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Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Shoghi Effendi, Living the Life, bahai-library.com.
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Living the Life
Shoghi Effendi
Universal House of Justice, Research Department
, compiler
published in
Compilation of Compilations
Volume 2, pp. 1-28
1991
original date
1972-11
1. Text
(see PDF scan of earlier version of this compilation
below
)
I.
Extracts From the Writings of the Guardian
1266. How often the beloved Master was heard to say. Should each one of the friends take upon himself to carry out, in all its integrity and implications, only one of the teachings of the Faith, with devotion, detachment, constancy and perseverance and exemplify it in all his deeds and pursuits of life, the world would become another world and the face of the earth would mirror forth the splendours of the Abha Paradise. Consider what marvellous changes would be effected if the beloved of the Merciful conducted themselves, both in their individual and collective capacities, in accordance with the counsels and exhortations which have streamed from the Pen of Glory.
(From a letter dated 12 January 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of Persia - translated from the Persian)
1267. The wish of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, that which attracts His good pleasure and, indeed, His binding command, is that Bahá'ís, in all matters, even in small daily transactions and dealings with others, should act in accordance with the divine Teachings. He has commanded us not to be content with lowliness, humility and meekness, but rather to become manifestations of selflessness and utter nothingness. Of old, all have been exhorted to loyalty and fidelity, compassion and love; in this supreme Dispensation, the people of Bahá are called upon to sacrifice their very lives. Notice the extent to which the friends have been required in the Sacred Epistles and Tablets, as well as in our Beloved's Testament, to be righteous, well-wishing, forbearing, sanctified, pure, detached from all else save God, severed from the trappings of this world and adorned with the mantle of a goodly character and godly attributes.
First and foremost, one should use every possible means to purge one's heart and motives, otherwise, engaging in any form of enterprise would be futile. It is also essential to abstain from hypocrisy and blind imitation, inasmuch as their foul odour is soon detected by every man of understanding and wisdom. Moreover, the friends must observe the specific times for the remembrance of God, meditation, devotion and prayer, as it is highly unlikely, nay impossible, for any enterprise to prosper and develop when deprived of divine bestowals and confirmation. One can hardly imagine what a great influence genuine love, truthfulness and purity of motives exert on the souls of men. But these traits cannot be acquired by any believer unless he makes a daily effort to gain them... It is primarily through the potency of noble deeds and character, rather than by the power of exposition and proofs, that the friends of God should demonstrate to the world that what has been promised by God is bound to happen, that it is already taking place and that the divine glad-tidings are clear, evident and complete. For unless some illustrious souls step forth into the arena of service and shine out resplendent in the assemblage of men, the task of vindicating the truth of this Cause before the eyes of enlightened people would be formidable indeed. However, if the friends become embodiments of virtue and good character, words and arguments will be superfluous. Their very deeds will well serve as eloquent testimony, and their noble conduct will ensure the preservation, integrity and glory of the Cause of God.
(From a letter dated 19 December 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the East - translated from the Persian; see also
more excerpts from this letter
.)
1268. The chosen ones of God . . . should not look at the depraved condition of the society in which they live, nor at the evidences of moral degradation and frivolous conduct which the people around them display. They should not content themselves merely with relative distinction and excellence. Rather they should fix their gaze upon nobler heights by setting the counsels and exhortations of the Pen of Glory as their supreme goal. Then it will be readily realized how numerous are the stages that still remain to be traversed and how far off the desired goal lies--a goal which is none other than exemplifying heavenly morals and virtues.
(From a letter dated 30 October 1924 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Teheran)
II.
Extracts from Letters Written on behalf of the Guardian:
1269. It is our duty and privilege to translate the love and devotion we have for our beloved Cause into deeds and actions that will be conducive to the highest good of mankind.
(From a letter dated 20 November 1924 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1270. If you read the utterances of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá with selflessness and care and concentrate upon them, you will discover truths unknown to you before and will obtain an insight into the problems that have baffled the great thinkers of the world.
(From a letter dated 30 January 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1271. The great thing is to "live the life"--to have our lives so saturated with the Divine teachings and the Bahá'í Spirit that people cannot fail to see a joy, a power, a love, a purity, a radiance, an efficiency in our character and work that will distinguish us from worldly-minded people and make people wonder what is the secret of this new life in us. We must become entirely selfless and devoted to God so that every day and every moment we seek to do only what God would have us do and in the way He would have us do it. If we do this sincerely then we shall have perfect unity and harmony with each other. Where there is want of harmony, there is lack of the true Bahá'í Spirit. Unless we can show this transformation in our lives, this new power, this mutual love and harmony, then the Bahá'í teachings are but a name to us.
(From a letter dated 14 February 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1272. If we Bahá'ís cannot attain to cordial unity among ourselves, then we fail to realize the main purpose for which the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and the Beloved Master lived and suffered. In order to achieve this cordial unity one of the first essentials insisted on by Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá is that we resist the natural tendency to let our attention dwell on the faults and failings of others rather than on our own. Each of us is responsible for one life only, and that is our own. Each of us is immeasurably far from being "perfect as our heavenly father is perfect" and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one that requires all our attention, our will-power and energy. If we allow our attention and energy to be taken up in efforts to keep others right and remedy their faults, we are wasting precious time. We are like ploughmen each of whom has his team to manage and his plough to direct, and in order to keep his furrow straight he must keep his eye on his goal and concentrate on his own task. If he looks to this side and that to see how Tom and Harry are getting on and to criticize their ploughing, then his own furrow will assuredly become crooked. On no subject are the Bahá'í teachings more emphatic than on the necessity to abstain from faultfinding and backbiting while being ever eager to discover and root out our own faults and overcome our own failings. If we profess loyalty to Bahá'u'lláh, to our Beloved Master and our dear Guardian, then we must show our love by obedience to these explicit teachings. Deeds not words are what they demand, and no amount of fervour in the use of expressions of loyalty and adulation will compensate for failure to live in the spirit of the teachings.
From a letter dated 12 May 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1273. As to the question whether it is right to tell an untruth in order to save another, he feels that under no condition should we tell an untruth but at the same time try and help the person in a more legitimate manner. Of course it is not necessary to be too outspoken until the question is directly put to us.
(From a letter dated 21 December 1927 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1274. We should not, however, forget that an essential characteristic of this world is hardship and tribulation and that it is by overcoming them that we achieve our moral and spiritual development. As the Master says, sorrow is like furrows, the deeper they go the more plentiful are the fruits we obtain.
(From a letter dated 5 November 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1275. In the "Bayán" the Báb says that every religion of the past was fit to become universal. The only reason why they failed to attain that mark was the incompetence of their followers. He then proceeds to give a definite promise that this would not be the fate of the revelation of "Him Whom God would make manifest", that it will become universal and include all the people of the world. This shows that we will ultimately succeed. But could we not, through our shortcomings, failures to sacrifice and reluctance to concentrate our efforts in spreading the Cause, retard the realization of that ideal? And what would that mean? It shall mean that we will be held responsible before God, that the race will remain longer in its state of waywardness, that wars would not be so soon averted, that human suffering will last longer.
(From a letter dated 20 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1276. Every day has certain needs. In those early days the Cause needed Martyrs, and people who would stand all sorts of torture and persecution in expressing their faith and spreading the message sent by God. Those days are, however, gone. The Cause at present does not need martyrs who would die for the faith, but servants who desire to teach and establish the Cause throughout the world. To live to teach in the present day is like being martyred in those early days. It is the spirit that moves us that counts, not the act through which that spirit expresses itself; and that spirit is to serve the Cause of God with our heart and soul.
(From a letter dated 3 August 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted in "Bahá'í News", 68, (Nov 1932), p. 3)
1277. He sincerely hopes that, through these sacrifices, that edifice will be completed and become a focal centre for the spirit and teachings of the Cause in that land; that from it the light of guidance will spread and bring joy and hope to the heart of this depressed humanity.
If you study the history of Nabil you will see how the Faith has been fed by the constant sacrifices of the friends. Under hardships, persecutions and constant worries has the Message of Bahá'u'lláh been established throughout the world.
(From a letter dated 30 November 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1278. The advice that Shoghi Effendi gave you regarding the division of your time between serving the Cause and attending to your other duties was also given to many other friends both by Bahá'u'lláh and the Master. It is a compromise between the two verses of the "Aqdas", one making it incumbent upon every Bahá'í to serve the promotion of the Faith and the other that every soul should be occupied in some form of occupation that will benefit society. In one of His Tablets Bahá'u'lláh says that the highest form of detachment in this day is to be occupied with some profession and be self-supporting. A good Bahá'í, therefore, is the one who so arranges his life as to devote time both to his material needs and also to the service of the Cause.
(From a letter dated 26 February 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1279. I need not tell you how grievously he deplores the fact that there are so many negative forces prevailing in Bahá'í gatherings and particularly in such an important meeting as the Convention. The oft-repeated words of the Master concerning unity and harmonious co-operation among the friends should be carefully and thoughtfully remembered now more than ever. Nothing is more contrary to the spirit of the Cause than discord and strife, which are the inevitable outcome of selfishness and greed. Pure detachment and selfless service, these should be the sole motives of every true believer. And unless each and every one of the friends succeeds in translating such qualities into living action, no hope of further progress can be entertained. It is now that unity of thought and action is most needed. It is now, when the Cause s entering a new phase of development, when its Administration is being gradually consolidated amid the welter and chaos of a tottering civilization, that the friends should present a united front to those forces of internal dissension, which, if not completely wiped out, will bring our work to inevitable destruction.
(From a letter dated 24 September 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1280. He, indeed, highly deplores the fact that the representatives of the highest administrative institution in your country have permitted such differences and misunderstandings to assume such a proportion, especially when the principles and laws of the Administration have been each and all clearly and emphatically stated by him in so many communications and ever since the passing of the Master. Such difficulties, if not checked immediately and vigorously, can do incalculable harm to the body of the Cause, and may retard not only the flow but also the effectiveness of its spirit in the world. If deeply and dispassionately examined the source of all these troubles and disputes is to be found invariably in feelings of egotism and selfishness.
And unless these poisonous feelings are fully overcome there can be no hope for the effective working and progress of the administrative machinery of the Cause.
(From a letter dated 9 May 1934 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1281. While he would urge you to courageously meet and overcome the many obstacles that stand in your way, he would at the same time advise you that in case of failure and no matter what befalls you, you should remain radiantly content at, and entirely submissive to, the Divine will. Our afflictions, tests and trials are sometimes blessings in disguise, as they teach us to have more faith and confidence in God, and bring us nearer to Him.
(From a letter dated 28 April 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1282. Has not Bahá'u'lláh assured us that sufferings and privations are blessings in disguise, that through them our inner spiritual forces become stimulated, purified and ennobled? Remain, therefore, confident that your material hardships will, far from hindering your activities for the Cause, impart to your heart a powerful impetus to better serve and promote its interests.
(From a letter dated 22 November 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1283. Personal effort is indeed a vital prerequisite to the recognition and acceptance of the Cause of God. No matter how strong the measure of Divine grace, unless supplemented by personal, sustained and intelligent effort it cannot become fully effective and be of any real and abiding advantage.
(From a letter dated 27 February 1938 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1284. Such hindrances, no matter how severe and insuperable they may at first seem, can and should be effectively overcome through the combined and sustained power of prayer and of determined and continued effort. For have not Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá both repeatedly assured us that the Divine and unseen hosts of victory will ever reinforce and strengthen those who valiantly and confidently labour in their name? This assurance should indeed enable you to overcome any feeling of unworthiness, of incapacity to serve, and any inner or outer limitation which threatens to handicap your labours for the Cause. You should therefore arise, and with a heart filled with joy and confidence endeavour to contribute any share that is in your power toward the wider diffusion and greater consolidation of our beloved Faith.
Whatever the particular field of service you may choose, whether teaching or administrative, the essential is for you to persevere, and not to allow any consciousness of your limitations to dampen your zeal, much less to deter you from serving joyously and actively.
(From a letter dated 6 February 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1285. The greater your trials and sufferings, the stronger should wax your attachment and devotion to the Cause. For only through repeated tribulations and trials does God test His servants, and these they should therefore view as blessings in disguise, and as opportunities whereby they can acquire a fuller consciousness of the Divine Will and Purpose.
(From a letter dated 23 February 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to two believers)
1286. The course on character building to be given by Miss Flora Hottes, the Guardian feels, is particularly important and should be given due emphasis and studied carefully and thoroughly, especially by the young believers in attendance at the school. These standards of Bahá'í conduct, which he himself has set forth in his last general epistle, "The Advent of Divine Justice", and which it should be the paramount duty of every loyal and conscientious believer to endeavour to uphold and promote, deserve serious study and meditation, and should constitute the main central theme of this year's programme at all the three Bahá'í Summer Schools in the States.
(From a letter dated 20 May 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1287. Regarding ...'s appeal: the Guardian feels the best course of action in this matter is to ask both of the believers concerned to forgive and forget the entire matter. He does not want the friends to form the habit of taking up a kind of Bahá'í litigation against each other. Their duties to humanity are too sacred and urgent in these days, when the Cause is struggling to spread and assert its independence, for them to spend their precious time, and his precious time, in this way. Ask them, therefore, to unite, forget the past, and serve as never before.
(From a letter dated 22 July 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand)
1288. Indeed the believers have not yet fully learned to draw on each other's love for strength and consolation in time of need. The Cause of God is endowed with tremendous powers, and the reason the believers do not gain more from it is because they have not learned to fully draw on these mighty forces of love and strength and harmony generated by the Faith. He would advise you to leave your friend ... to herself for the time being, and pray for her. As she does not at the moment wish your help you can only help her inwardly.
You have rendered the Cause many valuable services, and are still doing so, and this should be your greatest consolation...
(From a letter dated 8 May 1942 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1289. The friends must be patient with each other and must realize that the Cause is still in its infancy and its institutions are not yet functioning perfectly. The greater the patience, the loving understanding and the forbearance the believers show towards each other and their shortcomings, the greater will be the progress of the whole Bahá'í community at large.
(From a letter dated 27 February 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1290. We must realize our imperfection and not permit ourselves to get too upset over the unfortunate things which occur, sometimes in Conventions, sometimes in Assemblies or on Committees, etc. Such things are essentially superficial and in time will be outgrown.
(From a letter dated 17 March 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1291. Not all of us are capable of serving in the same way, but the one way every Bahá'í can spread the Faith is by example. This moves the hearts of people far more deeply than words ever can.
The love we show others, the hospitality and understanding, the willingness to help them, these are the very best advertisements of the Faith. They will want to hear about it when they see these things in our lives.
(From a letter dated 14 October 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1292. 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)
1293. These, indeed, are the days when heroism is needed on the part of the believers. Self-sacrifice, courage, indomitable hope and confidence are the characteristics they should show forth, because these very attributes cannot but fix the attention of the public and lead them to enquire what, in a world so hopelessly chaotic and bewildered, leads these people to be so assured, so confident, so full of devotion? Increasingly, as time goes by, the characteristics of the Bahá'ís will be that which captures the attention of their fellow-citizens. They must show their aloofness from the hatreds and recriminations which are tearing at the heart of humanity, and demonstrate by deed and word their profound belief in the future peaceful unification of the entire human race.
(From a letter dated 26 October 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1294. We must always look ahead and seek to accomplish in the future what we may have failed to do in the past. Failures, tests, and trials, if we use them correctly, can become the means of purifying our spirits, strengthening our characters, and enable us to rise to greater heights of service.
(From a letter dated 14 December 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1295. Regarding the points you refer to in your letter: the complete and entire elimination of the ego would imply perfection--which man can never completely attain -- but the ego can and should be ever-increasingly subordinated to the enlightened soul of man. This is what spiritual progress implies.
(From a letter dated 14 December 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1296. He was very pleased to hear that the Convention was so well attended, and the believers enthusiastic and united. One of the most paramount needs of the Cause in ... is that the friends should unite, should become really keenly conscious of the fact that they are one spiritual family, held together by bonds more sacred and eternal than those physical ties which make people of the same family. If the friends will forget all personal differences and open their hearts to a great love for each other for the sake of Bahá'u'lláh, they will find that their powers are vastly increased; they will attract the heart of the public, and will witness a rapid growth of the Holy Faith in... The National Spiritual Assembly should do all in its power to foster unity among the believers, and to educate them in the Administration as this is the channel through which their community life must flow, and which, when properly understood and practised, will enable the work of the Cause to go ahead by leaps and bounds.
(From a letter dated 26 October 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma)
1297. Ultimately all the battle of life is within the individual. No amount of organization can solve the inner problems or produce or prevent, as the case may be, victory or failure at a crucial moment. In such times as these particularly, individuals are torn by great forces at large in the world, and we see some weak ones suddenly become miraculously strong, and strong ones fail--we can only try, through loving advice, as your Committee has done, to bring about the act on the part of the believer which will be for the highest good of the Cause. Because obviously something bad for the Cause cannot be the highest good of the individual Bahá'í.
(From a letter dated 17 December 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1298. The thing the world needs today is the Bahá'í spirit. People are craving for love, for a high standard to look up to, as well as for solutions to their many grave problems. The Bahá'ís should shower on those whom they meet the warm and living spirit of the Cause, and this, combined with teaching, cannot but attract the sincere truth-seekers to the Faith.
(From a letter dated 18 December 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1299. Regarding your question about the need for greater unity among the friends, there is no doubt that this is so, and the Guardian feels that one of the chief instruments for promoting it is to teach the Bahá'ís themselves, in classes and through precepts, that love of God, and consequently of men, is the essential foundation of every religion, our own included. A greater degree of love will produce a greater unity, because it enables people to bear with each other, to be patient and forgiving. (From a letter dated 7 July 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted in "Bahá'í News", 173, (Feb 1945), p. 3)
1300. He hopes that you will develop into Bahá'ís in character as well as in belief. The whole purpose of Bahá'u'lláh is that we should become a new kind of people, people who are upright, kind, intelligent, truthful, and honest and who live according to His great laws laid down for this new epoch in man's development. To call ourselves Bahá'ís is not enough, our inmost being must become ennobled and enlightened through living a Bahá'í life.
(From a letter dated 25 August 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Louhelen School Youth Session)
1301. So many misunderstandings arise from the passionate attachment of the friends to the Faith and also their immaturity. We must therefore be very patient and loving with each other and try to establish unity in the Bahá'í family. The differences ... which you describe in your letter he feels are caused by the above and not by enmity to the Faith or insincerity.
(From a letter dated 17 October 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1302. He was very happy to hear from you, and to learn that Green Acre this year was pervaded with a love and harmony that was instrumental in confirming many new souls in the Faith. This love amongst the believers is the magnet which will, above all else,attract the hearts and bring new souls into the Cause. Because obviously the teachings - however wonderful - cannot change the world unless the Spirit of Bahá'u'lláh's love is mirrored in the Bahá'í Communities.
(From a letter dated 27 October 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1303. Indeed if the friends could seek, and exert themselves, to become 100 per cent Bahá'ís they would see how greatly their influence over others would be increased, and how rapidly the Cause would spread. The world is seeking not a compromise but the embodiment of a high and shining ideal. The more the friends live up to our teachings in every aspect of their lives, in their homes, in business, in their social relationships, the greater will be the attraction they exercise over the hearts of others.
He is pleased to see you have naturally, with conviction and good will towards all, been mingling with and teaching the coloured people. When the Bahá'ís live up to their teachings as they should, although it may arouse the opposition of some it will arouse still more the admiration of fair-minded people.
