(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, )
Let us not keep on forever with our fancies and illusions, with our analysing and interpreting and circulating of complex dubieties. Let us put aside all thoughts of self; let us close our eyes to all on earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor complain of our wrongs. Rather let us become oblivious of our own selves, and drinking down the wine of heavenly grace, let us cry out our joy, and lose ourselves in the beauty of the All-Glorious.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, )
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<Nikita> is my most favorite American TV series. I couldn't figure out why I like it so much - most of time it's very intense and causing nervousness (or excitement). In the Episode 9 Season 3, where Michael gave up to be Nikita's partner in the field work and lived outside of home for a long time, due to the loss of his right hand, Nikita came to talk to him again over his constant avoidance and frustration. Michael asked: "What do you want?"Nikita answered: "I want you to fight, for me, for us! I don't need you as my partner in the field, I need you as my partner in my life. So fight! ...... You want to move on? I understand. But I will never move on from you." Suddenly I realized the reason why I like this show, like Nikita. They fear nothing before all of the adversities, they fight for justice, which is considered to be their mission of life. They could have gave up on Division and hid to live a secret life, normal life, but they stay in the war of crime. That is why I like them. Adversities never stop them from doing what they want. In the same episode, where Sean hasn't seen Alex for a month because she refused to quit for a normal life with him. He came back to Alex. He said: "I wanted you to make a choice, me or this place. That's why I left. " Alex:"How could I make a choice when you are already gone?" Sean: "That's why I'm here." Alex: "Look, what you said, about what most people would do? Don't ever expect that from me. Most people haven't seen their father murdered before their eyes. Most people aren't sold into slavery. I'm not most people. Never have been. " Then Sean understood and they got back together. Of course I never went through what adversities Alex experienced in her life. But what she said just reminded me of my belief: you don't do it because it's what most people do. Most people want comfort and ease, instead of adversity, which is not what I want in my life. And I know, even though you don't 'want' adversity, adversity wants you, for good. People lie to themselves always. I do too. I lied to myself that I could find someone else as good as this one if this relationship didn't work out. I know that is a lie. A Baha'i told me yesterday:"You can change your work and study easily. But if you miss a right person, you miss him for ever." I know that thou art in difficulty, but this difficulty is conducive to the everlasting felicity and this weakness is followed by the supreme strength. Consider thou how the faithful women in the time of Christ, and after the departure of His Highness, underwent hardships! What difficulties did they not bear; and what calamities did they not endure! But adversity and trial, misfortune and derision, became the cause of imperishable and deathless glory and rest. Bahá’u’lláh throws light upon patience, one of the most important virtues which God has bestowed on man. He extols the station of those believers who endured hardships and calamities with patience and resignation. Through their fortitude and constancy, their forbearance and long-suffering, these souls attained to such a lofty position that the Concourse on high seek their companionship and long for their blessings. Bahá’u’lláh urges the people of the Bayan to do likewise, counselling them to adorn their beings with the mantle of resignation, to be steadfast in the Cause of God, and never to be dismayed or disheartened by adversity. And He reminds them that, whereas God rewards every good deed in accordance with its merit, in the case of patience and long-suffering, as attested in the Qur‘án, the recompense is limitless. Change is an evolutionary process requiring patience with one’s self and others, loving education and the passage of time as the believers deepen their knowledge of the principles of the Faith, gradually discard long-held traditional attitudes and progressively conform their lives to the unifying teachings of the Cause. Concerning the attitude of some Bahá’ís, who seem at times to be insensitive and unsupportive, all we can do is to try to follow the patient example of the Master, bearing in mind that each believer is but one of the servants of the Almighty who must strive to learn and grow. The absence of spiritual qualities, like darkness, has no existence in itself. As the light of spirituality penetrates deep into the hearts, this darkness gradually dissipates and is replaced by virtue. Understanding this, and that the believers are encouraged to be loving and patient with one another, it will be clear that you too are called upon to exercise patience with the friends who demonstrate immaturity, and to have faith that the power of the Word of God will gradually effect a transformation in individual believers and in the Bahá’í community as a whole. Your letter of ... to the Universal House of Justice makes clear that you are seeking to re-establish your marriage through study of the Writings and through various modes of consultation and assistance. We are asked to convey its advice on this vital subject of reconciliation of partners in marriage in the context of understanding of yourself and your relationship to others. You are urged to persevere in your studies, in your prayers for resolution of your problems, and in your meditation which may provide guidance and confidence, inasmuch as the understanding of self and of relationships to others are contained in the Writings and in the example of the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Neither you nor your husband should hesitate to continue consulting professional marriage counsellors, individually and together if possible, and also to take advantage of the supportive counselling which can come from wise and mature friends. Non-Bahá’í counselling can be useful but it is usually necessary to temper it with Bahá’í insight. You ask how to deal with anger. The House of Justice suggests that you call to mind the admonitions found in our Writings on the need to overlook the shortcomings of others; to forgive and conceal their misdeeds, not to expose their bad qualities, but to search for and affirm their praiseworthy ones, and to endeavour to be always forbearing, patient, and merciful. Such passages as the following extracts from letters written on behalf of the beloved Guardian will be helpful: There are qualities in everyone which we can appreciate and admire, and for which we can love them; and perhaps, if you determine to think only of these qualities which your husband possesses, this will help to improve the situation .... You should turn your thoughts away from the things which upset you, and constantly pray to Bahá’u’lláh to help you. Then you will find how that pure love, enkindled by God, which burns in the soul when we read and study the Teachings, will warm and heal, more than anything else. 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. 以守基•阿芬第名义致信徒书简摘录 Life is a process.
To be born is the beginning. Fear of death won't stop me to live my life. Marriage is a process. To see you is the beginning. Fear of separation won't stop me from being with you. Because I know, death is followed by the meeting with God. And separation is followed by the joy of reunion. |
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