(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.)
Tablets concerning[edit]
- See Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, vol. 1, p. 10 and throughout the three volumes
What to Recite at "spiritual meetings"[edit]
- 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[edit]
"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)
Purpose is for teaching; the focus was to become more on teaching rather than worship after the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár was founded[edit]
"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[edit]
"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[edit]
"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[edit]
Must be in the utmost state of ecstasy and tumult[edit]
"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[edit]
To-dos for this page[edit]
- 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
