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STAR OF THE WEST
"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened, that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be; these fruitless strifes; these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come."—BAHA'O'LLAH.
Vol. VIII Mulk 1, 73 (February 7, 1918) No. 18
The Divine Art of Living
A COMPILATION BY MRS. MARY M. RABB
(Chapter I appeared in issue No. 16; Chapter II in No. 18, Vol. VII—Chapter III appeared in issue No. 2; Chapter IV in No. 4; Chapter V in No. 6; Chapter VI in No. 8; first portion of Chapter VII in No. 10, continued in No. 11, Vol. VIII.)
CHAPTER VIII
Spiritual Healing
HEALING comes from God. If the heavenly benediction be upon us while we are being healed then only can we be truly healed. All depends upon God. Medicine is merely an outward form or means by which we obtain heavenly healing. Without the heavenly benediction it is worth nothing. If man looks at the nature of the world around him he will see that all created beings are dependent upon something; i. e., man is dependent for his life upon the air which he breathes, likewise the animals which are upon the earth, and each created being is dependent for its life upon some material circumstances. Man, therefore, and all creatures are prisoners of nature. The sun must follow its law; the earth must follow its law of motion, and so also the sea. But by the spiritual power of God which, through his bounty, he has bestowed upon man alone, man is enabled to transcend the laws of nature in many and wonderful ways. It is the law of nature that man should walk upon the earth; but he transcends this law, for he sojourns upon the water and also flies like the bird through the air.
Through the wonderful spiritual power which God gives to man he is enabled to reach the Kingdom. But behold! man is not grateful and is careless of the great mercy which God has shown him.
(Abdul-Baha: Star of the West; Vol. 2, No. 16, p. 4.)
O maid-servant of God, there are two kinds of disease, spiritual and physical. Physical diseases are cured by medicine and the essence of shrubs and plants. Diseases which are caused by the emotions of the mind are cured by the power of the spirit of man. But the power of the divine spirit dominates all the bodily ailments and those of the mind. When the spirit of man is confirmed and assisted by the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, then it will show its effect in every condition in the world of existence.
As to mental healing,—it also has an effect because some reflections are produced between the hearts by the power of concentration. From this power of concentration impressions are produced and healing or relief is realized from these impressions.
(Abdul-Baha.)
Between material things and spiritual things there is a connection. The more healthful his body the greater will be
the power of the spirit of man; the power of the intellect, the power of the memory, the power of reflection will then be greater.
(Abdul-Baha: Table Talks at Acca; p. 5)
I hope thou wilt become as a rising light and obtain spiritual health; and spiritual health is conducive to physical health.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha; p. 305.)
Disease is of two kinds, material and spiritual. For instance, a cut on the hand—if you pray for the cut to be healed, and do not stop its bleeding, you will not do much good; this needs a material remedy.
Sometimes, if the nervous system is paralyzed through fear, a spiritual remedy is necessary. Madness, incurable otherwise, can be cured through prayer. . . . It often happens that sorrow makes one ill. That illness can be cured by spiritual means.
(Abdul-Baha: Star of the West; Vol. 2, No. 19, p. 7.)
O seeker for the truth! There are two ways of healing sickness, material means and spiritual means. The first way is through the use of medical remedies. The second consists in praying to God and in turning to him. Both means should be used and practiced. Illness caused by physical accident should be treated 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 by spiritual rather than by physical treatment. Hence, both kinds of remedies should be considered. Moreover, they are not contradictory and you should accept the physical remedies as coming from the mercy and favor of God who has revealed and made manifest medical knowledge so that his servants may profit by this kind of treatment also. You should give equal attention to spiritual treatments for they produce marvelous effects. Now, if you wish to know the divine 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. Guard them sacredly.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 587.)
O maid-servant of God! 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 would only 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.
(Abdul-Baha: Daily Lessons; p. 95.)
It is not the body which feels pain or trouble, but the soul. If we have a pain in our arm the defect is in the body yet it is the soul which feels the pain and is troubled, not the body, though the body is the cause of that trouble.
