Transcript:William Sears/Living the Life

Transcript of: Living the Life  (1971)  William Sears & Friends

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Participants: WS: Hand of the Cause William Sears AL: Anthony (Tony) Lease, ABM to Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere RQ: Robert Quigley RG: Russ Garcia

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, I thought everybody would leave when they heard the subject matter for tonight's study class was living the life.

(Friend): When I received the invitation to the study class, it said that it was going to be on teaching.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Yes, well, it is. It is…

(Friend): …and not on living the life. (Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, can you separate the two?

(Friend): I'm afraid most of us have.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): You know, 41 years ago, the beloved Guardian wrote to America, saying, “Having attained sufficiently the individual regeneration, the essential requisite” notice that… “the essential requisite of teaching… let us arise”, he said, ..”to teach His Cause with righteousness, conviction, understanding and vigor.”

(Friend): All right, I'm ready to face it. (Friend): I really prepared myself to discuss living the life. (Friend): Well, welcome to the club.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, I tell you, it's the most wonderful subject of all. Don't misunderstand. Every one of us feels keenly aware of his own shortcomings, when the subject of living the life comes up. As a matter of fact, whenever I'm asked to talk on it, I wish I could appear in a disguise or talk with a foreign accent. We all have our own weaknesses, you know.

(Friend): I imagine the purpose of this study class is to help change all that.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Right, and for the better.

(Narrator): You were invited to a study class on the subject of teaching as related to the significance and importance of living the Bahá’í life. The study class is being conducted by Hand of the Cause William Sears. He is being assisted by Anthony Lease, a member of the Auxiliary Board for the Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere. Now the study class has been in session for some time, so let's rejoin them.

(Friend): I must say, I’ve never had so much fun discussing living the life before…

(Friend): …so far anyway.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Yes, I see what you mean. Well, Mr. Anthony Lease, as you can see is with us again tonight. And we've also asked Robert Quigly to help out. Tony has found some very thrilling quotations to help us get into the spirit of our subject.

(Anthony Lease): Yes, Bill. The first is from Bahá’í administration, page 68, latest edition. Shoghi Effendi writes:

“But such staunchness of faith, such an unsullied love, such magnificent loyalty, such heroic constancy, such noble courage, however unprecedented and laudable in themselves cannot alone lead us to the final and complete triumph of such a great Cause. Not until the dynamic love we cherish for Him is sufficiently reflected in its power and purity in all our dealings with our fellow men, can we hope to exalt in the eyes of a self-seeking world the genuineness of the all-conquering love of God...”

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Isn't that splendid... now that was written to America over 40 years ago...to imagine that.. what else does the beloved Guardian say, Bob?

(Robert Quigley): "Not until we live ourselves the life of a true Bahá’í can we hope to demonstrate the creative and transforming potency of the Faith we profess. Nothing but the abundance of our actions, nothing but the purity of our lives and the integrity of our characters can, in the last resort, establish our claim that the Bahá’í spirit is, in this day, the sole agency that can translate a long cherished ideal into an enduring achievement."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): You know, for nearly half a century then, we've known that living the life was the essential ingredient of successful teaching and the only one sure way to complete victory.

(Friend): I'd like a few practical hints right now on how to become a better believer.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well beloved friends, let me say that the purpose of this study class is not to give you practical, step by step methods by which you can become a better Bahá’í, or to help you lead a Bahá’í life. It's designed to share with you the wonderful creative words of Bahá’u’lláh, the Master, the Guardian, the Báb, so that each individual heart will be inspired to make a supreme effort to become a better believer. And only in this way can we ever fulfill the hopes of our supreme Universal House of Justice and win an overwhelming victory for their God directed Nine Year Plan.

(Friend): It's rather alarming to think that we've had such clear cut instructions and guidance for over 40 years and are still falling short, far short of what we should be achieving.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, of course, what the Faith has done and what the believers have done..this is wonderful, really.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): But you're right, that measured by the potential of what we might have done and what we could now be doing, naturally, none of us is satisfied. I think we'd agree on that. When we have a partial understanding, we have a partial victory. Therefore, it's imperative that we have the fullest understanding possible as quickly as possible, about the extreme importance, the absolute urgency of living the life, both in our individual lives and in our collective administrative lives. Therefore, I think the thing to do is to turn to Bahá’ulláh and hear what He has to say.

(Anthony Lease): " O people of God, "Bahá’u’lláh has written, "That which can ensure the victory of Him Who is the eternal Truth, His hosts and helpers on Earth, have been set down in the sacred Books and Scriptures, and are as clear and manifest as the sun. These hosts are such righteous deeds, such conduct and character, as are acceptable in His sight. Whoso ariseth, in this Day, to aid Our Cause," Bahá’u’lláh continues, "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."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Imagine it, beloved friends, our individual conduct has an effect throughout the whole earth. It releases a spirit.. in yet another place, the Blessed Beauty, Bahá’u’lláh says "The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds through commendable and seemly conduct."

