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.
.Put your PC maintenance routine on autopilot
Most people do one of the following when their computer begins to slow down (besides get angry). They either:

1.Improve their computer by buying more memory.

2.Decide to tweak their computer's settings.

3.Figure that their computer is old, there's nothing else they can do, and that it's probably time to buy a new computer.

All these solutions will boost a computer's performance. However, what's to keep your newly blazing PC from slowing down again after a couple months or years? A badly fragmented hard drive will bring even a top-of-the-line new computer to a grinding halt.

One easy option is to try Windows Live OneCare, a new PC care service that helps protect and keep your computer running. OneCare is always on, running in the background. It helps gives you round-the-clock protection and maintenance—virus scanning, firewalls, tune ups, file backups, the whole nine yards. If OneCare detects anything that you can do to improve the health of your computer, the service will automatically show you what action to take and give you a one-click solution. Learn 5 reasons to use OneCare to help protect your computer.

A second option is to create a preventive maintenance plan. One that's easy to set up and set in motion so you never have to think about it again.

The following sections provide information on how to automate a maintenance schedule to keep your PC running smooth. These examples use Microsoft Windows XP. Some of the screens may differ from version to version, but overall you'll find these tasks work for Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows 2000, and Windows Vista.

Create a preventive maintenance plan for your computer
When people notice their computer's performance slowing, the most common reason is the hard disk. Your computer's hard disk is a non-removable area that holds all the information available from your computer. Over time, hard disks begin to lose their ability to store data efficiently.

The Windows operating system provides three great tools to help keep your hard drive humming smoothly. These tools are Disk Cleanup, Disk Defragmenter, and Check Disk. Find more information about using these tools to optimize your PC.

Ideally, you should run these tools on the following schedule.

Preventive Maintenance Activity
Recommended Frequency

Clean up the hard disk of temporary files
Weekly

Rearrange (defragment) the hard disk
Monthly

Check the hard disk for errors
Weekly


Of course, who has the time (or the desire) to keep up with this schedule? The best solution is to let Windows do all of the work.

The Windows Scheduler Task Wizard allows you to set up and automate these tasks, so you never have to worry about them again.

Clean up your hard disk (weekly)
Your computer amasses temporary files over time. These files can come from any number of sources—the Web being one of the largest offenders. After a while, these temporary files will slow down your computer.

About every week, you should run the Windows Disk Cleanup utility to clear your PC of these temporary files.

To set up Disk Cleanup to run automatically:

1.On the Start menu, click Control Panel.

2.In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.

3.Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears, as shown in Figure 1. Click Next.


Figure 1: Accessing the Scheduled Task Wizard.
.4.You'll find a list of applications within the Scheduled Task Wizard. Scroll down this list until you find Disk Cleanup. Click on Disk Wizard to highlight it, as shown in Figure 2. Click Next.


Figure 2: Selecting Disk Cleanup from the Scheduled Task Wizard.
.5.Select a frequency for the Disk Cleanup to run. Running this task weekly is suggested, as shown in Figure 3. Click Next.


Figure 3: Setting the frequency of Disk Cleanup.
.6.Select the best day and time of the week for the Disk Cleanup to run. Pick a time when you know you won't be using your computer, as shown in Figure 4. Click Next.


Figure 4: Picking a day and time for Disk Cleanup to run.
.7.Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Click Next.


Figure 5: Associating a user with the Disk Cleanup scheduled task.
.Congratulations! You've successfully scheduled your Disk Cleanup to run, as confirmed by the page shown in Figure 6. Your PC will now automatically run Disk Cleanup on the date and time you scheduled—even if you're logged off your computer.

Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.


Figure 6: Successfully scheduling Windows to run Disk Cleanup.
.Rearrange your fragmented files (monthly)
Whenever a file becomes too large to store in a single location on your hard disk, your computer breaks that file into parts (or fragments). Don't worry, though. Your computer keeps track of all these fragments, piecing them together whenever the file is accessed.

However, as fragmented files accumulate on your hard disk, your computer becomes gradually slower. This is because your computer has to go through all these fragmented files in order to piece the correct parts together again.

While there's nothing you can do to prevent the fragmentation of files, Windows does have a utility (Disk Fragmenter) to help deal with this situation. Disk Fragmenter rearranges fragmented files, resulting in increased free space on your hard disk and quicker performance from your PC.

