May each one of you be as a shining star
in the horizon of eternal glory.
- Abdu'l-Baha -
Divine Meditation I : Awakening the Soul’s Connection
Discover how meditation aligns the soul with God’s divine Attributes.
Discover how meditation aligns the soul with God’s divine Attributes.
Dear Ones,
This series of articles (I to VII) presents a reflection followed by a practical guide to meditating on the Holy Names of God; the value of action anchored in invocation and spiritual guidance, as well as suggestions for furthering our spiritual connection. Isn't this bond with God and his holy kingdom the natural state of the soul, as witnessed by the rapture of newborn babies? Yet over time, the mirror of the heart is tarnished by life's attachments. This vital reconnection, however, is guaranteed by the light provided by divine Revelations. Today, through the BAHA'I Revelation.
This series of articles (I to VII) presents a reflection followed by a practical guide to meditating on the Holy Names of God; the value of action anchored in invocation and spiritual guidance, as well as suggestions for furthering our spiritual connection. Isn't this bond with God and his holy kingdom the natural state of the soul, as witnessed by the rapture of newborn babies? Yet over time, the mirror of the heart is tarnished by life's attachments. This vital reconnection, however, is guaranteed by the light provided by divine Revelations. Today, through the BAHA'I Revelation.
As in earlier sacred scriptures, Baha’u’llah teaches that our love for the Creator is the true foundation of our lives, expressed through daily communion with Him in prayer, meditation and acts of service. For as a mirror reflects the sun’s rays, the human soul is designed to reflect the divine Attributes, contemplation being the gentle path to discern their essence :
Retire yourself in solitude each day, in a quiet place free from distractions, and there, in silence, turn your heart to God, that your soul may be purified and you may receive the light of divine guidance.
- Abdu'l-Baha
If ideal meditation is an inward, intuitive dialogue with God in perfect stillness, the Baha’i Writings strongly recommend meditating “upon that which hath streamed forth from the heaven of the Will of thy Lord, the Most Gracious,” rather than on the things of this world. This focus on the divine word is further emphasized by Baha’u’llah:
The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror; if you put it before earthly objects it will reflect them. Therefore if the spirit of man is contemplating earthly subjects he will be informed of these.
But if you turn the mirror of your spirits heavenwards, the heavenly constellations and the rays of the Sun of Reality will be reflected in your hearts, and the virtues of the Kingdom will be obtained.
The Word is the master key for the whole world, inasmuch as through its potency the doors of the hearts of men, which in reality are the doors of heaven, are unlocked.
Within the Baha’i Faith, meditation is a deeply personal and reflective practice that strengthens the soul’s relationship with God, aligning it with divine qualities, a truth affirmed repeatedly in the Baha'i writings :
Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life; though it he receives the breath of the Holy Spirit—the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and meditation.
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This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch with God.
On the official Baha’i website, we find this definition of meditation, which we applied here:
The daily practice of reading from the holy writings provides a natural opportunity to meditate on profound concepts and to reflect on how they might be applied to one’s own life and character, as well as efforts to contribute to the progress of society.
A greater number of Baha’i quotations concerning the value of meditation and its power over the soul and mind of the practitioner are available HERE.
With these promises at heart, we warmly invite you to begin this sacred journey by delving into our Series:
With these promises at heart, we warmly invite you to begin this sacred journey by delving into our Series:
DIVINE MEDITATION I : Awakening the Soul’s Connection
Discover how meditation aligns the soul with God’s divine Attributes.
Discover how meditation aligns the soul with God’s divine Attributes.
DIVINE MEDITATION II : The Divine Names and Their Power
Explore the divine Names of the Baha’i calendar as a foundation for meditation.
Coming in the next weeks :
Explore the divine Names of the Baha’i calendar as a foundation for meditation.
Coming in the next weeks :
Divine Meditation III : A Method for Divine Meditation Practice
Learn a five-step method to meditate on the divine Name of Beauty with guidance.
Learn a five-step method to meditate on the divine Name of Beauty with guidance.
Divine Meditation IV : Practice with the Divine Name of Grandeur
Deepen your meditation by contemplating on the Divine Name of Grandeur to awaken spiritual potential.
Deepen your meditation by contemplating on the Divine Name of Grandeur to awaken spiritual potential.
Divine Meditation V : Practice with the Divine Names of Glory and Loftiness
Connect with God on a daily basis by practicing meditation on the Divine Names of a day and a month simultaneously.
Connect with God on a daily basis by practicing meditation on the Divine Names of a day and a month simultaneously.
Divine Meditation VI : A Divine Meditation Daily Guide
Access a concise resource for daily meditation on the 23 Divine Names of the Baha'i Calendar.
Access a concise resource for daily meditation on the 23 Divine Names of the Baha'i Calendar.
Be wonderfully blessed!
Loesha
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