(From a letter dated 23 January 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1304. Indeed when we see the increasing darkness in the world today we can fully realize that unless the Message of Bahá'u'lláh reaches into the hearts of men and transforms them, there can be no peace and no spiritual progress in the future.
His constant hope is that the believers will conduct themselves, individually and in their Bahá'í Community life, in such a manner as to attract the attention of others to the Cause. The world is not only starving for lofty principles and ideals, it is, above all, starving for a shining example which the Bahá'ís can and must provide.
(From a letter dated 22 February 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1305. The need is very great, everywhere in the world, in and outside the Faith, for a true spiritual awareness to pervade and motivate people's lives. No amount of administrative procedure or adherence to rules can take the place of this soul-characteristic, this spirituality which is the essence of Man. He is very glad to see you are stressing this and aiding the friends to realize its supreme importance.
(From a letter dated 25 April 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1306. Regarding the matter of ... and the inharmony that seems to exist among certain of the friends ... when Bahá'ís permit the dark forces of the world to enter into their own relationships within the Faith they gravely jeopardize its progress; it is the paramount duty of the believers, the Local Assemblies, and particularly the National Spiritual Assembly to foster harmony, understanding and love amongst the friends. All should be ready and willing to set aside every personal sense of grievance-- justified or unjustified--for the good of the Cause, because the people will never embrace it until they see in its community life mirrored what is so conspicuously lacking in the world: love and unity.
(From a letter dated 13 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand)
1307. Most important of all is that love and unity should prevail in the Bahá'í Community, as this is what people are most longing for in the present dark state of the world. Words without the living example will never be sufficient to breathe hope into the hearts of a disillusioned and often cynical generation.
(From a letter dated 20 October 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1308. Since you have turned to him for guidance, he will very frankly give you his opinion. He feels that the present inharmony prevailing amongst you... is very detrimental to the advancement of the Cause, and can only lead to disruption and the chilling of the interest of new believers. You ... should forget about your personal grievances, and unite for the protection of the Faith which he well knows you are all loyally devoted to and ready to sacrifice for.
Perhaps the greatest test Bahá'ís are ever subjected to is from each other; but for the sake of the Master they should be ever ready to overlook each other's mistakes, apologize for harsh words they have uttered, forgive and forget. He strongly recommends to you this course of action. Also he feels that you and ... should not remain away from the meetings and Feasts in ...; you have now got an enthusiastic group of young Bahá'ís in ..., and you should show them a strong example of Bahá'í discipline and the unity which can and must prevail amongst the Community of the Most Great Name.
(From a letter dated 18 December 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1309. You ask about "spiritual indigestion": Bahá'ís should seek to be many-sided, normal and well balanced, mentally and spiritually. We must not give the impression of being fanatics, but at the same time we must live up to our principles.
(From a letter dated 12 March 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
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1310. You may be sure he will pray for the unity of the ... believers, as this is of paramount importance, and upon it depends the development of the Cause there, and the success of every teaching effort. The thing the friends need--everywhere-- is a greater love for each other, and this can be acquired by greater love for Bahá'u'lláh; for if we love Him deeply enough, we will never allow personal feelings and opinions to hold His Cause back; we will be willing to sacrifice ourselves to each other for the sake of the Faith, and be, as the Master said, one soul in many bodies.
(From a letter dated 5 September 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1311. He heartily agrees with you that unless we practise the Teachings we cannot possibly expect the Faith to grow, because the fundamental purpose of all religions--including our own--is to bring man nearer to God, and to change his character, which is of the utmost importance. Too much emphasis is often laid on the social and economic aspects of the Teachings; but the moral aspect cannot be over-emphasized.
(From a letter dated 6 September 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1312. The fact that you had a course on 'Bahá'í character' pleased him very much, as he considers one of the greatest obligations of your generation of believers is to live a Bahá'í life; you must demonstrate, by your high moral standards, your courtesy, your integrity and nobility, that our Faith, is not one of words but truly changes the heart and conduct of its adherents.
(From a letter dated 19 September 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Louhelen School Junior Youth Session, U.S.A.)
1313. He feels that the youth, in particular, must constantly and determinedly strive to exemplify a Bahá'í life. In the world around us we see moral decay, promiscuity, indecency, vulgarity, bad manners--the Bahá'í young people must be the opposite of these things, and, by their chastity, their uprightness, their decency, their consideration and good manners, attract others, old and young, to the Faith. The world is tired of words; it wants example, and it is up to the Bahá'í youth to furnish it.
(From a letter dated 19 September 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to Green Acre Summer School
1314. The friends must, at all times, bear in mind that they are, in a way, like soldiers under attack. The world is at present in an exceedingly dark condition spiritually; hatred and prejudice, of every sort, are literally tearing it to pieces. We, on the other hand, are the custodians of the opposite forces, the forces of love, of unity, of peace and integration, and we must constantly be on our guard, whether as individuals or as an Assembly or Community, lest through us these destructive, negative forces enter into our midst. In other words we must beware lest the darkness of society become reflected in our acts and attitudes, perhaps all unconsciously. Love for each other, the deep sense that we are a new organism, the dawn-breakers of a New World Order, must constantly animate our Bahá'í lives, and we must pray to be protected from the contamination of society which is so diseased with prejudice.
(From a letter dated 5 February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Atlanta, Georgia)
1315. The Cause in ... is growing very rapidly, and the more it spreads the more the attention of the public will be fixed upon it. This imposes a heavy responsibility on the believers, as they must show forth such a spirit of love and unity among themselves as will attract the hearts of others and encourage them to enter the Faith in large numbers. We must always remember that the Teachings are perfect, and that the only reason more of our fellow men have not as yet embraced them is because we Bahá'ís, the world over, are ourselves not yet as selfless and radiant mirrors of Bahá'u'lláh's Truth as we should and could be! We must constantly strive to better exemplify His Teachings.
(From a letter dated 18 February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1316. We must concentrate on perfecting our characters as individual Bahá'ís, and on maturing our still embryonic, and as yet improperly understood, World Order; on spreading the Message, according to the provisions of the Divine Plan; and on building a tightly knit world-wide Bahá'í Community. We are relatively few in numbers, and have such a precious, unique and responsible task to carry out. We must concentrate our full forces upon it.
(From a letter dated 9 May 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada)
1317. It is upon the individual believer, constituting the fundamental unit in the structure of the home front, that the revitalization, the expansion, and the enrichment of the home front must ultimately depend. The more strenuous the effort exerted, daily and methodically, by the individual labouring on the home front to rise to loftier heights of consecration, and of self-abnegation, to contribute, through pioneering at home, to the multiplication of Bahá'í isolated centres, groups and Assemblies, and to raise, through diligent, painstaking and continual endeavour to convert receptive souls to the Faith he has espoused, the number of its active and whole-hearted supporters; the sooner will the vast and multiple enterprises, launched beyond the confines of the homeland, now so desperately calling for a greater supply of men and means, be provided with the necessary support that will ensure their uninterrupted development and hasten their ultimate fruition ...
(From a letter dated 21 September 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
1318. Regarding the questions you asked: self has really two meanings, or is used in two senses, in the Bahá'í writings; one is self, the identity of the individual created by God. This is the self mentioned in such passages as "he hath known God who hath known himself", etc. The other self is the ego, the dark, animalistic heritage each one of us has, the lower nature that can develop into a monster of selfishness, brutality, lust and so on. It is this self we must struggle against, or this side of our natures, in order to strengthen and free the spirit within us and help it to attain perfection.
Self-sacrifice means to subordinate this lower nature and its desires to the more godly and noble side of our selves. Ultimately, in its highest sense, self-sacrifice means to give our will and our all to God to do with as He pleases. Then He purifies and glorifies our true self until it becomes a shining and wonderful reality.
(From a letter dated 10 December 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1319. It is the quality of devotion and self-sacrifice that brings rewards in the service of this Faith rather than means, ability or financial backing.
(From a letter dated 11 May 1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand)
1320. We must never dwell too much on the attitudes and feelings of our fellow-believers towards us. What is most important is to foster love and harmony and ignore any rebuffs we may receive; in this way the weaknesses of human nature and the peculiarity or attitude of any particular person is not magnified, but pales into insignificance in comparison with our joint service to the Faith we all love.
(From a letter dated 19 September 1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1321. It is often difficult for us to do things because they are so very different from what we are used to, not because the thing itself is particularly difficult. With you, and indeed most Bahá'ís, who are now, as adults, accepting this glorious Faith, no doubt some of the ordinances, like fasting and daily prayer, are hard to understand and obey at first. But we must always think that these things are given to all men for a thousand years to come. For Bahá'í children who see these things practised in the home, they will be as natural and necessary a thing as going to church on Sunday was to the more pious generation of Christians. Bahá'u'lláh would not have given us these things if they would not greatly benefit us, and, like children who are sensible enough to realize their father is wise and does what is good for them, we must accept to obey these ordinances even though at first we may not see any need for them. As we obey them we will gradually come to see in ourselves the benefits they confer.
(From a letter dated 16 March 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1322. ...as we suffer these misfortunes we must remember that the Prophets of God Themselves were not immune from these things which men suffer. They knew sorrow, illness and pain too. They rose above these things through Their spirits, and that is what we must try and do too, when afflicted. The troubles of this world pass, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls; so it is to this we must look--to becoming more spiritual, drawing nearer to God, no matter what our human minds and bodies go through.
(From a letter dated 5 August 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1323. He was grieved to hear of some of the things you describe. It shows great spiritual immaturity on the part of some of the Bahá'ís and an astonishing lack of understanding and study of the teachings. To live up to our Faith's moral teachings is a task far harder than to live up to those noble principles the Moral Re-Armament inculcates, fine and encompassing as they are! Every other word of Bahá'u'lláh's and 'Abdu'l-Bahá's writings is a preachment on moral and ethical conduct; all else is the form, the chalice, into which the pure spirit must be poured; without the spirit and the action which must demonstrate it, it is a lifeless form.
He judges, from what you say, that the friends have not or at least many of them have not, been properly taught in the beginning. There is certainly no objection to stressing the "four standards" of the Moral Re-Armament--though any teaching of our precious Faith would go much more deeply into these subjects and add more to them. When we realize that Bahá'u'lláh says adultery retards the progress of the soul in the afterlife--so grievous is it--and that drinking destroys the mind, and not to so much as approach it, we see how clear are our teachings on these subjects. You must not make the great mistake of judging our Faith by one community which obviously needs to study and obey the Bahá'í teachings.
Human frailties and peculiarities can be a great test. But the only way, or perhaps I should say the first and best way, to remedy such situations, is to oneself do what is right. One soul can be the cause of the spiritual illumination of a continent. Now that you have seen, and remedied, a great fault in your own life, now that you see more clearly what is lacking in your own community, there is nothing to prevent you from arising and showing such an example, such a love and spirit of service, as to enkindle the hearts of your fellow Bahá'ís.
He urges you to study deeply the teachings, teach others, study with those Bahá'ís who are anxious to do so, the deeper teachings of our Faith, and through example, effort and prayer, bring about a change.
(From a letter dated 30 September 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1324. Without the spirit of real love for Bahá'u'lláh, for His Faith and its Institutions, and the believers for each other, the Cause can never really bring in large numbers of people. For it is not preaching and rules the world wants, but love and action.
(From a letter dated 25 October 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1325. However, he feels very strongly that if ... is in the state your letter would seem to indicate it is certainly conducting its affairs in the wrong way. This does not mean the Assembly, it means everyone. For where is Bahá'í love? Where is putting unity and harmony first? Where is the willingness to sacrifice one's personal feelings and opinions to achieve love and harmony? What makes the Bahá'ís think that when they sacrifice the spiritual laws the administrative laws are going to work?
. . .
He urges you to exert your utmost to get the ... Bahá'ís to put aside such obnoxious terms as "radical", "conservative", "progressive", "enemies of the Cause", "squelching the teachings", etc. If they paused for one moment to think for what purpose the Báb and the Martyrs gave their lives, and Bahá'u'lláh and the Master accepted so much suffering, they would never let such definitions and accusations cross their lips when speaking of each other. As long as the friends quarrel amongst themselves their efforts will not be blessed for they are disobeying God.
(From a letter dated 24 February 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1326. There are two kinds of Bahá'ís, one might say: those whose religion is Bahá'í and those who live for the Faith. Needless to say, if one can belong to the latter category, if one can be in the vanguard of heroes, martyrs and saints, it is more praiseworthy in the sight of God....
(From a letter dated 16 April 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1327. ...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)
1328. He urges you to do all you can to promote unity and love amongst the members of the Community there, as this seems to be their greatest need. So often young communities, in their desire to administer the Cause, lose sight of the fact that these spiritual relationships are far more important and fundamental than the rules and regulations which must govern the conduct of community affairs.
(From a letter dated 4 October 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1329. The greatest need it seems everywhere inside the Cause is to impress upon the friends the need for love among them. There is a tendency to mix up the functions of the Administration and try to apply it in individual relationships, which is abortive, because the Assembly is a nascent House of Justice and is supposed to administer, according to the Teachings, the affairs of the community. But individuals toward each other are governed by love, unity, forgiveness and a sin-covering eye. Once the friends grasp this they will get along much better, but they keep playing Spiritual Assembly to each other and expect the Assembly to behave like an individual.. .
(From a letter dated 5 October 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted in "Bahá'í News" 241 (March 1951), p. 2)
1330. When criticism and harsh words arise within a Bahá'í community, there is no remedy except to put the past behind one, and persuade all concerned to turn over a new leaf, and for the sake of God and His Faith refrain from mentioning the subjects which have led to misunderstanding and inharmony. The more the friends argue back and forth and maintain, each side, that their point of view is the right one, the worse the whole situation becomes.
When we see the condition the world is in today, we must surely forget these utterly insignificant internal disturbances, and rush, unitedly, to the rescue of humanity. You should urge your fellow-Bahá'ís to take this point of view, and to support you in a strong effort to suppress every critical thought and every harsh word, in order to let the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh flow into the entire community, and unite it in His love and in His service.
(From a letter dated 16 February 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1331. The Guardian feels sure that the contribution which has been made by your friend who has not been active in the Cause for a short time will be the means of stimulating her to renewed service. There is nothing that brings success in the Faith like service. Service is the magnet which draws the divine confirmations. Thus, when a person is active, they are blessed by the Holy Spirit. When they are inactive, the Holy Spirit cannot find a repository in their being, and thus they are deprived of its healing and quickening rays.
(From a letter dated 12 July 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1332. The Guardian feels that your attitude towards the corrupt practice of accepting commissions from fellow physicians and pharmacists is most admirable. The more upright and noble the Bahá'ís are in their conduct, the more they will impress the public with the spiritual vitality of the Faith they believe in.
(From a letter dated 20 October 1953 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1333. This challenge, so severe and insistent, and yet so glorious, faces no doubt primarily the individual believer on whom, in the last resort, depends the fate of the entire community. He it is who constitutes the warp and woof on which the quality and pattern of the whole fabric must depend. He it is who acts as one of the countless links in the mighty chain that now girdles the globe. He it is who serves as one of the multitude of bricks which support the structure and ensure the stability of the administrative edifice now being raised in every part of the world. Without his support, at once whole-hearted, continuous and generous, every measure adopted, and every plan formulated, by the Body which acts as the national representative of the community to which he belongs is foredoomed to failure. The World Centre of the Faith itself is paralysed if such a support on the part of the rank and file of the community is denied it. The Author of the Divine Plan Himself is impeded in His purpose if the proper instruments for the execution of His design are lacking. The sustaining strength of Bahá'u'lláh Himself, the Founder of the Faith, will be withheld from every and each individual who fails in the long run to arise and play his part.
(From a letter dated 20 June 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
1334. When a person becomes a Bahá'í, actually what takes place is that the seed of the spirit starts to grow in the human soul. This seed must be watered by the outpourings of the Holy Spirit. These gifts of the spirit are received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God. The fact of the matter is that service in the Cause is like the plough which ploughs the physical soil when seeds are sown. It is necessary that the soil be ploughed up, so that it can be enriched, and thus cause a stronger growth of the seed. In exactly the same way the evolution of the spirit takes place through ploughing up the soil of the heart so that it is a constant reflection of the Holy Spirit. In this way the human spirit grows and develops by leaps and bounds.
Naturally there will be periods of distress and difficulty, and even severe tests; but if that person turns firmly toward the divine Manifestation, studies carefully His spiritual teachings and receives the blessings of the Holy Spirit, he will find that in reality these tests and difficulties have been the gifts of God to enable him to grow and develop. Thus you might look upon your own difficulties in the path of service. They are the means of your spirit growing and developing. You will suddenly find that you have conquered many of the problems which upset you, and then you will wonder why they should have troubled you at all. An individual must center his whole heart and mind on service to the Cause, in accordance with the high standards set by Bahá'u'lláh. When this is done, the Hosts of the Supreme Concourse will come to the assistance of the individual, and every difficulty and trial will gradually be overcome.
(From a letter dated 6 October 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1335. The road is stony, and there are many tests; but as you say, if the friends will learn to live according to Bahá'u'lláh's teachings, they will discover that they work indeed in mysterious and forceful ways; and that there is always help at hand, that obstacles are overcome, and that success is assured in the end.
(From a letter dated 23 April 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1336. The individual alone must assess its character, consult his conscience, prayerfully consider all its aspects, manfully struggle against the natural inertia that weighs him down in his effort to arise, shed, heroically and irrevocably, the trivial and superfluous attachments which hold him back, empty himself of every thought that may tend to obstruct his path, mix, in obedience to the counsels of the Author of His Faith, and in imitation of the One Who is its true Exemplar, with men and women, in all walks of life, seek to touch their hearts through the distinction which characterizes his thoughts, his words and his acts, and win them over, tactfully, lovingly, prayerfully and persistently, to the Faith he himself has espoused.
(From a letter dated 19 July 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
1337. He was very sorry to learn of the inharmony amongst the friends there; and he feels that the only wise course of action is for all the believers to devote themselves to teaching the Faith and co-operating with their National Body.
Often these trials and tests which all Bahá'í communities inevitably pass through seem terrible, at the moment, but in retrospect we understand that they were due to the frailty of human nature, to misunderstandings, and to the growing pains which every Bahá'í community must experience.
(From a letter dated 25 November 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1338. He is very happy to see that you have put into practice one of the most encouraging precepts of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in which He said that we should try and make every stumbling-block a stepping-stone to progress. In the course of your past life you have all stumbled very gravely; but, far from being embittered or defeated by this experience, you are determined to make it a means of purifying your natures, improving your characters, and enabling you to become better citizens in the future. This is truly pleasing in the eyes of God.
(From a letter dated 26 March 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of Kitalya Farm Prison)
1339. ...the Bahá'ís must, in view of the condition of the world today, stand forth firmly and courageously as followers of Bahá'u'lláh, obeying His Laws, and seeking to build His World Order. Through compromise we will never be able to establish our Faith or win others' hearts to it. This involves often great personal sacrifice, but we know that, when we do the right thing, God gives us the strength to carry it out, and we attract His blessing. We learn at such times that our calamity is indeed a blessing.
(From a letter dated 5 May 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to two believer)
1340. It is not enough for the friends to make the excuse that their best teachers and their exemplary believers have arisen and answered the call to pioneer. A "best teacher" and an "exemplary believer" is ultimately neither more nor less than an ordinary Bahá'í who has consecrated himself to the work of the Faith, deepened his knowledge and understanding of its Teachings, placed his confidence in Bahá'u'lláh, and arisen to serve Him to the best of his ability. This door is one which we are assured will open before the face of every follower of the Faith who knocks hard enough, so to speak. When the will and the desire are strong enough, the means will be found and the way opened either to do more work locally, to go to a new goal town within the United States, or to enter the foreign pioneer field...