About every month, you should run the Windows Disk Defragmenter utility.

To set up Disk Defragmenter to run automatically:

1.On the Start menu, click Control Panel.

2.In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.

3.Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears. Click Next.

4.Disk Fragmenter isn't available within the scroll-down list. You'll need to select it manually. Click Browse. Then, navigate to windows\system32\defrag.exe. Select defrag.exe and click Open, as shown in Figure 7.


Figure 7: Navigating to defrag.exe.
.5.The Scheduled Task Wizard asks you to define the frequency for defrag.exe to run. Monthly is suggested. Click Next.

6.You're then asked to select the time and day you wish this task to start. Pick a time you won't likely be using your computer.

If you selected a Monthly time frame, you're able to define what months and what day of the month this task should run. Keep all months selected, and pick a day of the month that works for you, as shown in Figure 8.

7.Select a start time that differs from your other scheduled tasks. That way, you won't have multiple tasks starting at exactly the same time. Click Next.


Figure 8: Picking a time frame for Disk Defragmenter to run.
.8.Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Click Next.

9.The next dialog box in the wizard states that you've successfully scheduled Disk Fragmenter to run on the time frame you've defined. Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.

Check your hard disk for errors (weekly)
Whenever some program you're using crashes, your computer may create errors on your hard disk. These errors will eventually slow your computer to a crawl.

The good news is that Windows includes a Check Disk program. Check Disk corrects these types of errors from your hard disk—resulting in better PC performance.

About every week, you should run the Check Disk utility.

To set up Check Disk to run automatically:

1.On the Start menu, click Control Panel.

2.In Control Panel, double-click Scheduled Tasks.

3.Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Task Wizard appears. Click Next.

4.Check Disk isn't available within the scroll-down list. You'll need to select it manually. Click Browse. Then, navigate to windows\system32\chkdsk.exe. Select chkdsk.exe and click Open, as shown in Figure 9.


Figure 9: Navigating to chkdsk.exe.
.5.The Scheduled Task Wizard prompts you to define the frequency for chkdsk.exe to run. Select Weekly and click Next.

6.You're then asked to select the time and day you wish this task to start. Select a time you won't likely be using your computer. Make sure this start time differs from your other scheduled tasks. Avoid having your tasks start at the same time.

7.Enter your user name and password (the one you use when you need to log on to your computer). Disk Fragmenter will run as if you started it. Click Next.

8.A wizard page appears, stating that you've successfully scheduled Check Disk to run on the time frame you've defined. Click Finish to have Windows automate this task.


Let Windows do all the work
These automated tasks—while they seem simple enough—are the foundation on which your computer's performance rests. Lucky for us, Windows can completely handle these tasks. You never have to worry about them. You just set up your maintenance tasks once, automate them, and let Windows take care of the rest.

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Author Bio: Chris Tull
Chris Tull is a freelance writer and designer based out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He is the author of Web Designer's Guide to Adobe Photoshop (Wordware, 2006).

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Create a preventive maintenance plan for your computer

Clean up your hard disk (weekly)

Rearrange your fragmented files (monthly)

Check your hard disk for errors (weekly)
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Put your PC maintenance routine on autopilot

Put your PC maintenance routine on autopilot: "Put your PC maintenance routine on autopilot
Most people do one of the following when their computer begins to slow down (besides get angry). They either:
Improve their computer by buying more memory.
Decide to tweak their computer's settings.
Figure that their computer is old, there's nothing else they can do, and that it's probably time to buy a new computer.
All these solutions will boost a computer's performance. However, what's to keep your newly blazing PC from slowing down again after a couple months or years? A badly fragmented hard drive will bring even a top-of-the-line new computer to a grinding halt.
One easy option is to try Windows Live OneCare, a new PC care service that helps protect and keep your computer running. OneCare is always on, running in the background. It helps gives you round-the-clock protection and maintenance—virus scanning, firewalls, tune ups, file backups, the whole nine yards. If OneCare detects anything that you can do to improve the health of your computer, the service will automatically show you what action to take and give you a one-click solution. Learn 5 reasons to use OneCare to help protect your computer.
A second option is to create a preventive maintenance plan. One that's easy to set up and set in motion so you never have to think about it again.
The following sections provide information on how to automate a maintenance schedule to keep your PC running smooth. These examples use Microsoft Windows XP. Some of the screens may differ from version to version, but overall you'll find these tasks work for Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows 2000, and Windows Vista."

