Baha’i Justice

RIDVAN 172 BE

[[THIS ENTIRE EPISTLE TO BE READ ALOUD
BY ONE OF THE FRIENDS IN THE HEARING OF ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE PEOPLE]]

One consecrated soul is preferable to a thousand other souls. If a small number of people gather lovingly together, with absolute purity and sanctity, with their hearts free of the world, experiencing the emotions of the Kingdom and the powerful magnetic forces of the Divine, and being at one in their happy fellowship, that gathering will exert its influence over all the earth. The nature of that band of people, the words they speak, the deeds they do, will unleash the bestowals of Heaven, and provide a foretaste of eternal bliss. The hosts of the Company on high will defend them, and the angels of the Abha Paradise, in continuous succession, will come down to their aid. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Selections, 39)

Dear Friends,

More important than the recent rapid growth of the faith in numbers of active believers all over the world is the individual deepening of each of the members in the spiritual essence of our faith, certitude in our personal relationship with God, and independence from the earthly dross of material pursuits that have bogged down the rest of humanity at this time. Only when material pursuits are animated with the inner cause of the spirit do these arise to satisfy the hunger and quench the good thirst for “work being elevated to the station of worship”–and the greatest of all work is work in the Kingdom: the work in the progress, development, expansion and deepening in the Cause of God.

OBJECTIVE, SUBJECTIVE AND DISCERNING FAITH

“Thou hast written of a verse in the Gospels, asking if at the time of Christ all souls did hear His call. Know that faith is of two kinds. The first is objective faith that is expressed by the outer man, obedience of the limbs and senses. The other faith is subjective, and unconscious obedience to the will of God. There is no doubt that, in the day of a Manifestation such as Christ, all contingent beings possessed subjective faith and had unconscious obedience to His Holiness Christ.

“For all parts of the creational world are of one whole. Christ the Manifestor reflecting the divine Sun represented the whole. All the parts are subordinate and obedient to the whole. The contingent beings are the branches of the tree of life while the Messenger of God is the root of that tree. The branches, leaves and fruit are dependent for their existence upon the root of the tree of life. This condition of unconscious obedience constitutes subjective faith. But the Discerning Faith that consists of true knowledge of God and the comprehension of divine words, of such faith there is very little in any age. That is why His Holiness Christ said to His followers, ‘Many are called but few are chosen.’” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith, p. 364)

While the rest of the people of the world suffer under the tremendous burden of a world gone spiritually and economically bankrupt–in degrees of subjective and objective faith–why have we been so early awakened to the morning light of Discerning Faith and been invited to the heavenly feast? Why have we been knowingly gathered together under the shadow of his Covenant? Why have we been wakefully sheltered under the loving presence of his ineffable and immutable Name?

God has continually sent His promised ones into the world–like an unending shower of cooling rain–without interruption in every day and age. From the point of view of the one who is thirsty and starved it does not matter much how many others have found the oasis of relief and the refreshing waters of life. What is important in the immediate moment is solely that they alone have attained to the blessed shores of reunion with God, to know and love God in their immediate lives, and that they are succored by God’s loving-kindness. For those who are refreshed with his blessing, and strengthened with his bounties, and empowered by his knowledge, love and wisdom, comforted with his presence and his continual bounties: it is not enough to have this for solely themselves–for their cup runneth over–and they have the urge, need, and desire to go forth to teach:

In these days, the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance for it is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself. This wronged servant has spent his days and nights in promoting the Cause and urging the peoples to service. He rested not a moment, till the fame of the Cause of God was noised abroad in the world and the celestial strains from the Abha Kingdom roused the East and the West. The beloved of God must also follow the same example. This is the secret of faithfulness, this is the requirement of servitude to the Threshold of Baha! The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook all their cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and passion, and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the divine guidance; till at last they made the world another world, illumined the surface of the earth, and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that beloved One of God. Finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps! (W&T, p. 10)

Those that do not have this desire, Jesus said, are spiritually dead. Their own inactivity collapsing upon them–turning joy into sorrow, and sorrow into grief, and grief into sadness and despair, and despair into the nethermost gloom of ultimately separation from God and alienation from their very own selves.

“And yet again He revealeth: “And be ye not like those who forget God, and whom He hath therefore caused to forget their own selves.” In this connection, He Who is the eternal King–may the souls of all that dwell within the mystic Tabernacle be a sacrifice unto Him–hath spoken: “He hath known God who hath known himself.”” (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings, XC)

There is no greater honor, and more satisfying activity, than teaching the Cause of God. Here the confirmations of God descend upon us, and we experience the immediacy of his presence all around and within! We ourselves are our own first student. In reality it is God who takes us on a journey–when we arise to teach–and transports us away from this darksome world of materiality in to the wondrous and many worlds of the spirit. Here in other worlds we are transported, along with other faithful and spiritual souls, into a meeting place transcendent of space and sanctified beyond everlasting time: “that all the regions of the world may become even as Paradise itself.” (W&T, p. 15). The first way to teach: “When calamity exists in the greatest degree rejoice and be exceedingly glad for these are the blessings and favors of God!” The second way to teach: “Accept your lot in life with joy and radiant acquiescence!” The third way to teach: learn all 12 Principles and promote them, embody them. Learn The prophecies and share them. Don’t talk them: SHOW THEM! Understand current events and illuminate them with your own personal Baha’i perspective. Take up a specific human rights issue and assert Baha’i solutions! There are many, many more ways to teach!

Through these three: (a) living the life (loving everyone including love your enemy (that includes the cb’s): but you don’t have to love the bad things they do to you); (b) teaching the faith; and (c) firmness of the covenant, ‘Abdul-Baha has explained we receive our rays of the Holy Spirit.

This year has seen the important expansion of the faith and its influence all throughout the world and the accompanying consolidation (solidarity) in the deepening and knowledge and love of all the friends everywhere. In America they are primed for the first election of the National Council since the days of the great dividing in the 1960s to be accomplished. In Africa the foundations of the first teaching Center and school in the south of that continent is fast underway. In India the growth and expansion of the faith has deepened the foundations in several communities throughout the sub-continent. More important than the milestone of electing a National Council– the individuals of Bharata have deepened in their own spiritual relationship with God and have been able to establish this inner perception as the true outward social teaching community in the East. This projection effecting the neighboring countries, tribes and peoples that came under the exportation of the Buddha aforetime–from Tibet to China, and Japan ablaze, into South East Asia and the Northern and Central Asia regions through the Silk Road and the Tea Routes in every village and clime. The progress in the UK and in Europe of the EU (that includes France and Russia)–lands ravished by two world wars and still in recovery of nihilistic and atheistic post-modern confusions–remains strong and steady as ever. From these four Areas: North in Europe, South in Africa, East in India and West in the Americas–the four-fold function of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Tablets of the Divine Plan (as echoed in the four regions of the US and initiated in the Four Corner’s Medicine Wheel project on the Colorado plateau and Chaco Canyon in 2012) have fully commenced! This due the mysterious forces of divine civilization unleashed by the Supreme Manifestation of God for this Day, Baha’u’llah, the Universal Founder of the 5000 century Baha’i Cycle incarnated now through the power of the Holy Spirit in the visible order of the body of believers world-wide with the living descendant of King David as guardian and head of that body:

“The administration [ministry of the living Guardian and his friends–organized and unorganized teaching efforts of the active friends everywhere] of the Cause is to be conceived as an instrument and not a substitute for the Faith of Baha’u’llah, that it should be regarded as a channel through which His promised blessings may flow, that it should guard against such rigidity as would clog and fetter the liberating forces released by His Revelation… Few will fail to recognize that the Spirit breathed by Baha’u’llah upon the world, and which is manifesting itself with varying degrees of intensity through the efforts consciously displayed by His avowed supporters and indirectly through certain humanitarian organizations, can never permeate and exercise an abiding influence upon mankind unless and until it incarnates itself in a visible Order [the body of believers (head and body both)], which would bear His name, wholly identify itself with His principles, and function in conformity with His laws [of his Covenant (Kitab-i-‘Ahd and sacred Will and Testament (W&T) of ‘Abdu’l-Baha].”

“Divorced from the institution of [the living descendant of King David seated upon David’s throne that is to last forever now entitled] the Guardianship the World Order of Baha’u’llah would be mutilated and permanently deprived of that hereditary principle which, as ‘Abdu’l- Baha has written, has been invariably upheld by the Law of God.” (Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Baha’u’llah (WOB), pp. 9, 19, 148)

This visible order is the international community of the Covenant (ICC)–a free, liberated, unfettered, un-organized religion for all peoples, all places and all times–who are the body of believers (head and body both) in this day. Bonded by nothing less than the love of God and the love for one another, with spiritual emotions pulsating through our veins and coursing like heated life-blood through the universal ether of the Covenant, we are the living instrument(s) and the living channel through which these divine blessing of the Holy Spirit and of God flow. This flow is through education. Education first and foremost of our own selves, and how we implement this spirit in our daily lives, personal interactions, work, community and family life. How do we choose to become “well-rounded” individuals, develop in the sciences and the arts, by which we can express our individual spirituality and personality; and have this immutable and ineffable spirit of God permeate the very depths our being: our spiritual, social, mental and material lives–revivifying every aspect of the happiness of our lives.

These are the ones called forth by the calling of God–awoken through dreams, visions, hard work, spiritual study, search through the scriptures, direct prayers to God, purity of heart, calling forth and desiring nothing else than to become active agents of the Holy Ghost. These are the ones who have the “key of David”–the body of the believers in this world and the next–they are the ones who know the meaning of the world “Christ” and have been saved as first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb. Dr. Jensen explains:

CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE

Those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes, known as “Baha’is Under the Provisions of the Covenant.”

