In speaking of spreading the fragrances of the Kingdom, ‘Abdu’l-Baha
said:
…’Abdu’l-Baha said that the teacher should always speak from
the heart, for only words from the heart reach the hearts of the hearers and
has effect, whereas when one speaks not from the heart, the effect of his words
is but a passing one. All teaching should be done by the Spirit working or
speaking through the teacher, and should not come from the mentality of the
individual. One should always use spiritual methods in teaching.
The heart, when pure and free, becomes inspired.
If a man considers himself humble and lowly in the Cause of
God, he becomes glorified in all eyes. On the other hand, the moment he aspires
to personal greatness, he falls into disgrace and oblivion.
When Mírzá Munír stated that one of the Arab travelers had
spoken to him about Mírzá Kheiralla's arrogance and heedlessness, 'Abdu'l-Bahá
replied:
One of the servants asked why man is not thankful when in
comfort.
It is natural for the heart and spirit to take pleasure and
enjoyment in all things that show forth symmetry, harmony, and perfection. For
instance: a beautiful house, a well-designed garden, a symmetrical line, a
graceful motion, a well written book, pleasing garments—in fact, all things
that have in themselves grace or beauty are pleasing to the heart and spirit…
Question by Inez Greeven during her pilgrimage in 1920:
All pure things are acceptable. For example: water— pure—-is
acceptable; fresh air is most acceptable. As all pure things are acceptable and
pleasing, therefore a pure voice is most acceptable, and causes great
enjoyment.
…melodies, though they are material, are connected with the
spiritual, therefore, they produce a great effect. A certain kind of melody
makes the spirit happy, another kind makes it sad, another excites it to
action.
Whatever is in the heart of man, melody moves and awakens.
If a heart full of good feelings and a pure voice are joined together, a great
effect is produced. For instance: if there be love in the heart, through
melody, it will increase until its intensity can scarcely be borne; but if bad
thoughts are in the heart, such as hatred, it will increase and multiply. For
instance: the music used in war awakens the desire for bloodshed. The meaning
is that melody causes whatever feeling is in the heart to increase.
Some feelings occur accidentally and some have a foundation.
For example: some people are naturally kind, but they may be accidentally upset
by a wave of anger. But if they hear music, the true nature will reassert
itself. Music really awakens the real, natural nature, the individual essence.
In the world of existence physical things have a connection
with spiritual realities. One of these things is the voice, which connects
itself with the spirit; and the spirit can be uplifted by this means—for though
it is a physical thing, it is one of the material, natural organizations—
therefore, it is effective.
It is natural for the heart and spirit to take pleasure and
enjoyment in all things that show forth symmetry, harmony, and perfection. For
instance: a beautiful house, a well-designed garden, a symmetrical line, a
graceful motion, a well written book, pleasing garments—in fact, all things
that have in themselves grace or beauty are pleasing to the heart and spirit…
A great melee of the civilized nations is in sight. A
tremendous conflict is at hand. The world is at the threshold of a most tragic
struggle.… Vast armies—millions of men—are being mobilized and stationed at
their frontiers. They are being prepared for the fearful contest. The slightest
friction will bring them into a terrific crash, and there will be a
conflagration, the like of which is not recorded in the past history of
mankind.
The European continent is like an arsenal, a storehouse of
explosives ready for ignition, and one spark will set the whole of Europe
aflame, particularly at this time when the Balkan question is before the world.
The object of life to a Baha'i is to promote the oneness of
mankind; Our aim is to produce a world civilization which in turn will
react on the character of the individual.
You cannot be a hero without action. This is the touchstone.
Not movement, coming and going, but in the evidences of your character. Jacky
[Marion Jack] is a heroine because of her conduct, the heroic spirit reveals
itself in her. Martha [Martha Root] had the heroic action. She went 'til she
dropped.
In this day everyone must be tested, as the time of the
''chosen ones" to prove their worth is indeed very short. The day of
attainment is drawing to a close for them. The "first fruits" must be
ripened in spirit, mellowed in love, and consumed by their self-sacrifice and
severance. None other are acceptable as first fruits, and all who fail to
attain to the standard through the tests, are relegated to the "many who
are called."
Blessed are they who are the means of making unity among the
friends, and pity on those who in the right or wrong are the cause of discord.
For instance: When one is in the right in a case in dispute, and his minority
prevents him from establishing this rightful matter, instead of agitating the
subject, if he will humbly submit to sacrifice his position for the sake of
unity and peace, God will accept that sacrifice and ere long the rightful
matter will be established without any farther dispute, by the Divine
assistance; whereas without such sacrifice and submissiveness great harm might
ensue.
The worst enemies of the Cause are in the Cause and mention
the Name of God. We need not fear the enemies on the outside for such can be
easily dealt with. But the enemies who call themselves friends and who persistently
violate every fundamental law of love and unity, are difficult to be dealt with
in this day, for the mercy of God is still great. But ere long this merciful
door will be closed and such enemies will be attacked with a madness.
A pleasing, kindly disposition and a display of tolerance towards the people
are requisites of teaching the Cause. Whatever a person says, hollow and
product of vain imaginings and a parrot-like repetition of somebody else's
views though it be, one ought to let it pass. One should not engage in
disputation leading to and ending with obstinate refusal and hostility, because
the other person would consider himself worsted and defeated. Consequently
further veils intervene between him and the Cause, and he becomes more
negligent of it. One ought to say: right, admitted, but look at the matter in
this other way, and judge for yourself whether it is true or false; of course
it should be said with courtesy, with kindliness, with consideration. Then the
other person will listen, will not seek to answer back and to marshal proofs in
repudiation. He will agree, because he comes to realize that the purpose has
not been to engage in verbal battle and to gain mastery over him. He sees that
the purpose has been to impart the word of truth, to show humanity, to bring
forth heavenly qualities. His eyes and his ears are opened, his heart responds,
his true nature unfolds, and by the grace of God, he becomes a new creation ...
The Most Great Branch gives a willing ear to any manner of senseless talk, to
such an extent that the other person says to himself: He is trying to learn
from me. Then, gradually, by such means as the other person cannot perceive, He
gives him insight and understanding.
The ones in real authority are known by their humility and
self-sacrifice and show no attitude of superiority over the friends…
Later, while riding in a
carriage on His way to the home of Mr. Alexander Graham Bell, the famous
telephone inventor, 'Abdu'l-Baha very sweetly and softly chanted in Persian: "O Baha'u'llah what hast Thou done? O Baha'u'llah may my life be a
sacrifice to Thee. Through what sufferings and hardships Thou hast passed Thy
days. What calamities Thou didst endure. But in the end, what a formidable
foundation Thou hast laid. What an evident banner Thou hast raised."
A woman… called on the Master and had many questions about
Christ within, visions, dreams, spiritual life and many other topics. Lovingly
Our Beloved discarded her ideas and notions about these matters, telling her
the realities of every question. "Today," he said, "the door of
the Kingdom of God is open, you must enter therein." "Where is this
Kingdom?" she hesitatingly asked. "It's the Celestial Kingdom of
Abha," the Master answered her. "Oh! I don't see it! Is it impossible
for me to enter therein?" "No! Turn your face to God; trust in him,
submit all your thoughts and ideas to Him and he shall lead you to His eternal
Kingdom!" "But, I have been doing this for two long years."
‘Abdu’l-Baha said: "Very good! I hope you shall attain therein".
Answer: A satisfactory explanation has never, and can never
be given. Surely God could have created some other scheme that would have
allowed less evil. His motives, the way He works, are beyond us. It would cease
to be a Revelation if Americans could resolve all these mysteries - it would be
a product of the American mind.