Bahaullah explains that the Grandeur of God transcends human comprehension with a recognition that any attempt to describe God’s Grandeur falls short. At the same time, we know of the Grandeur of God through the Manifestations of God. These sanctified souls convey the Grandeur of God to us. It is them that humanity becomes aware of the majesty, power, and sovereignty of God. Moreover, the Grandeur of God is reflected in creation. We are, therefore, encouraged and, through the Writings, inspired to contemplate and ponder the signs of God’s greatness in the world around us. This helps fostering a deep connection between us and the Grandeur of God as manifested in creation. As we celebrate the feast of grandeur, let us contemplate on the Grandeur of God, the Manifestations of God as the “Tongue of Grandeur”, and what implications this has on us and our responsibilities to “translate that which is written into reality”.
Read the rest of this entry »The Universal House of Justice sent a beautiful letter to the friends in Iran on the day of Naw-Ruz. Below is the authorised translation. The letter is available in Persian here.
[AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION FROM PERSIAN]
Naw-Rúz 181
To the followers of the Greatest Name
and the helpers of the Ancient Beauty
in the sacred land of Iran
Dear sisters, brothers, the solace of our eyes,
Today is the day of Naw-Rúz and the beginning of the soul-stirring spring. This ancient and glorious festival of the Persian people has, with the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, found a new splendour and vibrancy, for it has become a symbol of the arrival of the divine springtime and a reminder of the renewal, regeneration, and transformation that is made possible in the human world after the rising of the Sun of Truth. Praise be to God that in this spiritual springtime you cherished friends are like sweetly singing birds raised by the Beloved’s own hand, warbling in the garden of rapture and servitude, your hearts aflame with the fire of the love of God, and your breasts illumined by His heavenly counsels. Know of a certainty that we remember you at every moment, laud your perseverance in the face of unnumbered adversities, and, particularly at the start of the new year, beseech at the Sacred Threshold well-being, genuine happiness, and true liberty for those beloved of our hearts and souls.
Read the rest of this entry »In 2019, the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice published a Compilation on Prayer and Devotional Life. This compilation has more than 100 quotes relating to topics such as the power of prayer, communion with God, the spirit and form of prayer, the role of meditation, and prayer, meditation, and action. In my personal deepening, I tried to create a summary overview of the first half of the compilation. Sharing my notes, hoping it might be of use to someone else as well.
Read the rest of this entry »The hosts of the world are powerless to frustrate Thy will, nor can all the dwellers of the earth and all the inmates of heaven annul Thy decree. Thou truly art the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the Most Great.
[Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations, page 44]
The month of Mashiyyat (Will) is upon us. In one prayer, we learn that God brought creation into being because He wished to be known. We exist because God willed it. This fact has implications. We, having been created due to the Will of God, must understand what He has willed for us. Then, we must learn to respond to His will. As this is the month of Will, perhaps it is fitting to read and reflect on some passages from the Writings on this topic. First, we read a few quotes on the Will of God and that “He doeth whatsoever He willeth and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth. Nor shall He be asked of His doings”. Then, we read a few passages on the manifestation of His Will to mankind. Finally, we read a few passages on our response to the Will of God.
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Reflections on the Bahai Writings 