(Friend): I think that far too often, we busy ourselves with administrative matters or the outward acts of teaching, or committee worth, and forget this very important instruction to live the life above all else.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well we do, well we do. I think we would agree on that often. We think of living the life as something quite separate from our teaching and administrative work. The beloved Guardian pointed out that those of us on the home front can only affect other people to the degree that we ourselves have been touched with the spirit of the faith. What does he say exactly, Tony?

(Anthony Lease): In July 1956, "To the degree that the home front crusader is himself cleansed of these impurities, liberated from these petty preoccupations and gnawing anxieties, delivered from these prejudices and antagonisms, emptied of self, and filled by the healing and the sustaining power of God, will he be able to combat the forces arrayed against him, magnetize the souls of those whom he seeks to convert, and win their unreserved, their enthusiastic and enduring allegiance to the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): What do you think of that home front crusaders? You can magnetize the souls and win their enduring allegiance through your teaching, if first, you are living the inner life.

(Friend): What are these petty preoccupations and impurities, of which the Guardian is speaking?

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, on that day, July 19 1956, he sounded a trumpet call to the individual Bahá'í in America, speaking of "the gross materialism that engulfs the entire nation of the present" time. In fact, those were his very words. What else does he say on that subject Tony?

(Anthony Lease): "The attachment to worldly things that enshrouds the souls of men; the fears and anxieties that distract their minds; the pleasure and dissipations that fill their time, the prejudices and animosities that darken their outlook, the apathy and lethargy that paralyze their spiritual faculties - these are among the formidable obstacles that stand in the path of every would-be warrior in the service of Bahá’u’lláh, obstacles which he must battle against and surmount in his crusade for the redemption of his countrymen."

(Friend): That's very beautiful.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): And right to the point. We must be different. Don't be afraid to be different, Shoghi Effendi told us. The world has had enough advice. What it needs is example. The lives of the believers is the key to the success of all our teaching.

(Friend): But what about all the work of the local and national assemblies?

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, they're very important and wonderful bodies, unquestionably, essential bodies. The National Assembly is always exhorting the friends to make a greater effort to live a Bahá'í life. The beloved Guardian, however, made it unmistakably clear that winning the teaching victories on the home front was primarily the task of the individual Bahá'í.

(Robert Quigley): "Neither the local nor national representatives of the community," the Guardian writes, "no matter how elaborate their plans, or persistent their appeals, or sagacious their counsels, nor even the Guardian himself, however much he may yearn for this consummation, can decide where the duty of the individual lies, or supplant him in the discharge of that task.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Is that clear, you think? You see it all rests upon you, the individual Bahá'í, and there's an even more powerful statement.

(Robert Quigley): The Guardian continues in these words: "The individual alone must assess its character, consult his conscience, prayerfully consider all its aspects and manfully struggle against the natural inertia that weighs him down.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Excuse me Bob. Beloved friends, isn't that a wonderful way of expressing the day to day struggle that we all have to "manfully struggle against the natural inertia that weighs" us down, and it is a struggle, a never ending, constant heroic struggle. Please go on, Bob. I'm sorry.

(Robert Quigley): "... manfully struggle against the natural inertia that weighs him down in his effort to arise, shed, heroically and irrevocably, the trivial and superfluous attachments which hold him back."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): The beloved Guardian concludes that statement by saying that we, the homefront crusaders, must empty himself each one of us empty himself of every thought that may tend to obstruct his path and, following the Master's example, mingle with people in all walks of life, seek to touch their hearts. And now I'm quoting, "through the distinction which characterizes his thoughts, his words and his acts, and win them over", the seekers, "tactfully, lovingly, prayerfully and persistently, to the Faith he himself has espoused." And beloved friends we're promised complete and total victory if we'll do it.

(Friend): Complete and total?

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Complete and total. Listen to these words.

(Anthony Lease): "Whatsoever the nature of the perils and pitfalls that beset the path of whoever arises to revive the fortunes of a Faith" that is, "struggling against the rising forces of materialism, nationalism, secularism, racialism and ecclesiasticism."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Just a moment Tony. I'm sorry, but this is just too good, hearing it. Beloved friends. Could there be a greater opposition for us to overcome with our teaching? Materialism, nationalism, secularism, racialism, ecclesiasticism? But we can overcome all of them, we're promised. Just hear the promise we're given.

(Anthony Lease): "The all-conquering potency of the grace of God, vouchsafed through the revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, will, undoubtedly, mysteriously and surprisingly, enable whosoever arises to champion His cause to win complete and total victory."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): That's complete and total isn't it? And that's a promise not for a privileged few, but for every one of us, for every Bahá'í. The Guardian says, "for whosoever arises", you win complete and total victory, "surprisingly but undoubtedly and in a mysterious way. And these are just the least of the rewards we get for living the life.

(Friend): Well, that's a day to day job, isn't it? Improving your character.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Hourly in my own opinion. No signs of any halos yet.

(Friend): What it boils down to is that even while we're winning the goals of the Nine Year Plan, we have to be winning the all important goal of conquering ourselves at the same time, right?

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Absolutely right. If we hope to have a spiritual conquest of the planet, we must first have a spiritual conquest of ourselves. You know, it's useless to tell other people and nations they ought to behave better, do better than you're doing, if we don't set the example. Why should people become Bahá'í's and enter the Bahá'í community, if they don't find there anything that's different? Why?