Revelation 3:7-11: “The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”

This is the only group that knows the meaning of “Christ,” and the true meaning of the guardianship, the Christ of the Baha’i World Order, thus is mentioned the “key of David.” Because of this knowledge they know that the other groups are false. The term “Christ” designates a male-sperm descendant of David. The “key of David” is the meaning of the word “Christ”. Baha’u’llah came from this genealogy and so did His son ‘Abdu’l-Baha, who adopted Mason Remey. Mason Remey became the next Davidic King after ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Shoghi Effendi then appointed Mason as the president-head of the IBC/UHJ making him the next Guardian, thus the Davidic Kingship continues on in the Institution of Guardianship. There are two criteria for a claim to the Guardianship, the first is that he must be, physically or legally, a son; the second is that he must be appointed by the previous guardian. (Dr. Jensen, Revelation Explained, http://entrybytroops.org/seven-churches.html)

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The foundation of this current expansion of the faith–not only across the globe in numbers but spiritually rooting its principles deeper into the inner life and deep recesses of the hearts and minds of active souls–including the perseverance and drive of the American Baha’is in the face of unremittant opposition to elect their National Council under Baha’i democratic means in the United States (and continually legal harassments from the cb’s)–is all directly supported upon the personal spiritual resolve of all the active members worldwide who, following in the footsteps of Baha’u’llah Himself, have today sworn their undying fealty to every single provision of the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Baha’u’llah writes:

“We, moreover, swear fealty to the One Who, in the time of Mustaghath [2001 AD: God “will bring forth my servant the BRANCH” (Zech. 3:8 KJV)] is destined to be made manifest” and again “In truth, they who plighted fealty unto Thee, really plighted that fealty unto God.” (Gleanings, XXX & XXII) And again: “The mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is [the living Davidic King seated upon the throne of King David that is to last forever now entitled] the Guardian of the Cause of God.” (W&T, p. 11). ‘Abdu’l-Baha explains:

OBEDIENCE

“Today we will speak about Obedience! The Manifestation of God is a perfect example of real obedience. Like Him, we must sacrifice everything; every plan, every longing and ideal must be given up completely to the Will of God. We must look to God for all we desire, all we attain. The Will of God must outwork Its Purposes in us. Our human will must be laid down in sacrifice and love. ‘Abdu’l-Baha has given everything in sacrifice and obedience to the Will of God. I am only His Servant, nothing more. All our soul-powers, our outward self, our inward self must be consecrated to God in service and sacrifice. Even life must be given if necessary. If we have not reached this station of nothingness, we have not attained to real obedience to the Will of God. A pupil must submit entirely to the will of the teacher. This is true Sacrifice—true Obedience.”

“Real obedience and real sacrifice are identical–absolute readiness to follow and perform whatever you are called upon to do in the Cause of God. When you really love God, you will be willing to sacrifice everything and submit yourself entirely to His Will. Consecrate yourself wholly to Him. His Will is everything, His service paramount. If they were to burn Me, kill or torture Me—no matter what affliction may descend upon Me, I shall welcome it as one welcomes pleasure. These are precious moments in ‘Akka, so precious we wish they might never end. How is the Baha’i Faith progressing in America? After you return, the believers will be in a much stronger and better condition. But this cannot be unless they see and know he Will and Desire of God. I have no wish but His Will. His Will is ‘Abdu’l-Baha. If each human creature had his own will and way, spiritual development would be impossible. The soldiers in an army are under the will and control of one commander; therefore, they are united and can press on to victory. If each soldier carried out his own inclination and desire, there would be just that many different intentions and nothing would be accomplished. One thousand soldiers under the control of a commander can overthrow and defeat any number of disorganized troops. Without a directing will all would be conquered and defeated. Be sure, therefore, that if the believers are not united in the Will of God they will not be assisted. This is especially necessary because all of them are under the Tent of the Covenant in this Revelation. There is strength only in unity. Under one Tent there is union and harmony. The Covenant of God in this Day of Manifestation is a Lifeboat, an Ark of Salvation. All true followers of the Blessed Perfection are sheltered and protected in this Ark. Whoever leaves it, trusting in his own will and strength, will drown and be destroyed. For the Blessed Perfection left no possibility for discord, disagreement, and dissension. The Covenant is like the sea, and the believers are as the fishes in the sea. If a fish leaves the water, it cannot live. There is nothing to equal, nothing so effective as the Covenant of God to bring about and continue Unity. Christ said to Peter, ‘Thou art the rock upon which I will build My church.’ Therefore, all the disciples followed Peter, and there was no dissension among them. The Blessed Perfection wrote a Testament or Covenant with His Own Pen so that no one who obeys it will deny or disobey God. This point is expressed very clearly in the Covenant He revealed. Therefore, there can be no possibility, no position of disobedience. He knew that Muhammad-‘Ali would disobey the Covenant. By violating the Covenant he has become a fallen branch. The Covenant was also written by Muhammad-‘Ali’s own hand from dictation of the Blessed Perfection who knew he would disobey. What cause of union could be greater than the Covenant God has revealed through His Manifestation Baha’u’llah? Many of those who followed Muhammad-‘Ali are coming back. After the departure of Baha’u’llah all the beautiful blossoms upon the Tree of Life were destroyed by Muhammad-‘Ali and must now be grown again by the Love of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. The work and mission of ‘Abdu’l-Baha are very great. No one could express the grief which followed the turning away from the Covenant by Muhammad-‘Ali. We should be thankful that the Blessed Perfection, foreseeing this action, ordained a Center of the Covenant through which, by allegiance and love, we may protect and preserve the Revelation of God.”

At the time Muhammad-‘Ali denied the Covenant and occasioned so much grief and suffering, the perfect calmness and spiritual strength of the Holy Leaf were most remarkable. The Blessed Perfection devotedly loved ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and when He appeared, His expression would change from gravity to one of great happiness and joy. Before His Ascension, the Blessed Perfection, realizing the trouble Muhammad-‘Ali would bring about, would say, “Becheveh Áqá!” (“O to be pitied Master!”) (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akka).

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According to the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha the guardian is the “sign of God” (W&T, p. 11 & 14) by which we can recognize the true Universal House of Justice (IBC/UHJ) of Baha’u’llah from fakes, frauds, and imitations; but also, the guardian performs a spiritual function.

This spiritual function includes–but is not limited to–the “diffusion of the Fragrances of God and the exaltation of His Word, for benevolent pursuits and for the common weal” (W&T, p. 15). He has “hands” to assist him that are only active during his own lifetime and some only for the limited period of certain singular tasks.

The power of this spiritual field that transcends the immediate personality of the guardian facilitates the love of God united with the knowledge of God amongst the people. It fosters the love we all have for one another–and the blessed relief from the sufferings of a war-torn world. This spiritual function provides the HEAT burning away the corruption and dross of dead attachments to the empty nothing of false religious forms and the vain imaginations of a false sense of self and mere blind imitations. This heat is the “sign of God” (W&T, p. 11) that there is healthy life in this body! That this body is able to overcome! That no infection of racism or foreign provocateur can withstand. That the spiritual immunities of the power of Covenant remain firm and secure, that the words of the Apocalypse shall be made absolutely manifest: “nothing unclean shall enter it” (Rev. 21:27). This is the heavenly purification by the fire of the fever of the body of Christ–the fire of the love of God–the heat within the mystical body of God, His Universal Temple, that is the body of all humanity at this time (subjective, objective and discerning) that seeks its purification in righteousness, health and the Oneness of Humanity, upon the universal foundation of the Most Great Justice for All! Fueled by the onrushing winds of the breaths of God, these flames–the sign of the remedy and not the disease–burn deeper and brighter so that no one can be spared this redemption whether objective faith, subjective faith or discerning faith alive. This is the baptism by fire and by the Holy Ghost. A baptism and anointing of the Baha’i Fireside On-Line teaching effort: http://bahaifireside.org/ The waters of life that are free of price! For those outside the protecting shelter of the Covenant it is the flames of war–the thermo-nuclear heat that follows them from the weapons of their own making.

The fact that the guardian is essentially human–like Shoghi Effendi and ‘Abdu’l-Baha before him–and does not share in the sole-conferred infallibility set upon ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi (as the greater and lesser branches named in the Kitab-i-‘Ahd) by the Covenant of Baha’u’llah–only further serves to facilitate the loving-kindness and spiritual warmth inherent in our spiritual transactions one with another. This heat is the little leaven that leavens the whole lump! Our collective knowledge of the plan of God for the redemption of all humanity–as we each apply this in our immediate lives–will eventually see its outer manifestation in the fully elected body of the true and authentic Universal House of Justice of Baha’u’llah (www.UHJ.net) as humanity reaches its heightened days of maturation and development on a global international scale.

Humanitarian efforts are indirectly bringing this about and establishing the universal value system adumbrated in the 12 Principles of Baha’u’llah (see below for the FULL LIST of these Authentic 12). When the peoples of the world finally get their selves together, when the individual souls finally soar high, free from the put-downs of a corrupt and degenerate mainstream establishment, and the spiritual dead lethargy and naysaying of their hapless neighbors who the teachers have been sent into the world to quicken with the quickening of God- -the powers and wonders they will accomplish are beyond the ken of mortal men and angels alike, beyond the any inkling of present understanding that we can even at this time fathom. Fast, very fast, approaches the 100th anniversary of the activation of the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, November 28, 1921 to November 28, 2021. Hidden behind the veil stands the unfathomable greatness of the mystery of what comes next! As this Supreme Felicity descends upon the hearts, minds and souls of the receptive, so the reception of God will be immaculately perceived by those blessed and kept safe in the heart of Father Abraham in the name of the Nine Manifestations of God of the Adamic Cycle, in the awakening of this Gaia-world-of-Onesness that we all share and light up with the joyous science of pure expression and devout steadfastness, and ineffable dedication to that which is Real–too Real to be seen with the mortal naked eye! Powerful, powerful is the descender (the flow of this Jordan) down upon the faces, the heads and hearts, and the bodies, and the feet and the crowns, of those fitted to receive the immortal and everlasting blessing of God: the transmutation of soul into fire, and fire into light, and light into love, and love into grace, and grace into the perfection of being allied with all others in the Oneness of Humanity for this day and age–the Day Baha’u’llah has called the day of God!!

