“Man becomes like a stone unless he continually supplicates to God.”

Man becomes like a stone unless he continually supplicates to God. The heart of man is like a mirror which is covered with dust and to cleanse it one must continually pray to God that it may become clean. The act of supplication is the polish which erases all worldly desires. The delight of supplicating and entreating before God cuts one's heart from the world. When the taste of man is nourished by honey he never likes to taste any other sweetmeat. Therefore, prayer is a key by which the doors of the kingdom are opened. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Utterances of Abdul-Baha, from notes of Alma Albertson and other pilgrims, November and December, 1900)

The Cause of God is like a house

The Cause of God is like a house. As long as man has not entered therein he does not know what it contains. In the house there are many precious jewels, many rare objects the like of which cannot be found anywhere in this world. But the men in the street may pass by the house a 1000 times and know nothing about it. Only the one who has the key can enter. That key is the love of God. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in Britain, 1913’)

Condition of soul before birth

Question: In what condition is the soul before entering the body?

‘Abdu’l-Baha: In a state of potentiality, possessing no consciousness as we understand it. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha, 'Star of the West', vol. 2, no. 16, December 31, 1911)

Why man cannot heal himself

When the doctors present had no more questions for discussion, 'Abdu'l-Baha said that He had one question to ask them.

"Why is it that the animals heal themselves, but man in sickness remains puzzled or helpless?"

For a moment the doctors looked at each other inquiringly, but not one opened his lips. Finally, after consultation, perhaps, they said, "We would rather hear the answer from the lips of His Holiness 'Abdu'l-Baha." This was His answer: "Because man's thoughts are not limited to one direction; therefore, he is more heedless. On the other hand, however, through concentration and deep thinking, his knowledge is more than all other creatures." 

(Notes of ‘Abdu’l-Baha's comments, May 7, 1912, Pittsburgh, PA, recorded by Dr. Zia Baghdadi; Star of the West [The Baha’i Magazine], vol. 19, no. 5, August 1928)

How doctors should approach healing

If they (the doctors) learn about the foci-that is, the points of entrance of disease germs-and take the balance or equilibrium of the body elements as the base of treatment, and when an element is diminished or lacking, a diet that can supply the diminished element is given, then there will be no need for drugs and other difficult methods of treatment. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, May 7, 1912, Pittsburgh, PA, recorded by Dr. Zia Baghdadi; Star of the West [The Baha’i Magazine], vol. 19, no. 5, August 1928)

East & West need each other

The Orient must acquire material civilization from the Occident and the Occident must acquire divine civilization from the Orient. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, May 7, 1912, Pittsburgh, PA, recorded by Dr. Zia Baghdadi; Star of the West [The Baha’i Magazine], vol. 19, no. 5, August 1928)

“The Cause of God is like a rose-garden.”

The Cause of God is like a rose-garden. As long as man is far from it, he cannot survey its artistic beauty, he cannot see how many kinds of flowers are planted therein, he cannot inhale the sweet fragrances of the roses. But when he approaches the garden, he experiences new feelings; he hearkens to the melody of the birds, the delicate perfume is wafted toward him by the gentle breeze; he beholds the variegated flowers; his soul is rejoiced by the charming scene and his spirit is refreshed. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in Britain, 1913’)

Rich people and their possessions

On the morning of the third day, a Canon of the Anglican Church met him at breakfast. The conversation turned on the reluctance of the rich to part with their possessions, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoting the saying of Jesus, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” He remarked that only when the true seeker finds that attachments to the material are keeping him from his spiritual heritage, will he gladly enter the way of renunciation. Then will the rich man joyfully share his worldly possessions with the needy. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá contrasted the unpretentious hospitality before him with the costly banquets of the wealthy, who too often sit at their feasts forgetting the hungry multitudes. 

(Notes of conversations; ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)

Application of justice by National and Local Spiritual Assemblies

The National and Local Spiritual Assemblies and all Baha'i institutions should deal with justice in all affairs. Justice is the basis of humanity's existence. Justice is the pillar of the community of human beings. If affairs are not handled with justice, there will be chaos. Those who deviate from God's laws should be punished and even if needed their voting rights should be taken. In these instances National and Local Assemblies should not hesitate at all. Particularly, when those who have deviated are well-known in the community. If ordinary people realize that the Assemblies treat all people the same it will make them hopeful and aware. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Notes of conversation, quoted by Ali-Akbar Furutan during his pilgrimage in 1941; published in ‘Hand of the Cause of God Furutan’, by Iran Furutan Muhajir)

Two kinds of music

There was a woman, who while in the Presence of the Beloved asked Him to confirm her in the study of music.