(Robert Quigley): I remember very well a letter which the beloved Guardian wrote to America in 1943.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): What do you say Bob?

(Robert Quigley): Well, he said, "If people only realized it, the inner life of the spirit is that which counts, but they are so blinded by desires and so misled that they have brought upon themselves all the suffering we see at present in the world. The Bahá'ís seek to lead" them "back to the knowledge of their true selves and the purpose for which they were created, and thus to their greatest happiness and highest good."

(Friend): I think most of us really know these things in our hearts. What we need is the inspiration to put them into everyday practice.

(Friend): Yes, how true.

(Friend): Sometimes we get discouraged because there seemed to be so many pressures, so much hurry, so many deadlines, so much to do.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well we shouldn't. I'm sure Michelangelo or Beethoven didn't fuss or worry about goals or pressures or deadlines. They were in love with their art. The inspired composer can't keep his pen still. The singer longs to sing. The miner who knows there's gold in the mountainside is not discouraged because of a deadline or because he has to work overtime to get it out. He can't help it. Now it should be the same with us. If we're filled with the spirit, everything will be easy and a joy. We'll become so excited about what we're doing. It won't be a duty. It will be a delight for which we'll hunger and be eager to work at, beloved friends. It requires an effort, if we wish to become noble.

(Friend): I'd like to feel that I was able to become noble.

(Friend): Yes, who wouldn't?

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, I guess we all would. Well, all right, fine. Because 'Abdu'l-Bahá's told all of us just how we can do it.

(Friend): What does he say? I, for one, would certainly like to know.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, Bob, what are the Master's words on nobility?

(Robert Quigely): Well Bill, 'Abdu'l-Bahá says this: "It is possible to so adjust oneself to the practice of nobility that its atmosphere surrounds and colors all our acts. When these acts are habitually and conscientiously adjusted to noble standards with no thought of the words that might herald them, then nobility becomes the accent of life. At such a degree of evolution one scarcely needs to try to be good any longer, all our deeds are the distinctive expression of nobility.

(Friend): Wonderful.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Nobility anyone? Well that's it. Practice, practice, nobility, the Master said. Act noble until it becomes a habit and without knowing and not knowing when, suddenly you are noble.

(**Not Sure**): Bill?

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): What there is.

(Friend): Yes, that's beautiful.

(**Not Sure**): The last time we almost forgot to introduce our guests, remember here in the study class. Perhaps we should do it now, while we're still basking in.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): That's a noble, noble idea. Tony. Suppose you all introduce yourselves. Let's go from left to right and tell us what community you're from.

(Caswell Ellis): Caswell Ellis, Santa Ana.

(Marie Sire): Marie Sire of Beverly Hills

(Russ Garcia): Russ Garcia. I'm in limbo right now, a small town between right ?????

(Barbara West): I'm Barbara West from San Pedro in Los Angeles. There, along here from Vice Alia???

(Bill Smart): And I'm Bill Smart from Manhattan Beach.

(Robert Quigely): Robert Quigley, Beverly Hills.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): William Sears, Palm Springs.

(Anthony Lease): Anthony Lease, Los Angeles.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): You know, actually, I wasn't sure I wanted to introduce myself while we were on this subject. I'm happy to see that everyone give their right name. All right, now, let's get back to our subject. Let's hear one of the most often quoted paragraphs from all of the writings of our beloved Guardian. Also written, remember over 40 years ago. Tony?

(Anthony Lease): "Not by the force of numbers, not by the mere exposition of a set of new and noble principles, not by an organized campaign of teaching - no matter how worldwide and elaborate in its character - not even by the staunchness of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, can we ultimately hope to vindicate in the eyes of a critical and sceptical age the supreme claim of the Abhá Revelation. One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause."

(): Bill. I wonder if we could hear that last sentence once again, so that we can let it sink into our hearts and minds. It's a vital, important.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Yes, it is indeed. Tony, would you say that? Repeat that part?

(Anthony Lease): Yes, Bill. "One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): You know, there are people who keep saying that you can't change human nature. But in "Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era" Dr. Esslemont, he makes it very clear that the one thing we can be sure of, that doesn't change, is the law that everything changes. But let's hear Bahá'u'lláh's own words on this subject.

(**Not Sure**): Bahá'u'lláh writes, "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, that shall effect both its inner life and external conditions? For if the character of mankind be not changed, the futility of God's universal Manifestation would be apparent."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): So if we want a spiritual civilization we have to have a spiritual man, right? Well, that's why the Messengers of God appear. You can't make a golden society out of leaden individuals. It's our most important single duty to improve our inner life, 'Abdu'l-Bahá told a soul.

(**Not Sure**): That's right, Bill. "The most vital duty, in this day," 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes, "is to purify your characters, to correct your manners, and improve your conduct. The beloved of the Merciful must show forth such character and conduct among His creatures, that the fragrance of their holiness maybe shed upon the whole world, and may quicken the dead, inasmuch as the purpose of the Manifestation of God [and the dawning limitless lights of the Invisible] is to educate the souls of men, and refine the character of every living man."