Have the people of the world independently investigated the truth? Have they used the intellect that God them to see the truth with their own eyes and not through the eyes of their neighbor? Have they seen the immaculate vision of The Prophecies fulfilled? Have they glimpsed the fullness of their own sanctified stations–the very perfection of their very own selves–in the holiness of the Kingdom of God–now established on earth as it is in heaven? Or have they only seen the face of death looming before them, the loss of this world of material vanity, the sagging flesh off the bones, the rotted teeth falling out of their gum, the wrinkles of time stealing away their fleshy forms? Or have they seen, so says Baha’u’llah: O Thou “SON OF THE SUPREME! I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I made the light to shed on thee its splendor. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom?” (Baha’u’llah, Hidden Words, 32). Do they look forward to the reunion in this world and the next. Do they work to make this world into the paradise reflecting the power of the next. Who starves in the next? No one. Why do they starve here? Who is without shelter in the next? No one! Why have they no shelter here? Who is abandoned in the next? No one. Why are they alone and forlorn here? Who is rejected in the next? No one. Why have they been rejected here? They are starved, rejected, burned, hated, beaten, forlorn, abandoned here by mortal men who themselves are doomed to die. But God forsakes none, abandons none, leaves out none, disinherits none! “Say! All are from God and unto him all shall return.”

Where is the next life, where is the next world, where is the land of promise, that of hope, the spirit, the mystery? When is the next world, when is the promise, when is the hope, the spirit and the mystery? These are here now within this world and surrounding this world: interpenetrating and pervading this entire world of appearances is the next a deeper, bigger, larger, more active reality alive in the horizons upon this world and within your very own selves!

For the next is now, the next is here, the next is within and around this present world, would the people had eyes to see and ears to hear it. Do we “go” somewhere else–or does this veil of tears fall away from us and we see the inner reality of what we have become–what we have made of ourselves and our world–some to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame and contempt? How shameful to push credos and false lifestyles and pseudo morality and false spirituality and hijacked phony organizations upon the people in the name of dogma, indoctrination, and the name of the very word of God. The manifestations of God and the promised ones have all come into our world as educators to allow the dross of this husk to fall away, so that the true state and condition of affairs should be made clearly known–so that everyone should be saved. Who are we willing to leave behind no one. But yet some shall be first and some last. Those newly raptured today in the immediate hearing of the heaven of these words are caught up in The prophecy of God with the rest of us and our Lord that is fulfilled in the here and now. Those thrown into the purifying fire of humanities diversity and emergent oneness shall also attain unto the fulfillment of what has been promised. Why cry over those who are last if you are first? Do you not see the end of things in the beginning of things? Who is first, and who is last? Who is left and who is right? All shall be called to account, all debts shall be paid, and all shall be redeemed. Those who work that last hour shall receive the same wages as those who have worked all day, all month, and all year–for in the terminology God and his blessed ones in relation to the temple a day is even as a year (Num. 14:34; Ex. 4:6). So the hosts of heaven and the commander of the faithful have appeared before all people today with heaven on their right side and paradise on their left! Take your pick and choose the choice wisely for you. Bewildered the ignorant can longer discern their very own hell. Heaven or paradise for all–though some prefer neither. So Baha’u’llah says:

“Heard it ye ever reported by your fathers of old, or by the generations that preceded them, even unto the first Adam, that any one coming in the clouds of revelation, being invested with manifest and transcendent sovereignty, having on his right hand the Kingdom of God and on his left all the power and glory of His everlasting dominion, any one preceded by the hosts of God, the Almighty, the All-Compelling, the Most Powerful, and uttering continually verses whose import the minds of the most learned and wisest of men are powerless to fathom, should yet be the bearer of a message that is not of God? Be discerning, then, and speak ye the truth, the very truth, if ye claim to be honest and high-minded.” (Gleanings, CXXI)

“Say, God is my witness! The Promised One Himself hath come down from heaven, seated upon the crimson cloud with the hosts of revelation on His right, and the angels of inspiration on His left, and the Decree hath been fulfilled at the behest of God, the Omnipotent, the Almighty. Thereupon the footsteps of everyone have slipped except such as God hath protected through His tender mercy and numbered with those who have recognized Him through His Own Self and detached themselves from all that pertaineth to the world. (Tablets of Baha’u’llah, pp. 182-183)

And ‘Abdu’l-Baha: “Take the cup of the love of God in thy right hand and with thy left hand hoist the banner of universal peace, love and affection among the nations of the earth.”

Thus all are summed equally unto the throne of God, and to the paradise and heaven of reunion with the blessed Divine. So God has revealed:

“Even those who worship other gods, worship Me, though they realize it not… But, also, those who worship Me as The Absolute; The Infinite; The Unmanifest; The Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient; The Unknowable; The Unthinkable; The Ineffable; The Invisible; The Eternal; The Immutable; The All… verily, these also cometh unto Me.

“The path of those who are attracted by Me as the Absolute and Unmanifest is much harder to travel than is that of those who worship Me as God manifest, and having form. This Absolute conception is most difficult of realization to the finite mind of man. It is most difficult for the visible to realize the invisible–the finite, the infinite–the possessor of qualities and attributes, that which hath neither but yet is above both.” (Bahgavad Gita, Ramacharaka Tanslation, pp. 98, 123-124)

“No man has ever seen God at any time” (John 1:18, KJV); “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth” (John 4:24, RSV); “Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” Romans 1:20, RSV)

‘Abdu’l-Baha re-affirms that “the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in you” as it is written in the Gospels, says Christ: “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?… On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:10, 20, NIV; and Peter states: “that through these ye may become partakers of the Divine Nature” (2 Peter 1:4, ASV).

As for now, we have lived long enough to see the beginnings of the four regions of East, West, North and South organically emerge the four foundations of our international school that is even now bringing this education to all the people of the world. This increase of life, and life abundantly, will culminate in the ultimate outwardly discerning awakened Oneness of Humanity being established all throughout the world. The Oneness of Humanity will eliminate prejudice of all kinds; the Oneness of Humanity will open the people’s minds up to seeing the truth with their own eyes and not through that of others. The Oneness of Humanity will ANSWER the PRAYER OF THE LAMB: that all people should be freed from the clutter that fills their minds. The Oneness of Humanity will allow the people to have direct and immediate access to the truth of the world’s sacred scriptures–such as the Bible and the Koran and Gita–thus eliminating the need of a clergy class. The Oneness of Humanity will upraise the people through universal compulsory education to be free from false forms of religion, to be free from outer forms of analogy and symbolism, to see through into the deeper recesses of the meaning of The prophecies of God, to win their own stations. Through the Oneness of Humanity wars, poverty, ignorance, disease, loneliness, isolation, hatred, bigotry, racism, slavery, violence, the police- state, abuses, greed and corruption will all cease! All will be able to bring down the power of the spiritual life of God from the next world that is the real inner world touching upon us even now–as we are the living intermediaries channeling spirit, life, heat and truth into this outer world of opposites transforming the continents of this earth into paradise itself; roiling the seas of the oceans of the love of God and overflowing the hearts, minds and souls of all people everywhere. The Oneness of Humanity will accomplish this.

This Oneness of Humanity is alive today in the four major communities of the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia as well as those souls in outlying areas and isolated centers. Only a diversity of such people as these–who are educated and knowledgeable about the word of God, and animated by the spirit of Baha’u’llah as a single people, even as “one soul in many bodies”–can sustain the fullness of the power, the exaltation, and the everlasting glory of the gospel of this Kingdom established on earth as it is in heaven today in this day and age! Thus Baha’u’llah calls this day: “the Day of God” and by an African proverb we should all “make ourselves good food for God.”

Twelve Principles of the Baha’i Faith

http://uhj.net/bahaiprinciples/bahai-12-principles.html

1. The Oneness of Humanity
2. Independent and Unfettered Investigation of the Truth
3. The Foundation of All Religions is One
4. Religion Must be the Source of Unity

5. Religion Must be in Accord with Science and Reason
6. The Equality of Men and Women
7. The Removal of All Prejudice: Religious, Racial, Political, etc…
8. Universal Peace Upheld by a Spiritual World Government
9. Universal Education
10. Spiritual Solution to the Economic Problem
11. A Universal Auxiliary Language
12. Universal House of Justice with the Davidic King as its President

As our religion is an unorganized religion as soon as anyone accepts Baha’u’llah (accepts the above 12 Principles of Baha’u’llah) they are immediately a Baha’i and can go out and teach and come to the 19 day feats and invite their friends and families starting vibrant community life! There is no ordained clergy in our unorganized faith. All have been given the franchise to teach on page 10 of the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. It is the power of the Covenant, the acknowledgement of the identity of the living Davidic King that sustains us in our teaching effort. Outside of the Covenant: “they will utterly destroy the Cause of God, exterminate His Law and render of no account all efforts exerted in the past.” (W&T, p. 20)

In the meanwhile, the international community of the covenant (ICC) with the living Davidic King as the symbol of the Oneness of Humanity, established on the foundation (platform or pavement) of the Most Great Justice for all, living amongst the believers as a fellow adherent of the Baha’i faith of equal stature with all the rest in this day–is an astonishment to the people of the world! According to the prophecy of God he is a “rock of offence” (1 Pet 2:8) to every wavering soul; but precious to the beloved of God: “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious” (1 Pet. 2:7 KJV).

It is through the precious power of the Holy Spirit that the souls are attracted to this teaching effort–and through the power of the Holy Spirit some few have either stumbled, stopped or stayed, or even fewer been repelled. This attracting power is the cleansing agent of humanity, as it is written that “nothing unclean shall enter it” (Rev. 21:27 ESV). The Covenant of God is at once a blessing to the righteous and a curse to the wicked. ‘Abdu’l-Baha explains:

“But the Covenant of God and His Testament is a bounty to the righteous and a curse to the wicked.

“On hearing this Command [of the Covenant: that the guardian is the irremovable “member for life” and “sacred head” of the Universal House of Justice (see W&T, p. 14, 15)] some faces have rejoiced by this Glowing Lamp, and others become gloomy and in their hearts the fire of jealousy and rebellion hath been kindled.

