We may be just lowly creepy-crawlers on the ground right now but, you just wait, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

“ The period of maturity in the life of a tree is the time of its fruit-bearing. The maturity of a plant is the time of its blossoming and flower. The animal attains a stage of full growth and completeness, and in the human kingdom man reaches his maturity when the lights of intelligence have their greatest power and development.

“From the beginning to the end of his life man passes through certain periods or stages each of which is marked by certain conditions peculiar to itself. For instance during the period of childhood his conditions and requirements are characteristic of that degree of intelligence and capacity. After a time he enters the period of youth in which his former conditions and needs are superseded by new requirements applicable to the advance in his degree. His faculties of observation are broadened and deepened, his intelligent capacities are trained and awakened, the limitations and environment of childhood no longer restrict his energies and accomplishments. At last he passes out of the period of youth and enters the stage or station of maturity which necessitates another transformation and corresponding advance in his sphere of life-activity. New powers and perceptions clothe him, teaching and training commensurate with his progression occupy his mind, special bounties and bestowals descend in proportion to his increased capacities and his former period of youth and its conditions will no longer satisfy his matured view and vision.

“Similarly there are periods and stages in the life of the aggregate world of humanity which at one time was passing through its degree of childhood, at another its time of youth but now has entered its long presaged period of maturity, the evidences of which are everywhere visible and apparent. Therefore the requirements and conditions of former periods have changed and merged into exigencies which distinctly characterize the present age of the world of mankind. That which was applicable to human needs during the early history of the race could neither meet nor satisfy the demands of this day and period of newness and consummation. Humanity has emerged from its former degrees of limitation and preliminary training. Man must now become imbued with new virtues and powers, new moralities, new capacities. New bounties, bestowals and perfections are awaiting and already descending upon him. The gifts and graces of the period of youth although timely and sufficient during the adolescence of the world of mankind, are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its maturity. The playthings of childhood and infancy no longer satisfy or interest the adult mind.

“From every standpoint the world of humanity is undergoing a re-formation. The laws of former governments and civilizations are in process of revision, scientific ideas and theories are developing and advancing to meet a new range of phenomena, invention and discovery are penetrating hitherto unknown fields revealing new wonders and hidden secrets of the material universe; industries have vastly wider scope and production; everywhere the world of mankind is in the throes of evolutionary activity indicating the passing of the old conditions and advent of the new age of re-formation. Old trees yield no fruitage; old ideas and methods are obsolete and worthless now. Old standards of ethics, moral codes and methods of living in the past will not suffice for the present age of advancement and progress.”

‘Abdu’l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, “The True Modernism”, p. 9
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/FWU/fwu-1.html

On treatment of animals and our responsibility:

“It is not only their fellow human beings that the beloved of God must treat with mercy and compassion, rather must they show forth the utmost loving-kindness to every living creature. For in all physical respects, and where the animal spirit is concerned, the selfsame feelings are shared by animal and man. Man hath not grasped this truth, however, and he believeth that physical sensations are confined to human beings, wherefore is he unjust to the animals, and cruel. And yet in truth, what difference is there when it cometh to physical sensations? The feelings are one and the same, whether ye inflict pain on man or on beast. There is no difference here whatever. And indeed ye do worse to harm an animal, for man hath a language, he can lodge a complaint, he can cry out and moan; if injured he can have recourse to the authorities and these will protect him from his aggressor. But the hapless beast is mute, able neither to express its hurt nor take its case to the authorities … Therefore it is essential that ye show forth the utmost consideration to the animal, and that ye be even kinder to him than to your fellow man. Train your children from their earliest days to be infinitely tender and loving to animals. If an animal be sick, let them try to heal it, if it be hungry, let them feed it, if thirsty, let them quench its thirst, if weary, let them see that it rests.”

Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, complied by the Universal House of Justice, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Wilmette, 1996, p. 167

“Kumare”

Just saw a great documentary called “Kumare”   I loved this movie because it shows how important independent investigation of truth is. How anyone can claim to be a Holy person and take advantage of people. This movie demonstrates our duty to be vigilant, especially when it comes to our spiritual practices to make sure we are not opening up and trusting the people who have material agendas vs spiritual ones. Trust your own intuition and look for the Truth. Don’t take anyone’s word for it! Also don’t give away your money until you are certain it will be used for the purpose you intended. It is available on Netflix.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumar%C3%A9

Who is Jesus Christ to Baha’is?  A good man?  A mere prophet?  The short answer:Baha’is believe Jesus is who he says he is.