‘Abdu’l-Baha said: "There are two kinds of music: divine music and earthly music. Divine music exhilarates the spirit while earthly music has an effect over the body. Divine music belongs to the Kingdom of God; earthly music is of this mundane world. I hope that you will be confirmed to study both kinds of music so that you may be able to sing the anthems of heaven and the songs of this world." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in Britain, 1913’)

Spiritual communion

Then the question of spiritual communion was asked.

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s answer: "Yes, it is possible. Often people speak together without the means of tongue. There are two means of intercourse. One the outward tongue, the other the ideal tongue. When the spirit is in an abstract mood, when the heart is in a subjective state, then the ideal tongue can speak, but as long as the spirit is preoccupied and the heart is objective in its activity it is impossible to attain to that station. Is there not a wonderful ideal union between the loved one and the beloved? Often with a glance of an eye, with a handshake a whole world of thought is conveyed to other side without uttering a word. It is possible to attain to such a state of absolute, concentration if we are set aglow with the Fire of the Love of God, if we are attracted, if we are as a burning torch, if we overlook material phenomena and objects." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Ahmad Sohrab, ‘Abdu'l-Baha in Britain, 1913’)

In the next world there will be “variety, and differing degrees of attainment, as in this world”

The questioner remarked that many differing opinions were held as to the conditions of the future life. Some thought that all would have exactly the same perfections and virtues; that all would be equal and alike.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said there would be variety, and differing degrees of attainment, as in this world.

(‘Notes of conversations; ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)

Are superstitions useful?

A lady inquired whether some superstitions might not be good for ignorant people, who, if they were without them might perhaps be without beliefs of any kind?

‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied that superstitions were of two kinds; those that were harmful and dangerous, and those that were harmless and produced certain good effects.

For example, there were some poor people who believed that misfortunes and punishments were caused by a Great Angel with a sword in his hand, who struck down those who stole, and committed murder and crimes.

They thought the flashes of lightning were the weapons of this angel, and that if they did wrong they would be struck by lightning. This belief caused them to refrain from evil actions.

The Chinese held a superstition that if they burn certain pieces of paper this will drive the devils away; they sometimes burnt these pieces of paper on board ships when they were travelling in order to drive away devils, and by so doing they set fire to the ships and destroyed many lives. This was a type of dangerous and harmful superstition. 

(‘Notes of conversations; ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)

The best method of raising up and civilizing the poor

A gentleman connected with the work of a Settlement then asked what was the best method of raising up and civilizing the very lowest and most degraded and ignorant of the people and would their education come about gradually through the enlightenment of the Spirit, or was there any special means we could adopt to further this end?

‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied that the best way was to give them spiritual teachings and enlightenment. He also remarked that the way to broaden the outlook of the very narrow-hearted and prejudiced, and to make them listen to a wider teaching, was by showing towards them the greatest kindness and love. The example of our lives was of more value than words. 

(‘Notes of conversations; ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)

A remarkable prescription for living - from ‘Abdu’l-Baha

You must be like these swift-moving, luminous clouds. They move, nothing hinders them… Let nothing hinder you. Speak always of the Love of God. Teach the people what the Love of God is. Give them the Glad Tidings. Let nothing hinder thee; let nothing touch thy spirit which is not in conformity with the teachings of the Blessed Beauty. Be ever engaged in the service of the Kingdom. Do not let the unpleasant things annoy you. You must be as far removed from them as these clouds are above us. The important thing is to spread the Teachings, to show love and compassion, to be kind to all, and not wound the feelings of others. If we do not like to associate with some people, very well, it is not compulsory. We can let them alone and become so busy with constructive work, that there is no time to waste upon such matters. We do not waste our time in discussing non-essentials. Neither must you do this. Forget every unpleasantness of the past; speak only of constructive work, of the Love of God, of the compassion and mercy of God. Seek to make others happy! 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Marie A. Watson during her pilgrimage in 1921, published in ‘My Pilgrimage to the Holy Land’)

Would one be re-united immediately after death with those who had gone before?