Not only must your Body provide the encouragement and leadership required, and stimulate the friends to arise and play their part, but the Local Assemblies must likewise do everything in their power to help the friends to go forth and attain their objectives. Each individual Bahá'í must likewise feel that it is his personal duty to the Cause at this time and his greatest privilege, and must ask himself what he can do during the coming six years, beginning now, to hasten the attainment of the goals of the World Crusade. The Bahá'ís are the leaven of God, which must leaven the lump of their nation. In direct ratio to their success will be the protection vouchsafed, not only to them but to their country. These are the immutable laws of God, from which there is no escape: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."
(From a letter dated 21 September 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
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──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Living the Life
Shoghi Effendi
Universal House of Justice, Research Department
, compiler
published in
Compilation of Compilations
Volume 2, pp. 1-28
1991
original date
1972-11
1. Text
(see PDF scan of earlier version of this compilation
below
)
I.
Extracts From the Writings of the Guardian
1266. How often the beloved Master was heard to say. Should each one of the friends take upon himself to carry out, in all its integrity and implications, only one of the teachings of the Faith, with devotion, detachment, constancy and perseverance and exemplify it in all his deeds and pursuits of life, the world would become another world and the face of the earth would mirror forth the splendours of the Abha Paradise. Consider what marvellous changes would be effected if the beloved of the Merciful conducted themselves, both in their individual and collective capacities, in accordance with the counsels and exhortations which have streamed from the Pen of Glory.
(From a letter dated 12 January 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of Persia - translated from the Persian)
1267. The wish of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, that which attracts His good pleasure and, indeed, His binding command, is that Bahá'ís, in all matters, even in small daily transactions and dealings with others, should act in accordance with the divine Teachings. He has commanded us not to be content with lowliness, humility and meekness, but rather to become manifestations of selflessness and utter nothingness. Of old, all have been exhorted to loyalty and fidelity, compassion and love; in this supreme Dispensation, the people of Bahá are called upon to sacrifice their very lives. Notice the extent to which the friends have been required in the Sacred Epistles and Tablets, as well as in our Beloved's Testament, to be righteous, well-wishing, forbearing, sanctified, pure, detached from all else save God, severed from the trappings of this world and adorned with the mantle of a goodly character and godly attributes.
First and foremost, one should use every possible means to purge one's heart and motives, otherwise, engaging in any form of enterprise would be futile. It is also essential to abstain from hypocrisy and blind imitation, inasmuch as their foul odour is soon detected by every man of understanding and wisdom. Moreover, the friends must observe the specific times for the remembrance of God, meditation, devotion and prayer, as it is highly unlikely, nay impossible, for any enterprise to prosper and develop when deprived of divine bestowals and confirmation. One can hardly imagine what a great influence genuine love, truthfulness and purity of motives exert on the souls of men. But these traits cannot be acquired by any believer unless he makes a daily effort to gain them... It is primarily through the potency of noble deeds and character, rather than by the power of exposition and proofs, that the friends of God should demonstrate to the world that what has been promised by God is bound to happen, that it is already taking place and that the divine glad-tidings are clear, evident and complete. For unless some illustrious souls step forth into the arena of service and shine out resplendent in the assemblage of men, the task of vindicating the truth of this Cause before the eyes of enlightened people would be formidable indeed. However, if the friends become embodiments of virtue and good character, words and arguments will be superfluous. Their very deeds will well serve as eloquent testimony, and their noble conduct will ensure the preservation, integrity and glory of the Cause of God.
(From a letter dated 19 December 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the East - translated from the Persian; see also
more excerpts from this letter
.)
1268. The chosen ones of God . . . should not look at the depraved condition of the society in which they live, nor at the evidences of moral degradation and frivolous conduct which the people around them display. They should not content themselves merely with relative distinction and excellence. Rather they should fix their gaze upon nobler heights by setting the counsels and exhortations of the Pen of Glory as their supreme goal. Then it will be readily realized how numerous are the stages that still remain to be traversed and how far off the desired goal lies--a goal which is none other than exemplifying heavenly morals and virtues.
(From a letter dated 30 October 1924 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Teheran)
II.
Extracts from Letters Written on behalf of the Guardian:
1269. It is our duty and privilege to translate the love and devotion we have for our beloved Cause into deeds and actions that will be conducive to the highest good of mankind.
(From a letter dated 20 November 1924 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1270. If you read the utterances of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá with selflessness and care and concentrate upon them, you will discover truths unknown to you before and will obtain an insight into the problems that have baffled the great thinkers of the world.
(From a letter dated 30 January 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1271. The great thing is to "live the life"--to have our lives so saturated with the Divine teachings and the Bahá'í Spirit that people cannot fail to see a joy, a power, a love, a purity, a radiance, an efficiency in our character and work that will distinguish us from worldly-minded people and make people wonder what is the secret of this new life in us. We must become entirely selfless and devoted to God so that every day and every moment we seek to do only what God would have us do and in the way He would have us do it. If we do this sincerely then we shall have perfect unity and harmony with each other. Where there is want of harmony, there is lack of the true Bahá'í Spirit. Unless we can show this transformation in our lives, this new power, this mutual love and harmony, then the Bahá'í teachings are but a name to us.
(From a letter dated 14 February 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1272. If we Bahá'ís cannot attain to cordial unity among ourselves, then we fail to realize the main purpose for which the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and the Beloved Master lived and suffered. In order to achieve this cordial unity one of the first essentials insisted on by Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá is that we resist the natural tendency to let our attention dwell on the faults and failings of others rather than on our own. Each of us is responsible for one life only, and that is our own. Each of us is immeasurably far from being "perfect as our heavenly father is perfect" and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one that requires all our attention, our will-power and energy. If we allow our attention and energy to be taken up in efforts to keep others right and remedy their faults, we are wasting precious time. We are like ploughmen each of whom has his team to manage and his plough to direct, and in order to keep his furrow straight he must keep his eye on his goal and concentrate on his own task. If he looks to this side and that to see how Tom and Harry are getting on and to criticize their ploughing, then his own furrow will assuredly become crooked. On no subject are the Bahá'í teachings more emphatic than on the necessity to abstain from faultfinding and backbiting while being ever eager to discover and root out our own faults and overcome our own failings. If we profess loyalty to Bahá'u'lláh, to our Beloved Master and our dear Guardian, then we must show our love by obedience to these explicit teachings. Deeds not words are what they demand, and no amount of fervour in the use of expressions of loyalty and adulation will compensate for failure to live in the spirit of the teachings.
From a letter dated 12 May 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1273. As to the question whether it is right to tell an untruth in order to save another, he feels that under no condition should we tell an untruth but at the same time try and help the person in a more legitimate manner. Of course it is not necessary to be too outspoken until the question is directly put to us.
(From a letter dated 21 December 1927 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1274. We should not, however, forget that an essential characteristic of this world is hardship and tribulation and that it is by overcoming them that we achieve our moral and spiritual development. As the Master says, sorrow is like furrows, the deeper they go the more plentiful are the fruits we obtain.
(From a letter dated 5 November 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1275. In the "Bayán" the Báb says that every religion of the past was fit to become universal. The only reason why they failed to attain that mark was the incompetence of their followers. He then proceeds to give a definite promise that this would not be the fate of the revelation of "Him Whom God would make manifest", that it will become universal and include all the people of the world. This shows that we will ultimately succeed. But could we not, through our shortcomings, failures to sacrifice and reluctance to concentrate our efforts in spreading the Cause, retard the realization of that ideal? And what would that mean? It shall mean that we will be held responsible before God, that the race will remain longer in its state of waywardness, that wars would not be so soon averted, that human suffering will last longer.
(From a letter dated 20 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1276. Every day has certain needs. In those early days the Cause needed Martyrs, and people who would stand all sorts of torture and persecution in expressing their faith and spreading the message sent by God. Those days are, however, gone. The Cause at present does not need martyrs who would die for the faith, but servants who desire to teach and establish the Cause throughout the world. To live to teach in the present day is like being martyred in those early days. It is the spirit that moves us that counts, not the act through which that spirit expresses itself; and that spirit is to serve the Cause of God with our heart and soul.
(From a letter dated 3 August 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted in "Bahá'í News", 68, (Nov 1932), p. 3)
1277. He sincerely hopes that, through these sacrifices, that edifice will be completed and become a focal centre for the spirit and teachings of the Cause in that land; that from it the light of guidance will spread and bring joy and hope to the heart of this depressed humanity.
If you study the history of Nabil you will see how the Faith has been fed by the constant sacrifices of the friends. Under hardships, persecutions and constant worries has the Message of Bahá'u'lláh been established throughout the world.
(From a letter dated 30 November 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1278. The advice that Shoghi Effendi gave you regarding the division of your time between serving the Cause and attending to your other duties was also given to many other friends both by Bahá'u'lláh and the Master. It is a compromise between the two verses of the "Aqdas", one making it incumbent upon every Bahá'í to serve the promotion of the Faith and the other that every soul should be occupied in some form of occupation that will benefit society. In one of His Tablets Bahá'u'lláh says that the highest form of detachment in this day is to be occupied with some profession and be self-supporting. A good Bahá'í, therefore, is the one who so arranges his life as to devote time both to his material needs and also to the service of the Cause.
(From a letter dated 26 February 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1279. I need not tell you how grievously he deplores the fact that there are so many negative forces prevailing in Bahá'í gatherings and particularly in such an important meeting as the Convention. The oft-repeated words of the Master concerning unity and harmonious co-operation among the friends should be carefully and thoughtfully remembered now more than ever. Nothing is more contrary to the spirit of the Cause than discord and strife, which are the inevitable outcome of selfishness and greed. Pure detachment and selfless service, these should be the sole motives of every true believer. And unless each and every one of the friends succeeds in translating such qualities into living action, no hope of further progress can be entertained. It is now that unity of thought and action is most needed. It is now, when the Cause s entering a new phase of development, when its Administration is being gradually consolidated amid the welter and chaos of a tottering civilization, that the friends should present a united front to those forces of internal dissension, which, if not completely wiped out, will bring our work to inevitable destruction.
(From a letter dated 24 September 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1280. He, indeed, highly deplores the fact that the representatives of the highest administrative institution in your country have permitted such differences and misunderstandings to assume such a proportion, especially when the principles and laws of the Administration have been each and all clearly and emphatically stated by him in so many communications and ever since the passing of the Master. Such difficulties, if not checked immediately and vigorously, can do incalculable harm to the body of the Cause, and may retard not only the flow but also the effectiveness of its spirit in the world. If deeply and dispassionately examined the source of all these troubles and disputes is to be found invariably in feelings of egotism and selfishness.
And unless these poisonous feelings are fully overcome there can be no hope for the effective working and progress of the administrative machinery of the Cause.
(From a letter dated 9 May 1934 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1281. While he would urge you to courageously meet and overcome the many obstacles that stand in your way, he would at the same time advise you that in case of failure and no matter what befalls you, you should remain radiantly content at, and entirely submissive to, the Divine will. Our afflictions, tests and trials are sometimes blessings in disguise, as they teach us to have more faith and confidence in God, and bring us nearer to Him.
(From a letter dated 28 April 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1282. Has not Bahá'u'lláh assured us that sufferings and privations are blessings in disguise, that through them our inner spiritual forces become stimulated, purified and ennobled? Remain, therefore, confident that your material hardships will, far from hindering your activities for the Cause, impart to your heart a powerful impetus to better serve and promote its interests.
(From a letter dated 22 November 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1283. Personal effort is indeed a vital prerequisite to the recognition and acceptance of the Cause of God. No matter how strong the measure of Divine grace, unless supplemented by personal, sustained and intelligent effort it cannot become fully effective and be of any real and abiding advantage.
(From a letter dated 27 February 1938 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1284. Such hindrances, no matter how severe and insuperable they may at first seem, can and should be effectively overcome through the combined and sustained power of prayer and of determined and continued effort. For have not Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá both repeatedly assured us that the Divine and unseen hosts of victory will ever reinforce and strengthen those who valiantly and confidently labour in their name? This assurance should indeed enable you to overcome any feeling of unworthiness, of incapacity to serve, and any inner or outer limitation which threatens to handicap your labours for the Cause. You should therefore arise, and with a heart filled with joy and confidence endeavour to contribute any share that is in your power toward the wider diffusion and greater consolidation of our beloved Faith.
Whatever the particular field of service you may choose, whether teaching or administrative, the essential is for you to persevere, and not to allow any consciousness of your limitations to dampen your zeal, much less to deter you from serving joyously and actively.
(From a letter dated 6 February 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1285. The greater your trials and sufferings, the stronger should wax your attachment and devotion to the Cause. For only through repeated tribulations and trials does God test His servants, and these they should therefore view as blessings in disguise, and as opportunities whereby they can acquire a fuller consciousness of the Divine Will and Purpose.
(From a letter dated 23 February 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to two believers)
1286. The course on character building to be given by Miss Flora Hottes, the Guardian feels, is particularly important and should be given due emphasis and studied carefully and thoroughly, especially by the young believers in attendance at the school. These standards of Bahá'í conduct, which he himself has set forth in his last general epistle, "The Advent of Divine Justice", and which it should be the paramount duty of every loyal and conscientious believer to endeavour to uphold and promote, deserve serious study and meditation, and should constitute the main central theme of this year's programme at all the three Bahá'í Summer Schools in the States.
(From a letter dated 20 May 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1287. Regarding ...'s appeal: the Guardian feels the best course of action in this matter is to ask both of the believers concerned to forgive and forget the entire matter. He does not want the friends to form the habit of taking up a kind of Bahá'í litigation against each other. Their duties to humanity are too sacred and urgent in these days, when the Cause is struggling to spread and assert its independence, for them to spend their precious time, and his precious time, in this way. Ask them, therefore, to unite, forget the past, and serve as never before.
(From a letter dated 22 July 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand)
1288. Indeed the believers have not yet fully learned to draw on each other's love for strength and consolation in time of need. The Cause of God is endowed with tremendous powers, and the reason the believers do not gain more from it is because they have not learned to fully draw on these mighty forces of love and strength and harmony generated by the Faith. He would advise you to leave your friend ... to herself for the time being, and pray for her. As she does not at the moment wish your help you can only help her inwardly.
You have rendered the Cause many valuable services, and are still doing so, and this should be your greatest consolation...
(From a letter dated 8 May 1942 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1289. The friends must be patient with each other and must realize that the Cause is still in its infancy and its institutions are not yet functioning perfectly. The greater the patience, the loving understanding and the forbearance the believers show towards each other and their shortcomings, the greater will be the progress of the whole Bahá'í community at large.
(From a letter dated 27 February 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1290. We must realize our imperfection and not permit ourselves to get too upset over the unfortunate things which occur, sometimes in Conventions, sometimes in Assemblies or on Committees, etc. Such things are essentially superficial and in time will be outgrown.
(From a letter dated 17 March 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1291. Not all of us are capable of serving in the same way, but the one way every Bahá'í can spread the Faith is by example. This moves the hearts of people far more deeply than words ever can.
The love we show others, the hospitality and understanding, the willingness to help them, these are the very best advertisements of the Faith. They will want to hear about it when they see these things in our lives.
(From a letter dated 14 October 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1292. 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)
1293. These, indeed, are the days when heroism is needed on the part of the believers. Self-sacrifice, courage, indomitable hope and confidence are the characteristics they should show forth, because these very attributes cannot but fix the attention of the public and lead them to enquire what, in a world so hopelessly chaotic and bewildered, leads these people to be so assured, so confident, so full of devotion? Increasingly, as time goes by, the characteristics of the Bahá'ís will be that which captures the attention of their fellow-citizens. They must show their aloofness from the hatreds and recriminations which are tearing at the heart of humanity, and demonstrate by deed and word their profound belief in the future peaceful unification of the entire human race.
(From a letter dated 26 October 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1294. We must always look ahead and seek to accomplish in the future what we may have failed to do in the past. Failures, tests, and trials, if we use them correctly, can become the means of purifying our spirits, strengthening our characters, and enable us to rise to greater heights of service.
(From a letter dated 14 December 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1295. Regarding the points you refer to in your letter: the complete and entire elimination of the ego would imply perfection--which man can never completely attain -- but the ego can and should be ever-increasingly subordinated to the enlightened soul of man. This is what spiritual progress implies.
(From a letter dated 14 December 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1296. He was very pleased to hear that the Convention was so well attended, and the believers enthusiastic and united. One of the most paramount needs of the Cause in ... is that the friends should unite, should become really keenly conscious of the fact that they are one spiritual family, held together by bonds more sacred and eternal than those physical ties which make people of the same family. If the friends will forget all personal differences and open their hearts to a great love for each other for the sake of Bahá'u'lláh, they will find that their powers are vastly increased; they will attract the heart of the public, and will witness a rapid growth of the Holy Faith in... The National Spiritual Assembly should do all in its power to foster unity among the believers, and to educate them in the Administration as this is the channel through which their community life must flow, and which, when properly understood and practised, will enable the work of the Cause to go ahead by leaps and bounds.
(From a letter dated 26 October 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma)
1297. Ultimately all the battle of life is within the individual. No amount of organization can solve the inner problems or produce or prevent, as the case may be, victory or failure at a crucial moment. In such times as these particularly, individuals are torn by great forces at large in the world, and we see some weak ones suddenly become miraculously strong, and strong ones fail--we can only try, through loving advice, as your Committee has done, to bring about the act on the part of the believer which will be for the highest good of the Cause. Because obviously something bad for the Cause cannot be the highest good of the individual Bahá'í.
(From a letter dated 17 December 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1298. The thing the world needs today is the Bahá'í spirit. People are craving for love, for a high standard to look up to, as well as for solutions to their many grave problems. The Bahá'ís should shower on those whom they meet the warm and living spirit of the Cause, and this, combined with teaching, cannot but attract the sincere truth-seekers to the Faith.
(From a letter dated 18 December 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1299. Regarding your question about the need for greater unity among the friends, there is no doubt that this is so, and the Guardian feels that one of the chief instruments for promoting it is to teach the Bahá'ís themselves, in classes and through precepts, that love of God, and consequently of men, is the essential foundation of every religion, our own included. A greater degree of love will produce a greater unity, because it enables people to bear with each other, to be patient and forgiving. (From a letter dated 7 July 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted in "Bahá'í News", 173, (Feb 1945), p. 3)
1300. He hopes that you will develop into Bahá'ís in character as well as in belief. The whole purpose of Bahá'u'lláh is that we should become a new kind of people, people who are upright, kind, intelligent, truthful, and honest and who live according to His great laws laid down for this new epoch in man's development. To call ourselves Bahá'ís is not enough, our inmost being must become ennobled and enlightened through living a Bahá'í life.
(From a letter dated 25 August 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Louhelen School Youth Session)
1301. So many misunderstandings arise from the passionate attachment of the friends to the Faith and also their immaturity. We must therefore be very patient and loving with each other and try to establish unity in the Bahá'í family. The differences ... which you describe in your letter he feels are caused by the above and not by enmity to the Faith or insincerity.
(From a letter dated 17 October 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1302. He was very happy to hear from you, and to learn that Green Acre this year was pervaded with a love and harmony that was instrumental in confirming many new souls in the Faith. This love amongst the believers is the magnet which will, above all else,attract the hearts and bring new souls into the Cause. Because obviously the teachings - however wonderful - cannot change the world unless the Spirit of Bahá'u'lláh's love is mirrored in the Bahá'í Communities.
