Prayer-Recitation-Mystical-Meditation

Recitation

• recitation of 95 Alláh'u'Abhás
• recitation of the verses of God

Contemplation (and Correction)

• bringing oneself to account
• meditation
• reflection

Abstention (and contemplation)

• Fast

Group

• Devotional meetings

From Lights of Guidance (to categorize and move as necessary to subpages)

A Prayerful Condition is the Best of Conditions, Especially in Private and at Midnight

"The prayerful condition is the best of all conditions, for man in such a state communeth with God, especially when prayer is offered in private and at times when one's mind is free, such as at midnight. Indeed, prayer imparteth life."

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, from a recently translated Tablet: Spiritual Foundations: Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude, a compilation of the Universal House of Justice, 1980, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1479)

The Reason for Privacy When Communing With God

"The reason why privacy hath been enjoined in moments of devotion is this, that thou mayest give thy best attention to the remembrance of God, that thy heart may at all times be animated with His Spirit, and not be shut out as by a veil from thy Best Beloved. Let not thy tongue pay lip service in praise of God while thy heart be not attuned to the exalted summit of Glory, and the Focal Point of communion. Thus if haply thou dost live in the Day of Resurrection, the mirror of thy heart will be set towards Him Who is the Day-Star of Truth; and no sooner will His light shine forth than the splendour thereof shall forthwith be reflected in thy heart. For He is the Source of all goodness, and unto Him revert all things. But if He appeareth while thou hast turned unto thyself in meditation, this shall not profit thee, unless thou shalt mention His Name by words He hath revealed. For in the forthcoming Revelation it is He Who is the Remembrance of God, whereas the devotions which thou art offering at present have been prescribed by the Point of the Bayán, while He Who will shine resplendent in the Day of Resurrection is the Revelation of the inner reality enshrined in the Point of the Bayán—a Revelation more potent, immeasurably more potent, than the one which hath preceded it."

(The Báb: Selections from the Writings of the Báb, pp. 93-94, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1480)

The More Detached and Pure the Prayer the More Acceptable to God

"The most acceptable prayer is the one offered with the utmost spirituality and radiance; its prolongation hath not been and is not beloved of God. The more detached and the purer the prayer, the more acceptable is it in the presence of God."

(Ibid., pp 77-78, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1481)

The Inspiration Received Through Meditation

"… 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…

"The inspiration received through meditation is of a nature that one cannot measure or determine. God can inspire into our minds things that we had no previous knowledge of, if he desires to do so."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, January 25, 1943: Spiritual Foundations: Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude, op. cit., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1482)

With Prayer and Meditation Must Go Action and Example

"Prayer and meditation are very important factors in deepening the spiritual life of the individual, but with them must go also action and example, as these are the tangible results of the former. Both are essential."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 15, 1944: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1483)

The Importance and Power of Meditation

"Through meditation the doors of deeper knowledge and inspiration may be opened. Naturally, if one meditates as a Bahá’í he is connected with the Source; if a man believing in God meditates he is tuning in to the power and mercy of God; but we cannot say that any inspiration which a person, not knowing Bahá’u’lláh, or not believing in God, receives is merely from his own ego. Meditation is very important, and the Guardian sees no reason why the friends should not be taught to meditate, but they should guard against superstitious or foolish ideas creeping into it."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 19, 1945: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1484)

Wiser to Use Meditations Given by Bahá’u’lláh—Not Set Form Recommended by Someone Else

"As to your question about prayer and whether it is necessary to recite the prayers of only the Central Figures of our Faith, we have been asked to quote here the following two excerpts on this subject, from letters written by Shoghi Effendi's secretary on his behalf:

'…as the Cause embraces members of all races and religions we should be careful not to introduce into it the customs of our previous beliefs. Bahá’u’lláh has given us the obligatory prayers, also prayers before sleeping, for travellers, etc. We should not introduce a new set of prayers He has not specified, when He has given us already so many, for so many occasions.'

'He thinks it would be wiser for the Bahá’ís to use the Meditations given by Bahá’u’lláh, and not any set form of meditation recommended by someone else; but the believers must be left free in these details and allowed to have personal latitude in finding their own level of communion with God.'