Mrs. S. asked some questions with reference to the conditions of existence in the next world, and the life after death; she said that having recently lost a very near relative, she had given much thought to this subject. Many thought that re-union with those we had loved, and who had passed on to the future life, would only take place after a long period of time had elapsed. She wished to know whether one would be re-united with those who had gone before immediately after death.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered that this would depend upon the respective stations of the two. If both had the same degree of development, they would be re-united immediately after death. The questioner then said, how could this state of development be acquired? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied, by unceasing effort, striving to do right, and to attain spiritual qualities. 

(‘Notes of conversations; ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)

Communication with the dead

The question was asked if it were possible to establish communication with the dead, and whether it was wise or advisable to attend séances or to engage in table-turning, spirit-rapping, etc.

The Master said these rappings, etc., were all material things, and of the body. What is needed is to rise above the material to the realms of the purely Spiritual. Table-turning and such like were material, a natural result, and not spiritual.

But it was possible to communicate with the dead through the condition of the character and the heart. 

(‘Notes of conversations; ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s response to one of the organizers of the Races Congress in London who asked “whether Bahá’u’lláh had made a special study of Western writings, and founded his teachings in accordance with them.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá laughed heartily, and said that the books of Bahá’u’lláh, written and printed sixty years ago, contained the ideals now so familiar to the West, but, at that time, they had not been printed or thought of in the West. Besides, he continued, supposing that a very advanced thinker from the West had gone to visit Bahá’u’lláh and to teach Him, would the name of such a great man and the fact of his visit have been unknown and unrecorded? No! In former days, in the time of the Buddha and Zoroaster, civilization in Asia and in the East was very much higher than in the West and ideas and thoughts of the Eastern peoples were much in advance of, and nearer to the thoughts of God than those of the West. But since that time superstitions had crept into the religion and ideals of the East, and from many differing causes the ideals and characters of the Eastern peoples had gone down and down, lower and lower, while the Western peoples had been constantly advancing and struggling towards the Light. Consequently, in these days, the civilization of the West was much higher than that of the East, and the ideas and thoughts of the people of the West were much nearer to the thought of God than those of the East. Therefore, the ideals of Bahá’u’lláh had been more quickly realized in the West.

To observe moderation in all things

He [Shoghi Effendi] then explained the need to observe moderation in all things, and reminded us of the utterance of Baha'u'llah, "In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil." [Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas] 

- Ali-Akbar Furutan  (Notes of his pilgrimage in 1941; published in ‘Hand of the Cause of God Furutan’, by Iran Furutan Muhajir)

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s household

The Master's household numbers more than a hundred persons, not counting the children of the believers and His own grandchildren. How wonderfully significant, as an example to the world, is this living service so cheerfully given by each member of the family! There is such harmony and unity in this household, where all the machinery of every-day life is carried on without a break. Every emergency is provided for; unexpected visitors are always entertained with a composure and sincerity unbelievable unless witnessed day after day as I saw it. Where in this wide world could a parallel be found, even approximate to this? No complaint, no friction amidst a variety of temperaments and of different stations in life. It is a garden of variegated flowers growing in the utmost 8 loveliness! The contrast to family life in the outside world is so great that the observer marvels, and the conviction deepens that here is a miracle of miracles that only love, spiritual love, could make possible. 

- Marie A. Watson  (‘My Pilgrimage to the Holy Land’)

Teaching aboriginals of North America

He [Shoghi Effendi] was displeased with the progress apparently being made among the Canadian and American Indians. During one conversation he said that Indians take preference even over Negros. He requested that Canada not only continue its work on Indian languages included in the Crusade but commence to work on supplementary Indian languages. During another conversation he said that he was sorry Canada, in particular, had not more success in teaching the Indians. I attempted to explain the position as I saw it. I told him that we had, to the greatest extent possible, been kind and loving to them, had invited them to our homes, had visited them on their reservations; but all to no apparent avail. He said that there was a lot more to it than inviting them to our homes but didn’t say to what he was referring. He did, however, say that at the root of the Indian situation is the Indian’s jealousy of material progress of the whites. 

- Allan Raynor  (Notes of his pilgrimage in 1956)