The Baha'i Studies Listserv
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:38:03 -0600
From: William Heiratifar <[email protected]>
Subject: Looking for a quotations from the Writings
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Hello, I'm looking for a quotation from the writings that relates to and
emphasizes the importance individuality and not needing to live up to the
expectations of others or the consequences of trying to do so.
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1 There is a verse from Baha'u'llah I cannot find after a quick search, and do not have time to look for, where He says something like to not be moved either by praise or by false blame.
2. The responsibilities of the members of the Spiritual Assemblies that are
engaged in teaching the Cause of God in Eastern lands have been clearly laid
down in the holy Texts.
These bid them to work towards the improvement of morals and the spread
of learning; to strive to eradicate ignorance and unenlightenment,
eliminate prejudice, and reinforce the foundation of true faith in
people's hearts and minds; to seek to develop self-reliance and
avoidance of blind imitation; to aim to enhance the efficient management
of their 348 affairs, and observe purity and refinement in all
circumstances; to show their commitment to truthfulness and honesty, and
their ability to conduct themselves with frankness, courage and resolution.
They similarly enjoin them to lend their support to agricultural and
industrial development, to consolidate the foundations of mutual
assistance and co-operation, to promote the emancipation and advancement
of women and support the compulsory education of both sexes, to
encourage application of the principles of consultation among all
classes, and to adhere in all dealings to a standard of scrupulous
integrity.
They further impress upon them the virtue of trustworthiness and
godliness, of purity of motive, kindliness of heart, and detachment from
the fetters of this material world. They call upon them so to sanctify
themselves that they will rise above the corrupt and evil influences
that exercise so powerful a sway over the Western world, and charge them
to abide by the counsel of moderation at all times and under all
conditions. They urge them to make detailed inquiry into the various
branches of contemporary learning -- arts and sciences alike -- and to
concentrate their attention on serving the general interests of the
people; to deepen themselves by attentive study of the sacred Texts, and
to apply the divine guidance they contain to the circumstances, needs
and conditions of society today; to refrain from entering into the
tangled affairs of political parties and to have neither concern for,
nor involvement in, the controversies of politicians, the wranglings of
theologians or any of the ailing social theories current amongst men.
They finally exhort them to be sincerely obedient, in both thought and
word, to the laws duly enacted by the government of the realm, and to
distance themselves from the methods, concepts and ill-grounded
arguments of extreme traditionalists and modernists alike; to accord
honour, veneration and respect to -- and endorse the efforts of --
exponents of the arts and sciences, and to esteem and revere those who
are possessed of extensive knowledge and scholarly erudition; to uphold
the right of freedom of conscience; and to abstain from criticizing and
disparaging the manners, customs and beliefs of other individuals,
peoples and nations.
These are among the most pressing requirements for the nations of the
East. These are the basic, the binding, the inescapable responsibilities
349 of the trustees of the Merciful, the representatives of the Bahá'í
communities, the members of the Spiritual Assemblies.
(Letter of Shoghi Effendi 30 January 1926 to the Spiritual Assemblies
throughout the East - translated from the Persian)
(Compilation on Trustworthiness, The Compilation of Compilations vol
II, p. 348, #2079)
3. You have complained of the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing in
the ... Bahá'í Community; the Guardian is well aware of the situation of
the Cause there, but is confident that whatever the nature of the
obstacles that confront the Faith they will be eventually overcome. You
should, under no circumstances, feel discouraged, and allow such
difficulties, even though they may have resulted from the misconduct, or
the lack of capacity and vision of certain members of the Community, to
make you waver in your faith and basic loyalty to the Cause. Surely, the
believers, no matter how qualified they may be, whether as teachers or
administrators, and however high their intellectual and spiritual
merits, should never be looked upon as a standard whereby to evaluate
and measure the divine authority and mission of the Faith. It is to the
Teachings themselves, and to the lives of the Founders of the Cause that
the believers should look for their guidance and inspiration, and only
by keeping strictly to such [a] true attitude can they hope to establish
their loyalty to Bahá'u'lláh upon an enduring and unassailable basis.
You should take heart, therefore, and with unrelaxing vigilance and
unremitting effort endeavour to play your full share in the gradual
unfoldment of this Divine World Order.
(From a letter dated 23 August 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to an individual believer)
(Compilation on living the life, The Compilation of Compilations vol
II, p. 10, #1292)
4. . ... We must reach a spiritual plane where God comes first and great
human passions are unable to turn us away from Him. All the time we see
people who either through the force of hate or the passionate attachment
they have to another person, sacrifice principle or bar themselves from
the Path of God.
We must love God, and in this state, a general love for all men becomes
possible. We cannot love each human being for himself, but our feeling
towards humanity should be motivated by our love for the Father Who
created all men.
(From a letter dated 4 October 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to an individual believer)
(Compilation on living the life, The Compilation of Compilations vol
II, p. 22, #1327)
5. The people of Baha, under the jurisdiction of whatsoever state or
government they may be residing, should conduct themselves with honesty
and sincerity, trustworthiness and rectitude. They should concern
themselves with men's hearts, and hold themselves aloof from the
fluctuations and limitations of the contingent world. They are neither
thirsty for prominence, nor acquisitive of power; they are neither
adepts at dissimulation and hypocrisy, nor are they seekers after wealth
and influence; they neither crave for the pomp and circumstance of high
office, nor do they lust after the glory of titles and ranks. They are
averse to affectation and ostentation, and shrink from the use of
coercive force; they have closed their eyes to all but God, and set
their hearts on the firm and incontrovertible promises of their Lord;
they have severed the bonds of earthly expectations and attachments, and
connected their lives to the One Peerless Beloved. Oblivious to
themselves, they have occupied their energies in working towards the
good of society; and, steadfastly adhering to the sound and wholesome
principles of God's Faith, they have turned their backs on the morbid
imaginings, the incoherent theories, and pernicious ideas of the victims
of caprice and folly. While vigilantly refusing to accept political
posts, they should whole-heartedly welcome the chance to assume
administrative positions; for the primary purpose of the people of Baha
is to advance the interests and promote the welfare of the nation, not
to further the devious ends and designs of the profligate and shameless.
Such is the method of the Bahá'ís; such is the conduct of all
spiritually illumined souls; and aught else is manifest error.
(February 1927 to the believers throughout the East - translated from
the Persian)
(Compilation on Trustworthiness, The Compilation of Compilations vol
II, p. 349, #2080)
Brent
(There are Similar passages in the Seven Valleys and the Iqan about
being detached from both love and hate, from enmity and love; also a
passage in the Words of Wisdom in Tablets of Baha'u'llah about not
imitating, look for word "imitation"; also look for "unmoved" in
Priceless Pearl and "absolutely just" I seem to remember passages about
the Guardian, but am not sure those are the exact terms; in the Gospel,
the passage about loving Jesus more than father or mother)
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