"As to the reading of prayers or selections from the Sacred Writings of other religions: Such readings are permissible, and indeed from time to time are included in the devotional programmes of Bahá’í Houses of Worship, demonstrating thereby the universality of our Faith."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, June 7, 1974, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1487)

Specific Time for Remembrance of God

"… Moreover the friends must observe the specific times for the remembrance of God, meditation, devotion and prayer, as it is highly unlikely, nay, rather impossible, that any enterprise should prosper and develop short of Divine bestowals and confirmations…."

(From a letter of the Guardian to the Bahá’ís of the East, December 19, 1923: Living the Life, p. 1, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1498)

Dawn Prayers

"Blessed is he who, at the hour of dawn, centring his thoughts on God, occupied with His remembrance, and supplicating His forgiveness, directeth his steps to the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár and, entering therein, seateth himself in silence to listen to the verses of God, the Sovereign, the Mighty, the All-Praised…."

(Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, K115, p. 61)

"QUESTION: Concerning the remembrance of God in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár 'at the hour of dawn'.

"ANSWER: Although the words 'at the hour of dawn' are used in the Book of God, it is acceptable to God at the earliest dawn of day, between dawn and sunrise, or even up to two hours after sunrise."

(Bahá’u’lláh: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Questions and Answers, Q15, p. 111, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1499)

Morning Prayers

"One of the characteristics of Bahá’í society will be the gathering of the believers each day during the hours between dawn and two hours after sunrise to listen to the reading and chanting of the Holy Word. In many communities at the present time, especially in rural ones, such gatherings would fit naturally into the pattern of the friends' daily life, and where this is the case it would do much to foster the unity of the local community and deepen the friends' knowledge of the Teachings if such gatherings could be organized by the Local Spiritual Assembly on a regular basis. Attendance at these gatherings is not to be obligatory, but we hope that the friends will more and more be drawn to take part in them. This is a goal which can be attained gradually."

(From the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World, Naw Rúz, 1974, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1500)

Recital or Chanting of Prayers—Prayer is Essentially Communion Between God and Man

"… There is no objection to the recital or chanting of prayers in the Oriental language, but there is also no obligation whatever of adopting such a form of prayer at any devotional service in the auditorium of the Temple. It should neither be required nor prohibited. The important thing that should always be borne in mind is that with the exception of certain specific obligatory prayers, Bahá’u’lláh has given us no strict or special rulings in matters of worship whether in the Temple or elsewhere. Prayer is essentially communion between man and God, and as such transcends all ritualistic forms and formulae."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, June 15, 1935: Bahá’í News, No. 93, July 1935, p. 1, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1505)

Healing Prayer and Prayers for the Fast

"Concerning the Healing Prayer, the Guardian wishes me to inform you that there is no special ruling for its recital. The believer is free to recite it as many times and in the way he wishes. There are also no obligatory prayers for the Fast. But there are some specific ones revealed by Bahá’u’lláh for that purpose."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand, October 17, 1934, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1506)

Effectiveness of Healing Prayer

"The Healing Prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh can be effective even though used by non-believers. But their effectiveness is of course greater in the case of those who fully accept the Revelation."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 19, 1939: Bahá’í News, No. 134, March 1940, p. 2, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1507)

Prayers Answered Through Action

"…It is not sufficient to pray diligently for guidance, but this prayer must be followed by meditation as to the best methods of action and then action itself. Even if the action should not immediately produce results, or perhaps not be entirely correct, that does not make so much difference, because prayers can only be answered through action and if someone's action is wrong, God can use that method of showing the pathway which is right."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, August 22, 1957: The Individual and Teaching, a compilation of the Universal House of Justice, 1977, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1508)

Pray to be Protected from Contamination of Society

"… 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 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Spiritual Assembly of Atlanta, Georgia, February 5, 1947: Living the Life, p. 13, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1509)

Five Steps of Prayer

"Regarding the five steps of prayer outlined by the Guardian and recorded by Mrs. Moffett in her booklet the 'Call to Prayer': These, he wishes me to explain, are merely personal suggestions and need not, therefore, be adopted strictly and universally by the believers."