“They disobeyed the Command of their Lord the Merciful [“This House of Justice enacteth the laws and the government [the Davidic Kingship seated upon the throne of David] enforceth them. The legislative body must reinforce the executive [Davidic Kingship], the executive [the Davidic King] must aid and assist the legislative body [the entire body of believers and their democratic representatives] so that through the close union and harmony of these two forces [head and body both, guardian and all the body of believers worldwide], the foundation of fairness and justice may become firm and strong, that all the regions of the world may become even as paradise itself.” (W&T, p. 15)]… They disobeyed the Command of their Lord the Merciful, endeavored to spread lies and arose to divulge seditious rumors contrary to that [The Prophecies and The Covenant: see Psalms 89] which was descended from God.

“They imagine that they are able to resist this Power, which penetrates into the heart of the contingent world, or to cover the Truth through their false tongues and complicated opinions, and to withhold this Sea from surging, the holy fragrances from being spread, and the breaths of the Spirit of the Ancient from reaching the beloved! No, by no means! Verily, the Word of God penetrates into the core of all things and cannot be resisted either by the hosts of the world or by the armies of the enemies! In the past ages there is a warning to every intelligent one! Ye shall see their banners reversed, their sign abolished, their happiness destroyed in those regions in a similar way to the disappointment of their hopes in the East.

“But, as the people of the West [the American Baha’is outside the Covenant] are still children in the Cause and have not perfect knowledge of its reality and validity, the nakazeen [the Covenant- breaking NSA in Chicago and Wilmette fooled by Ruhiyyih Khanum and the “Hands”– Khanumites] thought it to be an easy prey and availed themselves of this opportunity for laying doubts and suspicions, speaking false words, divulging seditious calumnies [against ‘Abdu’l- Baha’s legally adopted Aghsan-son Mason Remey] among the people. Ye shall see all this as scattered dust [all Covenant-breaking assemblies both local and national in every land shall fall], and all these thick, dark clouds which were gathered in those far regions, will disappear and the Sun of Certainty and Reality shall shine with the Most Dazzling Light; the darkness will vanish, the firm believers will be in great joy, and the nakazeen [the Khanumites and Covenant-breakers (cb’s) leagued to Haifa] shall be in evident loss.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets, pp. 439-440)

Attacks and slander against our community–and disparagements against the Most Dazzling Light reflected through the lampglass of the secondary mirror of the personality of the guardian that fail to respect this position amongst the people as well as that Most Dazzling Light reflected though the secondary mirrors of his fellow adherents (men and women both)–only serve to more greatly cause the effusions of the divine fragrances of God to be more powerfully promulgated through the world. The forces of this Most Dazzling Light winning out over shadow and shade alike.

Because of the extreme power of the unity of the Covenant–part of my mission is to accentuate individual differences, foster access to personal creativity, and scientific and academic freedom(s) so that we can have balance in the light–unity in diversity–and all people can find shelter and not only grow but thrive! Only through the practice of sustained concentration in the presence of God–as prescribed in the spiritual parts of the Aqdas (personal spiritual practices) can the individual personality attain unto its highest station. The highest station is the perfection of its own self. Through the attacks against us by the Covenant-breakers (cb’s), God projected this message worldwide and raised up the people on the sub-continent in India. “One [of those] consecrated soul[s] is preferable to a thousand other souls.” Each of us–no matter where we are located can choose to arise with the vehement confirming support of God, and as such are worthy as consecrated unto God and far preferable to thousands upon thousand of the rest. Quality trumps quantity every time!

Were we surrounded by multitudes upon multitudes of believers, and had war-chests filled with cash, capital and stock–how would the reality of the invincible power of God, and the purity of our motives been seen? If an army slay a goliath where is the surprise? If it be a shepherd boy, slight of stature, with a single stone–then this is a surprise indeed! Many turned out to see him lose. Not only of the Palestinians but of the Jews. Yet God handed the victory over to him, and after the passing of the necromancy of Saul, the government of the nation as well. In this way God set all his people free! We have seen these miracles of God clear the path for the faith in the past, they are doing so even now, and will continue to occur in the future, each day by day and one day at a time! Thus we have faith–but not a blind faith–a faith based on proof. The proofs of prophecy fulfilled, the proofs of the influx of the onrushing rays of the Holy Spirit within us all. Open your eyes and see this faith unfold in his presence. This is occurring even now! Pause and reflect upon the spirit that animates you from within! “One on the side of God is a majority!”

Miracles do happen–but you have to have eyes to see and ears to hear them!

Others just remain blind–it matters not if they are blind in the dark, have their eyes closed, or are just blinded by the light itself–in any case they cannot see. Therefore we have been sent forth as a healing to the nations. We have a faith but not a blind faith. A faith based upon the proofs, upon prophecy fulfilled, the reality of the unseen! This, therefore, is the time for us to make our adjustments to deepen in the faith, transition away from our dependence upon this world of false forms and into dependence upon the Holy Spirit, reliance to the Will of God, and love to serve and know the Light. In other words to become independent of all save God!

The divine economy and most great justice will be established–with the help of the leadership of the world or inspite of them. Who will Shiva spare?

Truly the opening of any flower from a bud is a miracle indeed–as is the birth of a baby; the birth of a nation; and today the birth of the spiritual and everlasting Kingdom upon this earth–as the living Gaia–that will only occur once. The birth pangs of this Kingdom are the death pangs of this Beast. All the souls in the galaxy await the birth of this world of ours. It is the exciting event of the epoch!

How is this happening? It is because of the powerful love that the Baha’is have for God, reflected in their love for the guardian (a symbol of the whole) and for one another. This is as it should be! It is as Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn. 13:35 NIV) We are the disciples of Jesus on both his first and second comings. This love shines forth in our knowledge of the Faith, in our spiritual reality, in our critical thinking and intellectual endeavor, in our hearts, loves, and lives. We sum this up in one name–Baha’i–and in this name, one name of the Father, we have a unity–like a surname, and in our given names as individuals we have our diversity and individual souls reflecting the dazzling light of the One True Invisible God!

This community alone has the enduring love and coherence of people of all faiths and backgrounds; all nationalities, colors, persuasions, beliefs, and individual differences. Here people from Baha’i homes, Islamic backgrounds, Hindu, Buddhist, Jew and Christian alike, people of native and indigenous faiths, all congregate and assemble under the over-shadowing shelter of the One True Invisible God! It is important that all the believers begin to network with each other. That they get to know one another through social media; see each other’s faces, read each others writings, know each other’s thoughts, hear each other’s loves, listen to each other’s concerns, laugh with each other’s jokes, take pause at each other’s pains and sorrows, accept each other’s weaknesses, route for each other’s battles, for it is in the weakness of the spirit–the frailties of our human hearts–that we have the strength (the sensitivity) of our spiritual feeling. It is those who are hard of heart, hard of hearing, hard-headed, (insensitive) that do not either have the spiritual sensitivity nor the intellect or moral fiber and fortitude to hold fast and firm: “Or is it that a single arrow hath driven thee from the battle?” (Baha’u’llah, 7 Valleys).

More than dissipated false love, or feigned “tolerance” we have both the real acceptance and deep warmth for each and every person with all their individual differences and diversity! More than feigned knowledge, or false truth claims, we have a real education of divine and spiritual origin, the foundation of our school (the school of the prophets) without intermediaries and clergy blocking our way and access to the self-awakened teachers that God Himself has sent amongst us in every day and age. While the people run around in confusion–exclaiming “Atman is one with Brahmin”–the four faces of Brahma hide in shame as the ten avatars of Mahavishnu- Saivarkal(1) walk amongst us and dance this dream awake! Who are these people to claim to solve the divine mystery? Spirituality cannot be organized, says ‘Abdu’l-Baha. But spiritual people can organizes themselves to accomplish miraculous results! God loves those who work in groups! In such cases as these the opposite of what you might think is the truth! The fewer the numbers–the easier the unity–the more powerful and extreme the result:

“One thousand soldiers under the control of a commander can overthrow and defeat any number of disorganized troops.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha)

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead)

“Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Cor. 5:6 KJV)

Everywhere we go we find the committed citizens of the nations, of the religions, of Islam, of Israel, or Iran, or Russia of the United States–the nationalist, the sectarians, the separatists–but where are the committed citizens of the world–if not us? Who considers themselves world citizens, above that of nation, state, creed and color? Where are the human beings who are universal–if not us? Those who accept all Nine great revelators of the Adamic cycle, all revealed systems of Gods’s word and the holy divine truth? Where are these people–that God promised to Baha’u’llah He Himself would raise up to bring victory to this Cause in his name?

“One night, in a dream, these exalted words were heard on every side: “Verily, We shall render Thee victorious by Thyself and by Thy Pen. Grieve Thou not for that which hath befallen Thee, neither be Thou afraid, for Thou art in safety. Erelong will God raise up the treasures of the earth—men and women who will aid Thee through Thyself and through Thy Name, wherewith God hath revived the hearts of such as have recognized Him.” (Baha’u’llah, ESW)

There is none other. It falls to us.

Those outside the Kingdom: They are their own worst enemies! Following Pogo they confess: “We have met the enemy and he is us!” We are those that have been sent forth from time immemorial to free the people from the shackles of vain imaginations, false religions creeds, political-economic wars, disease, starvation and poverty and enslavement to false leadership. As teachers, educators, and guides we have arrived above all for the total destruction and complete annihilation of ignorance.(2) God says: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge!” Therefore God Himself has sent forth these world citizens, men and women, as educators in His Name–the name of the Father–Baha’u’llah: Baha’i. And through the power of the Covenant of God, and with the light of love in our hearts, minds and souls–we shall not only overcome–but God shall be all and all to everyone. “In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.” (Zech. 3:10 KJV)

Have the people forgot the promises of God? Have you laid aside the love you once had? Every prophecy from God is a promise from God because a prophecy is a promise and God doesn’t make a promise except that He keeps it! They say, that God broke his Covenant–broke his promise and the Davidic Kingship has come to end–but has it? No. They say that God and Baha’u’llah broke their promise to ‘Abdu’l-Baha that he would have a son to succeed him, but what about his Aghsan-son Mason? Well they say if you don’t count Mason–then there is no son. And if you don’t count God, then is there no god either? So who is the liar? God? Baha’u’llah? ‘Abdu’l-Baha? Did God break his own Covenant? Of course not. It is those who impute God as the breaker of his own Covenant that are themselves the Covenant-breakers. Mason is the aghsan-son of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, the rightful first president of the IBC/UHJ, the real successor to the guardianship of Shoghi Effendi. How convenient for them to blame God or his promised ones. How foolish of the loved ones of God to believe them? Even for a single instant?! “Verily we wronged them not but that they wronged themselves.” (W&T, p. 9). So what is the remedy?