(From a letter dated 27 October 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1303. Indeed if the friends could seek, and exert themselves, to become 100 per cent Bahá'ís they would see how greatly their influence over others would be increased, and how rapidly the Cause would spread. The world is seeking not a compromise but the embodiment of a high and shining ideal. The more the friends live up to our teachings in every aspect of their lives, in their homes, in business, in their social relationships, the greater will be the attraction they exercise over the hearts of others.
He is pleased to see you have naturally, with conviction and good will towards all, been mingling with and teaching the coloured people. When the Bahá'ís live up to their teachings as they should, although it may arouse the opposition of some it will arouse still more the admiration of fair-minded people.
(From a letter dated 23 January 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1304. Indeed when we see the increasing darkness in the world today we can fully realize that unless the Message of Bahá'u'lláh reaches into the hearts of men and transforms them, there can be no peace and no spiritual progress in the future.
His constant hope is that the believers will conduct themselves, individually and in their Bahá'í Community life, in such a manner as to attract the attention of others to the Cause. The world is not only starving for lofty principles and ideals, it is, above all, starving for a shining example which the Bahá'ís can and must provide.
(From a letter dated 22 February 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1305. The need is very great, everywhere in the world, in and outside the Faith, for a true spiritual awareness to pervade and motivate people's lives. No amount of administrative procedure or adherence to rules can take the place of this soul-characteristic, this spirituality which is the essence of Man. He is very glad to see you are stressing this and aiding the friends to realize its supreme importance.
(From a letter dated 25 April 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1306. Regarding the matter of ... and the inharmony that seems to exist among certain of the friends ... when Bahá'ís permit the dark forces of the world to enter into their own relationships within the Faith they gravely jeopardize its progress; it is the paramount duty of the believers, the Local Assemblies, and particularly the National Spiritual Assembly to foster harmony, understanding and love amongst the friends. All should be ready and willing to set aside every personal sense of grievance-- justified or unjustified--for the good of the Cause, because the people will never embrace it until they see in its community life mirrored what is so conspicuously lacking in the world: love and unity.
(From a letter dated 13 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand)
1307. Most important of all is that love and unity should prevail in the Bahá'í Community, as this is what people are most longing for in the present dark state of the world. Words without the living example will never be sufficient to breathe hope into the hearts of a disillusioned and often cynical generation.
(From a letter dated 20 October 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1308. Since you have turned to him for guidance, he will very frankly give you his opinion. He feels that the present inharmony prevailing amongst you... is very detrimental to the advancement of the Cause, and can only lead to disruption and the chilling of the interest of new believers. You ... should forget about your personal grievances, and unite for the protection of the Faith which he well knows you are all loyally devoted to and ready to sacrifice for.
Perhaps the greatest test Bahá'ís are ever subjected to is from each other; but for the sake of the Master they should be ever ready to overlook each other's mistakes, apologize for harsh words they have uttered, forgive and forget. He strongly recommends to you this course of action. Also he feels that you and ... should not remain away from the meetings and Feasts in ...; you have now got an enthusiastic group of young Bahá'ís in ..., and you should show them a strong example of Bahá'í discipline and the unity which can and must prevail amongst the Community of the Most Great Name.
(From a letter dated 18 December 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1309. You ask about "spiritual indigestion": Bahá'ís should seek to be many-sided, normal and well balanced, mentally and spiritually. We must not give the impression of being fanatics, but at the same time we must live up to our principles.
(From a letter dated 12 March 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
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1310. You may be sure he will pray for the unity of the ... believers, as this is of paramount importance, and upon it depends the development of the Cause there, and the success of every teaching effort. The thing the friends need--everywhere-- is a greater love for each other, and this can be acquired by greater love for Bahá'u'lláh; for if we love Him deeply enough, we will never allow personal feelings and opinions to hold His Cause back; we will be willing to sacrifice ourselves to each other for the sake of the Faith, and be, as the Master said, one soul in many bodies.
(From a letter dated 5 September 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1311. He heartily agrees with you that unless we practise the Teachings we cannot possibly expect the Faith to grow, because the fundamental purpose of all religions--including our own--is to bring man nearer to God, and to change his character, which is of the utmost importance. Too much emphasis is often laid on the social and economic aspects of the Teachings; but the moral aspect cannot be over-emphasized.
(From a letter dated 6 September 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1312. The fact that you had a course on 'Bahá'í character' pleased him very much, as he considers one of the greatest obligations of your generation of believers is to live a Bahá'í life; you must demonstrate, by your high moral standards, your courtesy, your integrity and nobility, that our Faith, is not one of words but truly changes the heart and conduct of its adherents.
(From a letter dated 19 September 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Louhelen School Junior Youth Session, U.S.A.)
1313. He feels that the youth, in particular, must constantly and determinedly strive to exemplify a Bahá'í life. In the world around us we see moral decay, promiscuity, indecency, vulgarity, bad manners--the Bahá'í young people must be the opposite of these things, and, by their chastity, their uprightness, their decency, their consideration and good manners, attract others, old and young, to the Faith. The world is tired of words; it wants example, and it is up to the Bahá'í youth to furnish it.
(From a letter dated 19 September 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to Green Acre Summer School
1314. The friends must, at all times, bear in mind that they are, in a way, like soldiers under attack. The world is at present in an exceedingly dark condition spiritually; hatred and prejudice, of every sort, are literally tearing it to pieces. We, on the other hand, are the custodians of the opposite forces, the forces of love, of unity, of peace and integration, and we must constantly be on our guard, whether as individuals or as an Assembly or Community, lest through us these destructive, negative forces enter into our midst. In other words we must beware lest the darkness of society become reflected in our acts and attitudes, perhaps all unconsciously. Love for each other, the deep sense that we are a new organism, the dawn-breakers of a New World Order, must constantly animate our Bahá'í lives, and we must pray to be protected from the contamination of society which is so diseased with prejudice.
(From a letter dated 5 February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Atlanta, Georgia)
1315. The Cause in ... is growing very rapidly, and the more it spreads the more the attention of the public will be fixed upon it. This imposes a heavy responsibility on the believers, as they must show forth such a spirit of love and unity among themselves as will attract the hearts of others and encourage them to enter the Faith in large numbers. We must always remember that the Teachings are perfect, and that the only reason more of our fellow men have not as yet embraced them is because we Bahá'ís, the world over, are ourselves not yet as selfless and radiant mirrors of Bahá'u'lláh's Truth as we should and could be! We must constantly strive to better exemplify His Teachings.
(From a letter dated 18 February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1316. We must concentrate on perfecting our characters as individual Bahá'ís, and on maturing our still embryonic, and as yet improperly understood, World Order; on spreading the Message, according to the provisions of the Divine Plan; and on building a tightly knit world-wide Bahá'í Community. We are relatively few in numbers, and have such a precious, unique and responsible task to carry out. We must concentrate our full forces upon it.
(From a letter dated 9 May 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada)
1317. It is upon the individual believer, constituting the fundamental unit in the structure of the home front, that the revitalization, the expansion, and the enrichment of the home front must ultimately depend. The more strenuous the effort exerted, daily and methodically, by the individual labouring on the home front to rise to loftier heights of consecration, and of self-abnegation, to contribute, through pioneering at home, to the multiplication of Bahá'í isolated centres, groups and Assemblies, and to raise, through diligent, painstaking and continual endeavour to convert receptive souls to the Faith he has espoused, the number of its active and whole-hearted supporters; the sooner will the vast and multiple enterprises, launched beyond the confines of the homeland, now so desperately calling for a greater supply of men and means, be provided with the necessary support that will ensure their uninterrupted development and hasten their ultimate fruition ...
(From a letter dated 21 September 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
1318. Regarding the questions you asked: self has really two meanings, or is used in two senses, in the Bahá'í writings; one is self, the identity of the individual created by God. This is the self mentioned in such passages as "he hath known God who hath known himself", etc. The other self is the ego, the dark, animalistic heritage each one of us has, the lower nature that can develop into a monster of selfishness, brutality, lust and so on. It is this self we must struggle against, or this side of our natures, in order to strengthen and free the spirit within us and help it to attain perfection.
Self-sacrifice means to subordinate this lower nature and its desires to the more godly and noble side of our selves. Ultimately, in its highest sense, self-sacrifice means to give our will and our all to God to do with as He pleases. Then He purifies and glorifies our true self until it becomes a shining and wonderful reality.
(From a letter dated 10 December 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1319. It is the quality of devotion and self-sacrifice that brings rewards in the service of this Faith rather than means, ability or financial backing.
(From a letter dated 11 May 1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand)
1320. We must never dwell too much on the attitudes and feelings of our fellow-believers towards us. What is most important is to foster love and harmony and ignore any rebuffs we may receive; in this way the weaknesses of human nature and the peculiarity or attitude of any particular person is not magnified, but pales into insignificance in comparison with our joint service to the Faith we all love.
(From a letter dated 19 September 1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1321. It is often difficult for us to do things because they are so very different from what we are used to, not because the thing itself is particularly difficult. With you, and indeed most Bahá'ís, who are now, as adults, accepting this glorious Faith, no doubt some of the ordinances, like fasting and daily prayer, are hard to understand and obey at first. But we must always think that these things are given to all men for a thousand years to come. For Bahá'í children who see these things practised in the home, they will be as natural and necessary a thing as going to church on Sunday was to the more pious generation of Christians. Bahá'u'lláh would not have given us these things if they would not greatly benefit us, and, like children who are sensible enough to realize their father is wise and does what is good for them, we must accept to obey these ordinances even though at first we may not see any need for them. As we obey them we will gradually come to see in ourselves the benefits they confer.
(From a letter dated 16 March 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1322. ...as we suffer these misfortunes we must remember that the Prophets of God Themselves were not immune from these things which men suffer. They knew sorrow, illness and pain too. They rose above these things through Their spirits, and that is what we must try and do too, when afflicted. The troubles of this world pass, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls; so it is to this we must look--to becoming more spiritual, drawing nearer to God, no matter what our human minds and bodies go through.
(From a letter dated 5 August 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1323. He was grieved to hear of some of the things you describe. It shows great spiritual immaturity on the part of some of the Bahá'ís and an astonishing lack of understanding and study of the teachings. To live up to our Faith's moral teachings is a task far harder than to live up to those noble principles the Moral Re-Armament inculcates, fine and encompassing as they are! Every other word of Bahá'u'lláh's and 'Abdu'l-Bahá's writings is a preachment on moral and ethical conduct; all else is the form, the chalice, into which the pure spirit must be poured; without the spirit and the action which must demonstrate it, it is a lifeless form.
He judges, from what you say, that the friends have not or at least many of them have not, been properly taught in the beginning. There is certainly no objection to stressing the "four standards" of the Moral Re-Armament--though any teaching of our precious Faith would go much more deeply into these subjects and add more to them. When we realize that Bahá'u'lláh says adultery retards the progress of the soul in the afterlife--so grievous is it--and that drinking destroys the mind, and not to so much as approach it, we see how clear are our teachings on these subjects. You must not make the great mistake of judging our Faith by one community which obviously needs to study and obey the Bahá'í teachings.
Human frailties and peculiarities can be a great test. But the only way, or perhaps I should say the first and best way, to remedy such situations, is to oneself do what is right. One soul can be the cause of the spiritual illumination of a continent. Now that you have seen, and remedied, a great fault in your own life, now that you see more clearly what is lacking in your own community, there is nothing to prevent you from arising and showing such an example, such a love and spirit of service, as to enkindle the hearts of your fellow Bahá'ís.
He urges you to study deeply the teachings, teach others, study with those Bahá'ís who are anxious to do so, the deeper teachings of our Faith, and through example, effort and prayer, bring about a change.
(From a letter dated 30 September 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1324. Without the spirit of real love for Bahá'u'lláh, for His Faith and its Institutions, and the believers for each other, the Cause can never really bring in large numbers of people. For it is not preaching and rules the world wants, but love and action.
(From a letter dated 25 October 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1325. However, he feels very strongly that if ... is in the state your letter would seem to indicate it is certainly conducting its affairs in the wrong way. This does not mean the Assembly, it means everyone. For where is Bahá'í love? Where is putting unity and harmony first? Where is the willingness to sacrifice one's personal feelings and opinions to achieve love and harmony? What makes the Bahá'ís think that when they sacrifice the spiritual laws the administrative laws are going to work?
. . .
He urges you to exert your utmost to get the ... Bahá'ís to put aside such obnoxious terms as "radical", "conservative", "progressive", "enemies of the Cause", "squelching the teachings", etc. If they paused for one moment to think for what purpose the Báb and the Martyrs gave their lives, and Bahá'u'lláh and the Master accepted so much suffering, they would never let such definitions and accusations cross their lips when speaking of each other. As long as the friends quarrel amongst themselves their efforts will not be blessed for they are disobeying God.
(From a letter dated 24 February 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1326. There are two kinds of Bahá'ís, one might say: those whose religion is Bahá'í and those who live for the Faith. Needless to say, if one can belong to the latter category, if one can be in the vanguard of heroes, martyrs and saints, it is more praiseworthy in the sight of God....
(From a letter dated 16 April 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1327. ...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)
1328. He urges you to do all you can to promote unity and love amongst the members of the Community there, as this seems to be their greatest need. So often young communities, in their desire to administer the Cause, lose sight of the fact that these spiritual relationships are far more important and fundamental than the rules and regulations which must govern the conduct of community affairs.
(From a letter dated 4 October 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1329. The greatest need it seems everywhere inside the Cause is to impress upon the friends the need for love among them. There is a tendency to mix up the functions of the Administration and try to apply it in individual relationships, which is abortive, because the Assembly is a nascent House of Justice and is supposed to administer, according to the Teachings, the affairs of the community. But individuals toward each other are governed by love, unity, forgiveness and a sin-covering eye. Once the friends grasp this they will get along much better, but they keep playing Spiritual Assembly to each other and expect the Assembly to behave like an individual.. .
(From a letter dated 5 October 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted in "Bahá'í News" 241 (March 1951), p. 2)
1330. When criticism and harsh words arise within a Bahá'í community, there is no remedy except to put the past behind one, and persuade all concerned to turn over a new leaf, and for the sake of God and His Faith refrain from mentioning the subjects which have led to misunderstanding and inharmony. The more the friends argue back and forth and maintain, each side, that their point of view is the right one, the worse the whole situation becomes.
When we see the condition the world is in today, we must surely forget these utterly insignificant internal disturbances, and rush, unitedly, to the rescue of humanity. You should urge your fellow-Bahá'ís to take this point of view, and to support you in a strong effort to suppress every critical thought and every harsh word, in order to let the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh flow into the entire community, and unite it in His love and in His service.
(From a letter dated 16 February 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1331. The Guardian feels sure that the contribution which has been made by your friend who has not been active in the Cause for a short time will be the means of stimulating her to renewed service. There is nothing that brings success in the Faith like service. Service is the magnet which draws the divine confirmations. Thus, when a person is active, they are blessed by the Holy Spirit. When they are inactive, the Holy Spirit cannot find a repository in their being, and thus they are deprived of its healing and quickening rays.
(From a letter dated 12 July 1952 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1332. The Guardian feels that your attitude towards the corrupt practice of accepting commissions from fellow physicians and pharmacists is most admirable. The more upright and noble the Bahá'ís are in their conduct, the more they will impress the public with the spiritual vitality of the Faith they believe in.
(From a letter dated 20 October 1953 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1333. This challenge, so severe and insistent, and yet so glorious, faces no doubt primarily the individual believer on whom, in the last resort, depends the fate of the entire community. He it is who constitutes the warp and woof on which the quality and pattern of the whole fabric must depend. He it is who acts as one of the countless links in the mighty chain that now girdles the globe. He it is who serves as one of the multitude of bricks which support the structure and ensure the stability of the administrative edifice now being raised in every part of the world. Without his support, at once whole-hearted, continuous and generous, every measure adopted, and every plan formulated, by the Body which acts as the national representative of the community to which he belongs is foredoomed to failure. The World Centre of the Faith itself is paralysed if such a support on the part of the rank and file of the community is denied it. The Author of the Divine Plan Himself is impeded in His purpose if the proper instruments for the execution of His design are lacking. The sustaining strength of Bahá'u'lláh Himself, the Founder of the Faith, will be withheld from every and each individual who fails in the long run to arise and play his part.
(From a letter dated 20 June 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
1334. When a person becomes a Bahá'í, actually what takes place is that the seed of the spirit starts to grow in the human soul. This seed must be watered by the outpourings of the Holy Spirit. These gifts of the spirit are received through prayer, meditation, study of the Holy Utterances and service to the Cause of God. The fact of the matter is that service in the Cause is like the plough which ploughs the physical soil when seeds are sown. It is necessary that the soil be ploughed up, so that it can be enriched, and thus cause a stronger growth of the seed. In exactly the same way the evolution of the spirit takes place through ploughing up the soil of the heart so that it is a constant reflection of the Holy Spirit. In this way the human spirit grows and develops by leaps and bounds.
Naturally there will be periods of distress and difficulty, and even severe tests; but if that person turns firmly toward the divine Manifestation, studies carefully His spiritual teachings and receives the blessings of the Holy Spirit, he will find that in reality these tests and difficulties have been the gifts of God to enable him to grow and develop. Thus you might look upon your own difficulties in the path of service. They are the means of your spirit growing and developing. You will suddenly find that you have conquered many of the problems which upset you, and then you will wonder why they should have troubled you at all. An individual must center his whole heart and mind on service to the Cause, in accordance with the high standards set by Bahá'u'lláh. When this is done, the Hosts of the Supreme Concourse will come to the assistance of the individual, and every difficulty and trial will gradually be overcome.
(From a letter dated 6 October 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1335. The road is stony, and there are many tests; but as you say, if the friends will learn to live according to Bahá'u'lláh's teachings, they will discover that they work indeed in mysterious and forceful ways; and that there is always help at hand, that obstacles are overcome, and that success is assured in the end.
(From a letter dated 23 April 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1336. The individual alone must assess its character, consult his conscience, prayerfully consider all its aspects, manfully struggle against the natural inertia that weighs him down in his effort to arise, shed, heroically and irrevocably, the trivial and superfluous attachments which hold him back, empty himself of every thought that may tend to obstruct his path, mix, in obedience to the counsels of the Author of His Faith, and in imitation of the One Who is its true Exemplar, with men and women, in all walks of life, seek to touch their hearts through the distinction which characterizes his thoughts, his words and his acts, and win them over, tactfully, lovingly, prayerfully and persistently, to the Faith he himself has espoused.
(From a letter dated 19 July 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
1337. He was very sorry to learn of the inharmony amongst the friends there; and he feels that the only wise course of action is for all the believers to devote themselves to teaching the Faith and co-operating with their National Body.
Often these trials and tests which all Bahá'í communities inevitably pass through seem terrible, at the moment, but in retrospect we understand that they were due to the frailty of human nature, to misunderstandings, and to the growing pains which every Bahá'í community must experience.
(From a letter dated 25 November 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
1338. He is very happy to see that you have put into practice one of the most encouraging precepts of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in which He said that we should try and make every stumbling-block a stepping-stone to progress. In the course of your past life you have all stumbled very gravely; but, far from being embittered or defeated by this experience, you are determined to make it a means of purifying your natures, improving your characters, and enabling you to become better citizens in the future. This is truly pleasing in the eyes of God.
