Subdue the citadels

I want to write a series of posts about what Baha'u'llah says to the people of Baha, and a series about the framework for action, which I imagine will be progressively intertwined. This is about what Baha'u'llah says to the people of Baha.

"Say: We have ordained that our Cause be taught through the power of utterance. Beware lest ye dispute idly with anyone. Whoso ariseth wholly for the sake of his Lord to teach His Cause, the Holy Spirit shall strengthen him and inspire him with that which will illumine the heart of the world, how much more the hearts of those who seek Him. O people of Baha! Subdue the citadels of men's hearts with the swords of wisdom and of utterance. They that dispute, as prompted by their desires, are indeed wrapped in a palpable veil. Say: The sword of wisdom is hotter than summer heat, and sharper than blades of steel, if ye do but understand. Draw it forth in My name and through the power of My might, and conquer then with it the cities of the hearts of them that have secluded themselves in the stronghold of their corrupt desires. Thus biddeth you the Pen of the All-Glorious, whilst seated beneath the swords of the wayward."

(Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 77)

Some thoughts about putting this into practice:

1. Imagine people's hearts imprisoned in citadels guarded by their corrupt desires. Think of wisdom and utterance as swords to use against those corrupt desires.

2. Think of temptations to dispute with people as veils that someone tries to wrap around you, to blind you.

3. Learn more about what God means by "hearts," "wisdom," "utterance," "dispute" and "desires," in this context.

Framework for action: A panorama, Ridvan 2008

This is a panorama of a lake near Kinderhook, Michigan, where my sister and I went swimming sometimes when we went with our family to visit our great grandmother, who had a cottage on Dragon Lake. We didn't swim in Dragon Lake because of the snakes.

I'm thinking of using Ridvan letters from the Universal House of Justice to discuss the framework for action, and its history.

Ridvan 2008

The letter begins with a panorama:

* study of the creative word * increasing capacity for service * lives of devotion * visits * spiritual education of children * empowerment of junior youth * betterment of the world *

* serious, uplifting environment * action, reflection, consultation * worshiping, praying, awakening spiritual susceptibilities, shaping our lives, together * discussing, deepening, sharing, welcoming * children's classes * junior youth programs * expanding human resources *

To see the panorama I wanted to paint, imagine the first series sitting on top of the second one, with "study of the creative word" on top of "serious, uplifting environment," "increasing capacity for service" on top of "action, reflection, consultation," etc. Imagine not only members of the Baha'i Faith, but a growing number of other people also, who may or may not become members.

Imagine that the fruits of any activity depend partly on the spirit in which it is done. That would apply to our activities in the framework for action. The spirit might include what we're aiming for, our understanding of what is happening and where we're going, our attitudes and ways of doing things, and the spiritual qualities we're practicing. The 2008 Ridvan letter from the House of Justice contains some ideas about the spirit in which we might conduct activities in the framework for action.

Some examples of aims:
- Advancement in the process of entry by troops.
- Conditions conducive to the expression of the spiritual energies of a growing number of believers in pursuit of a common goal.
- An environment in which individual effort and collective action can complement each other in order to achieve progress.
- Doors more widely open for any receptive soul to enter and receive sustenance from Baha'u'llah's Revelation.
- Learning to apply the teachings to the growth of the Faith.
- Spiritual vitality of communities.
- A healthy pattern of growth.
- Material and spiritual human progress.
- Extending the process of systematic learning to encompass a growing range of human endeavours, with the same degree of coherence that characterizes our pattern of growth.
- Sustaining growth in cluster after cluster.
- Struggling against the myriad forms of corruption, overt and subtle, eating at the vitals of society.
- Championing the cause of justice.
- A refuge in the Baha'i community for the masses of humanity.

Some examples of what is happening and where we are going:
- The framework defined by the current series of Plans lends consistency and flexibility to our endeavours.
- It enables us to seize opportunities, to build relationships, and to translate into reality a vision of systematic growth.
- It gives shape to our collective powers.
- The believers in Iran, under the most arduous conditions, have arisen boldly to serve their country and are bending their energies toward its revitalization
- Given the restrictions placed on the administration of the Faith, they have set out on an individual basis to acquaint their fellow citizens with the teachings of Baha'u'llah, directly engaging them in conversations about His redeeming message.
- They have received unprecedented support from enlightened souls.
- They have encountered a receptivity far beyond anything they would have imagined possible.
- Receptivity to the Faith in all parts of the globe will increase as the agonies of humanity deepen.
- The magnitude of the demands will test the capacity of the Baha'i community to its limits.
- The continued prayers of the Universal House of Justice surround us.