The Greatest Name

The Greatest Name "should be found upon thelips in the first awaking moment of early dawn.It should be fed upon by constant use in dailyinvocation, in trouble, under opposition, andshould be the last word breathed when the headrests upon the pillow at night. It is the name ofcomfort, protection, happiness, illumination, loveand unity. "I hope that thou mayest becomeinformed of the concealed mystery and reconditesymbol of the stone of the Most Great Name ...The use of the Greatest Name and dependenceupon it, cause the soul to strip itself of the husksof mortality and to step forth freed, reborn, andnew creature..."
'Abdu'l-Bahá"United States Supplement to Bahá'í NewsNo. 80 p. 2October 1964
"The Greatest Name is the Name of Bahá'u'lláh.Ya Baha'u'l-Abha is an invocation meaning: 'OThou Glory of Glories'! 'Allah-u-Abha' is a greetingwhich means: God the All-Glorious'. Both referto Bahá'u'lláh. By Greatest Name is meant thatBahá'u'lláh has appeared in God's Greatest Name,in other words, that He is the Supreme Manifestationof God."
From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to theNational Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand,December 26, 1941
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 266)

Is 'Godliness' Contagious Too?

The New York Times Magazine has a great piece about research on "social contagion". Here is a brief selection:

"...Christakis and Fowler say, they have for the first time found some solid basis for a potentially powerful theory in epidemiology: that good behaviors — like quitting smoking or staying slender or being happy — pass from friend to friend almost as if they were contagious viruses. The Framingham participants, the data suggested, influenced one another’s health just by socializing. And the same was true of bad behaviors — clusters of friends appeared to “infect” each other with obesity, unhappiness and smoking. Staying healthy isn’t just a matter of your genes and your diet, it seems. Good health is also a product, in part, of your sheer proximity to other healthy people". (Read the whole thing here)

If physical or mental health can be spread from person to person through association, how about spiritual health? I'm reminded of Baha'u'llah's emphasis on keeping company with 'godly' folks:

O MY SON! The company of the ungodly increaseth sorrow, whilst fellowship with the righteous cleanseth the rust from off the heart. He that seeketh to commune with God, let him betake himself to the companionship of His loved ones; and he that desireth to hearken unto the word of God, let him give ear to the words of His chosen ones. (Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)

O SON OF DUST! Beware! Walk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him, for such companionship turneth the radiance of the heart into infernal fire. (Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)

A simplistic reading of these passages could lead a person to believe that Baha'u'llah is encouraging us to avoid those who don't share our beliefs. However, godliness is not simply a matter of having a certain set of beliefs or membership in a particular faith community. Godliness is about reflecting God's image and likeness as 'Abdu'l-Baha has explained:

"According to the words of the Old Testament God has said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." This indicates that man is of the image and likeness of God -- that is to say, the perfections of God, the divine virtues, are reflected or revealed in the human reality. Just as the light and effulgence of the sun when cast upon a polished mirror are reflected fully, gloriously, so, likewise, the qualities and attributes of Divinity are radiated from the depths of a pure human heart...Let us now discover more specifically how he is the image and likeness of God and what is the standard or criterion by which he can be measured and estimated. This standard can be no other than the divine virtues which are revealed in him. Therefore, every man imbued with divine qualities, who reflects heavenly moralities and perfections, who is the expression of ideal and praiseworthy attributes, is, verily, in the image and likeness of God" (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 69).

In light of Christakis and Fowler's research, it could be that the wisdom of seeking fellowship with godly people is that it affects our souls in a positive way, that we become spiritually healthier through such associations. Not only that, but other people in our lives may become spiritually healthier as well.

This has implications for the intentional building of spiritual communities, a central part of the Baha'i approach to social change. Community building based on Baha'i teaching could be seen as the weaving of social networks that spread spiritual health from person to person. This has the potential to contribute to an epidemic of godliness.

"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" (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 80).

source ---.>>"Bahá’í Thought"

PRAYING has great power to dissolve troubling feelings.