(From a letter dated 26 March 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of Kitalya Farm Prison)
1339. ...the Bahá'ís must, in view of the condition of the world today, stand forth firmly and courageously as followers of Bahá'u'lláh, obeying His Laws, and seeking to build His World Order. Through compromise we will never be able to establish our Faith or win others' hearts to it. This involves often great personal sacrifice, but we know that, when we do the right thing, God gives us the strength to carry it out, and we attract His blessing. We learn at such times that our calamity is indeed a blessing.
(From a letter dated 5 May 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to two believer)
1340. It is not enough for the friends to make the excuse that their best teachers and their exemplary believers have arisen and answered the call to pioneer. A "best teacher" and an "exemplary believer" is ultimately neither more nor less than an ordinary Bahá'í who has consecrated himself to the work of the Faith, deepened his knowledge and understanding of its Teachings, placed his confidence in Bahá'u'lláh, and arisen to serve Him to the best of his ability. This door is one which we are assured will open before the face of every follower of the Faith who knocks hard enough, so to speak. When the will and the desire are strong enough, the means will be found and the way opened either to do more work locally, to go to a new goal town within the United States, or to enter the foreign pioneer field...
Not only must your Body provide the encouragement and leadership required, and stimulate the friends to arise and play their part, but the Local Assemblies must likewise do everything in their power to help the friends to go forth and attain their objectives. Each individual Bahá'í must likewise feel that it is his personal duty to the Cause at this time and his greatest privilege, and must ask himself what he can do during the coming six years, beginning now, to hasten the attainment of the goals of the World Crusade. The Bahá'ís are the leaven of God, which must leaven the lump of their nation. In direct ratio to their success will be the protection vouchsafed, not only to them but to their country. These are the immutable laws of God, from which there is no escape: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."
(From a letter dated 21 September 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
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SHOGHI EFFENDI
ZUM WIRKLICHEN LEBEN
Auszüge aus Briefen und Schriften
1923-1957
Herausgegeben vom
Universalen Haus der Gerechtigkeit
BAHA'l VERLAG
Wie oft hörte man den geliebten Meister sagen: Wenn jeder der Freunde auf sich nähme, nur
eine einzige Lehre des Glaubens voll und ganz und mit allen Konsequenzen, in Hingabe und Los-
lösung, mit Beständigkeit und Ausdauer zu befolgen und in allen Taten und Unternehmungen sei-
nes Lebens ein Beispiel dafür zu geben, dann würde die Welt sich völlig verändern, und das Antlitz
der Erde würde die Herrlichkeit des Paradieses Abhá widerspiegeln. Bedenkt, welch wunderbare
Veränderung erzielt würde, wenn sich die Geliebten des Barmherzigen im persönlichen Bereich
wie auch als Gemeindeglieder gemäß den Ratschlägen und Ermahnungen verhielten, die aus der
Feder des Ruhmes geflossen sind. (Shoghi Effendi, aus einem Brief vom
12. Januar 1923 an die Bahá’í von Persien, aus dem Persischen übersetzt)
Bedenkt, wie sehr die Geliebten Gottes in Wille und Testament ebenso wie in den heiligen Send-
schreiben und Schriften dazu gedrängt und ermahnt wurden, Geradheit, guten Willen, Duldsam-
keit, Heiligkeit, Loslösung von allem außer Gott und Trennung von allem, was zu dieser Welt ge-
hört, an den Tag zu legen, Beispiel für himmlische Eigenschaften und Wesenszüge zu sein. Zu
allererst sollten sie jedes nur mögliche Mittel anwenden, um ihr Herz und ihre inneren Antriebe zu
reinigen; andernfalls wäre es nutzlos, sich für Unternehmungen irgendwelcher Art einzusetzen.
Ebenso notwendig ist es, sich der Heuchelei und der blinden Nachahmung zu enthalten, denn ihr
übler Geruch wird von jedem verständigen und weisen Menschen sehr bald entdeckt werden. Dar-
über hinaus müssen die Freunde die fest gesetzten Zeiten für die Erwähnung Gottes, für Meditati-
on, Andacht und Gebet einhalten, da es höchst unwahrscheinlich, ja, so gut wie unmöglich ist, daß
irgendeine Unternehmung ohne die göttlichen Gnadengaben und Bestätigungen Erfolg und Frucht
bringen kann. Man kann sich kaum vorstellen, welch großen Einfluß aufrichtige Liebe, Wahrhaftig-
keit und Reinheit der Motive auf die Seelen der Menschen ausüben. Aber diese Eigenschaften
können nicht erworben werden, solange nicht jeder Gläubige sich tagtäglich bemüht, sie zu erlan-
gen . . .
Die Geliebten Gottes sollten in erster Linie durch die Macht edlen Handelns und eines edlen
Charakters, außerdem kraft Darlegung und Beweises der Welt die Tatsache vor Augen führen,
daß die Verheißungen Gottes sich notwendigerweise erfüllen, daß sich diese Erfüllung schon jetzt
vollzieht und daß die frohen Botschaften klar, einleuchtend und vollständig sind. In der Tat, wenn
nicht einige hervorragende Seelen die Arena des Dienens beträten und ein strahlendes Licht in der
Gesellschaft der Menschen würden, dann würde es zu einer ungeheuerlichen Aufgabe, vor den
Augen der Weltweisen die Wahrheit dieser Sache zu vertreten. Aber wenn die Freunde Verkörpe-
rungen glänzender Eigenschaften und Tugenden werden, bedarf es der Worte und Argumente
nicht mehr. Ihre Taten selbst dienen dann als beredtes Zeugnis, ihr edles Verhalten sichert den
Schutz, die Unversehrtheit und den Ruhm der Sache Gottes.
(Shoghi Effendi, aus einem Brief vom 19. Dezember 1923 an die Bahá’í' des Ostens, aus dem
Persischen übersetzt)
Die Erwählten Gottes ... sollten nicht auf den verderbten Zustand der Gesellschaft schauen, in der
sie leben, oder auf die Beweise der Entartung und der Leichtfertigkeit, die die Menschen um sie
her an den Tag legen. Sie sollten sich nicht damit zufriedengeben, daß sie bloß im Vergleich zu
den anderen abstechen und herausragen. Vielmehr sollten sie den Blick auf erhabenere Gipfel
richten, indem sie sich die Ratschläge und Ermahnungen der Erhabensten Feder zum höchsten
Ziel setzen. Dann werden sie alsbald erkennen, wie zahlreich die Stufen sind, die noch durch
schritten werden müssen, und wie weit entfernt das ersehnte Ziel liegt -, kein anderes Ziel als das,
Beispiel zu sein für himmlische Verhaltensnormen und Tugenden.
(Shoghi Effendi, aus eitlem Brief vom 30. Oktober 1924 an den Geistigen Rat von Teheran, aus
dem Persischen übersetzt)
Es ist unsere Pflicht und unser Vorrecht, die Liebe und Hingabe, die wir für unsere geliebte Sa-
che empfinden, in Taten und Handlungen umzusetzen, die dem höchsten Wohl der Menschheit
dienlich sind. (Shoghi Effendi, aus eitlem Brief vom 20. November 1924 an einen Gläubigen)
Wenn Sie die Äußerungen Bahá’u’lláhs und ‘Abdu’l-Bahás selbstlos und aufmerksam lesen und
sich ganz darauf konzentrieren, werden Sie Wahrheiten entdecken, die Ihnen bislang unbekannt
sind, und Einsicht in die Probleme gewinnen, vor denen die großen Philosophen der Welt ratlos
standen. (Shoghi Effendi, aus einem Brief vom 30. Januar 1925 all einen Gläubigen)
Die Hauptsache ist, das wir das Leben führen - daß unser Leben mit den göttlichen Lehren und
dem Bahá’í-Geist so sehr gesättigt ist, daß die Menschen nicht umhin können, in unserem Charak-
ter und in unserer Tätigkeit eine Freude, eine Kraft, Liebe und Reinheit, eine Ausstrahlung und
Tüchtigkeit wahrzunehmen, die uns von weltlich gesinnten Menschen abheben, so daß die Leute
sich fragen, was denn wohl das Geheimnis dieses neuen Lebens in uns ist. Wir müssen völlig
selbstlos werden und uns Gott ergeben, so daß wir an jedem Tag und in jedem Augenblick be-
strebt sind, nur das zu tun, was Gott von uns getan haben will in der Art und Weise, wie Er es von
uns getan haben will. Wenn wir das aufrichtig tun, dann werden vollkommene Einheit und Eintracht
unter uns herrschen. Wo es an Eintracht mangelt, da fehlt der wahre Bahá’í-Geist. Wenn wir nicht
diese Umwandlung unseres Lebens, diese neue Kraft, diese gegenseitige Liebe und Eintracht zei-
gen, dann sind die Bahá’í-Lehren für uns nur ein Name. (Aus einem Brief vom 14. Februar 1925 im
Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Wenn wir Bahá’í untereinander nicht herzliches Einvernehmen erreichen, dann haben wir den
Hauptzweck verkannt, der Leben und Leiden des Báb, Bahá’u’lláhs und des geliebten Meisters
bestimmte.
Eine der Grundvoraussetzungen für diese Einheit der Herzen, so haben Bahá’u’lláh und 'Ab-
du'I-Bahá immer wieder betont, ist es, daß wir dem natürlichen Hang widerstehen, unsere Auf-
merksamkeit auf die Fehler und Schwächen anderer zu richten und nicht auf unsere eigenen. Je-
der von uns hat nur ein einziges Leben zu verantworten, und ist sein eigenes. Jeder ist unmeßbar
weit davon entfernt "vollkommen" zu sein, "wie unser himmlischer Vater vollkommen ist", die Auf-
gabe, unser eigenes Leben und unseren eigenen Charakter zu vervollkommnen, erfordert unsere
ganze Aufmerksamkeit, Willenskraft und Energie. Wenn wir unsere Aufmerksamkeit und Energie
auf Bemühungen verwenden, an anderen herumzubessern und ihre Fehler zu korrigieren, vergeu-
den wir kostbare Zeit. Wir sind wie Pflüger, von denen jeder sein Gespann zu führen und seinen
Pflug zu lenken hat. Um seine Furche gerade zu halten, muß jeder seinen Blick auf sein Ziel rich-
ten und sich auf seine eigene Aufgabe konzentrieren. Wenn er da - oder dorthin schaut, um zu
sehen, wie Hans und Gustav zurechtkommen, um ihre Arbeit zu kritisieren, dann wird seine eigene
Furche bestimmt krumm werden.
Keine Aussage wird in den Bahá’í-Schriften nachdrücklicher unterstrichen als die Notwendigkeit,
daß wir alles Herumkritisieren, alle üble Nachrede vermeiden, vielmehr immer daran arbeiten müs-
sen, unsere eigenen Fehler zu entdecken und auszumerzen und unser eigenes Versagen zu ü-
berwinden.
Wenn wir unsere Treue zu Bahá’u’lláh, zu unserem Geliebten Meister und zu unserem lieben
Hüter bekennen, dann müssen wir unsere Liebe dadurch zeigen, daß wir diesen klaren Lehren
gehorchen. Taten, nicht Worte sind es, was sie verlangen, und kein noch so großer Eifer bei Loya-
litätsbekenntnissen und Schmeicheleien wird das Versäumnis aufwiegen, im Geist der Lehren zu
leben. (Aus einem Brief vom 12. Mai 1925 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Auf die Frage, ob es gestattet sei, eine Unwahrheit zu sagen, um einem anderen aus Gefahr zu
helfen, äußert er die Meinung, daß wir unter keinen Umständen eine Unwahrheit sagen, aber
gleichzeitig versuchen sollten, dem Betreffenden auf etwas legitimere Weise zu helfen. Gewiß ist
es nicht nötig, daß wir uns allzu deutlich äußern, bevor nicht die Frage direkt an uns gerichtet wur-
de. (Aus einem Brief vom 21. Dezember 1927 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Wir sollten aber nicht vergessen, daß ein Wesensmerkmal dieser Welt Leid und Drangsal ist und
daß wir, indem wir diese überwinden, uns moralisch und geistig weiterentwickeln. Wie der Meister
sagt: "Leid ist mit Furchen zu vergleichen; je tiefer diese gehen, desto reichere Ernte werden wir
einbringen". (Aus einem Brief vom 5. November 1931 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubi-
gen)
Im Bayán sagt der Báb daß alle Religionen der Vergangenheit geeignet wären, die Weltreligion
zu werden. Der einzige Grund, warum sie dieses Ziel nicht erreichten, sei die Unfähigkeit ihrer An-
hänger. Er fährt dann fort mit der klaren und bestimmten Verheißung, daß dies nicht das Schicksal
der Offenbarung Dessen sei, 'den Gott offenbaren werde', daß diese Offenbarung vielmehr zur
Weltreligion werde und alle Völker der Erde umfassen würde. Dies zeigt, daß wir letzten Endes
unser Ziel erreichen werden. Aber könnten wir nicht durch unsere Unterlassungen, durch man-
gelnde Opferbereitschaft, durch den Widerwillen dagegen, daß wir unser Bemühen auf die Verbrei-
tung der Sache konzentrieren, die Verwirklichung dieses Ideals hinauszögern? Und was würde das
bedeuten? Es bedeutet, daß wir vor Gott zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden, daß die Menschheit
noch länger in ihrem Zustand des Eigensinns verharrt, daß Kriege nicht schnell abgewendet wer-
den können, daß die Leiden der Menschen länger dauern. (Aus einem Brief vom 20. Februar 1932
im Auftrag Skogki Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Jeder Tag hat seine bestimmten Erfordernisse. In den frühen Tagen brauchte der Glaube Märtyrer
und Menschen, die alle Arten von Grausamkeit und Verfolgung ertragen mußten, wenn sie ihren
Glauben kundtaten und die Botschaft Gottes verbreiteten. Diese Tage sind jedoch vorüber. Zum
gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt braucht der Glaube keine Märtyrer, die für ihren Glauben sterben, son-
dern Diener, deren Sehnsucht es ist, den Glauben in der ganzen Welt zu lehren und aufzurichten.
Leben, um lehren zu können, das bedeutet heute so viel wie in jenen frühen Tagen der Märtyrer-
tod. Was zählt, ist der Geist, der uns treibt, nicht die Handlung, durch die dieser Geist sich aus-
drückt; und dieser Geist muß der Sache Gottes mit Herz und Seele dienen. (Aus einem Brief vom
3. August 1932 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen, zitiert in "Bahá’í News", Nr. 68,
November 1932, S. 3)
Es ist seine aufrichtige Hoffnung, daß durch diese Opfer das Gebäude vollendet werde und zu
einem Brennpunkt für den Geist und für die Verbreitung der Sache dortzulande werden möge; daß
das Licht der Führung von ihm ausgehe und der niedergedrückten Menschheit Freude und Hoff-
nung ins Herz lege.
Wenn Sie das Geschichtswerk Nabils studieren, werden Sie sehen, wie der Glaube durch das
ständige Opfer der Freunde gespeist worden ist. Unter Entbehrungen, Verfolgungen und ständigen
Leiden ist die Botschaft Bahá’u’lláhs überall in der Welt aufgerichtet worden. (Aus einem Brief vom
30. November 1932 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen, zitiert in "Bahá’í News", Nr.
77, September 1933, S. 1)
Der Rat, den Ihnen Shoghi Effendi gab, daß Sie Ihre Zeit zwischen dem Dienst an der Sache und
der Erfüllung Ihrer übrigen Verpflichtungen aufteilen sollten, wurde vielen von Bahá’u’lláh und vom
Meister gegeben. Er stellt einen Kompromiß dar zwischen zwei Versen des Aqdas, von denen der
eine jeden Bahá’í verpflichtet, der Verbreitung des Glaubens zu dienen, während der andere be-
sagt, daß jede Seele einer Beschäftigung nachgehen soll, die der Gesellschaft nützt. In einem Sei-
ner Tablets sagt Bahá’u’lláh, daß es an diesem Tag die höchste Form der Loslösung ist, einem
Beruf nachzugehen und für seinen Unterhalt selbst aufzukommen. Ein guter Bahá’í ist also der-
jenige, der sein Leben so gestaltet, daß er Zeit für die Befriedigung seiner materiellen Bedürfnisse
aufwendet, aber auch für den Dienst an der Sache. (Aus einem Brief vom 21. Februar 1933 im
Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Ich brauche Ihnen nicht zu sagen, wie tief er es beklagt, daß in Bahá’í-Versammlungen und ganz
besonders auf einem so wichtigen Treffen wie der Nationaltagung so viele negative Kräfte am
Werk sind. Die oft wiederholten Worte des Meisters in bezug auf Einheit und einmütige Zusam-
menarbeit unter den Freunden sollten sorgsam und gewissenhaft beherzigt werden, heute mehr
denn je. Nichts steht dem Geist der Sache mehr entgegen als Zwietracht und Streit, die die un-
vermeidliche Folge von Selbstsucht und Gier sind. Reine Loslösung und selbstloser Dienst sollten
die alleinigen Motive jedes wahren Gläubigen sein. Und solange es nicht jedem einzelnen Freund
gelingt, diese Eigenschaften in lebendiges Handeln umzusetzen, können wir keinen weiteren Fort-
schritt erhoffen. Gerade jetzt sind Einheit des Denkens und Handelns am allernötigsten. Gerade
jetzt, da der Glaube in eine neue Entwicklungsphase eintritt, da sich seine Verwaltungsordnung
allmählich festigt inmitten des Aufruhrs und Chaos einer zusammenbrechenden Zivilisation, sollten
sich die Freunde in geschlossener Front den Kräften der inneren Uneinigkeit entgegenstellen, die,
wenn sie nicht vollständig ausgelöscht werden, unser Werk unweigerlich zerstören werden. (Aus
einem Brief vom 24. September 1933 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Er beklagt die Tatsache außerordentlich, daß die Vertreter des höchsten administrativen Organs
in Ihrem Land Meinungsverschiedenheiten und Mißverständnissen gestattet haben, ein derartiges
Ausmaß anzunehmen, wiewohl alle Prinzipien und Gesetze der Administration von ihm mit aller
Klarheit und allem Nachdruck in vielen Botschaften seit dem Hinscheiden des Meisters dargelegt
worden sind. Wenn solchen Schwierigkeiten nicht sofort und mit aller Energie Einhalt geboten wird,
können sie dem Organismus der Sache Gottes unermeßlichen Schaden zufügen und nicht nur
verhindern, daß sie ihren Geist verströmt, sondern mehr noch, daß dieser Geist der Sache Gottes
auf die Welt einwirkt. Bei eingehender und leidenschaftsloser Prüfung findet man die Ursache für
solche Schwierigkeiten und Auseinandersetzungen stets in Egoismus und Selbstsucht. Und wenn
diese giftigen Gefühle nicht vollkommen überwunden werden, kann es keine Hoffnung geben, daß
das Verwaltungssystem der Sache Gottes wirksam arbeiten und fortschreiten kann. (Aus einem
Brief vom 9. Mai 1934 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an den Nationalen Geistigen Rat von Indien und
Burma)
Er bittet Sie dringend, den vielen Hindernissen, die Ihnen im Weg stehen, mutig zu begegnen
und sie zu überwinden, rät Ihnen aber gleichzeitig, im Fall eines Fehlschlags und ganz gleich, was
Ihnen zustößt, freudig und zufrieden zu bleiben und sich dem Göttlichen Willen voll und ganz zu
unterwerfen. Unsere Trübsale, Prüfungen und Leiden sind manchmal verhüllte Segnungen, da sie
uns lehren, mehr Glauben und Vertrauen in Gott zu haben, und uns Ihm näherbringen. (Aus einem
Brief vom 28. April 1936 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Hat uns Bahá’u’lláh nicht versichert, daß Leiden und Entbehrungen verhüllte Segnungen sind,
daß durch sie unsere inneren, geistigen Kräfte angeregt, gereinigt und veredelt werden? Bleiben
Sie deshalb zuversichtlich, daß Ihre materiellen Schwierigkeiten Sie keineswegs in Ihrem Einsatz
für die Sache Gottes behindern, daß sie vielmehr Ihrem Herzen einen mächtigen Antrieb geben
werden, die Interessen des Glaubens wahrzunehmen und zu fördern. (Aus einem Brief vom 22.