God had an ace up his sleeve. This is the establisher of the Baha’i Faith Dr. Leland Jensen. When all fell away he remained firm. The faith was whittled down to he and his wife Opal, both Knights of Baha’u’llah. Even the guardian at that time, Pepe, had given up belief in himself?!? Those were the days when I came into the faith in 1985. Dr. Jensen was the teacher of the current Guardian. He was my mentor in the faith. My educator in the Covenant. My greatest supporter in my work on The prophecies. This is why the current Guardian is under the provisions of the Covenant and firm. When the previous violations of the Covenant happened, the guardians (Mason and Pepe) awaited the coming of the promised one to come after the 1335 days/years, spoken of by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in the book Baha’u’llah and the New Era, chapter “Prophecies of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha” subsection “Coming of the Kingdom of God.” This was fulfilled–‘Abdu’l-Baha explains–in 1963. In 1980, Dr. Jensen made the world-wide news media. He was in all the newspapers in the US and on TV. When they interviewed him he said that “In the year 2001, the Kingdom would establish itself.” Ten days after the collapse of the Trade Towers on 9-11 in the year 2001 God brought forth his “servant the BRANCH” (Zech. 3:8, KJV). This refers not only to the person of the guardian, the “man whose name is the Branch” (Zech. 6) but also the coming forth of the Branch of the Holy Spirit itself!

Not only is this person the guardian seated upon the throne of King David in the lesser Covenant, but he also fulfills prophecy in the greater covenant of God for his prophesied name, prophesied date, prophesied address, and prophesied mission. Many of the friends in the year 2001 (and shortly after) wrote epistles and weighty letters defending the guardianship and showing how the prophecies of God were fulfilled in him. (These are available upon request from the friends that wrote them). Thus the faith was saved from the Covenant-breakers and projected to all the people of the world. According to Peter: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Pet. 1:19-20 KJV). These prophecies that the guardian fulfills come by the Holy Spirit. In the Revised Standard Version it states: “because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet. 1:21 RSV) and in the note (e): “other authorities read: moved by the Holy Spirit holy men of God spoke.” The denial of these prophecies is therefore the denial of the Holy Spirit. The blasphemy of these prophecies, the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. The demonization of these prophecies is the demonization of the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained:

“When his family heard about it, they went to restrain him, because they kept saying, “He’s out of his mind!” The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem kept repeating, “He has Beelzebul,” and, “He drives out demons by the ruler of demons.” So Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables. “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a household is divided against itself, that household won’t stand. So if Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot stand. Indeed, his end has come. No one can go into a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions without first tying up the strong man. Then he can ransack his house. I tell all of you with certainty, people will be forgiven their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, but is guilty of eternal sin.”…because they had been saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:21-30, ISV).

Each of us receives our own personal rays of the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus said that “the Father is in the son and the son is in you.” Thus the light of God stands within us all. Jesus explained, therefore, that accusation of the “unclean spirit” is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. He said this “because they had been saying, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’” “Because they kept saying, ‘He’s out of his mind!’” Thus they were against the spirit within him, that is the spirit of the Father which is the spirit of Baha’u’llah–the spirit of “the Father and the Son” that abides within us all. Those against the spirit of the Father and the Son–the spirit of Baha’u’llah and Jesus–are against the spirit of Christ. Anti means against. Christ means the anointed descendant of King David. Both Baha’u’llah and Jesus are “made of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3, 4 KJV) but Jesus was declared to be the “son of God” because of the Holy Spirit–or “the spirit of holiness.” The direct attack on the inner spirit of holiness, that is the Holy Spirit as embodied by the promised ones, is in reality the spirit of antichrist that has infected the population. “Because they had been saying, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’” “Because they kept saying, ‘He’s out of his mind!’” (Mark 3:21, 30 ISV)

Those who broke the Covenant in the past in ignorance are saved from this denial of the Holy Spirit. But those who themselves wrote in defense of the Covenant in 2001 and accepted the prophecies of the Holy Spirit and had the Holy Spirit come upon them and then later turned aside and spoke against the Holy Spirit after they had received and then renounced the vision of their station, and denied the prophecies, these are those who have fallen and they can’t get up: “For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God [the lamb returned to establish his Father’s (Baha’u’llah’s) Kingdom] on their own account and hold him [the guardian] up to contempt. For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:4-8 RSV)

Footnotes:

1 Nine Manifestations of God in the Adamic Cycle: Adam, Moses, Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab and Baha’u’llah. The tenth is the establisher (kalki). See Entry By Troops, Chapter 10: The Kabbalah Tree, for more: http://entrybytroops.org/

2 St. Michael steps on his throat with Shiva’s foot as David dances up the mountain with the holy prophets.

The Holy Spirit is all we have that is our connection to God. This connection links us with the promised ones and the Manifestations of God as the spiritual community in this world and the next. In Baha’u’llah and the New Era, it is explained:

PRAYER

“Prayer is a ladder by which everyone may ascend to Heaven.”—MUḤAMMAD.

Conversation with God

“Prayer,” says ‘Abdu’l-Baha, “is conversation with God.” In order that God may make known His Mind and Will to men, He must speak to them in a language which they can understand, and this He does by the mouths of His Holy Prophets. While these Prophets are alive in the body They speak with men face to face and convey to them the Message of God, and after Their death Their message continues to reach men’s minds through Their recorded sayings and writings. But this is not the only way in which God can commune with and inspire those whose hearts are seeking after truth, wherever they are, and whatever their native race or tongue. By this language the Manifestation continues to hold converse with the faithful after His departure from the material world. Christ continued to converse with and inspire His disciples after His crucifixion. In fact He influenced them more powerfully than before; and with other Prophets it has been the same. ‘Abdu’l-Baha speaks much of this spiritual language. He says, for instance:

“We should speak in the language of heaven–in the language of the spirit–for there is a language of the spirit and heart. It is as different from our language as our own language is different from that of the animals, who express themselves only by cries and sounds.

“It is the language of the spirit which speaks to God. When, in prayer, we are freed from all outward things and turn to God, then it is as if in our hearts we hear the voice of God. Without words we speak, we communicate, we converse with God and hear the answer. … All of us, when we attain to a truly spiritual condition, can hear the Voice of God. (From a talk reported by Miss Ethel J. Rosenberg).

“Baha’u’llah declares that the higher spiritual truths can be communicated only by means of this spiritual language. The spoken or written word is quite inadequate. In a little book called The Seven Valleys, in which He describes the journey of travelers from the earthly dwelling to the Divine Home, He says, in speaking of the more advanced stages of the journey:

“The tongue is unable to give an account of these, and utterance falls exceedingly short. The pen is useless in this court, and the ink gives no result but blackness. … Heart alone can communicate to heart the state of the knower; this is not the work of a messenger, nor can it be contained in letters.”

“Abdu’l-Baha states: “Unless the Holy Spirit become intermediary, one cannot attain directly to the bounties of God. Do not overlook the obvious truth, for it is self-evident that a child cannot be instructed without a teacher, and knowledge is one of the bounties of God. The soil is not covered with grass and vegetation without the rain of the cloud; therefore the cloud is the intermediary between the divine bounties and the soil. … The light hath a center and if one desire to seek it otherwise than from the center, one can never attain to it. … Turn thine attention to the days of Christ; some people imagine that without the Messianic outpourings it was possible to attain to truth, but this very imagination became the cause of the deprivation.”

ONENESS OF THE TWO WORLDS

“The unity of humanity as taught by Baha’u’llah refers not only to men still in the flesh, but to all human beings, whether embodied or disembodied. Not only all men now living on the earth, but all in the spiritual world as well, are parts of one and the same organism and these two parts are intimately dependent, one on the other. Spiritual communion one with the other, far from being impossible or unnatural, is constant and inevitable. Those whose spiritual faculties are as yet undeveloped are unconscious of this vital connection, but as one’s faculties develop, communications with those beyond the veil gradually become more conscious and definite. To the Prophets and saints this spiritual communion is as familiar and real as are ordinary vision and conversation to the rest of mankind.

“‘Abdu’l-Baha said to Miss E. J. Rosenberg in 1904: “The grace of effective intercession is one of the perfections belonging to advanced souls, as well as to the Manifestation of God. Jesus Christ had the power of interceding for the forgiveness of His enemies when on earth, and He certainly has this power now. ‘Abdu’l-Baha never mentions the name of a dead person without saying ‘May God forgive him!’ or words to that effect. Followers of the prophets have also this power of praying for the forgiveness of souls. Therefore we may not think that any souls are condemned to a stationary condition of suffering or loss arising from absolute ignorance of God. The power of effective intercession for them always exists… The rich in the other world can help the poor, as the rich can help the poor here. In every world all are the creatures of God. They are always dependent on Him. They are not independent and can never be so. While they are needful of God, the more they supplicate, the richer they become. What is their merchandise, their wealth? In the other world what is help and assistance? It is intercession. Undeveloped souls must gain progress at first through the supplications of the spiritually rich; afterwards they can progress through their own supplications.”

“Again He says: “Those who have ascended have different attributes from those who are still on earth, yet there is no real separation… Sincere prayer always has its effect, and it has a great influence in the other world. We are never cut off from those who are there. The real and genuine influence is not in this world but in that other.” (Notes of Mary Hanford Ford: Paris, 1911).

“In prayer there is a mingling of station, a mingling of condition. Pray for them as they pray for you!”(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London, p. 97).

“On the other hand, Bahá’u’lláh writes:

“He who lives according to what is ordained for him–the Celestial Concourse, and the people of the Supreme Paradise, and those who are dwelling in the Dome of Greatness will pray for him, by a Command from God, the Dearest and the praiseworthy.” (Tablet translated by ‘Alí Kuli Khán).

