O SON OF BEING!
Busy not thyself with this world, for with fire We test the gold, and with gold We test Our servants.
~ Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words #55
I recently used this quote in some devotions that I hosted focused on the topic of fire. In particular with this quote, we contemplated using fire to test the purity of gold and in turn using gold as a temptation to test the loyalty and honesty of servants. Upon further viewing of this passage I noticed something I missed the first time around though – the way that ‘We’ begins with a capital letter signifying that perhaps it is referring to God and and us alike. Could humanity be like the gold that God is referring to being tested by the fires of hard experiences in our lives, while also being the servants of God and tested by the trappings of materialism? Detachment is often associated with this quote and can be seen in the beginning words where we urged not to pay too much attention to the mundane things of this world, but to focus on the spiritual world.
Photo credit: Baha’i Media Bank: Award-winning fire dancer, Hogan Toomalatai, performing at the Baha’i jubilee festivities in Samoa.
TeacherJay Hidden Words, The detachment, devotions, human capacity, materialism, temptation, tests
By detachment is not meant, however, that we should force ourselves to endure excessive deprivations. On the contrary, Baha’u’llah assures us that it is perfectly acceptable to enjoy the things of this world, as long as we remember God and follow His teachings.
Nor does detachment imply that we should not be concerned with the affairs of the world. Rather, we should devote ourselves to the betterment of humanity and service to others.
~ Kenneth E. Bowers, God Speaks Again: An Introduction to the Baha’i Faith, p. 116
Detachment is one of my favorite topics. When I was growing I had a hard time with the concept that it was acceptable to have possessions as long as you did not allow them to rule your life. Not until I was adult did I finally put it together that there is a difference between me owning something and allowing it to own me. Detachment from the things of this world does not mean that we must live a monastic lifestyle without modern conveniences and even luxuries such as cell phones, fancy clothes, or a dishwasher (haven’t had one in years myself). But, it does mean that we must not allow our temptation for such items to rule our lives and influence our decisions.
Detachment is not necessarily piety, but it is a different way of thinking that requires us to put the needs of humanity above our selfishness. By serving others instead of ourselves, we can become detached from our desires and become closer to God.
TeacherJay God Speaks Again Bowers, desires, detachment, excess, materialism
O SON OF MAN!
If thou lovest Me, turn away from thyself; and if thou seekest My pleasure, regard not thine own; that thou mayest die in Me and I may eternally live in thee.
~ Baha’u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words #7
This short writing from the Hidden Words reminds me that in order to truly love God, His creations and the rest of humanity, I must look not towards myself and my desires, but must focus my energies, my thoughts, my talents, and my life on Him.
TeacherJay Hidden Words, The detachment, prayer, reflection, service, spiritual journey
Lauded by Thy name, O my God! I entreat Thee by the fragrances of the Raiment of Thy grace which at Thy bidding and in conformity with Thy desire were diffused throughout the entire creation, and by the Daystar of Thy will that hath shone brightly, through the power of Thy might and of Thy sovereignty, above the horizon of Thy mercy, to blot out from my heart all idle fancies and vain imaginings, that with all my affections I may turn unto Thee, O Thou Lord of all mankind!
I am Thy servant and the son of Thy servant, O my God! I have laid hold on the handle of Thy grace, and clung to the cord of Thy tender mercy. Ordain for me the good things that are with Thee, and nourish me from the Table Thou didst send down out of the clouds of Thy bounty and the heaven of Thy favor.
Thou, in very truth, art the Lord of the worlds, and the God of all that are in heaven and all that are on earth.
~ Baha’u’llah
I really appreciate the somber tone and plea to God to remove the “idle fancies and vain imaginings” from one’s heart so that it will be possible to put all of one’s affections towards Him. What a beautiful sentiment, and a nice reminder to know that, at times, even Baha’u’llah, a Prophet of God needed to ask for help to keep his thoughts on God.
TeacherJay Baha'u'llah, Prayers detachment, meditation, prayer
I recently used this quote in some devotions that I hosted focused on the topic of fire. In particular with this quote, we contemplated using fire to test the purity of gold and in turn using gold as a temptation to test the loyalty and honesty of servants. Upon further viewing of this passage I noticed something I missed the first time around though – the way that ‘We’ begins with a capital letter signifying that perhaps it is referring to God and and us alike. Could humanity be like the gold that God is referring to being tested by the fires of hard experiences in our lives, while also being the servants of God and tested by the trappings of materialism? Detachment is often associated with this quote and can be seen in the beginning words where we urged not to pay too much attention to the mundane things of this world, but to focus on the spiritual world.