November 1936 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Persönliches Bemühen ist in der Tat eine lebenswichtige Voraussetzung für die Anerkennung
und Annahme der Sache Gottes. Gleichgültig, wie stark das Ausmaß göttlicher Gnade ist -, wenn
sie nicht durch persönliche, anhaltende, intelligente Bemühung ergänzt wird, kann sie nicht voll
wirksam werden und einen wirklichen, bleibenden Nutzen erbringen. (Aus eitlem Brief vom 27.
Februar 1938 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Solche Hindernisse (d. h. Krankheit und äußere Schwierigkeiten), so schwer und unüberwindlich
sie zuerst scheinen mögen, können und sollten durch die vereinte, anhaltende Macht des Gebets
und entschlossenen, fortgesetzten Bemühens gänzlich überwunden werden. Denn haben uns
nicht Bahá’u’lláh und ‘Abdu’l-Bahá beide wiederholt versichert, daß die göttlichen, unsichtbaren,
siegreichen Heerscharen immer diejenigen bestätigen und bestärken werden, die sich tapfer und
voller Zuversicht in ihrem Namen bemühen? Diese Versicherung sollte es Ihnen in der Tat ermög-
lichen, jedes Gefühl des Unwerts und der Unfähigkeit zum Dienst, jede innere oder äußere Hem-
mung zu überwinden, die Ihre Anstrengungen für den Bahá’í-Glauben zu behindern droht. Sie soll-
ten sich daher erheben und sollten sich mit einem freudevollen, zuversichtlichen Herzen bemühen,
jeden Beitrag zur weiteren Verbreitung und größeren Festigung unseres geliebten Glaubens zu
leisten, der nur irgend in Ihrer Macht liegt. Welches Feld des Dienstes Sie auch immer auswählen,
ob Lehrarbeit oder Verwaltungstätigkeit, es ist von entscheidender Wichtigkeit für Sie, durch-
zuhalten und es keinem Bewußtsein Ihrer Unzulänglichkeiten zu gestatten, Ihren Eifer zu dämpfen,
noch viel weniger, Sie vom freudigen, aktiven Dienen abzuhalten. (Aus einem Brief vom 6. Februar
1939 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Je größer Ihre Prüfungen und Leiden, desto stärker soll Ihre Bindung und Ihre Hingabe an die
Sache Gottes werden. Denn nur durch wiederholte Trübsale und Anfechtungen prüft Gott Seine
Diener, und darum sollten Sie diese als verhüllte Segnungen ansehen, als Gelegenheiten, durch
die Sie ein umfassendes Bewußtsein vom Willen und Plan Gottes erlangen können. (Aus einem
Brief vom 23. Februar 1939 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Der Lehrgang über Charakterschulung, den . . . geben wird, ist nach Meinung des Hüters beson-
ders wichtig ; er sollte gebührenden Nachdruck erhalten und besonders von jüngeren Gläubigen,
die an der Schule teilnehmen, sorgfältig und gründlich studiert werden. Die Maßstäbe des Ba-
há’í-Verhaltens, die er selbst in seinem letzten allgemeinen Rundschreiben über das Kommen
göttlicher Gerechtigkeit dargelegt hat, und die einzuhalten und durchzusetzen die höchste Pflicht
jedes ergebenen und gewissenhaften Gläubigen sein sollte, verdienen ernste Studien und Medi-
tationen; sie sollten das zentrale Thema des Jahresprogramms an allen drei Ba-
há’í-Sommerschulen in den Vereinigten Staaten sein. (Aus einem Brief vom 20. Mai 1939 im Auf-
trag Shoghi Effendis an den Ausschuß der Louhelen Summer School)
Sie haben sich über die unbefriedigenden Zustände in der Bahá’í-Gemeinde von . . . beklagt.
Dem Hüter ist die Situation des Glaubens dort wohl bekannt, aber er ist zuversichtlich, daß die
Hindernisse welcher Art auch immer, die dem Glauben entgegenstehen, letzten Endes überwun-
gen werden. Sie sollten sich unter keinen Umständen entmutigen lassen; niemals sollten Sie es
solchen Schwierigkeiten, auch wenn sie aus falschem Verhalten, aus mangelnder Fähigkeit oder
Einsicht gewisser Gemeindemitglieder herrühren, gestatten, Ihren Glauben oder Ihre Ergebenheit
gegenüber der Bahá’í-Sache ins Wanken zu bringen. Ganz sicher dürfen wir einzelne Gläubige, so
fähig sie auch in der Lehrarbeit oder in der Verwaltung, so hoch ihre intellektuellen und geistigen
Verdienste auch sein mögen, niemals als den Maßstab ansehen, mit dem wir die göttliche Autorität
und die Sendung des Glaubens bewerten und messen. Vielmehr sollten die Gläubigen immer auf
die Lehren selbst und auf das Leben der Begründer der Sache Gottes blicken, um Führung und
Inspiration zu empfangen, und nur wenn sie diese wahre Haltung streng beachten, können sie die
Hoffnung haben, ihre Treue zu Bahá’u’lláh auf eine dauernde, unangreifbare Grundlage zu stellen.
Sie sollten daher Mut fassen und mit unermüdlicher Wachsamkeit, mit unaufhörlichem Eifer da-
nach streben, Ihren vollen Anteil an der allmählichen Entfaltung dieser göttlichen Weltordnung
wahrzunehmen. (Aus einem Brief vom 23. August 1939 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläu-
bigen)
Dies sind wirklich die Tage, in denen von den Gläubigen Heldentum verlangt wird. Selbstaufop-
ferung, Mut, unbeirrbare Hoffnung und Zuversicht sind die Merkmale, die sie ausstrahlen sollten,
denn genau diese Eigenschaften werden unweigerlich die Aufmerksamkeit der Öffentlichkeit erre-
gen und die Frage herausfordern, was denn in einer so hoffnungslos verwirrten und chaotischen
Welt diese Menschen dazu bringt, so sicher, so zuversichtlich und hingebungsvoll zu sein. Im Lau-
fe der Zeit werden die Eigenschaften der Bahá’í zunehmend das sein, was die Aufmerksamkeit
ihrer Mitbürger erregt. Sie müssen zeigen, daß sie über dem Haß und den gegenseitigen Anschul-
digungen stehen, die am Herzen der Menschheit nagen; durch Taten und Worte müssen sie ihren
tiefverwurzelten Glauben an die künftige friedliche Vereinigung der ganzen Menschheit beweisen.
(Aus einem Brief vom 26. Oktober 1941 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Wir müssen immer nach vorn schauen und danach streben, in der Zukunft das zu vollbringen,
was wir vielleicht in der Vergangenheit versäumt haben. Mißerfolge, Prüfungen und Schicksals-
schläge können, wenn wir den richtigen Gebrauch davon machen, ein Mittel werden, unseren
Geist zu reinigen, unseren Charakter zu stärken. Sie können uns befähigen, zu höheren Stufen
des Dienstes aufzusteigen. (Aus einem Brief vom 14. Dezember 1941 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis
an einen Gläubigen)
Zu den Punkten, die Sie in Ihrem Brief anschneiden: Die völlige, gänzliche Auslöschung des Ich
würde Vollkommenheit bedeuten - die der Mensch nie ganz erreichen kann -, aber das Ich kann
und sollte in steigendem Maß der erleuchteten Seele des Menschen untergeordnet werden. Das
ist mit geistigem Fortschritt gemeint. (Aus einem Brief vom 19. Dezember 1941 im Auftrag Shoghi
Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Zu der Beschwerde von . . . meint der Hüter, daß es in diesem Fall das beste ist, die beiden be-
troffenen Gläubigen zu bitten, die ganze Angelegenheit zu vergeben und zu vergessen. Er will
nicht, daß die Freunde damit anfangen, eine Art Bahá’í-Rechtsweg gegeneinander zu beschreiten.
Ihre Pflichten gegenüber der Menschheit sind in diesen Tagen, in denen die Sache Gottes um ihre
Verbreitung und um die Sicherung ihrer Unabhängigkeit kämpft, zu heilig und zu drängend, als daß
sie ihre kostbare Zeit - auch seine kostbare Zeit - in dieser Weise verbrauchen sollten. Fordern Sie
die beiden deshalb auf, sich zu verbinden, das Vergangene zu vergessen und der Sache zu die-
nen wie nie zuvor. (Aus einem Brief vom 26. Dezember 1941 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen
Gläubigen)
Die Gläubigen haben es noch nicht ganz gelernt, in Zeiten der Not aus ihrer gegenseitigen Liebe
Kraft und Trost zu schöpfen. Die Sache Gottes ist mit ungeheuren Kräften ausgestattet, und der
Grund, warum die Gläubigen daraus nicht mehr Nutzen ziehen, ist, daß sie es noch nicht gelernt
haben, diese mächtigen Kräfte der Liebe, der Stärke und Harmonie, die der Bahá’í-Glaube hervor-
ruft, ganz auszuschöpfen. Er rät Ihnen, Ihre Freundin ... zunächst einmal allein zu lassen und für
sie zu beten. Da sie im gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt Ihre Hilfe nicht wünscht, können Sie ihr nur inner-
lich helfen. Sie haben dem Bahá’í-Glauben viele wertvolle Dienste erwiesen und tun das noch im-
mer, und dies sollte Ihr größter Trost sein. (Aus einem Brief vom 8. Mai 1942 im Auftrag Shoghi
Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Die Freunde müssen Geduld miteinander haben und sich darüber im klaren sein, daß die Sache
Gottes noch im Stadium der Kindheit steht und ihre Institutionen noch nicht fehlerfrei arbeiten. Je
größer die Geduld, das liebevolle Verstehen und die Nachsicht sind, die die Freunde miteinander
und mit ihren Unzulänglichkeiten haben, desto größer wird der Fortschritt der Bahá’í-Weltgemein-
schaft sein. (Aus einem Brief vom 27. Februar 1943 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubi-
gen)
Wir müssen uns unsere Unvollkommenheit vor Augen halten und dürfen es uns nicht leisten,
wegen der unglücklichen Dinge, die manchmal auf Nationaltagungen, manchmal in Geistigen Rä-
ten oder Ausschüssen usw. vorkommen, aus der Fassung zu geraten. Solche Dinge gehören ih-
rem Wesen nach zur Oberfläche; im Laufe der Zeit wird die Gemeinde daraus hinauswachsen.
(Aus einem Brief vom 17. März 1943 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Nicht jeder von uns kann in der gleichen Weise dienen, aber die Art und Weise, wie jeder Bahá’í
den Glauben verbreiten kann, ist das gute Beispiel. Dieses beeinflußt die Herzen der Menschen
viel tiefer, als Worte es jemals vermögen. Die Liebe, die wir anderen erzeigen, die Gastfreund-
schaft, das Verständnis und die Hilfsbereitschaft den Menschen gegenüber sind die allerbeste
Werbung für den Glauben. Die anderen werden etwas davon erfahren wollen, wenn sie diese Din-
ge in unserem Leben sehen. (Aus einem Brief vom 14. Oktober 1943 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis
an einen Gläubigen)
Es hat ihn sehr gefreut zu hören, daß die Nationaltagung so gut besucht war, und daß die
Freunde voller Begeisterung und in Einigkeit zusammengekommen sind. Eines der Haupterforder-
nisse der Sache Gottes in . . . ist, daß die Freunde sich vereinen, daß sie es sich ganz deutlich
bewußt machen, daß sie eine geistige Familie sind, die durch heiligere, weit weniger vergängliche
Bande zusammengehalten wird als die körperlichen Bindungen, die zwischen Familien-
angehörigen bestehen. Wenn die Freunde alle persönlichen Unterschiede vergessen und ihre
Herzen einer großen gegenseitigen Liebe um Bahá’u’lláhs willen öffnen, dann werden sie finden,
daß ihre Kräfte ungeheuer wachsen; sie werden die Herzen ihrer Umgebung anziehen und eine
rasche Ausbreitung des heiligen Glaubens in . . . erleben. Der Nationale Geistige Rat sollte alles,
was in seiner Macht steht, unternehmen, um die Einheit unter den Gläubigen zu stärken, und um
sie in der Verwaltungsordnung zu erziehen; denn sie ist der Kanal, durch den das Gemein-
schaftsleben fließen muß, und der, wenn er richtig verstanden und benutzt wird, die Möglichkeit
schafft, daß die Arbeit an der Bahá’í-Sache in gewaltigen Sprüngen voranschreitet. (Aus einem
Brief vom 26. Oktober 1943 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an den Nationalen Geistigen Rat von In-
dien und Burma)
Letzten Endes spielt sich der ganze Lebenskampf in jedem einzelnen ab. Keine noch so große
Organisation kann die inneren Probleme lösen, keine kann in kritischen Augenblicken Siege und
Niederlagen herbeiführen oder abwenden. Besonders in Zeiten wie der gegenwärtigen steht jeder
einzelne unter einer Zerreißprobe durch starke Mächte in der Welt, und wir sehen, wie Schwache
plötzlich wie durch ein Wunder stark werden und wie Starke scheitern. Wir können nur versuchen,
so wie Ihr Ausschuß es getan hat, durch liebevollen Rat bei dem einzelnen Gläubigen die Hand-
lung herbeizuführen, die der Sache Gottes am meisten dient. Denn selbstverständlich kann etwas,
was für die Bahá’í-Sache schlecht ist, für den einzelnen Bahá’í nicht das beste sein. (Aus einem
Brief vom 17. Dezember 1943 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Was die Welt heute braucht, ist der Bahá’í-Geist. Die Menschen haben Sehnsucht nach Liebe,
nach einem hohen sittlichen Maßstab, zu dem sie aufschauen können, aber auch nach einer Lö-
sung ihrer vielen schweren Probleme. Die Bahá’í sollten die Menschen, denen sie begegnen, mit
dem warmen, lebenspendenden Bahá’í-Geist überschütten. Dies wird, verbunden mit der Lehrar-
beit, unweigerlich die aufrichtigen Wahrheitssucher zum Glauben hinziehen. (Aus einem Brief vom
18. Dezember 1943 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Zu Ihrer Frage nach der Notwendigkeit größerer Einheit unter den Freunden; diese trifft zweifellos
zu, und der Hüter meint, daß ein Hauptmittel, diese Einheit zu fördern, darin besteht, daß wir die
Bahá’í selbst in Bahá’í-Klassen und durch schriftliche Unterweisungen lehren, daß die Liebe zu
Gott und folglich auch die Liebe zu den Menschen die wesentliche Grundlage jeder Religion ist,
unsere eigene eingeschlossen. Ein größeres Maß an Liebe wird größere Einheit hervorbringen,
weil es den Menschen die Fähigkeit gibt, miteinander auszukommen, Geduld zu haben und
einander zu vergeben. (Aus einem Brief vom 7. Juli 19 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläu-
bigen, zitiert ' Bahá’í News" Nr. 173, Februar 1945)
Er hofft, daß Sie sich in Ihrem Charakter wie in Ihrem Glauben zu richtigen Bahá’í entwickeln.
Das ganze Ziel Bahá’u’lláhs ist, daß wir uns zu einem neuen Volk entwickeln, zu aufrechten,
freundlichen, intelligenten, wahrhaftigen und ehrlichen Menschen, die im Einklang mit Seinen gro-
ßen Gesetzen leben, wie sie für dieses neue Zeitalter in der Entwicklung der Menschheit niederge-
schrieben worden sind. Es ist nicht genug, daß wir uns Bahá’í nennen; unser innerstes Wesen
muß durch ein wahres Bahá’í-Leben geadelt und erleuchtet werden. (Aus einem Brief vom 25.
August 1944 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an die Jugendklasse der Louhelen School, U.S.A.)
So viele Mißverständnisse entstehen durch die leidenschaftliche Verbundenheit der Freunde mit
deren Glauben und auch durch ihre Unreife. Wir müssen deshalb sehr viel Geduld und Liebe zu-
einander haben und versuchen, in der Bahá’í-Familie Einheit zu schaffen. Die Mißhelligkeiten . . .,
die Sie in Ihrem Brief beschrieben, sind nach seiner Meinung auf die obengenannten Gründe zu-
rückzuführen und nicht auf feindliche Haltung gegenüber dem Glauben oder auf Unaufrichtigkeit.
Er bittet Sie dringend, Ihr Äußerstes zu tun, um größere Liebe und Eintracht in der Gemeinde her-
zustellen und beharrlich fortzufahren, den Heiligen Glauben zu lehren. (Aus einem Brief vom 17.
Oktober 1944 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendi an einen Gläubigen)
Er war sehr glücklich, von Ihnen zu hören und zu erfahren, daß Green Acre in diesem Jahr von
einer Liebe und Harmonie erfüllt war, die es bewirkt haben, daß viele neue Seelen im Glauben
gefestigt wurden. Diese Liebe unter den Gläubigen ist der Magnet, der mehr als alles andere die
Herzen anziehen und dem Glauben neue Seelen zuführen wird. Denn es ist klar: die Lehren - so
wunderbar sie sind - können die Welt nicht verändern, solange sich nicht der Geist der Liebe Ba-
há’u’lláhs in den Bahá’í-Gemeinschaften widerspiegelt. (Aus einem Brief vorn 27. Oktober 1944 im
Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Wenn die Freunde danach streben und alles daransetzen könnten, hundertprozentige Bahá’í zu
werden, dann würden sie sehen, wie stark ihr Einfluß auf andere zunehmen, und wie schnell der
Glaube sich ausbreiten würde. Die Welt sucht keinen Kompromiß, sondern die Verkörperung eines
hohen, leuchtenden Ideals. Je mehr die Freunde ihr Leben in jeder Hinsicht nach unseren Lehren
ausrichten, zu Hause, im geschäftlichen Umgang, in ihren gesellschaftlichen Beziehungen, desto
größer wird die Anziehung, die sie auf die Herzen anderer ausüben. Er ist darüber erfreut, daß Sie
sich ganz natürlich, mit Überzeugungskraft und gutem Willen gegenüber allen Menschen unter die
Farbigen gemischt und bei ihnen Lehrarbeit getrieben haben. Wenn die Bahá’í die Lehren so in
ihrem Leben verwirklichten wie sie sollten, dann würde das zwar vielleicht bei einigen Leuten Wi-
derstand hervorrufen, aber noch viel mehr würde es die Bewunderung der gerecht denkenden
Menschen erregen. (Aus einem Brief vom 23. Januar 1945 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen
Gläubigen)
Wenn wir die wachsende Finsternis in der Welt von heute sehen, können wir klar erkennen, daß es
in der Zukunft keinen Frieden und keinen geistigen Fortschritt geben kann, solange nicht die Bot-
schaft Bahá’u’lláhs die Herzen erreicht und verwandelt. Seine ständige Hoffnung ist, die Bahá’í
mögen sich einzeln und in ihrem Bahá’í-Gemeindeleben so verhalten, daß sie die Aufmerksamkeit
anderer auf die Sache Gottes richten. Die Welt hungert nicht nur nach erhabenen Prinzipien und
Idealen, sie hungert vor allem nach dem leuchtenden Beispiel, das die Bahá’í geben können und
geben müssen. (Aus einem Brief vom 22. Februar 1945 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläu-
bigen)
Überall auf der Welt, innerhalb und außerhalb des Glaubens, ist heute das Bedürfnis nach einer
wahrhaft geistigen Bewußtheit sehr groß - eine Bewußtheit, die das Leben der Menschen durch-
dringen, ändern und steuern sollte. Kein noch so gut ausgebauter Verwaltungsapparat und kein
Befolgen von Regeln kann an die Stelle dieser neuen Beseeltheit, dieser Durchgeistigung treten,
die das Wesen des Menschen ist. Er ist sehr froh darüber, daß Sie diesen Gesichtspunkt betonen
und den Freunden helfen, seine überragende Bedeutung zu erkennen. (Aus einem Brief vom 25.