We should keep in mind that when striving to understand Jesus, who is essentially divine, with our limited human minds, we should be careful not to limit Him to easy definitions.  Expounding on the station of the Messengers of God, the Baha’i teachings say:

In every instance, they have voiced an utterance that would conform to the requirements of the occasion, and have ascribed all these declarations to Themselves, declarations ranging from the realm of divine Revelation to the realm of creation, and from the domain of Divinity even unto the domain of earthly existence. Thus it is that whatsoever be their utterance, whether it pertain to the realm of Divinity, Lordship, Prophethood, Messengership, Guardianship, Apostleship or Servitude, all is true, beyond the shadow of a doubt. – The Book of Certitude, p. 181.

The Holy Bible refers to Jesus by many of these same titles and stations.  These verses clearly affirm his Lordship, also referring to Him as the Son of Man, and as Teacher:

“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.” – John 13:13

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” – Matthew 24:42

Jesus Christ is referred to as a “Prophet” in these verses of the Bible.  Christians widely accept this verse as a promise of Jesus Christ in the Pentateuch:

“I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.” (Deuteronomy 18:18)

“But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.’” Matthew 13:57

“Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.” Luke 13:33

“So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.’” Matthew 21:11

Does that mean that Jesus is “merely” a Prophet?  Let’s keep reading.  Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of God:

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, ‘Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, ‘Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.’ – John 9:35-36.

These verses of the Bible refer to Jesus Christ as a “Messenger” –the “Messenger of the Covenant”:

Behold, I send My messenger and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant, in whom you delight. – Malachi 3:1.

Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews refers to Jesus as an “Apostle” and as the “High Priest”:

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus … “

The Bible even expresses the servitude and meekness of Jesus.  In Isaiah God refers to Jesus as “My Servant,” and Jesus confirmed that the verse referred to Him:

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!” Isaiah 42:1 (Matthew 12:17-18 confirms that this verse refers to Jesus.)

The Bible refers to Jesus as “savior”:

“Then the angel said to them, ‘… For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

Who, then, is Jesus?  According to the Bible He is the Son of Man, the Son of God, Lord, Prophet, Messenger, Teacher, Servant, Savior, Apostle, and High Priest. So the above-quoted Bible verses demonstrate Baha’u’llah’s explanation that in various circumstances the Manifestations of God identify themselves by different names and stations – even the station of divinity and Godhead:

Were any of the all-embracing Manifestations of God to declare, ‘I am God!’ He verily speaketh the truth, and no doubt attacheth thereto. For it hath been repeatedly demonstrated that through their Revelation, their attributes and names, the Revelation of God, His name and His attributes, are made manifest in the world… – Baha’u’llah, The Book of Certitude, p. 178.Who Is Christ to Baha’is

O Lord my God! Assist Thy loved ones to be firm in Thy Faith, to walk in Thy ways, to be steadfast in Thy Cause. Give them Thy grace to withstand the onslaught of self and passion, to follow the light of divine guidance. Thou art the Powerful, the Gracious, the Self-Subsisting, the Bestower, the Compassionate, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.

– `Abdu’l-Bahá

Basic universal law

Everything in the universe is always in one of 2 positions.  Those positions are receiver or sender  (giver or taker).  Everything is in constant state of evolution, and even when something appears to be static to the naked eye, it is truly not.

 

This law applies to us as well.  We are making choices every second of our life on this planet.   if we wish to be on the giving or the receiving end.  it is necessary for us to be aware of this, and to maintain a balance.  Remaining too long in either position is unhealthy.

 

When we wish to give to our loved ones and our society, we have to first make sure we are receiving the much-needed Divine Energy through daily prayer/ meditation/ relaxation.  This fills us up with the Love and the Light that we need to serve others.  Through our strong Divine connection we are never left alone or drained, and will be able to continue serving humanity without getting sick or tired.  We need to always stay aligned and open to the Light.

 

When we are not aware of this process, and we are not open to receive the Life force that we need, we get sick and unhappy.  We face a lot of unnecessary suffering.  This will either leave us withdrawn and isolated from everyone; or we go out desperately trying to take what we think we need (love, money, happiness, etc) through any means possible (Overwork, Alcohol, food, drugs, sex). This will only give us a momentary and superficial satisfaction, and the craving will only increase.  It will lead us to a downward spiral that becomes very difficult to get out of.  The world becomes a dark and cruel place.  We become envious, angry, fearful and depressed.  Unfortunately this is the position and the level of consciousness a lot of people are in these days.

 

This is also the state of the world we live in at this time.  Humanity has lost touch with its spirituality, therefore is destroying the planet and our society in a desperate and futile attempt to survive in the darkness.

 

So we (the ones who are open to the Light) need to shine that Light and guide the rest of the humanity back to the Divine Love and Energy, so they can be rejuvenated and awakened.  This is the only way we can save humanity, and bring about unity and world peace.