(Abdul-Baha.)
My spiritual health is always perfect. I enjoy an eternal health of the spirit. I hope all of the people of the world will win this celestial gift. Pray that the spiritual health of mankind may be improved daily, for there are many doctors who attend to the physical ailments of the people, but there are very few divine physicians. It is in this connection that Christ said: "Do not be afraid of those people who have control over your body, but have fear of those who may control your spirit." Let your spirit be free so that it may soar toward the heights
of sanctity. Let your spirit unfold the white wings of progress. Often physical sickness draws man nearer unto his Maker, suffers his heart to be made empty of all worldly desires until it becomes tender and sympathetic toward all sufferers and compassionate to all creatures. Although physical diseases cause man to suffer temporarily, yet they do not touch his spirit. Nay, rather, they contribute toward the divine purpose; that is, spiritual susceptibilities will be created in his heart.
(Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, October 27, 1913.)
O thou who art conscious! At last thou didst learn of salvation and didst find the straight way. Now remain firm that thou mayest attain confirmation and victory.
The powers of the sympathetic nerve are neither entirely physical nor spiritual, but are between the two (systems). The nerve is connected with both. Its phenomena will be perfect when its spiritual and physical relations are normal.
When the material world and the divine world are well co-related, when the hearts become heavenly and the aspirations grow pure and divine, perfect connection will take place. Then will its power produce a perfect manifestation. Physical and spiritual diseases will then receive absolute healing.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 309. An answer to the question of a physician regarding the sympathetic nervous system.)
Christ healed by the power of his word, because the word of the Messiah was the Holy Spirit purified from all else.
The words of many speakers are mixed with the lusts of their souls and their worldly appetites; therefore they will have neither authority nor success.
Jesus said: "Arise, take up thy bed and walk." He did not use prayers or mental suggestion. He used spiritual authority in the command which was the power of the Holy Spirit manifest in him. Therefore his word was obeyed because it was creative.
(Abdul-Baha.)
As to the fact that man must entirely forget himself, by this is meant that he should arise in the mystery of sacrifice and that is the disappearance of mortal sentiments and the extinction of blamable morals which constitute the temporal gloom, and not that the physical health should be changed into weakness and debility.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 244.)
Looking after one's health is done with two intentions. Man may take good care of his body for the purpose of satisfying his personal wishes. Or, he may look after his health with the good intention of serving humanity and of living long enough to perform his duty toward mankind. The latter is most commendable.
A teacher should sleep at night with the thought that the next day he may be refreshed in order to do his duty more fully in relation to teaching his pupils. Therefore, Mrs. . . . . must take good care of her health. Just look at Mr. . . . . . . 's very good health—see how much work he can do, how much work he can stand! Whatever work is referred to him, he can discharge it fully. But remember that the essential health is spiritual health, for by means of spiritual health eternal life is obtained; whereas, through physical health only temporal results are achieved.
(Abdul-Baha: A Heavenly Feast, p. 11.)
If the health and well-being of the body be expended in the path of the Kingdom, this is very acceptable and praiseworthy; if it is expended for the benefit of the human world in general—even though it be for their material benefit
STAR OF THE WEST
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TABLET FROM ABDUL-BAHA.
HE IS GOD!
O thou Star of the West!
Be thou happy! Be thou happy! Shouldst thou continue to remain firm and eternal, ere long, thou shalt become the Star of the East and shalt spread in every country and clime. Thou art the first paper of the Bahais which is organized in the country of America. Although for the present thy subscribers are limited, thy form is small and thy voice weak, yet shouldst thou stand unshakable, become the object of the attention of the friends and the center of the generosity of the leaders of the faith who are firm in the Covenant, in the future thy subscribers will become hosts after hosts like unto the waves of the sea; thy volume will increase, thy arena will become vast and spacious and thy voice and fame will be raised and become world-wide—and at last thou shalt become the first paper of the world of humanity. Yet all these depend upon firmness, firmness, firmness!