(Friend): Well, do do all of these things apply to the pioneers as well as to other believers?

(Friend): Well, they don't. You may have found a way to raise up on entire army of pioneers.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Oh, they apply, all right, to every single pioneer as well as anyone else. You know, a pioneer doesn't become a saint by leaving his native land or city for someplace else. He may become a hero, or she may become a heroine, and that's a mighty important start and that does attract to help with The Supreme Concourse **are writing Stella's**, but the pioneer too, must undertake the inescapable task of reforming his own inner life as well as anyone else. You know, Horace Holley, Hand of the Cause of God, and historic figure in the history of our Faith and very witty and wonderful man, once wrote, "A pioneer is not someone who moves from an old place to a new place, but someone who moves from an old self to a new self". And 'Abdu'l-Bahá has made this quite plain about pioneers. Suppose we turn to His words.

(Anthony Lease): Yes. "O army of God," 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes, "Ye must conduct yourselves in such a manner that ye may stand out distinguished and brilliant as the sun among other souls."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): It was really the next paragraph, Tony, but that's as beautiful too, wasn't it? And strictly on the subject, "army of God", the Master calls us. How often we're called soldiers, warriors, crusaders and so on.

(Anthony Lease): Yes, the following paragraph says, "Should any one of you enter a city, he should become a center of attraction by reason of his sincerity, his faithfulness and love, his honesty and fidelity, his truthfulness and loving-kindness towards all the peoples of the world, so that the people of that city may cry out and say: "This man is unquestionably a Bahá'í, for his manners, his behavior, his conduct, his morals, his nature, and disposition reflect the attributes of the Bahá'ís.""

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): And I believe the Master concludes that statement Bill with these words. "Not until ye attain this station can ye be said to have been faithful to the Covenant and Testament of God."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Yes, he does indeed, imagine that.

(Friend): I'm coming to the conclusion of the things we've been talking about tonight are in reality the most important things in the Faith.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Let's take a vote on it.

(Friend): It's a landslide.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): A landslide is right, and aren't we luck, we don't have to change anyone else. Only ourselves.

(Friend): Yes.

(Friend): I'm not too sure that's lucky.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, you know, I'm thinking of it. We're often heard complaining. The world's deaf, the people aren't interested. They're too materialistic, they're too busy with other things, they don't care about religion.

(Friend): Etcetera, etcetera.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Yes, exactly. But now we have a person who was interested, ourselves. Here is someone about whom we can do everything, ourselves. There's no possible excuse for failure now, and by doing it and changing ourselves, we can see a change take place in that outer world, that hasn't responded before. And we begin to see why it didn't respond. You know, you can hold an iron bar over steel filings forever, and nothing will happen. But place a magnet over them and the sparks will fly upward, the steel filings, attracted by its power. Bahá'u'lláh tells us how we can all become such magnets. How we can attract the hearts of the people. Have you any idea of the power and majesty of just one righteous act? One pure deed? Listen to what Bahá'u'lláh, the Blessed Beauty writes.

(**Not Sure**): "One righteous act is endowed with a potency that can so elevate the dust as to cause it to pass beyond the heaven of heavens. It can tear every bond asunder, and have the power to restore the force that hath spent itself and vanished..."

(Friend): Now from the sublime to the regular ridiculous Bill, I see June Lease has just brought in the refreshments for our intermission.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, good. You have to be balanced in all both material and spiritual but beloved friends, please. Before we stop the flow of the spirit, may we share with you of these closing words of the beloved Master? How many of you here would like to acquire a completely happy and tranquil heart? Everybody, all right, count me in too. All right, the Master gives us the formula, and once again it means living the life, never anything else. These are the words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

(**Not sure**): "The greatest bestowal in the world of existence is a tranquil heart, and it is impossible for man to obtain tranquil heart save thru the good pleasure of the Lord. That is, man may so adorn the temple of his being with lofty attributes and philanthropic deeds as to be pleasing at the Threshold of the Almighty. This is the only Path and there is no other Path."

(**Not sure**): "My point is this: Let all your thoughts, your ideals, your aims and purposes revolve day and night around one common object - that is to live in accord with the good pleasure of the Lord. Then all the doors of felicity will be opened before your faces, - you will become successful in all your undertakings, and you will be confirmed in all your accomplishments."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Isn't that a wonderful promise? And the beloved Master concludes with these words: "The basic principle is the good pleasure of the Lord: and the good pleasure of" the Lord "is obtained thru a tranquil heart, and the tranquillity of the heart is [only] gained in living in accord with the Divine Teachings and Exhortations."

(**Not sure**): "When a person attains to this" position "he is contented and peaceful. Then will he become prosperous in all" his "affairs and enter [into] paradise."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): This station, the Master says, "is joy succeeded by joy, confidence after confidence and Paradise after Paradise. Having reached to this exalted station" a "man lives in paradise while upon the earth, is in Paradise when he leaves this world. His heart is in Paradise, his spirit is in Paradise and he is encircled" with "Paradise." Well, how do you like that?