Some examples of attitudes and ways of doing things:
- A humble posture of learning.
- Neither hesitate nor falter.
- Neither overstress nor whittle down the truth which we champion.
- Neither fanatical nor excessively liberal.
- Wary or bold, according to receptivity.
- Act swiftly or mark time, according to receptivity.
- Direct or indirect in the methods we employ, according to receptivity.
- Thoughts and actions so free of any trace of prejudice—racial, religious, economic, national, tribal, class, or cultural—that even the stranger sees in us loving friends.
- A standard of excellence so high, and lives so pure and chaste, that the moral influence we exert penetrates the consciousness of the wider community.
- Rectitude of conduct.
- Perceiving honour and nobility in every human being, independent of wealth or poverty.
- Administrative processes of our institutions governed by the principles of Baha'i consultation.
- Confidence that the Concourse on high is marshaling its forces and stands ready to come to our aid.

Some examples of spiritual qualities:
- courage
- wisdom
- zeal
- acuity
- fervour
- circumspection
- determination
- trust in God

To the people of Baha

This is re-posted from my wayfarer's blog.

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December 12

One of my ideas to help me rediscover Baha'u'llah is to study and practice passages addressed to the "people of Baha." I'm starting with The Summons of the Lord of Hosts" because I've been wanting to read that. I read the whole tablet in which I found the first passage. Then I thought about how I could practice subduing the citadels of people's hearts with the swords of wisdom and of utterance. Then I thought about memorizing more of Baha'u'llah's words. I chose a passage from Ruhi Book 6, which led me to the tablet to Siyyid Mihdiy-i-Dahaji. In that tablet, Baha'u'llah says:

"In such manner hath the Kitáb-i-Aqdas been revealed that it attracteth and embraceth all the divinely appointed Dispensations. Blessed those who peruse it. Blessed those who apprehend it. Blessed those who meditate upon it. Blessed those who ponder its meaning. So vast is its range that it hath encompassed all men ere their recognition of it. Ere long will its sovereign power, its pervasive influence and the greatness of its might be manifested on earth. Verily, thy God is the All-Knowing, the All-Informed."

(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 199)

Now I'm going through the Kitab-i-Aqdas again, trying to memorize one paragraph each day, and think about it throughout the day.

To the people of Baha

This is re-posted from my wayfarer's blog.

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December 9

The verse I'm trying to practice now is:

"O people of Baha! Subdue the citadels of men's hearts with the swords of wisdom and of utterance."

(Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 76)

I thought it might help me to memorize some more of Baha'u'llah's words. I looked in Ruhi Book 6, because I'm currently involved in a Book 6 study circle. I memorized this:

"Say: To assist Me is to teach My Cause. This is a theme with which whole Tablets are laden. This is the changeless commandment of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Comprehend this, O ye men of insight."

(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 196)

Now I'm reading the whole tablet (Tablet to Siyyid Mihdiy-i-Dahaji).

Baha'u'llah's words addressed to the people of Baha

This is re-posted from my wayfarer's blog. I've decided to move this project back to this blog.

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November 19

I've started my search in The Summons of the Lord of Hosts because I've been wanting to read that.

"O people of Baha! Subdue the citadels of men's hearts with the swords of wisdom and of utterance."

(Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 78)

In the other blog I posted some of the context of that passage. I won't re-post all that here. It's from a letter to Napoleon. Among other things, Baha'u'llah says to Napoleon: "Adorn the body of Thy kingdom with the raiment of My name, and arise, then, to teach My Cause." Then he says some things that seem to be addressed to all people, along with some things addressed specifically to the people of Baha. After that he addresses the priests and monks.

After I read the whole letter, I'd like to consider this section addressed to the people, one sentence at a time, and look for ways to improve my practice of what Baha'u'llah is saying.

I'm sitting here wonder how I might do that. What can I do, for example, to improve my practice of "O people of Baha! Subdue the citadels of men's hearts with the swords of wisdom and of utterance."? I just remembered that I can always practice in make believe if I don't find any other way. I can try to think of examples of subduing the citadels of men's hearts with the swords of wisdom and of utterance, and act them out