(Signed) ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.
Vol. VIII
No. 18
and be a means of doing good—that is also acceptable. But if the health and welfare of man be spent in sensual desires, in a life on the animal plane and in devilish pursuits—then disease is better than such health; nay, death itself is preferable to such a life. If thou art desirous of health, wish thou health for serving the Kingdom, I hope that thou mayest attain a perfect insight, an inflexible resolution, complete health and spiritual and physical strength in order that thou mayest drink from the fountain of eternal life and be assisted by the spirit of divine confirmation.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 207.)
O thou who art supplicating unto God! I read thy precious letter and am informed of its contents, which show that thou art ill in body and weak, and indicates thine affection toward thy daughter who is in the age of youth.
I beseech God to ordain prosperity unto thee in this world, to confer favor upon thee in his supreme Kingdom, and to heal thee from the illness which has befallen thee for some hidden reason which no one knows save God. Verily, the will of God engages occasionally in some matter for which mankind is unable to find out the reason. The causes and reasons shall appear. Trust in God and confide in him, and resign thyself to the will of God. Verily, thy God is affectionate, compassionate and merciful. He will look at thee with the glances of the eye of mercifulness, will guard thee with the eye of bounty, and will cause his mercy to descend upon thee.
(Abdul-Baha.)
I hope, as you have received physical health, you will receive your spiritual health. As the body will be cured of physical diseases, in the same way the spirit will be cured of all spiritual diseases. A cure of physical disease is very easy, but the cure of spiritual disease is very difficult. If one has fever and you give him medicine, the fever will vanish; but if the spirit is afflicted with the disease of ignorance, it is difficult to remove that disease. For example, if the spiritual health is afflicted with the love of the world, spiritual medicine must be given. These medicines are the advices and commands of God, which will have effect upon it.
(Abdul-Baha: From Tablet to Mme. L'Astre, Acca, January 1905.)
For these thy prevailing diseases are not on account of sins, but they are to make thee detest this world and know
that there is no rest and composure in this temporal life.
(Tablets of Abdul-Baha, p. 185)
O thou who art attracted to God! May God uphold thee. . . . ; he who is filled with the love of Baha,' and forgets all things, the Holy Spirit will be heard from his lips and the spirit of life will fill his heart, the lights of the sign will shine forth from his face, words will issue from his mouth in strands of pearls, and all sickness and disease will be healed by the laying on of the hands.
(Abdul-Baha.)
A friend interested in healing quoted the words of Baha'o'llah, "If one is sick, let him go to the greatest physician."
Abdul-Baha said: "There is but one power which heals,—that is God. The state or condition through which healing takes place is the condition of the heart. By some this state is reached through pills, powders, and physicians. By others through hygiene, fasting, and prayer. By others through direct perception."
On another occasion Abdul-Baha said, with regard to the same subject, "All that we see around us is the work of mind. It is mind in the herb and in the mineral that acts on the human body, and changes its condition."
(Abdul-Baha in London, p. 96)
Turning the face toward God brings healing to the body, the mind and the soul. When this advancement toward God has become complete, one is able to overcome passion and desire, one becomes protected from sin and transgression and is delivered from heedlessness. This will bestow eternal life and will grant the imperishable gift.
(Abdul-Baha.)
"The healer of all thy troubles is the remembrance of Me; forget it not."
(Baha'o'llah: Hidden Words from the Persian, p. 36.)
PRAYERS FOR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HEALING.
O my God, thy name is my healing, thy remembrance is my remedy. Thy nearness is my hope, and thy love is my companion. Thy mercy is my need and my aid in this world and in the worlds to come. Verily, thou are the Giver, the All-knowing and the Wise!
(Baha'o'llah.)
