but rather through prayer and the assistance of medicine and approved treatments.
"Now, as long as your healing is in no opposition to these principles, as long as you do not try and take the place of a regular doctor in trying to heal others, but only give them your kind of help through constructive suggestion—or whatever it may be—and do not associate this help with being a channel of the direct grace of Bahá’u’lláh, the Guardian sees no harm in your continuing your assistance to others. But you must conscientiously decide whether in view of the above you are really justified in continuing. He will pray for your guidance and happiness…."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, June 6, 1948: Ibid., p. 8)
- Bahai.works note: There is a link here from No. 952
931. To Associate Such Things with the Cause Ultimately Injures It
"He feels the attitude taken by you and the Assembly of Caracas towards the remarkable healing powers exhibited by … has been the right one. To associate such things with the Cause directly would be only to ultimately injure its reputation and misrepresent it, as her powers—which are certainly very hard to find any logical explanation for—are not common to Bahá’ís, but rather a phenomenon seen among individuals, (rarely) of religious backgrounds.
"As to its being direct inspiration of Bahá’u’lláh, we certainly cannot say this. We can only be grateful that she has actually been able to help people who direly needed it. She herself being a devoted Bahá’í, there is no reason why she should not be known as one. But certainly it should in no way be connected with her healing powers."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, September 30, 1949, to an individual believer: Ibid., p. 8)
932. Not a Unique Phenomenon
"The Guardian has already heard about …'s seemingly remarkable powers of healing and he wrote the friends who communicated with him that he feels that she is naturally free to use this power, so far beyond our understanding, but not a unique phenomenon in history by any means, for the good of others, but that it is better not to directly associate it with the Faith.
"In other words this dear soul is a Bahá’í, and we are all proud that she is one. But she should not give the impression she is a Bahá’í healer, for we have no such thing, but rather that she is a Bahá’í by faith, whom God seems to have blessed with this precious bounty individually of being able to often heal others."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 26, 1949: Ibid., pp. 8-9)
933. To be Able to Help Another Soul Who is Suffering
"The Guardian sees no reason why you should not continue to help sick people. As he wrote to some of the believers regarding this matter previously, as long as you do not say you are healing them as a Bahá’í, or because you are a Bahá’í (because we have no 'healers' in the Cause as such) there can be certainly no objection to your doing it. On the contrary to be able to help another soul who is in suffering is a great bounty from God."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 5, 1950: Ibid., p. 9)
934. Try not to Have the Faith Identified with Such Things
'He thinks your Assembly's decision regarding spiritual healing being demonstrated at a Bahá’í meeting was quite sound. We should try not to have the Faith identified with such things in the eyes of the public officially. What the believers do privately, which in no way contravenes the Teachings, is their own affair."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, June 25, 1953: Ibid., p. 9)
935. Should not Become Healer
"He does not feel that you should try to do anything special about the capacity you feel to help people when they are ill. This does not mean you should not use it, when the occasion arises, such as it did recently. But he means you should not become a 'healer' such as the Christian Scientists have, and we Bahá’ís do not have."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, December 25, 1949: Ibid., p. 9)
936. Healing by the Holy Spirit
"We have no reason to believe that the healing of the Holy Spirit cannot be attracted by ordinary human beings. But this is rare, a mystery, and a gift of God."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, March 26, 1950: Ibid., p. 9)
937. Visiting the Sick
"We should all visit the sick. When they are in sorrow and suffering, it is a real help and benefit to have a friend come. Happiness is a great healer to those who are ill. In the East it is the custom to call upon the patient often and meet him individually. The people in the East show the utmost kindness and compassion to the sick and suffering. This has greater effect than the remedy itself. You must always have this thought of love and affection when you visit the ailing and afflicted."