“When ‘Abdu’l-Baha was asked how it was that the heart often turns with instinctive appeal to some friend who has passed into the next life, He answered:—“It is a law of God’s creation that the weak should lean upon the strong. Those to whom you turn may be mediators of God’s power to you, even as when on earth. But it is the One Holy Spirit that strengthens all men.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Abdu’l-Baha in London, p. 98.)

*****

ENQUIRY REGARDING PRAYER

Dear Guardian,

I will appreciate if, when you get the time, you can help me understand the following statement (from Shoghi Effendi). I find it quite difficult to understand, probably because I have not been used to the idea, e.g., how one can think of the Master while praying? It also says we can ask Baha’u’llah for something. Any help you give will be much appreciated.

Yours in El-Abha…

From Shoghi Effendi:

“In regard to your question: we must not be rigid about praying; there is not a set of rules governing it; the main thing is we must start out with the right concept of God, the Manifestation, the Master, the Guardian–we can turn, in thought, to any one of them when we pray. For instance you can ask Baha’u’llah for something, or, thinking of Him, ask God for it. The same is true of the Master or the Guardian. You can turn in thought to either of them and then ask their intercession, or pray direct to God. As long as you don’t confuse their stations, and make them all equal, it does not matter much how you orient your thoughts.” (Shoghi Effendi, 24 July 1946, to an individual believer)

Dear friend,

The full explanation would take too long for a letter at this time. Briefly, the “orientation of thoughts” and the “co-mingling of station” as described in Baha’u’llah and the New Era on the chapter on ‘Prayer’ and the ‘Oneness of Two Worlds’ is what is meant [see excerpts above]. You should deepen on those chapters and other such writings, such as Some Answered Questions (SAQ). Knowing that in the Universe “everything is alive” (see Tablet to August Forel) and “all things are connected” will make greater sense here… The obstacle is for those raised in rigid forms of rigid rules of prayer systems. This is why he says “We must not be rigid about praying; there is not a set of rules governing it…”

Prayer in this sense isn’t really anymore mysterious than open conversation with a close friend. In conversation we speak, we share, we listen, we are not bound by rigid rules that prevent or hamper our spiritual and emotional expressions of our thoughts and experiences one with another. This is closer to the truth…

After you have deepened on this if you wish you may try these other modalities of prayer that the Guardian has suggested in his letters, and see what effects they may have… This is all acceptable unto God, the Lord of All the Worlds! In the Will and Testament it is written that the Bab and Baha’u’llah are the supreme manifestations of God and all else are servants. God has created a kingdom in which the servants may have direct access to the spiritual community as well as the co-mingling of station with the different educators and promised ones and centers of the covenant that He and He alone has sent out into this world. I hope these words while brief will suffice for now…

I remain yours, your servant, Neal.

*****

Our physical body is not directly receptive to the Holy Spirit without our soul. Our soul is directly receptive to the Holy Spirit that then stimulates our nervous system and effects our physical form, and our thoughts, words, and deeds. Also God works upon us directly through the Holy Spirit that permeates and interpenetrates the physical world and the entire worlds of creation. Thus the word of God is given through the Manifestation who appears in the physical world as physical human being. We also have the record of the word of God in the physical documents such as the Bible and other Holy scriptures that take physical form. However the reality of the Holy Spirit is a direct interaction upon our soul in the spiritual world of being. We receive this through our rays of faith–that is our personal branch of the Holy Spirit that comes upon us. This is the direct and immediate access to our spiritual experience with the Divine as well as with one another in the realms on high which in reality are the deeper realms within our very own selves and the innermost reality of the external world of being. The alignment and coherence of the so-called inner and outer and greater and lesser worlds allows this to become tangible fact experienced by us all. ‘Abdu’l-Baha explains:

“O thou who art Conscious!

“At last thou didst learn of the path of salvation and didst find the straight way. Now remain firm that thou mayest attain confirmation and victory.

The powers of the sympathetic nerve are neither entirely physical nor spiritual, but are between the two (systems). The nerve is connected with both. Its phenomena shall be perfect when its spiritual and physical relations are normal.

“When the material world and the divine world are well co-related, when the hearts become heavenly and the aspirations grow pure and divine, perfect connection shall take place. Then shall this power produce a perfect manifestation. Physical and spiritual diseases will then receive absolute healing.

“The exposition is brief. Ponder and thou shalt understand the meaning. Although, on account of lack of time, the answer is short, by close reflection it shall be made long.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha, “Answer to question of a physician regarding the sympathetic nervous system of the human organism,” Tablets, p. 309)

Our soul is receptive to the Holy Spirit (via any direct channel) that we receive through our rays of faith and focus through the power of the coherence of our intellect and the heart of our righteous deeds and words into the real acts of our life. “No thing have I perceived, except that I perceived God within it, God before it, or God after it” (Baha’u’llah, Iqan). When the Holy Spirit comes upon a person they not only accept The prophecies, they accept God and accept the transformation of their true selves. The rejection of this is the rejection of the whole kittenkaboodle. Those who had once accepted the prophecies but now whisper against them walk upon very thin ice indeed! For the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the only unforgiveable sin (See SAQ for why). What can we do for them before its too late for them? First we should think of ourselves. For it is only through our strengthening in the firmness of the Covenant, our commitment to this Cause, the firm resolve of our own personal spiritual nerve in the service of God, as agency of the Holy Spirit, our solidarity and fidelity with the guardian in fealty to the Will and Testament that we shall prevail–and in this prevailing–then maybe shall they prevail over their very own selves–and enter once again into the light, that the siren song of earthly glory has swerved away from this clear path and most excellent of vestatures.

The embodiment of the Holy Spirit within the community of the Covenant on earth cannot be in conscious exclusion of the person of the living Davidic King. In fact the testing on earth is essential for people to gain through their own personal experience the freedom of choice to choose if they wish to have this embodiment in this world and the next or not. This is why the test comes down to a test of personality. Those who are fitted for the tests–are hollowed out, so to speak to become receptacles for the divine grace. Those in vehement enmity to this, the teachings on prayer, the succession of personalities upon the throne on earth, are not able to advance and ascend to the next level–which is the attainment of their own spiritual stations. The Nine Manifestations of God as depicted on the Qabala Tree represent the point of adoration, that is the attractive point of the appearance of the Holy Spirit and its effulgence upon the earth and within the context of the world of humanity. One of the spiritual functions of the Covenant regardless of the personality of any one individual promised one is the continuation of the world of humanity remaining fully contacted with the spiritual realms of God through the power of this inviolable Covenant. This is why the point of adoration moves from place to place until at the sign of the maturity of the human race it will come to rest–and blessed are those who enter into his rest. We don’t pray to Baha’u’llah but to the glory of God that transcends His personality and that of his sucessorship.

These are of the spiritual teaching that are of the “deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10). This is the inner operating reality behind the scenes that is outwardly progressing the cause and directing all its activities at the present time. All people have come into conformity with is teaching through the subjective faiths of the world. Therefore:

The Faith has been raised up in Africa! In Egypt! In Syria! In the Middle East! In Asia, India, Australia, Europe, and the Americas! The angels of God dwell in Europe and in the UK: in France and in Russia their spirits soar in the heaven of God! In Canada, Alaska, and North America the souls are rejoicing on every side! California, Montana, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Missouri, Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maharashrta, Telangana, Delhi, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, Nigeria, Yorkshire and the Humber, and Sofia, Delhi, Nashik, Pune, Chennai, to name a few…

Peter states through this covenant (promise) we become partakers of divinity: “By whom he hath given us most great and precious promises [Covenant of Baha’u’llah/Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha]: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature: flying the corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world.” (2 Peter 1: 4 Douay-Rheims) Thus those who endure to the end are to receive everlasting life in eternal paradise. For the sensitive living soul the spiritual is awakening and born from within–it is reflected and confirmed from without: For God shall be all and all to everyone!

The Revelationof Baha’u’llah: the Revelation of the supreme and ultimate INNER-LIGHT (baha) of the glory and splendour of God in the Highest!

The foundations of our school are laid firm and secure. Blessings upon everyone this Ridvan 172 BE.

I remain yours, Your servant,

Neal. Guardian/President www.UHJ.net www.bahaifireside.org

MASTER’S TABLET OF THE EXALTED BEAUTY!

O ye who have turned your faces toward the Exalted Beauty! By night, by day, at morningtide and sunset, when darkness draweth on, and at early light I remember, and ever have remembered, in the realms of my mind and heart, the loved ones of the Lord. I beg of Him to bestow His confirmations upon those loved ones, dwellers in that pure and holy land, and to grant them successful outcomes in all things: that in their character, their behaviour, their words, their way of life, in all they are and do, He will make them to achieve distinction among men; that He will gather them into the world community, their hearts filled with ecstasy and fervour and yearning love, with knowledge and certitude, with steadfastness and unity, their faces beauteous and bright.

O ye beloved of the Lord! This day is the day of union, the day of the ingathering of all mankind. `Verily God loveth those who, as though they were a solid wall, do battle for His Cause in serried lines!’ Note that He saith ‘in serried lines’–meaning crowded and pressed together, one locked to the next, each supporting his fellows. To do battle, as stated in the sacred verse, doth not, in this greatest of all dispensations, mean to go forth with sword and spear, with lance and piercing arrow–but rather weaponed with pure intent, with righteous motives, with counsels helpful and effective, with godly attributes, with deeds pleasing to the Almighty, with the qualities of heaven. It signifieth education for all mankind, guidance for all men, the spreading far and wide of the sweet savours of the spirit, the promulgation of God’s proofs, the setting forth of arguments conclusive and divine, the doing of charitable deeds.

Whensoever holy souls, drawing on the powers of heaven, shall arise with such qualities of the spirit, and march in unison, rank on rank, every one of those souls will be even as one thousand, and the surging waves of that mighty ocean will be even as the battalions of the Concourse on high. What a blessing that will be–when all shall come together, even as once separate torrents, rivers and streams, running brooks and single drops, when collected together in one place will form a mighty sea. And to such a degree will the inherent unity of all prevail, that the traditions, rules, customs and distinctions in the fanciful life of these populations will be effaced and vanish away like isolated drops, once the great sea of oneness doth leap and surge and roll.