(Friend): That's beautiful.

(Friend): That is magnificent.

(**Not sure**): We have come to the halfway mark in our study class on the importance and significance of living the Bahá'í life. We hope that during your intermission you too will continue this discussion. We shall return soon with the second half of our study class with more suggestions on how we can all make greatest strides in learning to live the sort of life which Bahá'u'lláh has envisioned for all. We shall also begin the second half of our study class with a brief quiz on the Faith. So be sure to have pencil and paper ready. As usual, we have saved the very best for the last.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): I suggest we get back to our subject, teaching and how important living the Bahá'í life is in all teaching. All right, fine. But I think the calendar helps us realize how we do have to study. Now, you ready? Would you like to have a few more real rockers on living the life?

(Friend): Yeah.

(Friend): Not just know. I'm still studying my Bahá'í calendar.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): All right, seriously, beloved friends. Would you like to know just how vital and important to all of our teaching effort living the Bahá'í life can be? I mean, statements from Bahá'u'lláh and the Master that will be hard for us to comprehend, they're so tremendous, and so great is the teaching force of living the life.

(Friend): You've got me intrigued now.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): All right, then let's take the beloved Master's words first. You know, He was distressed because the friends were not living the life of true Bahá'ís in America. They were quarreling and bickering. And so he wrote to one of the Assemblies a powerful message way back in 1912, in a Tablet to America.

(**Not Sure**): "Why this lack of harmony?", the Master wrote, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, were it not for this difference amongst you, the inhabitants of America in all those regions would have, by now, been attracted to the Kingdom of God, and would have constituted themselves your helpers and assisters? Is it meet that you [should] sacrifice this most glorious Bounty for worthless imaginations?"

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Imagine that. Isn't that tremendous? If the spirit of unity and love in the inner life of the friends prevailed, all of the people of America would have been attracted to the Kingdom of God by 1912, 54 years ago. Is this some small thing, then, this living the life? It's the greatest weapon in our armament, as the army of Bahá'u'lláh. It releases a force that the entire world cannot resist, we're told. But that only spoke about America. How about the rest of the world? Listen, beloved friends, to these words of the Blessed Beauty Bahá'u'lláh, what we could have done if our inner life, and our inner ears had listened to His sweet music and we had acted in accordance with His teachings.

(**Not Sure**): "We have admonished all the loved ones of God to take heed lest the hem of Our sacred vesture be smirched with the mire of unlawful deeds, or be stained with the dust of reprehensible conduct. We have, moreover, exhorted them to fix their gaze upon whatsoever hath been revealed in Our Tablets."

(**Not Sure**): "Had their inner ears been attentive to the Divine counsels which have shown forth from the Dayspring of the Pen of the All-Merciful, and hearkened unto His Voice, most of the peoples of the earth would have by now been adorned with the ornament of His guidance."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Isn't that awe-inspiring? Not the Americans, but most of the people of the world, Bahá'u'lláh says in the Gleanings pages to 240, 241. If our inner ears had listened had been attentive, if we had hearkened to His voice, most of the people of the world would by now be following His guidance, by living the life. Beloved friends, can we honestly feel that we've been victorious in the light of these overpowering statements? Really? In those same pages, Bahá'u'lláh says that He has reserved for Himself the hearts of men, and that the keys to unlock all of the hearts, all of them, are the believers, His loved ones, who have detached themselves from the world and are living the life. So we begin to see the power and the strength and the unquestioned importance and the utmost immediate urgency of living the Bahá'í life if we want to touch the hearts of men. Nothing is as important to the faith into mankind into us. You know, in the convention of 1916, Mr Roy Wilhelm, who was named a Hand of the Cause by our beloved Guardian, he said that Mr Wilhelm was a saint. Mr Wilhelm told the convention, he said this: "'Abdu'l-Bahá said to me in New York in 1912, that if from the beginning we had lived up to the Bahá'í principles in New York and had actually delivered the message, actively, to others, yes, if we had lived and proclaimed one, only one of the Bahá'í principles, it would have made such a spiritual impression that by this time 1/2 of New York City would have become Bahá'ís". 1912, 53 years ago, 54 years ago. Now, obviously, tonight is the time to begin the moment right now, because as soon as we improve, no matter how little the Faith improves and the world improves, that's the important thing.

(Friend): Yeah, I'd like very much to know exactly what kind of a life it is that Bahá'u'lláh, and the Master, and the beloved Guardian, and our Supreme House of Justice are calling upon us to live.

(Friend): That's a good basic question.

(Friend): And it needs a good basic answer.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): And unfortunately we haven't! In the words of our beloved Guardian, I recommend to all of you a careful, prayerful study of the Advent of Divine Justice. It is a loving, spiritual, textbook on this subject, but let's extract the essence.

(**Not Sure**): The Advent of Divine Justice, page 25: "Such a chaste and holy life, with its implications of modesty, purity, temperance, decency, and clean-mindedness, involves no less than the exercise of moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, amusements, and all artistic and literary avocation. It demands daily vigilance in the control of one's carnal desires and corrupt inclinations. It calls for the abandonment of a frivolous conduct, with its excessive attachment to trivial and often misdirected pleasures."