- (‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, 1982 ed., p. 204)
938. However Critical and Hopeless Consult and Follow Treatment of Competent Physician
"As regards Miss … Shoghi Effendi feels unspeakably grateful for all the kind assistance you have been continually extending to her father in this assuredly heart-rending, nay indeed calamitous situation facing him. You did certainly well, however critical and hopeless his daughter's case may have been considered by the doctors, to advise him to take her to a hospital, and give her the best treatment medical science could possibly offer. In doing so you have acted in full conformity with the counsel so tenderly and repeatedly given by Bahá’u’lláh that in case of illness one should invariably consult and follow the treatment of competent and conscientious physicians."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, June 18, 1939: Selections from Bahá’í Writings on Some Aspects of Health and Healing, June 1974, p. 7)
939. Both Spiritual and Physical Forces Needed to Secure Speedy Recovery
"In the Book of Aqdas Bahá’u’lláh urges us, that when we obtain any physical ailment we should refer to the doctor and abide by his decision. Physical and spiritual forces have both to be used to secure the speedy recovery of the patients; no partial treatment is sufficient. So you should pray for your son and also be faithful in your obedience to the directions of the physicians who are trying to restore him to health."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, June 1, 1933)
940. Physical Ailments Have No Effect on the Soul
"Regarding your questions concerning the condition of the soul during illness. The passages in the 'Gleanings' make it quite clear that physical ailments, no matter how severe, cannot bring any change in the inherent condition of the soul. As Bahá’u’lláh says: 'The spirit is permanent and steadfast in its station'. The veil or hindrance that interposes between soul and body during physical disease is sickness itself. Sickness reveals a lack of balance in human organism, an absence of equilibrium in the forces essential for the normal functioning of the human body."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 8, 1936)
941. Bahá’ís Must Avoid Depleting their Forces and Suffering Breakdowns
"… The Bahá’ís, in spite of their self-sacrificing desire to give the last drop of their strength to serving the Cause, must guard against utterly depleting their forces and having breakdowns. For this can sometimes do more harm than good, because they are so bound up in the lives of others….
"There is no doubt that there is vicarious atonement for others, and our sufferings sometimes can be in the nature of a sacrifice accepted for others. But where to draw the line is a mystery. If you take better care of your own health, and build up your reserves, it would certainly be better for you and for your work. Then your sensitive, yearning heart, although you may still often suffer for and with others, will be better able to withstand its trials, and you will not get so exhausted, which is certainly no asset to your work for the Cause."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 25, 1949)
942. The Supreme Need of the World Today is for Spiritual Healing—Bahá’ís Are the Leaven that Must Leaven the Lump
"However much the need may be for physical healing, the supreme need of the world today is for spiritual healing. Life in this world is so relatively short—and at present it is fraught with a thousand difficulties and dangers; whereas life in the true sense is eternal, and for this eternal life people need some preparation in these turbulent times.
"Your work to improve the health of people is a meritorious way of serving mankind, but it can never be compared with the work of illumining the souls and minds of men with the Light of Bahá’u’lláh. The people of the world are teeming millions, the Bahá’ís only a handful, yet they are the precious leaven that must leaven the lump."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 8, 1942)
943. Some Illnesses Have to do with the Spiritual Development of the One Affected or of the Loved Ones
"The Beloved Guardian has asked me to assure you and the parents of the dear baby of his prayers for his healing, both material and spiritual.
"It is difficult for us to understand these calamities when they come to us. Those who are firm in the Faith, know that the Hand of God protects them, and if something of this nature comes upon them, it is for some reason, which may have to do with the spiritual development of the one affected, or the spiritual development and welfare of the loved ones; or even for the melting of the hearts of non-Bahá’ís, who will be affected by the Divine Spirit, through the manner in which the Bahá’í meets such an ordeal."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 23, 1953)
"As to your question concerning the meaning of physical suffering and its relation to mental and spiritual healing. Physical pain is a necessary accompaniment of all human existence, and as such is unavoidable. As long as there will be life on earth, there will be also suffering, in various forms and degrees. But suffering, although an inescapable reality, can nevertheless be utilised as a means for the attainment of happiness. This is the interpretation given to it by all the prophets and saints who, in the midst of severe tests and trials, felt happy and joyous and experienced what is best and holiest in life. Suffering is both a reminder and a guide. It stimulates us to better adapt ourselves to our environmental conditions, and thus leads the way to self-improvement. In every suffering one can find a meaning and a wisdom. But it is not always easy to find the secret of that wisdom. It is sometimes only when all our suffering has passed that we become aware of its usefulness. What man considers to be evil turns often to be a cause of infinite blessings. And this is due to his desire to know more than he can. God's wisdom is, indeed, inscrutable to us all, and it is no use pushing too far trying to discover that which shall always remain a mystery to our mind."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 29, 1935)
945. Decree of Bahá’u’lláh Consult Competent Doctor
"According to the explicit decree of Bahá’u’lláh one must not turn aside from the advice of a competent doctor. It is imperative to consult one even if the patient himself be a well-known and eminent physician. In short, the point is that you should maintain your health by consulting a highly-skilled physician."
- (‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 156, No. 135)
946. It is the Responsibility of the Believers to Look After the Sick
"O thou servant of God! To look after the sick is one of the greatest duties. For every soul who becomes sick, the other friends should certainly offer their lives (in service) with the utmost kindness."
- (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Volume I, p. 149: cited in Selections from Bahá’í Writings on Some Aspects of Health and Healing, p. 1)