I swear by the Ancient Beauty, that at such a time overwhelming grace will so encircle all, and the sea of grandeur will so overflow its shores, that the narrowest strip of water will grow wide as an endless sea, and every merest drop will be even as the shoreless deep.

O ye loved ones of God! Struggle and strive to reach that high station, and to make a splendour so to shine across these realms of earth that the rays of it will be reflected back from a dawning- point on the horizon of eternity. This is the very foundation of the Cause of God. This is the very pith of the Law of God. This is the mighty structure raised up by the Manifestations of God. This is why the orb of God’s world dawneth. This is why the Lord establisheth Himself on the throne of His human body.

O ye loved ones of God! See how the Exalted One– may the souls of all on earth be a ransom for Him–for this high purpose made His blessed heart the target for affliction’s spears; and because the real intent of the Ancient Beauty–for Him may the souls of the Concourse on high be offered up–was to win this same supernal goal, the Exalted One bared His holy breast for a target to a myriad bullets fired by the people of malice and hate, and with utter meekness died the martyr’s death. On the dust of this pathway the holy blood of thousands upon thousands of sacred souls gushed out, and many a time the blessed body of a loyal lover of God was hanged to the gallows tree.

The Abha Beauty Himself–may the spirit of all existence be offered up for His loved ones–bore all manner of ordeals, and willingly accepted for Himself intense afflictions. No torment was there left that His sacred form was not subjected to, no suffering that did not descend upon Him. How many a night, when He was chained, did He go sleepless because of the weight of His iron collar; how many a day the burning pain of the stocks and fetters gave Him no moment’s peace. From Níyávarán to Tihrán they made Him run–He, that embodied spirit, He Who had been accustomed to repose against cushions of ornamented silk– chained, shoeless, His head bared; and down under the earth, in the thick darkness of that narrow dungeon, they shut Him up with murderers, rebels and thieves. Ever and again they assailed Him with a new torment, and all were certain that from one moment to the next He would suffer a martyr’s death. After some time they banished Him from His native land, and sent Him to countries alien and far away. During many a year in `Iráq, no moment passed but the arrow of a new anguish struck His holy heart; with every breath a sword came down upon that sacred body, and He could hope for no moment of security and rest. From every side His enemies mounted their attack with unrelenting hate; and singly and alone He withstood them all. After all these tribulations, these body blows, they flung Him out of `Iráq in the continent of Asia, to the continent of Europe, and in that place of bitter exile, of wretched hardships, to the wrongs that were heaped upon Him by the people of the Qur’an were now added the virulent persecutions, the powerful attacks, the plottings, the slanders, the continual hostilities, the hate and malice, of the people of the Bayan. My pen is powerless to tell it all; but ye have surely been informed of it. Then, after twenty-four years in this, the Most Great Prison, in agony and sore affliction, His days drew to a close.

To sum it up, the Ancient Beauty was ever, during His sojourn in this transitory world, either a captive bound with chains, or living under a sword, or subjected to extreme suffering and torment, or held in the Most Great Prison. Because of His physical weakness, brought on by His afflictions, His blessed body was worn away to a breath; it was light as a cobweb from long grieving. And His reason for shouldering this heavy load and enduring all this anguish, which was even as an ocean that hurleth its waves to high heaven–His reason for putting on the heavy iron chains and for becoming the very embodiment of utter resignation and meekness, was to lead every soul on earth to concord, to fellow-feeling, to oneness; to make known amongst all peoples the sign of the singleness of God, so that at last the primal oneness deposited at the heart of all created things would bear its destined fruit, and the splendour of `No difference canst thou see in the creation of the God of Mercy,’ would cast abroad its rays.

Now is the time, O ye beloved of the Lord, for ardent endeavour. Struggle ye, and strive. And since the Ancient Beauty was exposed by day and night on the field of martyrdom, let us in our turn labour hard, and hear and ponder the counsels of God; let us fling away our lives, and renounce our brief and numbered days. Let us turn our eyes away from empty fantasies of this world’s divergent forms, and serve instead this pre-eminent purpose, this grand design. Let us not, because of our own imaginings, cut down this tree that the hand of heavenly grace hath planted; let us not, with the dark clouds of our illusions, our selfish interests, blot out the glory that streameth from the Abhá Realm. Let us not be as barriers that wall out the rolling ocean of Almighty God. Let us not prevent the pure, sweet scents from the garden of the All-Glorious Beauty from blowing far and wide. Let us not, on this day of reunion, shut out the vernal downpour of blessings from on high. Let us not consent that the splendours of the Sun of Truth should ever fade and disappear. These are the admonitions of God, as set forth in His Holy Books, His Scriptures, His Tablets that tell out His counsellings to the sincere.

The glory rest upon you, and God’s mercy, and God’s blessings.

THE ADVENT OF DIVINE JUSTICE

“Reflections such as these should steel the resolve of the entire Baha’i community, should dissipate their forebodings, and arouse them to rededicate themselves to every single provision [including the living guardianship of the Davidic kingship as presidents of the real UHJ of Baha’u’llah: www.UHJ.net] of [the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha] that Divine Charter [see WOB, p. 144] whose outline has been delineated for them by the pen of ‘Abdu’l- Baha.”

“Dearly beloved friends! A rectitude of conduct which, in all its manifestations, offers a striking contrast to the deceitfulness and corruption that characterize the political life of the nation and of the parties and factions that compose it; a holiness and chastity that are diametrically opposed to the moral laxity and licentiousness which defile the character of a not inconsiderable proportion of its citizens; an interracial fellowship completely purged from the curse of racial prejudice which stigmatizes the vast majority of its people–these are the weapons which the American believers can and must wield in their double crusade, first to regenerate the inward life of their own community, and next to assail the long-standing evils that have entrenched themselves in the life of their nation. The perfection of such weapons, the wise and effective utilization of every one of them, more than the furtherance of any particular plan, or the devising of any special scheme, or the accumulation of any amount of material resources, can prepare them for the time when the Hand of Destiny will have directed them to assist in creating and in bringing into operation that World Order which is now incubating within the worldwide administrative institutions of their Faith.

“In the conduct of this twofold crusade the valiant warriors struggling in the name and for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh must, of necessity, encounter stiff resistance, and suffer many a setback. Their own instincts, no less than the fury of conservative forces, the opposition of vested interests, and the objections of a corrupt and pleasure-seeking generation, must be reckoned with, resolutely resisted, and completely overcome. As their defensive measures for the impending struggle are organized and extended, storms of abuse and ridicule, and campaigns of condemnation and misrepresentation, may be unloosed against them. Their Faith, they may soon find, has been assaulted, their motives misconstrued, their aims defamed, their aspirations derided, their institutions scorned, their influence belittled, their authority undermined, and their Cause, at times, deserted by a few who will either be incapable of appreciating the nature of their ideals, or unwilling to bear the brunt of the mounting criticisms which such a contest is sure to involve. “Because of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,” [remaining loyal to every single provision of His sacred Will and testament including the living Davidic King the great grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Baha now entitled the guardianship continuing as the Presidents of the true UHJ of Baha’u’llah (www.UHJ.net)] the beloved Master has prophesied, “many a test will be visited upon you. Troubles will befall you, and suffering afflict you.”” (Shoghi Effendi, Advent of Divine Justice.)

“Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants and all abide by His bidding!”–The Bab

TRIUMPH OF THE CAUSE

Lauded be Thy name, O Lord my God! Darkness hath fallen upon every land, and the forces of mischief have encompassed all the nations. Through them, however, I perceive the splendors of Thy wisdom, and discern the brightness of the light of Thy providence.

They that are shut out as by a veil from Thee have imagined that they have the power to put out Thy light, and to quench Thy fire, and to still the winds of Thy grace. Nay, and to this Thy might beareth me witness! Had not every tribulation been made the bearer of Thy wisdom, and every ordeal the vehicle of Thy providence, no one would have dared oppose us, though the powers of earth and heaven were to be leagued against us. Were I to unravel the wondrous mysteries of Thy wisdom which are laid bare before me, the reins of Thine enemies would be cleft asunder.

Glorified be Thou, then, O my God! I beseech Thee by thy Most Great Name to assemble them that love Thee around the Law that streameth from the good pleasure of Thy will, and to send down upon them what will assure their hearts.

Potent art thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou art, verily, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. –Baha’u’llah

*****

AN OPEN EPISTLE FROM K. P. SEELEY Knight of Baha’u’llah

Dear Neisan R. Pehnro,

Thank you for your inquiry.

I’ll get right to the body of your message.

If seen as presented by the organization based in Haifa, Israel the Baha’i Faith could indeed appear to be a “watered-down, customized version of Shiism” as you said.

In fact the actual Baha’i Faith isn’t anything of the sort. What happened was that in 1957 Ruhiyyih Khanum, the wife of Shoghi Effendi, together with the Hands appointed by Shoghi Effendi led a coup that derailed Shoghi Effendi’s long-term plans for the progress of the global teaching effort and the development of the Baha’i Administration, the very role for which he was chosen by Abdu’l-Baha’.

They lied to the entire world of Baha’i believers by telling them to pray for his recovery from the Asian Flu many hours after he had passed on to make time for them to solidify their grip on their assumed positions of authority, positions which they did not actually hold.

The primary goal of their coup was to disband the First International Baha’i Council which had as its President, Abdu’l-Baha’s adopted son, Charles Mason Remey who was to serve as The Aghsan Guardian of the Baha’i Faith upon the passing of Shoghi Effendi, as provided for explicitly in the Will and Testament of Abdu’l-Baha’. That First International Baha’i Council appointed by Shoghi Effendi was, in accordance with the writings of both Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l-Baha’, the first of four stages in the development of the true Universal House of Justice of Baha’u’llah.

Once that council and its President were effectively removed and replaced with/by Ruhiyyih Khanum and the Hands, and the Baha’i’s of the world were sufficiently convinced that turning to Khanum and the Hands was indeed the proper thing to do, they were free to make up whatever they chose to command allegiance and extract money from their followers who never realized they were no longer following Baha’u’llah and had come out from under the provisions of His Covenant. Their false, non-Baha’i administration has continued in this manner to this day.