O thou kind God! To me thou art kinder than myself, and thy love is more abundant and more ancient. Whenever I am reminded of thy bestowals I am made happy and hopeful. If I have been agitated I obtain ease of heart and soul. If I am sick, I gain eternal health. If I am disloyal, I become loyal. If I have been hopeless, I become hopeful. O thou Lord of the Kingdom! Cause thou the rejoicing of my heart; empower my weak spirit and strengthen my exhausted nerves. Illumine thou my eyes: suffer my ears to become hearing, so that I may hearken to the music of the Kingdom and attain to the joy and happiness everlasting. Verily, thou art the Generous, the Giver, and the Kind!
(Abdul-Baha.)
Is there any remover of difficulties save God? Say: No!—Praise be to God!—He is God! All are his servants and all are standing by his command.
(The Bab.)
CHAPTER IX.
Tests
TODAY, O Lord, deliver us from all temptations, tests and evil suggestions of those who have turned their faces from thee: Then, O thou merciful God, confirm us through thine invisible hosts, and reinforce us through thy heavenly angels.
O Lord! We are weak, poor, submissive and humble: Strengthen us, enrich us and uplift us above all earthly conditions. O thou God! As thou hast illumined our hearts with the light of knowing thee, make us firm in thy blessed Covenant. Verily, thou art the Clement, the Forgiver!
(Baha'o'llah: Hidden Words; p. 70.)
I am not impatient of calamities in God's way, nor of afflictions for his love and at his good pleasure. God hath made affliction as a morning shower to this green pasture and as a match for his lamp whereby earth and heaven are illumined.
(Baha'o'llah: Tablet to (Nassar-ud-Din) Shah of Persia.)
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
(Job 5:17, 18.)
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
(Revelation 3:19.)
"O son of man! If calamity befall thee not in My path, how wilt thou tread in the way of those who are content in My will? If affliction overtake thee not in thy longing to meet Me, how canst thou attain the light of the love of My Beauty." (v. 51.)
"O son of man! My calamity is My providence. In appearance it is fire and vengeance; in reality it is light and mercy. Therefore approach it, that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command; know thou it." (v. 52.)
"O son of humanity! Rejoice not if fortune smile upon thee, and if humiliation overtake thee, mourn not because of it, for, in their time, they both shall cease and be no more." (v. 53.)
"O son of existence! If thou encounter poverty, grieve not; for, in time, the King of riches will descend to thee. Fear not humiliation, for glory shall be thy portion." (v. 54.)
"O son of existence! Be not engrossed with this world, for with fire We test the gold, and with gold We try the servants." (v. 56.)
(Baha'o'llah: Hidden Words from the Arabic, pp. 15-17.)
The more one is severed from the world, from desires, from human affairs and conditions, the more impervious does one become to the tests of God. Tests are a means by which a soul is measured as to its fitness, and proven out by its own acts. God knows its fitness beforehand, and also its unpreparedness, but man, with an ego, would not believe himself unfit unless proof were given him. Consequently his susceptibility to evil is proven to him when he falls into the tests, and the tests are continued until the soul realizes its own unfitness, then remorse and regret tend to root out the weakness. The same test comes again in greater degree, until it is shown that a former weakness has become a strength, and the power to overcome evil has been established.
(Abdul-Baha: Star of the West; Vol. 6, No. 6, p. 43.)
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? . . . . .
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasures; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
(Hebrews 12:5-13.)
Thou hast questioned concerning ordeals and difficulties and catastrophies: "Are these from God or the result of man's (own) evil deeds?"
Know thou that ordeals are of two kinds: One kind is for trial (to test the soul), and the other is punishment for actions. ("As a man soweth so shall he also reap.") That which is for testing is educational and developmental and that which is the punishment of deeds is severe retribution.
The father and the teacher sometimes humor the children and then again discipline them. This discipline is for educational purposes and is indeed to give them true happiness; it is absolute kindness and true providence. Although in appearance it is wrath yet in reality it is kindness. Although outwardly it is an ordeal yet inwardly it is purifying water.
Verily, in both cases we must supplicate and implore and commune to the divine Threshold in order to be patient in ordeals.
(Abdul-Baha: From Tablet to Portland, Oregon, believer; translated July 27, 1909.)