(**Not Sure**): "It requires total abstinence from all alcoholic drinks, from opium, and [from] similar habit forming drugs. It condemns the prostitution of art and of literature, the practices of nudism and of companionate marriage, infidelity in marital relationships, and all manner of promiscuity, of easy familiarity, and of sexual vices. It can tolerate no compromise with the theories, the standards, the habits and the excesses of a decadent age. Nay, rather it seeks to demonstrate, through the dynamic force of its example, the pernicious character of such theories, the falsity of such standards, the hollowness of such claims, the perversity of such habits, and the sacrilegious character of such excesses."

(Friend): That's quite a challenge, isn't it?

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Yes, it is quite a challenge, but we should face it with enthusiasm and excitement, now that we know what joys and happiness it brings, not only to us, but to the world, to live the Bahá'í life. Bahá'u'lláh has brought the Supreme Remedy, the only remedy for the ills of the world. If we do not learn to live the Bahá'í life, we become part of the old world order around us, decayed, disillusioned and hovering on the brink of destruction. Look at it.

(Friend): I'd rather not.

(Friend): In other words, it doesn't matter what people think but only what Bahá'u'lláh thinks.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, I think a glance at the world around us should convince us of that. Mental hospitals filled, overflowing. So many cases they can't be handled. They send the people back untreated. Alcoholism at an unprecedented peak, more tragic in its bread and greater in numbers than even mental illness. Thousands upon thousands of alcoholics roaming the streets, no help, no treatment, no room, no beds. The taking of habit forming drugs has become almost epidemic in some areas, and is on the increase. Juvenile delinquency, adult delinquency, murder, rape, arson, embezzlement, lying, cheating. The graph rises with frightening steepness. Crime is unprecedented, divorce rampant. In some states, nearly half the marriages end in divorce. Marriage ties likely taken easily, broken lack of parental control, not the exception, but the rule. Suicide not a monthly or daily thing, but an hour by hour disaster in the world. Honestly, is this the society we should turn to for advice? Is this a civilization to which we should look to tell us whether the standards of Bahá'u'lláh are right or wrong, or too strict or too lofty? Contrast these depraved, sinking attitudes with the standards in the ethical conduct called for by the Blessed Beauty Bahá'u'lláh and the Bahá'í Faith. And beloved friends, thank God, on bended knee, that you're a believer in Bahá'u'lláh, the Unifier of Men, the Organizer of the Planet, the Divine Physician for the sick and dying society about us.

(Friend): It's true that you hear people, both youth and adults say when they hear the Bahá'í standards of personal life, that these are too strict a discipline and not suited to the present day.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Well, thank God for that.

(Friend): I would say so.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Because they're reversing the entire current of the present day standards. They are eminently suitable, but they are not popular. They don't go along with the crowd. Why? Because the crowd's going over the precipice. Let's let the beloved Guardian's own words answered that question. Tony?

(Anthony Lease): "It must be remembered, however, that the maintenance of such a high standard of moral conduct is not to be associated or confused with any form of asceticism, or of excessive and bigoted puritanism. The standard inculcated by Bahá'u'lláh seeks, under no circumstances to deny anyone the legitimate right and privilege to derive the fullest advantage and benefit from the mainfold joys, beauties, and pleasures with which the world has been so plentifully enriched by an All-Loving Creator."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Beautiful.

(Friend): I see the remedy quite clearly. In other words, if the illness is immorality, the remedy is rectitude of conduct. If the disease is graft, corruption, and debasement, the remedy is integrity, incorruption, and nobility.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Precisely, and there is no other remedy. A partial remedy gives only a partial healing, and the disease remains, and it will grow again.

(Friend): It means that if we want a golden society, we must be a golden people and not of lead. It requires golden conduct inside and not something that is a sham. We must be different.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): So much so, in fact our beloved Guardian writes, that our rectitude of conduct must be demonstrated even, in the impartiality of every defender of the Faith against its enemies. Imagine. And in his fair mindedness in recognizing any merits that enemy may possess, imagine, as well as in his honesty and discharging any obligation he may have toward that enemy. Imagine that.

(Friend): Those are certainly qualities which are sadly missing in the present day world.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): And the effect of these Bahá'í lives we lead are the spark that makes our entire machine work. Without Bahá'ís who live the life, all the rest of our efforts are meaningless. Bahá'u'lláh didn't come to the world to bring a worldwide teaching planner to build temples and centers and summer schools and assemblies. Never. These are only the tools of His Faith, to make men better, to be greater channels of his love. Bahá'u'lláh came for one purpose only, to change the hearts of men. And through those changed hearts, to change the outer world around them. The Bahá'ís are the soul and the body of mankind. If the soul is not alive, vibrant and holy, then the body's dead. It's a useless corpse, bury it, forget it. We must never forget this, not for a moment. Hear what Shoghi Effendi says.