(From a letter dated June 30, 1938 written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1510)

Reciting Any Prayer Nine Times not Obligatory

"There is no obligation for a believer to recite always any prayer nine times. Ritualism is certainly to be avoided in all matters affecting Bahá’í worship…."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 26, 1939, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1511)

The Spiritual Man Prays Only for Love of God

"In the highest prayer, men pray only for the love of God, not because they fear Him or hell, or hope for bounty or heaven… When a man falls in love with a human being, it is impossible for him to keep from mentioning the name of his beloved. How much more difficult is it to keep from mentioning the Name of God when one has come to love Him… The spiritual man finds no delight in anything save in commemoration of God."

(Report of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's words quoted in Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, p. 105, Wilmette 1976 ed: The Importance of Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude, A Compilation, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1512)

Reading Prayers on the Radio

"You have asked specifically about reading prayers on the radio. Of course this is permissible, but you will be cautious concerning the setting of the prayers, i.e., what kind of materials may be presented before and after the prayers… so that they are assured of that dignity and reverence which they deserve. There may also be considerations of timing(the hours of the day best chosen, Sunday as the customary day of religious observance, etc.), in relation to the customs of the station, of the area, or other. Such recorded disc programs as 'Words for the World' include prayers, of course."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, July 8, 1973, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1514)

Bahá’í Children, Communes and Prayers

"… Every day at first light, ye gather the Bahá’í children together and teach them the communes and prayers. This is a most praiseworthy act, and bringeth joy to the children's hearts; that they should, at every morn, turn their faces toward the Kingdom and make mention of the Lord and praise His Name, and in the sweetest of voices, chant and recite."

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Bahá’í Education, p. 28, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1515)

"…there is no objection to children who are as yet unable to memorize a whole prayer learning certain sentences only."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, September 27, 1947, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1515)

Mothers or Others Delegated Should Choose Excerpts from the Sacred Word for Children to Memorize

"The Guardian feels that it would be better for either the mothers of Bahá’í children—or some Committee your Assembly might delegate the task to—to choose excerpts from the Sacred Word to be used by the child rather than just something made up. Of course prayer can be purely spontaneous, but many of the sentences and thoughts combined in Bahá’í writings of a devotional nature are easy to grasp, and the revealed Word is endowed with a power of its own."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, August 8, 1942, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1516)

There are no Special Instructions for Repeating Prayers of the Báb*

"Concerning the prayer for difficulty revealed by the Báb: He wishes me to inform you that it is not accompanied by any instructions for its recital.**"

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 6, 1937, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1517)

"Regarding your questions: The Guardian feels it is not necessary to repeat the Báb's prayer so many times.***"

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, September 30, 1950)
** Written in response to a question as to how often this prayer should be repeated to produce the greatest results.
*** Written in response to a question about the repetition 114 times in the morning for 19 days of the prayer of the Báb, 'Say! God sufficeth all things above all things…'

Community Prayer Sessions

"The Guardian wishes me to assure you that he sees no objection to the friends coming together for meditation and prayer. Such a communion helps in fostering fellowship among the believers, and as such is highly commendable."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 20, 1937: Spiritual Foundations: Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude, op. cit., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1518)

Bahá’ís Should be Taught to Meditate, but Also to Guard Against Superstitious Practices

"Through meditation the doors of deeper knowledge and inspiration may be opened. Naturally, if any one meditates as a Bahá’í he is connected with the Source; if a man believing in God meditates he is tuning in to the power and mercy of God; but we cannot say that any inspiration which a person not knowing Bahá’u’lláh, or not believing in God, receives is merely from his own ego. Meditation is very important, and the Guardian sees no reason why the friends should not be taught to meditate, but they should guard against superstitious or foolish ideas creeping into it."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 19, 1945, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1519)

Unlikely You Will Be Able to Convert People Who Study These Topics

"It is very unlikely that you will be able either to successfully argue with, or to convert, any of the people who study these topics you have mentioned in your letter. They are more interested in mystical things, and in mystery itself, than in this present world in which we live, and how to solve its problems. They enjoy abstractions and complications. Minds such as these are not going to be able to accept the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, which is for here and now, and which involves the purification of the mind, and as application of His teachings to daily life...."

(Ibid.; in Lights of Guidance, no. 1824)

To-dos for this page

• Dichotomy (e.g., in last pages of "Baha'i Administration" on the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár on rejecting asceticism but need for mysticism and quote to the effect of mystic feeling being core of religion); also reference Seven Valleys, Four Valleys and Gems of Divine Mysteries and true seeker and Tablet of the true seeker, regarding mystical search and steps of search, etc.