’Idál, 16 Masá’il (Questions), 180 B.E.
Arising to Serve
Quote for Reflection:
O BEFRIENDED STRANGER! The candle of thine heart is lighted by the hand of My power, quench it not with the contrary winds of self and passion. The healer of all thine ills is remembrance of Me, forget it not. Make My love thy treasure and cherish it even as thy very sight and life. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Questions for Consideration:
When we realize that, of all the things we do in our lives, the moments we spend sharing the Word of God with others are invested with special blessings, we arrive at a most significant conclusion: that the joy we derive from service lies in the act itself. We hope, of course, that the acts of service we perform will yield worthy results, but if we are too attached to the results, if we are overly affected by praise or criticism, we will lose the joy of teaching. That which should inspire us to serve is the love of God, not the desire to have success, to receive benefits, or to gain recognition. Detachment from all these is a requisite of joyful service.
There are many things to which we can be attached besides material possessions. To what would you be attached if you were a person who…
…wants to give up when he or she performs an act of service and no one acknowledges it?
…feels demoralized when someone does not accept the ideas he or she is sharing?
…hides his or her beliefs out of fear of rejection by others? 2
Google Bard Response:
In the context of Bahá’u’lláh’s quote, attachment can manifest in various ways beyond just material possessions. Here’s how it might play out in the scenarios you presented:
Seeking Recognition:
Attachment to acceptance: The person attached to acknowledgment might find solace in praise and feel dejected when their service goes unnoticed. Their joy derives from external validation, not from the act of service itself. They may hesitate to offer help unless expecting appreciation, hindering their selfless service.
Attachment to Ego:
Attachment to the rightness of their ideas: People attached to their wisdom might feel demoralized when someone disagrees. Their focus shifts from sharing the divine message to proving their intellectual prowess, leading to frustration and potentially hindering open-minded dialogues.
Attachment to Fear:
Attachment to social comfort: The person attached to avoiding rejection might hide their beliefs, suppressing their inner truth out of fear of judgment. This inhibits their role as spiritual contributors and creates internal conflict, distancing them from genuine connection with God and others.
Overcoming Attachment:
- Shifting focus to the Source: Remembering that service comes from the love of God, not for personal gain, can detach us from needing external validation. The joy resides in offering our talents and aligning with the divine purpose, regardless of the outcome.
- Embracing humility and learning: Recognizing that knowledge is continuous and evolving can help us stay open to different perspectives. Sharing ideas becomes a co-creative process, not a competition for intellectual dominance, leading to mutual learning and growth.
- Trusting in God’s plan: Faith in God’s guidance can build the courage to share our beliefs authentically, even when facing rejection. Accepting that some may not be receptive now doesn’t negate the value of sharing the message, which can plant seeds for the future or inspire others in hidden ways.
Remember, the journey toward detachment is lifelong, and setbacks are part of the process. Be kind to yourself, practice self-reflection, and focus on nurturing your connection with God. As you cultivate inner strength and trust in the divine purpose, you can gradually overcome attachments and experience the true joy of selfless service, regardless of external circumstances.
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 26, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/3#889172469. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 8. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 