(**Not Sure**): "The friends must, at all times, bear in mind that they are, in a way, like soldiers under attack. The world is at present in an exceedingly dark spiritual condition; hatred and prejudice, of every sort, are literally tearing it to pieces. We, on the other hand, are the custodians of the opposite forces, [the forces] of love, [of] unity, of peace and integration, and we must constantly be on our guard, whether as individuals or as an assembly or community, lest through us these destructive, negative forces enter into our midst."

(**Not Sure**): "In other words," our beloved Guardian concludes, "we must beware lest the darkness of society become reflected in our acts and attitudes, perhaps all unconsciously. Love for each other, the deep sense that we are a new organism, the dawn-breakers of a New World Order, must constantly animate our Bahá'í lives, and we must pray to be protected from the contamination of society."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): In answer to a letter from an American Bahá'í about the apparent need for more spiritually enlightened souls, enlightened souls to set the example, our beloved Guardian's secretary wrote in his behalf these words: "This has been for long the earnest prayer of Shoghi Effendi but for some reason or other it" just "doesn't seem to be realized. It may be because we have failed to do our best, in living the life, and promoting the [spread of the] Message to the best of our ability. We have first to create the material with which we have to work and then hope to succeed." So you see, there can be little doubt in the face of all these wonderful words that we've heard that our lives as Bahá'ís are the basic material of all our success.

(Friend): Well, I honestly don't think that the great majority of the believers think of teaching in that way.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): No, I'm afraid not. But until we do, we can't succeed. That's quite clear.

(Friend): I've just realized that living the life is the only ultimate measure of success.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Right. Arise to teach, supported by a Bahá'í life. Teach, live the life, and the world is ours. I didn't say that, the Master did, didn't he Tony?

(Anthony Lease): Yes, Bill. In these words: "The cause of God will advance only through the effect of teaching and the friends will achieve the victory through the holy fragrances. [I declare by the mystery of existence that] were there are a number of souls to arise, opening their tongues and delivering the Message with the utmost severance, sanctification, holiness and power of attraction, the powers of the world would not withstand them, and the hosts of the earth would not prevent them from accomplishing their tasks."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): "If we see a man acting after this manner" the Master tells us, "we can say" he is a Bahá'í. If such deeds do not appear in him, he is a Bahá'í in name only. "If we claim to be followers of the light we must diffuse the light through our actions." The name "will not be sufficient."

(Robert Quigley): Bill, I think one of the most beautiful statements of the beloved Master is the one about changing the stony hearts of men into jewels.

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): Yes, Bob, would you share that one with us?

(Robert Quigley): "O ye believers of God!" Do you not look upon "the smallness of your numbers, [neither be oppressed by]" and "the multitudes of" the nations. "One fruitful tree will be conducive to the life of society, whereas a thousand forests of" unproductive trees will "offer no fruits. The plain is covered with pebbles, but precious stones are rare. One pearl is better than a thousand wildernesses of sand, especially this pearl of great price."