April 1945 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Bezüglich der Angelegenheit und der Uneinigkeit, die offenbar zwischen einigen der Freunde be-
steht: Wenn Bahá’í es zulassen, daß die dunklen Gewalten der Welt in ihre eigenen Beziehungen
innerhalb des Glaubens eindringen, dann stellen sie dessen Fortschritt sehr in Frage. Es ist die
höchste Pflicht der Freunde, der örtlichen Geistigen Räte und ganz besonders des Nationalen Gei-
stigen Rates, unter den Freunden Eintracht, Verstehen und Liebe zu fördern. Alle sollten bereit und
willens sein, jeden persönlichen Unmut - berechtigt oder nicht - im Dienst der Sache beiseite zu
räumen; denn die Menschen werden den Bahá’í-Glauben niemals annehmen, wenn sie nicht in
seinem Gemeinschaftsleben das widergespiegelt sehen, was der Welt heute so sichtbar fehlt: Lie-
be und Einigkeit. (Aus einem Brief vom 13. Mai 1945 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubi-
gen)
Das allerwichtigste ist, daß Liebe und Einigkeit in der Bahá’í-Gemeinde vorherrschen, denn das
ist, was die Menschen im heutigen dunklen Zustand der Welt am meisten ersehnen. Worte ohne
das gelebte Beispiel werden niemals ausreichen, um den Herzen einer desillusionierten und oft-
mals zynischen Generation Hoffnung einzuflößen. (Aus einem Brief vom 20. Oktober 1945 im Auf-
trag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Da Sie sich an ihn mit der Bitte um Führung gewandt haben, will er ganz offen seine Meinung sa-
gen. Er meint, daß die Uneinigkeit . . ., die gegenwärtig unter Ihnen vorherrscht, für den Fortschritt
der Sache sehr schädlich ist und nur zum Zerwürfnis führen und das Interesse neuer Gläubiger
abkühlen kann. Sie . . . sollten Ihre persönliche Beschwerde vergessen und sich zum Schutz des
Glaubens vereinen, dem Sie, wie er wohl weiß, alle treu ergeben sind, und für den Sie bereitwillig
Opfer bringen. Vielleicht ist die größte Prüfung, der Bahá’í je unterworfen werden, die durch ihre
Mitgläubigen. Aber um des Meisters willen sollten sie immer bereit sein, gegenseitig ihre Fehler zu
übersehen; sie sollten sich für harte Worte, die sie ausgesprochen haben, entschuldigen und sie
vergeben und vergessen. Er empfiehlt Ihnen dringend, so zu handeln. Auch meint er, daß Sie und
. . . den Versammlungen und Neunzehntagefesten in . . . nicht fernbleiben sollten; Sie haben jetzt
in Port Adelaide eine begeisterte Gruppe junger Bahá’í, und Sie sollten ihnen ein deutliches Bei-
spiel von Bahá’í-Disziplin und von der Einheit geben, die in der Gemeinschaft des Größten Na-
mens herrschen kann und muß. (Aus einem Brief vom 18. Dezember 1945 im Auftrag Shoghi Ef-
fendis an einen Gläubigen)
Sie fragen nach "geistigen Verdauungsstörungen": Bahá’í sollten versuchen, vielseitig, normal
und ausgeglichen zu sein, verstandlich wie seelisch. Wir dürfen nicht den Eindruck erwecken, daß
wir Fanatiker seien, aber gleichzeitig müssen wir unsere Prinzipien in unserem Leben verwirk-
lichen. (Aus einem Brief vom 12. März 1946 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Sie dürfen versichert sein, daß er für die Einheit der Bahá’í in . . . beten wird, da sie von aller-
größter Wichtigkeit ist; die Entfaltung der Bahá’í-Sache dort und der Erfolg jeder Lehrunterneh-
mung hängen davon ab. Was die Freunde brauchen - überall -, ist mehr Liebe untereinander, und
diese kann durch größere Liebe zu Bahá’u’lláh erlangt werden. Denn wenn wir Ihn tief genug lie-
ben, werden wir es niemals zulassen, daß persönliche Gefühle und Meinungen Seine Sache auf-
halten; wir werden bereit, uns um des Glaubens willen für einander zu opfern und, wie der Meister
sagte, eine Seele in vielen Körpern zu werden. (Aus einem Brief vom 5. September 1946 im Auf-
trag Shogh! Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Er stimmt mit Ihnen von ganzem Herzen darin überein, daß wir, wenn wir die Lehren nicht prak-
tisch leben, unter keinen Umständen erwarten können, daß der Glaube wächst; denn es ist der
Hauptzweck aller Religionen - einschließlich der unseren -, den Menschen Gott näherzubringen
und seinen Charakter zu verändern, was von höchster Wichtigkeit ist. Oft wird zu großes Gewicht
auf die soziale und wirtschaftliche Seite der Lehren gelegt; aber die moralische Seite kann über-
haupt nicht stark genug betont werden. (Aus einem Brief vom 6. September 1946 im Auftrag
Shoghi Effeudis an einen Gläubigen)
Es hat ihn sehr gefreut, daß Sie einen Kurs über den "Bahá’í-Charakter" gehalten haben, denn
er hält es für eine der größten Pflichten Ihrer Generation von Gläubigen, ein Bahá’í-Leben zu füh-
ren. Sie müssen durch Ihre hohen moralischen Maßstäbe, durch Ihre Höflichkeit, Ihre Lauterkeit
und Ihren Adel demonstrieren, daß unser Glaube nicht aus Worten besteht, sondern wahrhaftig
das Herz und den Lebensstil seiner Anhänger verändert. Aus einem Brief vom 19. September
1946 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an die Jugend Arbeitsgruppe der Louhelen School, U.S.A.)
Er meint, daß besonders die Jugend entschlossen und beharrlich danach streben muß, ein Ba-
há’í-Leben beispielhaft zu verwirklichen. In der Welt um uns herum sehen wir moralischen Nieder-
gang, freien Geschlechtsverkehr, Unanständigkeit, Verrohung, schlechtes Benehmen - die jungen
Bahá’í müssen das Gegenteil davon sein und durch ihre Reinheit und Standfestigkeit, ihren An-
stand, ihre Gewissenhaftigkeit und ihr gutes Benehmen andere Menschen, alt und jung, zum
Glauben hinziehen. Die Welt ist der Worte müde; sie braucht das Beispiel, und es ist Sache der
Bahá’í-Jugend, es zu geben. (Aus einem Brief vom 19. September 1946 im Auftrag Shoghi Effen-
dis an die jugendlichen Teilnehmer der Green Acre Summer School)
Die Freunde müssen sich zu allen Zeiten vor Augen halten, daß sie sozusagen Soldaten unter
Feindbeschuß sind. Die Welt ist gegenwärtig, geistig gesehen, in einem Zustand äußerster Ver-
finsterung; Haß und Vorurteile aller Art reißen sie buchstäblich in Stücke. Wir sind demgegenüber
die Wächter der entgegengesetzten Kräfte, der Kräfte der Liebe, der Einheit, des Friedens und der
Gemeinsamkeit, und wir müssen ständig auf der Hut sein, als einzelne, als Geistiger Rat oder als
Gemeinde, damit nicht durch uns diese zerstörerischen, negativen Kräfte in unsere Mitte ein-
dringen. Mit anderen Worten, wir müssen uns sorgsam hüten, daß nicht die Dunkelheit der Gesell-
schaft sich vielleicht ganz unbewußt in unserem Handeln und unseren Einstellungen widerspiegelt.
Unsere Liebe zueinander, das tiefe Bewußtsein, daß wir ein neuer Organismus, die Morgenboten
einer neuen Weltordnung sind, müssen unser Bahá’í-Leben ständig beleben, und wir müssen dar-
um beten, vor der Ansteckung durch die an Vorurteilen siechende Welt geschützt zu werden. (Aus
einem Brief vom 5. Februar 1947 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an den örtlichen Geistigen Rat von
Atlanta, Georgia; zitiert in "Bahá’í News" Nr. 210, August 1948, S. 2)
Die Bahá’í-Sache wächst in ... sehr schnell, und je weiter sie sich ausdehnt, desto mehr wird die
Öffentlichkeit auf sie aufmerksam werden. Dadurch wird den Gläubigen eine schwere Verantwor-
tung auferlegt, denn sie müssen einen solchen Geist der Liebe und der Einheit untereinander aus-
strahlen, daß die Herzen anderer angezogen werden und sie ermutigt werden, sich dem Glauben
in großer Zahl anzuschließen. Wir müssen uns immer vor Augen halten, daß die Lehren vollkom-
men sind, und daß der einzige Grund, warum nicht schon mehr unserer Mitmenschen sie ange-
nommen haben, der ist, daß wir Bahá’í auf der ganzen Welt noch nicht so selbstlose und strahlen-
de Spiegel von Bahá’u’lláhs Wahrheit sind, wie wir es sein sollten und sein könnten. Wir müssen
ständig danach streben, ein besseres Beispiel für Seine Lehren zu werden. (Aus einem Brief vom
17. Februar 1947 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Wir müssen uns darauf konzentrieren, unseren Charakter als einzelne Bahá’í zu vervollkomm-
nen und unsere noch immer keimhafte und nur unzureichend verstandene Weltordnung zur Reife
zu bringen, die Botschaft gemäß den Vorkehrungen des Göttlichen Plans zu verbreiten und eine
eng verknüpfte, weltweite Bahá’í-Gemeinschaft aufzubauen. Wir sind verhältnismäßig wenige an
Zahl und haben eine so kostbare, einzigartige und verantwortungsvolle Aufgabe. Wir müssen un-
sere ganzen Kräfte darauf konzentrieren. (Aus einem Brief vom 9. Mai 1947 im Auftrag Shoghi
Effendis an den Nationalen Geistigen Rat der Vereinigten Staaten und Kanadas)
Letzten Endes müssen die Neubelebung, die Ausdehnung und Bereicherung der Arbeit an der
heimatlichen Front vom einzelnen Gläubigen abhängen, der die grundlegende Einheit im Aufbau
dieser Front bildet. Je angestrengter sich der einzelne zu Hause Tag für Tag und planmäßig darum
bemüht, zu größeren Höhen der Hingabe, der Selbstverleugnung aufzusteigen, durch Pionieren im
eigenen Land zur Vermehrung der isolierten Bahá’í-Zentren, der Gruppen und Geistigen Räte bei-
zutragen und durch gewissenhafte, sorgfältige und fortgesetzte Bemühung empfängliche Seelen
zu dem von ihm angenommenen Glauben hinzuführen, die Zahl der aktiven und aufrichtigen An-
hänger zu vergrößern, desto schneller werden die ausgedehnten und vielfältigen Unternehmun-
gen, die jenseits der Grenzen des Heimatlandes in Gang gesetzt wurden, und die jetzt so dringend
nach zusätzlichen Menschen und Hilfsmitteln rufen, die notwendige Unterstützung erhalten, die
ihre ununterbrochene Entwicklung sicherstellen und letztlich die Ernte beschleunigt herbeiführen
wird. (Shoghi Effendi, aus einem Brief vom 21. September 1947 an den Nationalen Geistigen Rat
der Vereinigten Staaten und Kanadas)
Zu Ihrer Frage: Der Begriff Selbst hat in den Bahá’í-Schriften tatsächlich zwei Bedeutungen oder
wird in zweifachem Sinn gebraucht. Zum einen ist das Selbst die Identität des von Gott geschaffe-
nen Einzelmenschen. Es ist das Selbst, das in Sätzen wie diesem gemeint ist: "Der hat Gott er-
kannt, der sich selbst erkannt hat" usw. Das andere Selbst ist die Ichhaftigkeit, das dunkle triebhaf-
te Erbe, das jeder von uns hat, die niedere Natur, die zu einem Ungeheuer von Selbstsucht, Bruta-
lität, Lust usw. auswachsen kann. Dieses Selbst - oder diese Seite unserer Natur - ist es, gegen
das wir ankämpfen müssen, um das geistige Wesen in uns zu kräftigen und zu befreien und ihm
zu helfen, seine Vervollkommnung zu erlangen. Selbstaufgabe meint die Unterordnung dieser nie-
deren Natur und ihrer Begierden unter die göttlichere und höhere Seite unseres Selbstes. Letzten
Endes und in ihrem höchsten Sinn bedeutet Selbstaufgabe, daß wir unseren Willen und unser
ganzes Wesen Gott hingeben, damit Er nach Seinem Wohlgefallen darüber verfüge. Dann läutert
und verherrlicht Er unser wahres Selbst, bis es zu einer leuchtenden und wunderbaren Wirklichkeit
wird. (Aus einem Brief vom 10. Dezember 1947 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Was im Dienst an diesem Glauben Früchte bringt, ist die Stärke der Hingabe und der Selbstauf-
opferung, nicht so sehr das Vermögen, die Fähigkeit oder der finanzielle Rückhalt. (Aus einem
Brief vom 11. Mai 1948 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an den Nationalen Geistigen Rat von Australien
und Neuseeland)
Wir dürfen uns nicht zu lange bei den Einstellungen und Gefühlen unserer Mitgläubigen uns ge-
genüber aufhalten. Das Allerwichtigste ist, daß wir Liebe und Eintracht pflegen und uns um Abfuh-
ren, die wir vielleicht erhalten, gar nicht kümmern. Dann werden die Schwächen der menschlichen
Natur und die Eigenheiten oder die Haltung einer bestimmten Person nicht vergrößert, sondern sie
verblassen bis zur Bedeutungslosigkeit im Vergleich mit unserem gemeinsamen Dienst an dem
Glauben, den wir alle lieben. (Aus einem Brief vom 19. September 1948 im Auftrag Shoghi Effen-
dis an einen Gläubigen)
Es fällt uns oft schwer, bestimmte Dinge zu tun, weil sie von dem uns Gewohnten so sehr ver-
schieden sind, nicht aber, weil die Sache selbst besonders schwierig ist. Für Sie wie für die meis-
ten Bahá’í, die jetzt als Erwachsene diesen herrlichen Glauben annehmen, sind zweifellos manche
der Gebote, wie Fasten und tägliches Gebet, anfangs schwer zu verstehen und zu befolgen. Aber
wir müssen immer bedenken, daß diese Dinge eine Gabe an alle Menschen für die kommenden
tausend Jahre sind. Für Bahá’í-Kinder, die sehen, wie diese Dinge zu Hause ausgeführt werden,
werden sie etwas so Natürliches und Notwendiges sein, wie es der sonntägliche Kirchgang für
eine gläubigere Generation von Christen gewesen ist. Bahá’u’lláh hätte uns diese Dinge nicht ge-
geben, wenn sie uns nicht ganz stark fördern würden. Und so müssen wir wie Kinder, die einsichtig
genug sind, um zu erkennen, daß ihr Vater weise ist und für sie das Beste tut, uns darein schicken,
diese Gebote zu befolgen, auch wenn wir zunächst ihre Notwendigkeit nicht erkennen können.
Indem wir sie befolgen, werden wir langsam in uns selbst die Segnungen erkennen, die sie vermit-
teln.
(Aus einem Brief vom 16, März 1949 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
. . . indem wir diese Schicksalsschläge erdulden, müssen wir daran denken, daß auch die Offen-
barer Gottes selbst nicht immun waren gegen die Dinge, unter denen Menschen zu leiden haben.
Auch Sie kannten Kummer, Krankheit und Schmerz. Sie erhoben sich über diese Dinge durch Ih-
ren Geist, und das müssen auch wir versuchen, wenn uns Leid befällt. Die Trübsale dieser Welt
gehen vorüber, und was uns bleibt, ist das, was wir aus unserer Seele gemacht haben. Darauf
müssen wir also unser Augenmerk lenken - daß wir geistiger werden und Gott näher kommen,
ohne Rücksicht darauf, was unser menschlicher Verstand und unser Körper durchzumachen hat.
(Aus einem Brief vom 5. 8. 1949 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen, zitiert in "Bahá’í
News" Nr. 231, Mai 1950, S. 1)
Es hat uns sehr bekümmert, einige Dinge zu erfahren, die Sie beschreiben. Es zeugt von großer
geistiger Unreife seitens einiger Bahá’í und von einem erstaunlichen Mangel an Verständnis und
Studium der Lehren. Die ethischen Lehren unseres Glaubens in unserem Leben zu verwirklichen,
ist eine viel schwerere Aufgabe, als nach jenen vornehmen Prinzipien zu leben, die die Moralische
Aufrüstung auferlegt, so großartig und umfassend diese auch sind! Jedes zweite Wort in den
Schriften Bahá’u’lláhs und 'Abdu'I-Bahás ist eine Predigt über moralisches und ethisches Verhal-
ten. Alles andere ist die Form, der Kelch, in den der reine Geist gegossen werden muß. Ohne den
Geist und die Tat, die ihn erweisen muß, ist es leblose Form. Dem, was Sie sagen, entnimmt er,
daß die Freunde, oder jedenfalls viele von ihnen, nicht von Anfang an in der richtigen Weise unter-
richtet worden sind. Sicher ist nichts dagegen zu sagen, daß man die "vier Normen" der Morali-
schen Aufrüstung betont, -obwohl jede Lehre unseres kostbaren Glaubens viel tiefer in diese The-
men eindringen und ihnen viel mehr hinzufügen würde. Wenn wir uns klarmachen, daß Bahá’u’lláh
sagt, Ehebruch hemmt den Fortschritt der Seele im kommenden Leben - so schwer ist sein Ge-
wicht -, und daß Trinken den Geist zerstört, und daß wir uns diesen Dingen nicht einmal nähern
dürfen, dann sehen wir, wie klar unsere Lehren hierüber sind. Sie dürfen nicht den großen Fehler
machen, unseren Glauben an Hand einer einzigen Gemeinde zu beurteilen, die offensichtlich
Nachholbedarf im Studium und im Gehorsam gegenüber den Lehren hat. Menschliche Schwächen
und Absonderlichkeiten können eine große Prüfung sein. Aber der einzige Weg, oder vielleicht
sollte ich sagen, der wichtigste und beste Weg, solche Zustände zu heilen, besteht darin, daß man
selbst das Richtige tut. Eine Seele kann die Ursache für die geistige Erleuchtung eines Kontinents
werden. Jetzt, da Sie einen großen Fehler in Ihrem eigenen Leben erkannt und geheilt haben,
jetzt, da Sie deutlicher sehen, was in Ihrer eigenen Gemeinde fehlt, gibt es nichts, was Sie hindern
könnte, sich zu erheben und ein solches Beispiel, solche Liebe und einen solchen Geist des Die-
nens zu zeigen, daß die Herzen Ihrer Mit-Bahá’í entflammt werden. Er bittet Sie dringend, sich in
die Lehren zu vertiefen, anderen Leuten die Lehren weiterzugeben, mit solchen Bahá’í, die danach
verlangen, die tieferen Lehren unseres Glaubens zu studieren und durch Ihr Beispiel, Ihre Bemü-
hung und Ihr Gebet einen Wandel herbeizuführen. (Aus einem Brief vom 30. September 1949 im
Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Ohne den Geist wirklicher Liebe zu Bahá’u’lláh, Seinem Glauben und dessen Institutionen, ohne
die Liebe der Gläubigen untereinander kann die Bahá’í-Sache niemals wirklich große Massen von
Anhängern gewinnen. Denn die Welt verlangt heute nicht nach Predigten und Lebensregeln, son-
dern nach Liebe und nach Taten. (Aus einem Brief vom 25. Oktober 1949 im Auftrag Shoghi Ef-
fendis an einen Gläubigen)
Er fühlt . . . sehr deutlich, daß, wenn . . . in dem Zustand ist, den Ihr Brief anzudeuten scheint . . .
