Meditation
Different connotations when used in the Bahá'í Writings[edit]
Focus as on a mantra[edit]
One can follow a particular method of meditation but not teach these at Bahá'í Summer Schools; can use the Greatest Name in this[edit]
"...In His talks 'Abdu'l-Bahá describes prayer as "conversation with God," and concerning meditation He says that "while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: the light breaks forth and the reality is revealed." [PT, p. 175 [Ed. - p. 174]], There are, of course, other things that one can do to increase one's Spirituality. For example, Bahá'u'lláh has specified no procedures to be followed in meditation, and individual believers are free to do as they wish in this area, provided that they remain in harmony with the Teachings, but such activities are purely personal and should under no circumstances be confused with those actions which Bahá'u'lláh Himself considered to be of fundamental importance for our spiritual growth. Some believers may find that it is beneficial to them to follow a particular method of meditation, and they may certainly do so, but such methods should not be taught at Bahá'í Summer Schools or be carried out during a session of the School because, while they may appeal to some people, they may repel others. They have nothing to do with the Faith and should be kept quite separate so that inquirers will not be confused.
"It would seem that there are in Norway many believers who draw particular benefit from meditation. The House of Justice suggests that for their private meditations they may wish to use the repetition of the Greatest Name, Allah-u-Abha, ninety-five times a day which, although not yet applied in the West {Ed. - It has now been applied; see Dec. 28, 1999}, is among the Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. (See P. 46 of the Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.)
- (Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-86, p. 589-590; a portion also in Lights of Guidance, no. 1837)
Reflection on a spiritual truth or attribute of God, particularly as evoked by the Bahá'í Writings[edit]
Meditation on the Teachings is one of 6 "Essential Requisites for Spiritual Growth"[edit]
"Prayerful meditation on the Teachings, so that we may understand them more deeply, fulfill them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others."
Meditations as specific texts[edit]
"'He thinks it would be wiser for the Bahá’ís to use the Meditations given by Bahá’u’lláh...'"
- (From on behalf of Shoghi Effendi cited in a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, June 7, 1974, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1487)
Reflection on any problem[edit]
- See Paris Talks, pp. 173-176
Meditation as Useless without Action[edit]
(The following is only a pilgrim's note)
"One day the Guardian said to a prominent pilgrim in Haifa, 'Do you pray?' 'Of course, beloved Guardian, I pray every morning.' 'Do you meditate?' The man paused a bit and said slowly, 'No, I guess I do not.' The Guardian replied that prayer is of no use without meditation and that meditation must be centered on the Writings. He continued very earnestly that meditation is of no use unless it is followed by action. He thus made clear another step to this most important process in the life of the soul.
"The Guardian then explained further that meditation is not just sitting down, closing your eyes, keeping silent in a silent atmosphere, and being blank. That is not meditation. We must concentrate on the teachings, concentrate on their implications and how they can be used. Prayer is of no consequence if it remains the murmur of syllables and sounds–of what use is that? God knows already. We are not saying the prayers for God, we are saying them for our own selves. If the words do not strengthen us, if we do not reflect upon the Writings we read, if we do not make the Writings part of our daily action, we are wasting our time."
- (Ruth J. Moffett, Du'á: On Wings of Prayer, p. 29, cited in "The Path Toward Spirituality: Sacred Duties and Practices of the Bahá'í Life", by Shahin Vafai, p. 26)
Meditation is a field in which the individual is free if in harmony with the teachings, with no set forms, though enjoined to do; but not to confuse such practices with those Bahá'u'lláh considered of fundamental importance[edit]
"As to meditation: This also is a field in which the individual is free. There are no set forms of meditation prescribed in the teachings, no plan as such, for inner development. The friends are urged--nay enjoined--to pray, and they also should meditate, but the manner of doing the latter is left entirely to the individual."
"Bahá'u'lláh has specified no procedures to be followed in meditation, and individual believers are free to do as they wish in this area, provided that they remain in harmony with the teachings, but such activities are purely personal and should under no circumstances be confused with those actions which Bahá'u'lláh Himself considered to be of fundamental importance for our spiritual growth. Some believers may find that it is beneficial to them to follow a particular method of meditation, and they may certainly do so, but such methods should not be taught at Bahá'í Summer Schools or be carried out during a session of the School because, while they may appeal to some people, they may repel others. They have nothing to do with the Faith and should be kept quite separate so that enquirers will not be confused."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, September 1, 1983, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1837)
"We should try not to introduce any set patterns into our teaching methods; however, if this form of group meditation produces unity and a deeper understanding of the teachings, he sees no reason why it should be not used at least in the beginning of a teaching class - providing the people want to, like it, and fully understand it has nothing to do with the teachings of the Faith, but is a method which sometimes proves helpful."
- (Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to individual believer, 30 July 1956, Bahá'í Meetings (compilation), no. 32)
Preference for revealed meditations[edit]
No radiations of thought or healing is going to bring peace; acceptance of Bahá'u'lláh's system is needed to build up divine World Order[edit]
"I might add that he does not believe any radiations of thought or healing, from any group, is going to bring peace. Prayer, no doubt, will help the world, but what it needs is to accept Bahá'u'lláh's system so as to build up the World Order on a new foundation, a divine foundation!..."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, June 6, 1948: Extracts From the Guardian's Letters, Spiritualism, Reincarnation and Related Subjects, p. 8: A Compilation from the World Centre, February 1970, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1416)
