’Idál, 06 ʻ’Izzat (Might), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
Put into practice the Teaching of Bahá’u’lláh, that of kindness to all nations. Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path…
What profit is there in agreeing that universal friendship is good, and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal? Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of action, they are useless.
The wrong in the world continues to exist just because people talk only of their ideals, and do not strive to put them into practice. If actions took the place of words, the world’s misery would very soon be changed into comfort.
A man who does great good, and talks not of it, is on the way to perfection.
The man who has accomplished a small good and magnifies it in his speech is worth very little.
If I love you, I need not continually speak of my love—you will know without any words. On the other hand if I love you not, that also will you know—and you would not believe me, were I to tell you in a thousand words, that I loved you. — ‘Abdul-Bahá 1
Question for Consideration:
What kind of friendship should not satisfy us? 2
Google Bard Response:
In the quote you have provided, ‘Abdul-Bahá is talking about the importance of putting our words into action. He says that it is not enough to simply agree that universal friendship is good or to talk about the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal. We need to take action to make these ideals a reality.
This applies to all areas of our lives, including our friendships. A friendship that is not based on action is not a true friendship. It is a friendship of words, not of deeds.
So, what kind of friendship should not satisfy us? It is a friendship that is all talk and no action. It is a friendship where we feel like we are constantly giving and never receiving. It is a friendship where we are not supported or encouraged. It is a friendship where we feel like we are not being seen or heard.
If we are in a friendship that does not satisfy us, we need to ask ourselves why. Are we not getting what we need out of the friendship? Are we not being treated with respect? Are we not being valued?
If the answer is yes, then we need to take action. We need to talk to our friend about how we are feeling. We need to set boundaries. We need to be willing to walk away if the friendship is not meeting our needs.
True friendship is based on love, respect, and mutual support. It is a friendship where we feel like we can be ourselves and be accepted for who we are. It is a friendship where we feel like we can grow and learn.
If we are not in a friendship like this, then we should not settle for anything less. We deserve to have true friendships in our lives.
Question for Consideration:
What should burn brightly in our heart?
Google Bard Response:
In the quote you have provided, ‘Abdul-Bahá is urging us to put our words into action and to let our hearts burn with loving kindness for all people. He is saying that it is not enough to simply agree that universal friendship is good or to talk about the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal. We must also act on these ideals by being kind and compassionate to everyone we meet, regardless of their race, religion, or nationality.
The fire that should burn brightly in our hearts is the fire of love. This love should be unconditional and all-encompassing. It should not be limited to our friends and family, but should extend to all people, even those who are different from us or who have wronged us.
When we allow the fire of love to burn brightly in our hearts, we become more compassionate, understanding, and forgiving. We are also more likely to act on our ideals and to make the world a better place.
Here are some specific ways to put the fire of love into action:
- Be kind to everyone you meet, even strangers.
- Forgive those who have wronged you.
- Help those in need.
- Speak up for those who are being treated unfairly.
- Promote peace and understanding between people of different cultures and religions.
When we act on our love for others, we make the world a brighter place. We also bring ourselves closer to God, who is the source of all love.
- ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses Given by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá in 1911. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 2006, 6-7. https://archive.org/details/paristalksaddres0000abdu/page/6/mode/2up.
. ↩ - Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 8. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 