Part of the false narrative they concocted was that God had mysteriously changed His will with regard to the continuation of the Guardianship (the Davidic Kingship, see Psalm 89, Jeremiah 33 & The Proclamation Of Baha’u’llah pg. 89) without providing any direction as to what the new plan was. They used the term “Bada” to express this. (Baha’u’llah prophesied decades earlier that some within the ranks would attempt to suffocate His Revelation with “the pillow of bada”.)

This was simply a lie but they were told by Khanum and the Hands that turning to the EXPLICIT writings of Baha’u’llah, Abdu’l-Baha’ or Shoghi Effendi would be the wrong thing to do and would lead only to confusion and conflict. They were told that they must stay calm and await the instructions of the Hands. This set up a type of Imamate where the Hands would be the supreme leaders telling all the people what to believe, who to talk to, who to avoid/shun and what subjects were taboo to speak of amongst themselves under threat of the most severe spiritual and temporal sanctions. Uninformed yet religious people being as they were in the Baha’i world at that time and since, this tactic proved very effective and their self-created, self-assumed positions of authority were thus secured in an atmosphere of fear, misplaced reverence and ignorance.

They invented and perpetuated the prohibition of women being elected to the UHJ, as you now understand from your reading of this proclamation – http://www.uhj.net/justice-for-women.html – which clears that matter up. Now you know that no such prohibition has ever been, nor now is, any part of the Aqdas, the Baha’i Laws.

To be clear on the Aqdas, we the Baha’i’s Under the Provisions of the Covenant are not in any way reforming the Aqdas. The Aqdas has never actually been given to the people. What parts were given by Shoghi Effendi were co-opted, rewritten and mis-interpreted by the Hands and fed back to the people following them saying things in diametric opposition to the Revelation of Baha’u’llah and the 12 Basic Baha’i Principles. http://uhj.net/bahaiprinciples/bahai-12-principles.html

Quoting Shoghi Effendi:

“The Persians do not have the complete “Aqdas”, nor even a complete compilation, as it is not yet a “book”. The laws are encountered in many Tablets written by Baha’u’llah. For example, in a Tablet written to a certain person, He would suddenly announce a new Law. Some day, all of these will be compiled into a single book. “The Aqdas” will have to be translated by experts. The present Guardian will not do it. When the Baha’i State is formed, “The Aqdas” will be promulgated. The Laws are few but very strict…. There are twenty-six volumes of the Tablets directed to persons, which contain parts of the “Aqdas”. These will later be included in the “Aqdas”.

“I have indicated some of these laws for present observance. I shall see how the people obey them and give them out gradually. Little by little the Guardian will indicate those Laws which are obligatory, binding, and those which are recommended.” (Shoghi Effendi, To a Believer, Jan. 15 – Feb 11, 1956)

The 26 volumes that will form the Aqdas include the 12 Basic Baha’i Principles – http://uhj.net/bahaiprinciples/bahai-12-principles.html – These form the core principles of the Aqdas, they are upheld by the current Guardian, and they are not to be violated.

With this in mind I will now address the issue of Homosexuality in the light of the true Baha’i Aqdas. You will see as you did in the case with the equality of men and women, the 6th Basic Baha’i Principle – http://uhj.net/bahaiprinciples/equality.html – upheld in the true Baha’i Aqdas, that the Aqdas is not in need of any reformation but more of a restoration from the corruption imposed upon the Baha’i’s and others by Ruhiyyih Khanum and the Hands.

The Aqdas makes no mention whatsoever at all of Homosexuality or anything related to the entire LGBT population within the family of Man.

Ruhiyyih Khanum and the Hands conflated the Aqdas law against Pederasty with Homosexuality for personal reasons and absolutely nothing more.

All laws regarding marriage among Baha’i’s are for the protection of the children who can come from the union of a man and a woman to help assure that they’ll have a stable, loving home to be safely and successfully reared within. There are no laws in the actual, true Baha’i Aqdas regarding Homosexuality.

One’s sexual identification is not a matter of law. It is not an issue for the state and furthermore it is not an issue at all. It is a private, personal matter in which the state, in this case the Baha’i Administration, has absolutely no jurisdiction. Nor is one’s sexual identification a spiritual matter, it is a biological (scientific) matter.

The violators of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant have chosen to use letters, some of which are of suspicious origin, yet attributed to Shoghi Effendi, as justification for their draconian attitudes toward the entire LGBT population. Back when these letters were allegedly written by Shoghi Effendi it was thought that Homosexuality was a mental illness as defined in the DSM, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders. This incorrect attribution has at its root a false Christian Theology the psychology of which I will not get into in this letter as it would be tangential and voluminous but it must also be said that this false Christian Theology and that of “original sin” have no place within the Bible as well.

Suffice it to say that none of what is used to permit any discrimination on any level up to the atrocities in such places as Uganda and others against any among the LGBT population has any origin or place within the Revelation of Baha’u’llah or the actual, true Baha’i Aqdas.

Here is what Shoghi Effendi stated about reliance upon him for guidance in matters of science:

“The infallibility of the Guardian [Shoghi Effendi] is confined to matters which are strictly related to the Cause and interpretation of the teachings; he [Shoghi Effendi] is not an infallible authority on other subjects, such as economics, science, etc.” (Shoghi Effendi, 17 Oct. 1944)

As stated earlier;

The 26 volumes that will form the Aqdas include the 12 Basic Baha’i Principles – http://uhj.net/bahaiprinciples/bahai-12-principles.html – These form the CORE PRINCIPLES of the Aqdas, they are upheld by the current Guardian, and they are not to be violated.

In the matter of sexual orientation/identification of the LGBT population within the global family of Man, there can be no prejudicial laws or discriminatory practices within the Baha’i Community worldwide. This is in accordance with the 7th Basic Baha’i Principle – http://uhj.net/bahaiprinciples/remove-prejudice.html – upheld in the true Baha’i Aqdas, which requires the elimination of all forms of prejudice. Any prejudicial or discriminatory laws, acts or practices in this or any other regard are in direct violation of the Baha’i Aqdas.

The Fundamentalist Baha’i’s, Firm in the Covenant, are those who adhere to the 12 Basic (Fundamental) Baha’i Principles which are upheld one and all within the Baha’i Aqdas as found throughout the writings of Baha’u’llah and made increasingly clear and explicit by the explanations and commentaries of Abdu’l-Baha’.

I hope that you will find this a satisfactory explanation in response to your inquiry and it is my hope that you will feel free to share this document with all.

Yours in service to God through service to humanity,

KPS,
Knight Of Baha’u’llah

BAHA’I RIDVAN REPORT FROM AFRICA

Dear friends,

It has been 152 years since the declaration of Baha’u’llah in Ridvan in 1863 (1863 + 152 = 2015). The number 152 contains the values of the digits of the letters of the most great name: a+ 1, b = 2 and h = 5. These are the spiritual values of the golden proportion that Muhammad says in the Koran are things are fashioned after this divine proportion. Moreover, Baha’u’llah would sometimes sign his own letters and epistles simply with the number: 152.

This year 152 has special significance in the unleashing of the rays of the Holy Spirit upon all the peoples of the world and is being significantly felt all throughout the people of the Covenant in the Baha’i world this year. This is THE ONLY POWER that can induce the full and complete REVOLUTION OF THE HEART.

In regards to the conditions in South Africa ‘Abdu’l-Baha replies “That which God desires from men is the heart. A black man with a good character is far superior to a white man with a character that is less good.”

I have attached below the current update from the teacher center of the South.

‘Abdu’l-Baha continues: “In a short time the relationship between the coloured and white people will still further improve, and bye and bye no difference will be felt between them. White doves and purple doves exist, but both kinds are doves.” (‘Abdu’l-Baha in London, p. 68)

Quite frankly, having myself been raised in a household from birth overseen by grandparents with Baha’i principles and Baha’i values these statements of ‘Abdu’l-Baha perplex me. From my point of view these words call to mind–truly–a spiritually advanced being attempting to communicate something far, far superior to the mind of 20th Century man.

We of the 21st Century Humanity are of a New Creation. Yet we have still to come to the full realization of just what the total impact of this Revelation Direct from God truly means!

Please find attached the current report from the Baha’i Center in Africa,

Your servant, Neal, Guardian (www.UHJ.net)

152nd RIDVAN REPORT FROM AFRICA 172 BE

Allah’u’abha!

To the Guardian.

Greetings to all at the Centre, a blessed Ridvan!

This letter serves to brief the Universal House of Justice [www.UHJ.net] on the state of the situation in South-Africa.

Firstly: prior to the shift from the previous administration to the current, Africa had either unstable governments or weak economies. Zimbabwe just next door was crippled by sanctions imposed by the America. States like Nigeria although independent but had weak economies. A negotiated settlement in South-Africa meant, governance had to include liberation movements and former Bantustan states. Whilst negotiations were ongoing, former employees in key areas such as border control, police mostly white fearing a backlash were leaving their jobs. For a time, borders were left unattended. This allowed for migrants to flow into the country .Most were from nearby Zimbabwe. When the new government took over, new employees from previously disadvantaged communities filled posts such as(border control, police, home Affairs etc.) all strategic key areas. Most were connected with the ruling party ANC. At this time, corruption was the order of the day. My wife also worked at one of these border Posts.

As I write to you, she attends a court case as a witness, were an employee forged her signature in corrupt activities. A number of ordinary South-Africans were left out unemployed(I’m one of those).Employment was easy if you were politically connected. The graduating youth couldn’t get jobs. With the country full of migrants, mostly illegal, the frustration took effect. The ground unemployed frustrated South-Africans recently attacked migrants. This is the current state of affairs in South-Africa. Although we as Bahai’s do not involve ourselves in Politics, the situation presents an opportunity for consolidating teaching the faith. We seize the space in social networks to shine the light. We understand that the whole world groans in travail upon travail. And nothing short of Baha’u’llah’s prescribed medicine can remedy the situation. This demands firmness in the Covenant and practically living the Baha’i life. I attach with this letter a picture of myself as at present aged 44. A blessed Ridvan to all.

Bahai love, L.M.(Mr). South-Africa.