"Rely upon God, Trust in Him, Praise Him and call Him continually to mind. He verily turneth trouble into ease, and sorrow into solace, and toil into utter peace. He verily hath dominion over all things." ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha, 178)

Intone o my servant

PUNJABI IDOL

holy land pictures

BEAUTIFUL PICS FROM HOLY LAND

THE SHRINE OF THE BAB ARE RESTORED

Regarding crime, the Baha'i Writings state,

Regarding crime, the Baha'i Writings state,

"...the communities are day and night occupied in making penal laws, and in preparing and organizing instruments and means of punishment. They build prisons, make chains and fetters, arrange places of exile and banishment, and different kinds of hardships and tortures, and think by these means to discipline criminals, whereas, in reality, they are causing destruction of morals and perversion of characters. The community, on the contrary, ought day and night to strive and endeavor with the utmost zeal and effort to accomplish the education of men, to cause them day by day to progress and to increase in science and knowledge, to acquire virtues, to gain good morals and to avoid vices, so that crimes may not occur. At the present time the contrary prevails; the community is always thinking of enforcing the penal laws, and of preparing means of punishment, instruments of death and chastisement, places for imprisonment and banishment; and they expect crimes to be committed. This has a demoralizing effect.

But if the community would endeavor to educate the masses, day by day knowledge and sciences would increase, the understanding would be broadened, the sensibilities developed, customs would become good, and morals normal; in one word, in all these classes of perfections there would be progress, and there would be fewer crimes" (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 271).

la première société de coursier deux-roues opérant sur la zone de Port-Louis et ses alentours. ..Info tel: 290 1844

Cold Water Therapy for Strength, Energy and Healing

Cold Water Therapy for Strength, Energy and Healing

On these long, hot summer days, I find myself looking for excuses to be in cold water -- and in fact, based on past conversations with Daily Health Newscontributing medical editor Andrew Rubman, ND, I know that there are many good ones that relate to health and well-being.

Dr. Rubman has studied the 19th-century European Kneipp and Priessnitz methods of cold water healing to improve circulation, promote lymphatic drainage and speed healing. In fact, all naturopathic physicians are formally trained in the use of hydrotherapy, which starts with two very simple premises: Heat relaxes and cold stimulates. Dr. Rubman told me that cold water is an excellent, fast and easy treatment for inflammation because it constricts veins while also making blood vessels less permeable. Heat, on the other hand, supports circulation and immunity and helps the body move cellular waste through the system.

COLD WATER WALKS

An easy and appealing (at this time of year at least) health ritual is to walk barefoot in cold water to stimulate your resistance to infection. If you live near the beach, you can wade at the water’s edge... or you can just walk in dewy morning grass. Though less spiritually invigorating, you could also do this by dangling your feet in a swimming pool... or filling your bathtub with cold water and "walking" in place for a few minutes. Use cool tap water (about 50° F or so).

Immediately afterward, put cotton socks over your damp feet, don shoes and walk some more to warm up your feet again. The process of cooling off then rewarming activates circulation, which helps your body mobilize to fight infection.

COLD SHOWERS & BATHS

Another good place to do hydrotherapy is right in your bathroom. Try a quick-shot cold shower to get circulation revved up -- when you’re done with washing, turn off the hot water briefly and run cool water first over your front and then your back, for about five seconds each.

After the cool showers get easier and more comfortable, you may want to consider trying a cold bath, which may help your body fight off a cold, if you feel one coming on. (Note: Do not do this if you have cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease or are pregnant.) Again aiming for about 50° F, draw a cold bath in a warm bathroom with cotton pajamas, socks, a bathrobe and two towels ready. Climb into the cold water and stay for just five seconds, then get out and immediately put the pajamas and socks on your wet body. This creates a compress that starts cool, then turns warm. Over the pajamas, wrap your upper half in one towel, put on the robe, wrap your lower half with the other towel and climb in bed.

COMPRESS TECHNIQUE

You can increase circulation to any part of your body that feels tired or is sore or bruised by covering it with a cold compress and then covering that with dry layers. The blood vessels in the affected area first constrict and then rebound and dilate, sending blood to the site you’ve cooled and then warmed via the compress. Once you feel warm again, you can take it off.

Here are some other ways you can use a cold compress:

• Soothe a sore throat. Wring out a clean dish or hand towel in cold water, folding it in thirds lengthwise, and placing it over your throat. Cover the compress with another folded -- but dry -- dish or hand towel.

