Devotional Gatherings

Health & Healing

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All true healing comes from God! There are two causes for sickness, one is material, the other spiritual. If the sickness is of the body, a material remedy is needed, if of the soul, a spiritual remedy.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 19)

The science of medicine is still in a condition of infancy; it has not reached maturity. But when it has reached this point, cures will be performed by things which are not repulsive to the smell and taste of man -- that is to say, by aliments, fruits and vegetables which are agreeable to the taste and have an agreeable smell. For the provoking cause of disease -- that is to say, the cause of the entrance of disease into the human body -- is either a physical one or is the effect of excitement of the nerves….When the science of medicine reaches perfection, treatment will be given by foods, aliments, fragrant fruits and vegetables, and by various waters, hot and cold in temperature.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 256-257)

Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

- Bahá'u'lláh

There is no fire like desire. There is no weakness like anger. There is no suffering like the khandhas. There is no happiness greater than peace. Hunger is the supreme disease. Mental activity is the supreme suffering. When one has grasped this as it really is, nirvana is the supreme happiness. Health is the supreme possession. Contentment is the supreme wealth. A trustworthy friend is the supreme relation. Nirvana is the supreme happiness. After enjoying the taste of solitude and the taste of peace, one is freed from distress and evil, as one enjoys the taste of spiritual joy.

(Dhammapada – Syaings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

- Say unto them (O Muhammad): For those who believe it is a guidance and a healing; and as for those who disbelieve, there is a deafness in their ears, and it is blindness for them. Such are called to from afar.

(The Qur'an (Pickthall tr), Sura 41 - Revelations Well Expounded)

After you have sown in the soil of Cosmic Consciousness your vibratory prayer-seed, do not pluck it out frequently to see whether or not it has germinated. Give the divine force a chance to work uninterruptedly.

(Paramahansa Yogananda, from Scientific Healing Affirmations)

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.

(King James Bible, Psalms 6:1-4)

Bestow on him riches and good things; bestow health of body, toughness of body, and resistance of body; bestow on him possessions giving abundant ease, future noble offspring, and a lengthy long
life; bestow on him the best existence of the Asha-sanctified, the luminous, offering all happy.

(The Zend-Avesta, Khorda Avesta - Book of Common Prayer pt. 1)

Communion with God

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And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea;

And shall not doubt in his heart, But shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; He shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: That your Father also which is in heaven May forgive you your trespasses.

(The New Testament, Mark 11:22-25)

¡Oh Dios! Refresca y alegra mi espíritu. Purifica mi corazón. Ilumina mis poderes. Dejo todos mis asuntos en tus manos. Tú eres mi guía y mi refugio. Ya no estaré triste ni afligido; seré un ser feliz y alegre. ¡Oh Dios! Ya no estaré lleno de ansiedad, ni dejaré que las aflicciones me atormenten, ni persistiré en las cosas desagradables de la vida.

¡Oh Dios! Tú eres más amigo mío que yo lo soy de mí mismo. A Ti me consagro, oh Señor.

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Oraciones Bahá'ís, página 27)

Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.

(The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 24)

Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. Thus have the mysteries of the Revelation of God been decreed by virtue of the Will of Him Who is the Source of power and wisdom.

(Bahá'u'lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, page 295)

Developing Community

2007-11-21T14:13:00.000-08:00

Consider the flowers of the rose garden. Although they are of different kinds, various colors and diverse forms and appearances, yet as they drink from one water, are swayed by one breeze and grow by the warmth and light of one sun, this variation and this difference cause each to enhance the beauty and splendor of the others. The differences in manners, in customs, in habits, in thoughts, opinions and in temperaments is the cause of the adornment of the world of mankind.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 295)

May you be filled with loving kindness.
May you be well.
May you be peaceful and at ease.
May you be happy.

(ancient - tibetan buddhist – blessing)

Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

(Bible: Malachai 2:10 (KJV))

Seek a true friend,
for a friend seeks the benefit of a friend,
Do good to the people for the sake of God
or for the peace of your own soul
that you may always see what is pure
and save your heart from the darkness of hate.
(Rumi, "Mathnawi" )

“He who experiences the unity of life, sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye…”

(Bhagavad-Gita VI, 29)

O ye lovers of this wronged one! Cleanse ye your eyes, so that ye behold no man as different from yourselves. See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends, for love and unity come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 23)

For our human community, our common past and future hope, our oneness transcending all separation,
our capacity to work for peace and justice in the midst of hostility and oppression: We give thanks this day.

(O. Eugene Pickett)

If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things. [Koran, 8:61]

Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear. In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity.

(Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 452)

Developing Spiritual Qualities Quotes

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Easy is the life of a shameless one
Who is as bold as a crow,
A back-biting, a forward,
An arrogant and a corrupted one.

Hard is the life of a modest one
Who ever seeks after purity,
Who is strenous, humble,
Cleanly of life, and discerning.

(Budhist, Dhammapada, Sayings of the Buddha 3 (tr. J. Richards))

Improper thoughts and emotions such as those of violence- whether done, caused to be done, or even approved of- indeed, any thought originating in desire, anger or delusion, whether mild medium or intense- do all result in endless pain and misery. Overcome such distractions by pondering on the opposites.
When one is confirmed in non-violence, hostility ceases in his presence.
When one is firmly established in speaking truth, the fruits of action become subservient to him.
All jewels approach him who is confirmed in honesty.
When one is confirmed in celibacy, spiritual vigor is gained.
When one is confirmed in non-possessiveness, the knowledge of the why and how of existence is attained.

(Hindu, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: 2.34-2.39)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

(Ephesians, Verse 2-6)

O my Lord! Make Thy beauty to be my food, and Thy presence my drink, and Thy pleasure my hope, and praise of Thee my action, and remembrance of Thee my companion, and the power of Thy sovereignty my succorer, and Thy habitation my home, and my dwelling-place the seat Thou hast sanctified from the limitations imposed upon them who are shut out as by a veil from Thee.

Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the Most Powerful.

- Bahá'u'lláh
(Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 143)

Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquillity on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!

- Bahá'u'lláh
(Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 141)