Our light affliction, which is for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
(II Cor. 4:17)
O ye friends of God! The joy and happiness of the people of faithfulness consist in serving the Threshold of the Most High and turning their faces to the Kingdom of Abha. The hope of the lovers is self-sacrificing and the yearning of the longing ones is self-effacement and evanescence. For love is an irresistible power and an inextinguishable conflagration and the mirror of the love of God is the great martyrdom. Therefore, the sanctified souls and the Manifestations of God yearned for self-abnegation and attainment to the city of martyrdom. They gave up their lives, experienced exile and banishment, endured persecution and dire calamities, became subject to imprisonment and bondage and the targets of the arrows of oppression and objects of the sword of malice. They did not complain; neither did they become disheartened. They drank the cup of martyrdom from the hand of the Cup-bearer of Providence and tasted with the greatest joy the sweetness of annihilation. They found not a moment of rest. They sought not an instant of tranquillity. They withstood the persecution of the enemies and became the centers the derision and scoffing of the people of envy. They sacrificed their homes and property and became homeless and wanderers. They experienced not one hour of safety nor a day of repose of mind and body. This
is the proof of the sincere lover and this is the evidence of the faithful friend. If it were not so every stranger would become a friend and the deprived one would become the confidant of the mysteries, the remote one would become the near one and the outcast would become the beloved. Consequently the most great wisdom has ordained that the fire of tests shall rage and the rushing torrent of ordeals sweep tumultuously from the mountain of revelation, so that the untruthful may become distinguished from the truthful, the unrighteous be known from the righteous, the worshipper of self be separated from the worshipper of God, the good fruit be set apart from the evil fruit, the signs of light be manifest and the gloom of darkness be dispelled, the nightingale of trustworthiness sing the melody of love and the raven of oppression croak the discordant notes of error, the fertile soil become green and verdant and the barren ground produce its thorns and thistles, the ones attracted to the breath of Abha become firm and the followers of passion and desire turn away. This is the wisdom of trials and this is the cause of ordeals.
(Abdul-Baha: Bahai News; No. 3, pp. 2, 3.)
Thy detailed letter was received. Its perusal produced the utmost happiness for it revealed the fact that thou hast attained to the knowledge of the reality of tests; namely, that tests endured in the path of God are conducive to confirmation, nay, rather, they are heavenly powers and the bounties of the realm of Might. But to the weak believers tests are trials and examination, for, on account of the weakness of their faith and assurance they fall into difficulties and vicissitudes. However, to those souls who are firm and steadfast, tests are the greatest favors.
Consider thou that at the time of an examination in sciences and arts, the dull and lazy pupil finds himself in calamity. But to the intelligent and sagacious student, examination in learning produces honor and infinite happiness. Alloyed gold subjected to the fire portrays its baseness. While the intensity of the flame enhances the beauty of the (pure) gold. Therefore, tests to the weak souls are calamity and to the veiled ones the cause of their disgrace and humiliation.
The point is this, that in the path of Truth every difficulty is made plain and every trial is a matchless bounty.
Therefore, the believers of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful must not relax during trials, and no disaster must deter their service in the Cause of God.
(Abdul-Baha: Daily Lessons; pp. 85, 86.)
That soul is alone who is negligent of God. But if he knows God, although he may live in an interminable desert without water and vegetation yet he is not alone,—God is with him. The sky of this terrestrial globe is always obscure and misty and covered with black, inky clouds. Now the thunder rolls and anon the lightning flashes. Now the hail falls and again the snow descends. Now there is a wild hurricane and then a tempestuous torrent rushing down from the mountain side. Therefore, do not think for one moment that these trials and ordeals are confined to thee. In reality all the people are surrounded with sufferings so that they may not attach their hearts to the world, but will seek for composure and rest in the divine world and beg for the bestowal of the Kingdom. Consequently be thou glad from the bottom of thy heart and be rejoiced through the divine glad tidings.
(Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, July 20, 1914.)
(Chapter IX to be continued.)
