Articles[edit]
- The Function of Sports in Life - article of Shoghi Effendi as a youth including physical activity's benefit to mental and even moral character
General Approach to Exercise[edit]
Recreation to improve bodily powers is desirable[edit]
"But recreation which may improve the bodily powers, as exercise, is desirable."
- (Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, A Heavenly Vista, p. 9 in Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era , p. 103)
Companions of God to strive to be physically as well as morally superior to others[edit]
"...strive...that the companions of God...may be physically and morally superior to others...that through...health...they may be the chief of wise men..."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbás , p. 585)
Games to be encouraged if of an athletic nature[edit]
"Playing games is not in the least forbidden. It should in fact be encouraged if they are of an athletic nature."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 1002)
Nothing (binding?) about exercise in the Teachings[edit]
"...there is nothing in the teachings about whether people should...exercise or not exercise"
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Lights of Guidance , no. 1017)
(Bahá'u'lláh to have had daily exercises at least while imprisoned)[edit]
""`Abdu'l-Bahá," Dr. J. E. Esslemont records in his book, "tells how, one day, He was allowed to enter the prison yard to see His beloved Father, where He came out for His daily exercise."
- (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 72)
" `Abdu'l-Bahá tells how one day He was allowed to enter the prison yard to see His beloved father when He came out for His daily exercise."
- (Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era , under "Birth and Childhood", p. 51).
('Abdu'l-Bahá's praise of wrestling He witnessed as good exercise)[edit]
'Abdu'l-Bahá noticed two of the airmen who were wrestling on the grounds, and when they stopped, he went to them clapping his hands and crying in English, "Bravo! Bravo! that is good exercise."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London, pp. 99-100)
Warnings[edit]
Pertaining to Eating[edit]
"Exercise is good when the stomach is empty; it strengthens the muscles. When the stomach is full it is very harmful."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Star of the West , vol. 13, no. 9, December 1922, p. 252 online at [1] )
From the Bible[edit]
"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.
"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
"This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation."