(Hand of the Cause William Sears): In our true Bahá'í lives are the pearls of great price. I'm sorry, Bob. This pearl of great price is endowed with divine blessings. Air long Thousands of other pearls will be born from it. When that pearl associates and becomes the intimate of the pebbles, They also all changed into pearls. That's very beautiful, isn't it? Now, just two more brief quotations from shaggy effendi on the vital importance of our personal lives in the success of teaching. Then we'll turn to the most moving words of all those of a holla, our beloved guardian rights. If we relax in our purpose, if we neglect to vary it up varied opportunities given us from time to time to live the high life and demonstrated we're not merely failing in what is our most vital, inconspicuous obligation, but are there by insensible e retarding the flow of those quickening energies which can alone ensure the vigorous and speedy development of gods struggling faith and this final, loving guidance from our beloved guardian. As material affairs go from bad to worse in the world, the confidence, optimism, love and hope of the believers will, by force of contrast, shine out as a never brighter beacon, leading the people to the path of truth the way laid down by God, which alone can guide them into the promise of the future. The characteristics of the BA highs will be that which captures the attention of their citizens. Just one more building, of course, with pleasure, for certainly there's no subject spoken up more forcefully are often in all of our writings. And how is it that we haven't seen it clearly before and arisen with courage and conviction to first change ourselves and then, with that onrushing help of God, to change all men? What is it that the beloved guardian said you like to share with Bob? When the behinds permit the dark forces of the world to enter into their own relationships within the faith, they gravely jeopardize its progress. It is the paramount duty of the believers, the local assemblies, the national assemblies to force the harmony, understanding and love amongst the friends. All should be ready and willing to set aside every personal sense of grievance justified or unjustified for the good of the cause. Because people will never embrace it. People will never embrace it until they see in its community life mirrored what is so conspicuously lacking in the world Love and unity question. Does anyone doubt for a moment that the most important thing is to live the life you really translated? No, it's wonderful. Yeah, well, that's all right. I'm deeply, deeply grateful for this study class. It's certainly penetrates right to the heart of the reason why we became behind, as a matter of fact, Tiu the very reason we were created by God in the first place. And more important, I think even we learn how to be happy in this unhappy world for when a man is out of touch with God. He is living mawr in the animal world, in the human world. But when he's in touch with God, he serene and tranquil and at peace with himself, inwardly untroubled. What is it The master says about this? Tony Abdul Bahar writes a material man lets himself be worried and harassed by little things. But a spiritually man is always calm and serene under all circumstances. Lovely. All this is really the story of the personal search for the Holy Grail all over again, isn't it? And every human heart longs for such a miracle to be such a person to find such a treasure. Yes, all of us. The master also wrote, No man can be happy without God, though he may not know why he is miserable, well beloved friends. And the truth is, man wasn't created by Almighty God and placed on this earth just to let his animal nature dominate him. Man is a noble being, the highest creation of God. We were not destined to be drunkards, dope addicts, criminals, perverts, prejudiced haters of our fellow men, liars, cheats and tyrants. And yet look at the condition of the world. It's the despair of its leaders, religious and secular alike. In the midst of the increasing darkness and degradation are thousands of souls hungering for something better longing for the sweet smelling fragrances of holiness. Believe me, the master said. So Bahama losses or the beloved Guardian said so. And Bahama lives their only hope. We are their only hope now. Either will arise and become these loved ones of the hawala. Or we too shall be rolled up where the old discarded, tottering, useless order of the past. Baha Bala himself writes, A race of men, incomparable and character shall be raised up, who were the feet of detachment will tread under all who are in heaven and on Earth and will cast the sleeve of holiness overall that have been created from water and play beloved friends. Are we that race of men? Will we seize our chance before it's too late? I sincerely hope that we are the time has come certainly for us to make every effort we have to change. We're always wanting to change the world on The sad. Truth is, we'll have to change ourselves first. But that's not a sad truth. That's a happy truth. Imagine the bounty we have. We have the chance. That's the bounty. We know what's wrong, and we have a have a lot of help us. And imagine the hours and hours of consultation at local assembly level that can be devoted to creative planning when the Assembly is no longer have a long agenda of personality troubles, marital difficulties, personal behavior problems and so on. Think of the hours are National Assembly's can devote to leadership and inspiration to inspiring us to win every goal of the nine year plan of our Supreme Universal House of Justice Bill. It looks as though we just have time. Enough of those words about how a lot which you promised us. All right, Bob, Well beloved friends, We sincerely hope that your study class, those of you who are listening, will continue and that you'll share this tape recording with all the friends in your community and with the nearby groups in the isolated believers. And that every valiant warrior of Bahama laws army will make a fresh, rededicated effort to change the one thing that is entirely under his own control. His own life, his precious life upon which a sad, sick and disillusioned humanity depends. Made these words you're about to hear of the blessed beauty. Cheer us on our way and assurance of the victory. If only we will arise and make the effort through the movement of our pen of glory we have at the bidding of the omnipotent or dinner breathed a new life into every human frame and instilled into every word of fresh potency. All created things, proclaimed. The evidence is off. This world wide regeneration arise O people and by the power of God's might resolve to gain the victory over your own Selves that, happily, the whole earth may be freed and sanctified. Old people of God let your thoughts be fixed upon that which can rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men. This can best be achieved through pure and holy deeds through a virtuous life and a goodly behavior. This, verily, is the commandment which this wrong one have given you and the first choice of his unrestrained will for every one of you. How sad. If any man were in this day to rest his heart on the transitory things of this world arrives and kling firmly to the cause of God resolved to adorn yourselves with the ornament of a goodly and praiseworthy character. Let your principal concern be to rescue the fallen from the slough of impending extinction and help him embrace the ancient faith of God. I swear by him who hath caused me to reveal whatever have pleased him. Yea are better known to the inmates of the kingdom on high, then you are to your own cells. ThinkI These words are vain and empty. Would that she had the power to perceive the things your Lord, the all merciful death. See things that test the excellence of your rank that bear witness to the greatness of your worth that proclaimed the sublimity of your station. God grant that your desires and un mortified passions may not hinder you from that which has been ordained for you. That's all that. Would she potentially possess can, however, be manifested only as a result of your own volition. There's the secret, isn't it? Only through our own volition and friends. Finally, this quotation from the hidden words the book which was given to us to guide our personal lives toward God. Bahá’u’lláh says that it contains all of that which has been sent down by the profits of the past. We have taken the inner essence thereof. He tells us and clothed it in the garment of brevity as a token of grace into the righteous that they may stand faithful under the covenant of God and may fulfill in their lives his trust. So you see, all that we need will be found within its precious covers. Baha Lock closes that book. As we close this appeal to you with these challenging words, I bear witness Oh, friends that the favor is complete. The argument fulfilled the proof manifest and the evidence is established. Let it now be seen what your endeavors in the path of detachment will reveal in this wise half the divine favor been fully vouchsafed unto you all praise to God, the Lord of all worlds. So it's up to us. You have been our guest at a study class on the significance of living the life. It was conducted by hand of the cause. William Sears, who was assisted by Anthony Lisa, member of the auxiliary board. This is Robert, quickly speaking for all our participants and hoping that your discussion will continue and that is a result. Wonderful and immediate benefits will come to your behi community as well as to every single individual believer enlisted under the banner of the radiant army of the whole lot.