• Help sprained ligaments or strained tendons and muscles to heal. Make a compress from a hand towel soaked in cold water. Wring it out, fold it in thirds lengthwise, wrap it around the sore area, wrap a dry bath towel over that and tie a wool scarf or ACE bandage around both towels to keep them in place. Be sure it is held firmly in place but is not so tight as to restrict circulation. Leave on overnight.

• Cool down high fevers. Soak a sheet or tablecloth in cold water, wring it out and fold it lengthwise so it will cover your torso. Now wrap it from your underarms to your hips, then wrap that area with a large, dry bath towel. Climb in bed and cover up with warm blankets. Sitting upright in bed, sip some hot herbal tea flavored with a bit of fresh powdered ginger. This combination of hot tea inside your body and the slow warming compress on the outside should warm you further. You may even find that you begin to sweat, which can help break the fever.

COLD WATER FOR MINOR BURNS

You can use hydrotherapy to treat minor burns, too. Either apply a cold compress or take a cool-water shower or bath, dry off and then put aloe vera onto the burn. If you have an aloe plant it’s best to break off a branch and use that -- if you don’t, use pure aloe vera gel. A cool bath is also a good way to soothe a painful sunburn -- try pouring in a half-cup of witch hazel for added relief.

For more information on hydrotherapy, Dr. Rubman recommends two of his favorite books -- Hydrotherapy Theory & Technique (Pine Island) by Patrick Barron, ND, and Rational Hydrotherapy (Kessinger) by John Harvey Kellogg, MD.

Source(s):

Andrew Rubman, ND, medical director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut. www.naturopath.org

"... the time has come when religious leadership must face honestly andwithout further evasion the implications of the truth that God is one and that,beyond all diversity of cultural expression and human interpretation, religion is likewise one."

--Universal House of Justice

Tests of God Notions of Suffering, Health, and Healing in the Bahai Faith--- by Shreena Niketa Gandhi

WHEN A TRUE SEEKER determineth to take the step of

the search, the path leading unto the knowledge of

the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse his

heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries

of God, from the obscuring dust of all knowledge,

and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy.

—Baha’u’llah, “Guidance for a Seeker of Truth,” The

Hidden Word

The following paper, the product of a fruitful

process of research that involved numerous interactions

with members of the Greater Boston Baha’i

community and the reading of Baha’i histories and

scriptures, focuses on Baha’i notions of suffering,

healing, and health.

Through my research I found out how important

the Baha’i scriptures are to the followers of the

Baha’i Faith, and that is the reason that I start each

section of this paper with a different Baha’i passage

that is relevant to that particular section.

I

And since there can be no tie of direct intercourse to bind

the one true God with His creation, and no resemblance

whatever can exist between the transient and the Eternal,

the contingent and the Absolute,He hath ordained that in

every age and dispensation a pure and stainless Soul be

made manifest in the kingdoms of earth and heaven.

—Baha’u’llah, “The Purpose of Creation and the

Station of God’s Messengers,” The Hidden Word

A Baha’i is a believer in the revelations of

Baha’u’llah, meaning they believe that Baha’u’llah is

a manifestation of God and that God spoke through

him, just as God has spoken through other manifestations

in the past. It is interesting to note that

Baha’is believe in all the other former manifestations

of God, whether they be the Son of God

(Jesus), the Prophet of God (Muhammad), or the

incarnation of God (Krishna), for they believe there

is but one God who shows himself through various

manifestations at various times.

A brief history of the Baha’i Faith is needed

before beginning any discussion of the Baha’is or

their notions of suffering, healing, and health

because, for Baha’is, their history is another act in

the divine drama, which narrates the relationship

between humankind and God. The central figure in

the Baha’i Faith is Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri, otherwise

