Joy and Pain - In this world we are influenced by two sentiments, Joy and Pain. Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. But when sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled and we become almost as dead beings. There is no human being untouched by these two influences; but all the sorrow and the grief that exist come from the world of matter, this physical world -- the spiritual world provides only joy! If we suffer it is the outcome of material things, material longings and all the trials and troubles come from this world of illusion. All our sorrow, pain, shame and grief, are born in the world of matter; whereas the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows Perpetual Joy. The ills that all flesh suffers, do not pass him by, but they only touch the surface of his life, the depths are calm and serene. You see all round you proofs of the inadequacy of material things -- how joy, comfort, peace and consolation are not to be found in the transitory things of the world, the material things of this world. Isn’t it foolishness then to seek these treasures where they are not to be found? I myself was in prison forty years -- one year alone would have been impossible to bear -- nobody survived that imprisonment more than a year! But, thank God, during all those forty years I was supremely happy! Every day, on waking, it was like hearing good tidings, and every night infinite joy was mine. Spirituality was my comfort, and turning to God was my greatest joy. If this had not been so, do you think it possible that I could have lived through those forty years in prison? Thus, spirituality is the greatest of Gods gifts, and Life Everlasting means Turning to God. May you, one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped more and more by the Divine consolation, be made free by the Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of the Heavenly Kingdom live and work among you. This is my earnest desire, and I pray to God to grant you this favor. (Modified from Abdul-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 112)
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 22:18:14 +0000
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