My grandfather told me a story the other day. I will recount it here and, although the words might differ, the meaning is of far greater value. A lady once said: “Mirza Abul Fadl [the great Baha'i scholar] taught me how to teach.” He had told her this: When a farmer first steps upon an untouched field, he encounters masses of weed which will impair the growth of useful plants. He thus first ploughs the field, uprooting the weed, and turning the soil to expose the roots. It is then the power of the sunlight that dries these roots. The farmer now begins to sow the seeds. And it is again by the power of the sunlight that a strong and capable plant develops. The same applies to teaching our beloved Faith. We have to help people to uproot their traditions, imaginings, and sometimes unbelief. ["In this age the peoples of the world need the arguments of reason." - 'Abdu'l-Baha] It is then the sunlight of our love towards them that burns away the veils. When the seed of the Revelation is planted [by means of reason], it is again our love that enables the Tree of Revelation to firmly take root in their hearts. It is this balance of reason and showers of love that assists a person in accepting Baha’u'llah.
Again and again I fail to truly embrace this counsel: “Let this be the paramount and most urgent duty of every Baha’i. Let us make it the dominating passion of our life.” A most astonishing concept and a great challenge to fully integrate into our lives. I mean absolutely integrate. The Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, wrote this in the context of teaching the Faith. We might ask ourselves this same question: “Do I live by these words? Have I made it the dominating DOMINATING passion of my life.”
It is also a question of prioritization. How much time to we waste cooking wonderful (often unnecessary) dinners (but who can resist a chello kebab, God forgive), how much time to we waste sleeping in (come nah, it’s the weekend!, God forgive)? What really is the dominating DOMINATING passion of my life?
“We look with expectant eyes to the day when teaching is the dominating passion in the life of every believer and when the unity of the community is so strong as to enable this state of enkindlement to express itself in unremitting action in the field of service. This, then, is our ardent hope for you and the object of our most fervent prayers at the Sacred Threshold.” – Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 2007
Hi Neysan
That was a very inspirational post, I am sending it to all my contacts. :)
Praveen.
Good one! I do miss Cheloh Kabab. I suggest only eating great food at teaching events, e.g. study circles, devotionals. That way you keep a natural balance between the two :) .
dude. you just got bookmarked. big time.