known as Baha’u’llah. The Baha’is believe that

Baha’u’llah, which means Glory or Splendor of God,

was a manifestation of God, and they use the scriptures

revealed to Baha’u’llah by God as guidance for

action in everyday life. Baha’u’llah was born in Iran

in 1817. While Baha’u’llah was alive, he drew quite a

following in Iran, and also in parts of the Ottoman

Empire, where he went after he was exiled from

Iran. Before he died, Baha’u’llah designated his son,

Abdu’l-Baha, as his spiritual inheritor. During the

period of Abdu’l-Baha’s leadership, the Faith began

to spread beyond the borders of the Ottoman

Empire and Iran. Abdu’l-Baha traveled all over

Europe and America, spreading the teachings of the

Baha’i Faith. His writings, though not from a divine

source like Baha’u’llah’s, clarified much of his

father’s teachings, and thus are regarded as very

important to Baha’is. From 1866 to the present day,

the Baha’i Faith has grown so much that it has

“more than five million members from at least 2100

ethnic, racial and tribal groups” (Christianity and

the Baha’i Faith, a pamphlet).

It is fair to say that Baha’i history and scripture

bind Baha’is the world over. This is not only evident

in the worldwide diversity of Baha’is and the number

of translated scriptures and histories written in

various languages; it also came out in the interviews

I did with Boston-area Baha’is. They consistently

referred to their scriptures and to their history to

explain their beliefs. Thus, it is through an understanding

of their history and their scriptures that we

are better able to understand the Baha’i’s theology

and views on suffering, health, and healing.

II

O God! Recompense those who endure patiently in Thy

days, and strengthen their hearts to walk undeviatingly on

the path of Truth. Grant then, O Lord, such goodly gifts as

Tests of God

Notions of Suffering, Health, and Healing in the Baha’i Faith

Shreena Niketa Gandhi

52 / Religious Healing in Boston

would enable them to gain admittance into Thy blissful

Paradise.

—The Bab, from Baha’i Prayers, 21.

Two of the resources I used for my research were

histories written on the Baha’i Faith and the various

Baha’i scriptures.While these two sources were crucial,

because Baha’is regard them as most important,

what was most useful, and what brought the various

histories and scriptures alive, were the people I was

able to talk to about their faith, suffering, healing,

and health.

Over a period of three months I was fortunate to

be able to interview sixteen people using a structured

interview, all of whom were informed on healing

in the Baha’i Faith. They were all excited about

sharing their views on the subject. Though there is

much cultural, ethnic, religious, and generational

diversity in the Boston Baha’i community, I found

many of the answers to be similar, which was most

interesting, especially in light of the importance of

history and scripture in the lives of the Baha’is. In

the following sections of this paper, I will try to

show how, in the immense diversity of the Baha’is,

there is much unity in belief. However, one thing is

certain: in no way are their similarities the cookiecutter

variety.As we shall see, each of my informants

related to their faith in a different way, though all

held the same beliefs. And, when it came time to

make a call on whether they were healthier than

non-Baha’is, the pool was decisively split.

I I I

O Thou Whose tests are a healing medicine to such as are

nigh unto Thee, Whose sword is the ardent desire of all

them that love Thee, Whose dart is the dearest wish of

those hearts that yearn after Thee, Whose decree is the

sole hope of them that have recognized Thy truth! I

implore Thee, by Thy divine sweetness and by the splendors

of the glory of Thy face, to send down upon us from

Thy retreats on high that which will enable us to draw

nigh unto Thee. Set, then, our feet firm, O my God, in Thy

Cause, and enlighten our hearts with the effulgence of Thy

knowledge, and illumine our breasts with the brightness

of Thy names.

—Baha’u’llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas, 152:5.

All of my informants mentioned that suffering was

a type of test, given by God to his devotee. One of

my informants, Dr. Clare Levesque, told me that

“Baha’is believe there are tests given to us all the way

throughout out life on this plane of existence”

(Levesque interview, p. 2). She goes on to mention

that a test can be anything, from personal issues to

maybe an illness. Naseem Alizedeh, told me she

thinks “people need suffering,” for suffering is the

“cleansing that makes your spirit grow and develop”

(Alizedeh interview, p. 2). Eleanor Mitten, who had

recently miscarried her twins told me:

Even though tests are incredibly difficult to go through,

they really improve who you are. All the things I have been

through since 1996, all those things, through drawing

upon my faith, have assisted me in coming to a better

understanding of why I am here, and given me a better

ability to serve people. I would not have the kind of

understanding I have, the kind of gratefulness I have

about even being alive, without tests. Abdu’l-Baha says

sometimes sickness happens to prevent worse things from

happening to you, and that is one interesting way of looking

at it. (Mitten interview, p. 2)

Last, on the nature of tests, it was said to me best by

Courtney Craig, that “God never gives you a test you

cannot handle,” which Courtney thinks is “another

benefit to being Baha’i, because you have that

understanding that you have the capacity” (Craig

interview, p. 2).