. ganz sicher seine Angelegenheit falsch anfaßt. Damit ist nicht der Geistige Rat gemeint, damit ist
jeder gemeint. Denn wo ist Bahá’í-Liebe? Wo ist etwas davon zu spüren, daß Einheit und Eintracht
über alles gestellt werden? Wo ist die Bereitschaft, die persönlichen Gefühle und Meinungen zu
opfern, um Liebe und Eintracht zu erreichen? Was führt die Bahá’í zu der Annahme, die administ-
rativen Gesetze könnten funktionieren, wenn die geistigen Gesetze geopfert werden? Er bittet Sie
dringend, Ihr Äußerstes zu unternehmen, um die Bahá’í in . . . dazu zu bringen, so schädliche Beg-
riffe wie "radikal", "konservativ", „progressiv", „Feinde des Glaubens", "die Lehren kaputtmachen"
usw. beiseite zu lassen. Wenn sie nur einen Augenblick innehielten, um zu bedenken, zu welchem
Zweck der Báb und die Märtyrer ihr Leben hingegeben, wozu Bahá’u’lláh und der Meister so viel
Leid auf sich genommen haben, dann würden solche Begriffe und Anschuldigungen niemals über
ihre Lippen kommen, während sie übereinander sprechen. Solange die Freunde miteinander strei-
ten, wird auf ihren Bemühungen kein Segen sein, denn sie sind ungehorsam gegen Gott. (Aus
einem Brief vom 24. Februar 1950 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Es gibt zwei Arten von Bahá’í, so könnte man sagen: die einen, deren Religion Bahá’í ist, und
die anderen, die für den Glauben leben. Unnötig zu sagen: Wenn man der zweiten Kategorie an-
gehören kann, wenn man in der vordersten Reihe der Helden, Märtyrer und Heiligen stehen kann,
dann ist das ruhmreicher in den Augen Gottes.
(Aus einem Brief vom 16. April 1950 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen, zitiert in Bak-
d'i News" Nr. 241, März 1951, S. 2)
Wir müssen eine geistige Ebene erreichen, auf der Gott zuerst kommt und große menschliche
Leidenschaften nicht von ihm ablenken können. Immer sehen wir Menschen die entweder durch
die Gewalt des Hasses oder du die leidenschaftliche Bindung an eine andere Person Prinzipien
opfern oder sich selbst den Pfad Gottes versperren Wir müssen Gott lieben, und in diesem Zu-
stand wird eine vollkommene Liebe zu allen Menschen möglich. Wir können nicht jeden Menschen
um seiner selbst willen lieben aber unser Gefühl gegenüber der Menschheit sollte durch unsere
Liebe zum Vater motiviert sein, der alle Menschen erschaffen hat. (Aus einem Brief vom 4. Okto-
ber 1950 Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Er bittet Sie dringend, alles in Ihren Kräften Stehende zu tun, um Einigkeit und Liebe in der dorti-
gen Gemeinde zu fördern, denn dessen scheint sie am dringendsten zu bedürfen. So oft überse-
hen junge Gemeinden in ihrem Bestreben aufzubauen, daß diese geistigen Beziehungen viel wich-
tiger und grundlegender sind als die Gesetze und Bestimmungen, die die Gemeindeverwaltung
regeln müssen. (Aus einem Brief vom 4. Oktober 1950 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläu-
bigen)
Überall in der Bahá’í-Gemeinschaft scheint es am allernotwendigsten zu sein, den Freunden
einzuschärfen, daß sie sich untereinander lieben. Es gibt eine Tendenz, die administrativen Funk-
tionen falsch zu deuten und zu versuchen, sie auf die persönlichen Beziehungen anzuwenden.
Das führt zu nichts; denn der Rat ist ein werdendes Haus der Gerechtigkeit und hat die Aufgabe,
die Gemeinschaftsangelegenheiten nach den Lehren zu verwalten. Die einzelnen Gläubigen da-
gegen werden in ihrem Verhältnis zueinander durch Liebe, Einigkeit, Nachsicht und durch ein sün-
denbedeckendes Auge geleitet. Wenn die Freunde das einmal begriffen haben, dann werden sie
viel besser miteinander auskommen, aber sie spielen immer wieder untereinander Geistiger Rat
und erwarten vom Rat, daß er sich wie eine Einzelperson verhält. (Aus einem Brief vom 5. Oktober
1950 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Wenn wir innerhalb einer Bahá’í-Gemeinschaft Kritik und harte Worte laut werden lassen, dann
gibt es nur das eine Heilmittel, das Vergangene hinter sich zu lassen und alle Beteiligten dazu zu
bringen, daß sie eine neue Seite aufschlagen und um Gottes und Seines Glaubens willen davon
Abstand nehmen, die Themen zu erwähnen, die zu Mißverständnissen und Uneinigkeit geführt
haben. Je mehr die Freunde hin und her argumentieren und jede Seite darauf beharrt, daß ihr
Standpunkt der richtige ist, desto verfahrener wird die ganze Angelegenheit. Wenn wir den Zu-
stand sehen, in dem sich die Welt heute befindet, dann müssen wir gewiß diese völlig unbedeu-
tenden inneren Auseinandersetzungen vergessen und vereint der Menschheit zu Hilfe eilen. Sie
sollten Ihre Mit-Bahá’í dazu drängen, diese Haltung einzunehmen und gemeinsam mit Ihnen eine
mächtige Anstrengung zu machen, jeden kritischen Gedanken, jedes harte Wort zu unterdrücken,
damit der Geist Bahá’u’lláhs in die ganze Gemeinde einfließen und sie in Seiner Liebe und in Sei-
nem Dienst vereinen kann. (Aus einem Brief vom 16. Februar 1951 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an
einen Gläubigen)
Der Hüter ist sich ganz sicher, daß der frühere Beitrag Ihrer Bekannten, die für kurze Zeit nicht
aktiv im Glauben gewesen ist, das Mittel sein wird, das sie zu erneutem Dienen anregt. Im Ba-
há’í-Glauben gibt es nichts, was so sehr Erfolg bringt wie das Dienen. Das Dienen ist der Magnet,
der die göttlichen Bestätigungen anzieht. Wenn Bahá’í also aktiv sind, werden sie vom Heiligen
Geist gesegnet. Sind sie aber inaktiv, dann kann der Heilige Geist in ihrem Wesen kein Gefäß fin-
den, und sie werden dadurch seiner heilenden, belebenden Strahlen beraubt. (Aus einem Brief
vom 12. Juli 1952 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Der Hüter meint, daß Ihre Stellungnahme gegen die unredliche Praxis, von anderen Ärzten und
Drogisten Provisionen anzunehmen, höchst bewundernswert ist. Je aufrechter und würdiger die
Bahá’í in ihrem Verhalten sind, desto mehr werden sie die Öffentlichkeit durch die geistige Leben-
digkeit des Glaubens, dem sie anhängen, beeindrucken. (Aus einem Brief vom 20. Oktober 1953
im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Dieser so strengen, so nachdrücklichen und doch so ruhmreichen Herausforderung sieht sich
zweifellos in erster Linie der einzelne Gläubige gegenüber, von dem letzten Endes das Schicksal
der ganzen Bahá’í-Gemeinschaft abhängt. Er verkörpert Kette und Schuß, von denen Qualität und
Muster des ganzen Gewebes abhängen. Er wirkt als eines der zahllosen Glieder in der mächtigen
Kette, die jetzt den Erdball umspannt. Er dient als einer in der Menge der Bausteine, die das feste
Gefüge der Verwaltungsordnung, die jetzt in jedem Teil der Welt errichtet wird, tragen und ihre
Standsicherheit gewährleisten. Ohne seine rückhaltlose, großzügige Unterstützung ist jede Maß-
nahme, die das nationale Organ der Gemeinschaft, der er angehört, ergreift, und jeder Plan, den
es ausarbeitet, zum Scheitern verurteilt. Ja, sogar das Weltzentrum des Glaubens ist gelähmt,
wenn ihm diese Unterstützung seitens der Mitglieder der Gemeinschaft vorenthalten wird. Der Ur-
heber des Göttlichen Planes selbst wird in Seiner Absicht behindert, wenn es an den geeigneten
Instrumenten zur Ausführung Seines Entwurfes fehlt. Die erhaltende Kraft Bahá’u’lláhs, des Be-
gründers des Bahá’í-Glaubens, wird jedem einzelnen Gläubigen entzogen werden, der es auf die
Dauer versäumt, sich zu erheben und die ihm zugewiesene Rolle zu spielen. (Aus einem Brief
Shoghi Effendis vom 28. Juli 1954 an den Nationalen Geistigen Rat der Vereinigten Staaten, zitiert
in "Citadel of Faith“, S. 130-31)
Was sich tatsächlich abspielt, wenn jemand Bahá’í wird, ist, daß der Same des Geistes in der
menschlichen Seele zu wachsen beginnt. Dieser Same muß durch das Ausströmen des Heiligen
Geistes bewässert werden. Die Segnungen des Geistes werden durch Gebet, Meditation, Studium
der Heiligen Schriften und Dienst an der Sache Gottes erlangt. Es ist so, daß der Dienst an der
Sache mit dem Pflug zu vergleichen ist, der den Naturboden aufwühlt, wenn der Same ausgesät
wird. Es ist notwendig, daß der Boden umgepflügt wird, denn er kann dadurch angereichert wer-
den und ein kräftigeres Wachstum des Samens bewirken. Ganz ebenso erfolgt die Entfaltung des
Geistes dadurch, daß der Boden des Herzens umgepflügt wird, so daß er eine ständige Wider-
spiegelung des Heiligen Geistes wird. Auf diese Weise wächst und entfaltet sich der menschliche
Geist in gewaltigen Sprüngen. Naturgemäß wird es Zeiten des Kummers und der Schwierigkeiten
und sogar harter Prüfungen geben; aber wenn sich der Betreffende unbeirrt dem göttlichen Offen-
barer zuwendet, sorgfältig Seine heiligen Lehren studiert und die Segnungen des Heiligen Geistes
empfängt, dann wird er finden, daß diese Prüfungen und Schwierigkeiten in Wirklichkeit die Gabe
Gottes waren, die ihm zu Wachstum und Entwicklung verhelfen.
So können Sie auch Ihre eigenen Schwierigkeiten auf dem Weg des Dienstes ansehen. Sie sind
das Mittel, durch das Ihr Geist wächst und sich entwickelt. Plötzlich werden Sie merken, daß Sie
viele der Probleme, die Sie aus dem Gleichgewicht bringen, bewältigt haben, und dann werden Sie
sich fragen, wieso sie Ihnen überhaupt zu schaffen gemacht haben. Der einzelne muß sein ganzes
Herz und seinen Geist auf den Dienst an der Sache konzentrieren, in Übereinstimmung mit den
hohen Maßstäben, die von Bahá’u’lláh gesetzt worden sind. Wenn er das getan hat, dann wird ihm
die Streitmacht der himmlischen Heerscharen zu Hilfe kommen, und jede Schwierigkeit und jede
Prüfung wird allmählich gemeistert werden. (Aus einem Brief vom 6. Oktober 1954 im Auftrag
Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Die Straße ist steinig und viele Prüfungen warten auf ihr; aber wie Sie sagen: Wenn die Freunde
es lernen, den Lehren Bahá’u’lláhs gemäß zu leben, dann werden sie entdecken, daß sie in der
Tat auf verborgene, machtvolle Weise wirken, daß immer Hilfe zur Hand ist, daß Hindernisse ü-
berwunden werden und der Erfolg am Ende sicher ist. (Aus einem Brief vom 23. April 1956 im Auf-
trag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Der einzelne muß allein ihren Charakter (nämlich seiner Aufgabe) abwägen, er muß sein Gewis-
sen befragen und im Gebet alle ihre Seiten betrachten, er muß männlich gegen die natürliche
Trägheit ankämpfen, die ihn bei seiner Bemühung, sich zu erheben, nach unten zieht, er muß hel-
denhaft und unwiderruflich die unnützen und überflüssigen Bindungen abstreifen, die ihn zurück-
halten, er muß sich jedes Gedankens entledigen, der ein Hindernis auf seinem Weg werden könn-
te, er muß im Gehorsam gegenüber den Ratschlägen des Urhebers seines Glaubens und in der
Nachfolge dessen, der das wahrhafte Vorbild ist, mit Männern und Frauen aus allen sozialen
Schichten zusammenkommen und versuchen, ihre Herzen durch seine vornehmen Gedanken,
Worte und Taten anzurühren, sie durch Takt und Liebe, durch Gebet und Beharrlichkeit für den
Glauben zu gewinnen, dem er sich selbst angelobt hat. (Aus einem Brief Shoghi Effendis vom 19.
Juli 1956 an den Nationalen Geistigen Rat der Vereinigten Staaten, zitiert in „Citadel of Faith", S.
148)
Es hat ihn sehr betrübt, von der Uneinigkeit der Freunde dort zu erfahren, und er meint, daß das
einzig weise Vorgehen darin besteht, daß sich alle Freunde der Lehrarbeit widmen und mit ihrem
Nationalen Rat zusammenarbeiten. Solche Prüfungen und Tests, durch die alle Bahá’í-Gemeinden
unvermeidlich hindurch müssen, erscheinen im Augenblick oft schrecklich, aber in der Rückschau
verstehen wir, daß sie ihre Ursache in der Schwäche der menschlichen Natur, in Mißverständnis-
sen und auch in den Wachstumsschmerzen haben, die jede Bahá’í-Gemeinschaft erleiden muß.
(Aus einem Brief vom 25. November 1956 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an einen Gläubigen)
Er ist sehr glücklich darüber, daß Sie eines der ermutigendsten Gebote 'Abdu'I-Bahás in die Tat
umgesetzt haben. Er sagte, wir sollen versuchen, jedes Hindernis, das uns zu Fall bringen will, in
ein Sprungbrett zum Fortschritt zu verwandeln. In Ihrem bisherigen Leben sind Sie alle sehr
schwer gestrauchelt; aber weit davon entfernt, sich durch diese Erfahrung verbittern oder nieder-
schlagen zu lassen, haben Sie sich entschlossen, aus ihr ein Mittel zu machen, um Ihr Wesen zu
reinigen, Ihren Charakter zu verbessern und Sie zu befähigen, in Zukunft bessere Mitmenschen zu
werden. Dies ist in den Augen Gottes wahrhaftig wohlgefällig. (Aus einem Brief vom 26. März 1957
im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an die Bahá’í im Kgl. Gefängnis in Farm Kitalya, Uganda)
Die Bahá’í müssen angesichts des Zustandes, in dem sich die Welt heute befindet, fest und mu-
tig als Anhänger Bahá’u’lláhs hervortreten, Seine Gesetze befolgen und danach streben, Seine
Weltordnung aufzubauen. Durch Kompromisse wird es uns nie gelingen, unseren Glauben aufzu-
richten oder die Herzen anderer für ihn zu gewinnen. Damit ist oft ein großes persönliches Opfer
verbunden, aber wir wissen, daß Gott uns, wenn wir das Richtige tun, auch die Kraft gibt, es aus-
zuführen, und daß wir dadurch Seinen Segen auf uns ziehen. Wir lernen zu solchen Zeiten, daß
unser Mißgeschick wirklich eine Segnung ist. (Aus einem Brief vom 7. Mai 1957 im Auftrag Shoghi
Effendis an den Nationalen Geistigen Rat von Australien, zitiert in "Bahá’í News" Nr. 335, Januar
1959, S. 2)
Es ist nicht genug für die Freunde, sich damit zu entschuldigen, daß ihre besten Lehrer und vor-
bildlichen Gläubigen sich erhoben haben, um dem Pionieraufruf zu folgen.
Ein "bester Lehrer" und "vorbildlicher Gläubiger" ist letztlich nicht mehr oder weniger als ein ge-
wöhnlicher Bahá’í, der sich der Arbeit am Glauben geweiht, sein Wissen und sein Verständnis der
Lehren vertieft, sein Vertrauen in Bahá’u’lláh gesetzt und sich erhoben hat, Ihm nach seinen bes-
ten Fähigkeiten zu dienen. Diese Tür wird sich, dessen sind wir sicher, vor jedem Anhänger des
Bahá’í-Glaubens öffnen, der - im Bild gesprochen - fest genug anklopft. Wenn der Wille und das
Verlangen stark genug sind, wird das Mittel gefunden und der Weg geöffnet, um entweder im örtli-
chen Rahmen stärker mitzuarbeiten, in eine neue Zielstadt innerhalb der Vereinigten Staaten zu
gehen oder das Feld des Pionierens in fremden Ländern zu betreten.
Nicht nur Ihr Rat muß die erforderliche Ermutigung und Führung vermitteln und die Freunde da-
zu ermuntern, sich zu erheben und ihre Rolle zu spielen; auch die örtlichen Geistigen Räte müssen
alles in ihren Kräften Stehende tun, um den Freunden zu helfen, voranzuschreiten und ihre Ziele
zu erreichen. Jeder Bahá’í muß gleicherweise fühlen, daß dies heutzutage seine persönliche
Pflicht gegenüber dem Glauben und sein größtes Vorrecht ist, jeder muß sich fragen, was er wäh-
rend der kommenden sechs Jahre, von heute angefangen, tun kann, um das Erreichen der Ziele
des Zehnjahresplans zu beschleunigen. Die Bahá’í sind der Sauerteig Gottes, der die Masse des
Volkes säuern muß.
(Aus einem Brief vom 21. September 1957 im Auftrag Shoghi Effendis an den Nationalen Geisti-
gen Rat der Vereinigten Staaten)
In der ganzen Weit hört man schöne Reden preisen und edle Lehren bewun-
dern. Alle Menschen sagen, daß sie das Gute lieben und alles Übel hassen.
Aber ... Taten müssen mehr als Worte sein ... Unsere Taten werden die Welt
weiterbringen... Nicht durch bloßen Lippendienst sind die Erwählten Gottes
zur Heiligkeit gekommen, sondern durch ein geduldiges Leben tätigen Diens-
tes.
Strebt darum, daß Eure Taten tagtäglich wundervolle Gebete seien.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Ansprachen in Paris
Zum Wirklichen Leben – Auszüge aus Briefen und Schriften Shoghi Effendis von 1923 – 1957; Seite:1 von 15
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