Spiritual meeting

(The term sometimes appears to be used for devotional or Assembly meetings but more often for meetings for teaching: study classes where adults teach youth the proofs of the Faith.)

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Spiritual meeting

Tablets concerning

• See Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, vol. 1, p. 10 and throughout the three volumes

What to Recite at "spiritual meetings"

• https://bahai-library.com/zamir/sm/?19 (no. 4 especially)

To peruse supplications, read Tablets and Verses, deliver eloquent speeches, explain proofs, encourage audience into Kingdom, read news, and may read a supplication together

"Thou hast written concerning the spiritual meeting. The spiritual meeting must be in the utmost state of ecstasy and tumult. The supplications must be perused, the Tablets and Verses be read, eloquent speeches be delivered, divine proofs be explained, the audience be encouraged to enter into the Kingdom of God, news received from different parts be read and in the end they may read all together, a supplication."

(Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in Star of the West, vol. 13, issue 10, p. 276)

Wonderful to arrange spiritual gatherings and engage in divine proofs from the Holy Books

"How wonderful, how wonderful that you have arranged spiritual gatherings and engaged in divine proofs and arguments, and will prove the Cause of the Manifest Light through conclusive evidence and testimonies from the Holy Books. This purpose is most blessed, and this aim is the cause of illumination of the servants and lands."This content belongs to Provisional translations, translations which have not yet been authoritatively approved.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, provisional translation, Partial Inventory ID AB00616)

To present proofs and speak of the signs of the appearance of the Beauty of Abhá

"Concerning the spiritual meetings thou didst write about - spiritual meetings must be founded upon the teaching of the Cause of God. In that meeting the maidservants of the Merciful must present proofs and evidences, and speak of the signs and traces of the appearance of the Beauty of ABHA (may my spirit be a sacrifice for His loved ones). During this, some Tablets and prayers may be read, and finally if there is chanting in supplication to the Kingdom of Verses, it is also agreeable and acceptable. But the main purpose of establishing spiritual meetings is for teaching, so that those present may become aware of the divine proofs and evidences."This content belongs to Provisional translations, translations which have not yet been authoritatively approved.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, provisional translation, Partial Inventory ID AB00908)

To read verses, peruse words such as explaining proofs, delivering clear arguments, and announcing sins of the Beloved

But concerning the established (organized assemblies), altogether outside conversation must not be introduced therein. Nay, rather, conversation must be confined to the reading of verses, the perusing of Words and affairs which pertain to the Cause of God, such as explaining proofs and evidences, delivering clear and irrefutable arguments and announcing the signs of the Beloved of the creatures.This content belongs to Provisional translations, translations which have not yet been authoritatively approved.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, provisional translation, Partial Inventory ID AB07821)

Conversation should be confined in gatherings to exposition of proofs and traces of the Beloved

In gatherings that are convened, external conversations should not take place at all. Rather, conversation should be confined to the chanting of verses, the reading of words, and matters pertaining to the Cause of God, such as the exposition of proofs and arguments, clear and evident reasons, and the traces of the Beloved of the worlds. Those who attend such gatherings should, before entering, be adorned with the utmost cleanliness and, turning their attention to the Abha Kingdom, enter in complete humility and submissiveness.This content belongs to Provisional translations, translations which have not yet been authoritatively approved.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, provisional translation, Partial Inventory ID AB02358)

Speak of the history of the prophets, of the reality of the religions of God, of the history of Bahá'u'lláh and His proof

"You must associate together in love. Whenever you meet let your conversation be heavenly in character. Speak of reality. Speak of the history of the prophets and of the reality of the religions of God. Speak of the history of Baha'u'llah and of the proof of the Blessed Perfection. Each one of you should strive with all your heart to become a manifestor of God's inspiration."This content belongs to Provisional translations, translations which have not yet been authoritatively approved.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, provisional translation, Partial Inventory ID ABU1485)

Purpose is for teaching; the focus was to become more on teaching rather than worship after the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár was founded

"The founding of these spiritual meetings is purely for the purpose of teaching; but, as the Mashreq 'Ul Azkar is not yet founded, therefore in the spiritual meetings verses are chanted, supplications and communes offered and discourses delivered. However, when the Mashreq 'Ul Azkar is organized the spiritual meetings will be devoted especially to teaching, and the place of worship will become focalized in the Mashreq 'Ul Azkar."

(Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in Star of the West, vol. 13, issue 10, p. 276)

Greatest means for unity

"It is God's purpose that in the West union and harmony may day by day increase among the friends of God and the handmaids of the Merciful. Not until this is realized can any advance be achieved. And the greatest means for the union and harmony of all is the gathering of the friends in spiritual meetings. This matter is very important and is a magnet which will attract divine confirmations."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, newly authorized translation attached to a letter dated 9/30/85 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to Bahá'í Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois; in Power of Unity, no. 21; also in Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, pp. 184-185)

'Abdu'l-Bahá begs to make Holy Spirit breathe fragrances to perfume all regions

"As to the spiritual meeting which ye have organized for diffusing the fragrances of God (i.e., for teaching the Truth), this is a good thing that ye have performed. I beg of God, to make the Holy Spirit breathe there in such fragrances which may perfume all regions.

"Be not grieved at the smallness of your number and thank God for the power of your spirits. He shall assist you with such a confirmation whereat minds will be astonished and souls will be amazed."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, vol. 1, p. 80)

How to conduct

Must be in the utmost state of ecstasy and tumult

"Thou hast written concerning the spiritual meeting. The spiritual meeting must be in the utmost state of ecstasy and tumult."

(Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in Star of the West, vol. 13, issue 10, p. 276)

See also

• Meetings for teaching
• Bahá'í meetings
• Proofs

To-dos for this page

• Go through Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
• Incorporate from https://bahai-library.com/zamir/sm/?19 , including on how meetings to have strict focus/being non-political