These views on suffering come from two sources:

the Baha’i scriptures and Baha’i history. Since

Baha’is seem to be very aware of their history, they

know that Baha’u’llah and his followers were persecuted,

and it seems that they in some way identify

with the suffering of Baha’u’llah and the early

Baha’is. Saeed Khase told me a story of a letter being

written to Abdu’l-Baha, which said “he [the follower]

has to leave the city, a lot of people are getting

martyred” (Belotti/Khase interview, p. 4). Saeed told

me that Abdu’l-Baha wrote back: “Don’t worry,

Baha’u’llah is with you. You will be successful” (4).

Saeed then said, “Shreena, I remember those words

and everyday I feel that Baha’u’llah is walking with

me” (4). If Baha’u’llah, the splendor of God, suffered,

then why would the present followers of the

Baha’i Faith also suffer? Suffering was a way for

Baha’u’llah to access God; thus, naturally, suffering

become a way for Baha’is to become closer to God.

As Courtney Craig told me, Baha’is know they are

suffering for a reason, they have an understanding

of why they suffer, and part of that understanding

comes from the in-depth knowledge Baha’is seem to

have of their history and the strong identification

they also have with Baha’u’llah and what he went

through (Craig interview).

The writings of Baha’u’llah also reinforce that suffering

is a necessary part of being human and being

Baha’i, and suffering is God’s will and good for his

cause. Baha’u’llah writes:

I sorrow not for the burden of My imprisonment. Neither

do I grieve over My abasement, or the tribulation I suffer

at the hands of Mine enemies. By My life! They are My

Tests of God / 53

glory, a glory wherewith God hath adorned His own Self.

Would that ye know it! (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the

Writings of Baha’u’llah, 100:1)

Baha’u’llah seems to be welcoming the suffering: he

is steadfast when confronted with it, for he knows

that it is a test from God, a test that he has to draw

meaning from. It becomes clearer that Baha’u’llah is

stalwart and will not be brought down by the suffering

inflicted upon him. He writes:

Dost thou imagine, O Minister of the Shah in the City

(Constantinople), that I hold within My grasp the ultimate

destiny of the Cause of God? Thinkest thou that My

imprisonment, or the shame I have been made to suffer,

or even My death and utter annihilation, can deflect its

course? Wretched is what thou hast imagined in thine

heart! Thou art indeed of them that walk after the vain

imaginings which their hearts devise. No God is there but

Him. Powerful is He to manifest His Cause, and to exalt

His testimony, and to establish whatsoever is His Will, and

to elevate it to so eminent a position that neither thine

own hands, nor the hands of them that have turned away

from Him, can ever touch or harm it. (Baha’u’llah,

Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, 19:1)

It is clear that Baha’u’llah is accepting this suffering,

these tests, just as the people I interviewed accept

them as natural consequences in life. The use of the

word “test” also implies that action needs to be

taken, that the test needs to be addressed in some

way. And this is where healing comes in, to which

the Baha’is have a two-fold approach.

IV

Thou art He, O my God, through Whose names the sick

are healed and the ailing are restored, and the thirsty are

given drink, and the sore-vexed are tranquillized, and the

wayward are guided, and the abased are exalted, and the

poor are enriched, and the ignorant are enlightened, and

the gloomy are illumined, and the sorrowful are cheered,

and the chilled are warmed, and the downtrodden are

raised up. Through Thy name, O my God, all created

things were stirred up, and the heavens were spread, and

the earth was established, and the clouds were raised and

made to rain upon the earth. This, verily, is a token of Thy

grace unto all Thy creatures.

—Baha’u’llah, Prayers and Meditations, 236:1.

Just as suffering comes from God, so does all healing—

and just about everything else. For Baha’is,

God is the source of all. This does not mean that

Baha’is just sit around and wait for God to heal

them when they are sick. The people I interviewed

were most clear about the fact that they take action

when they or someone else is sick or suffering.

First, it is important to note that sickness is not in

any way indicative of the state of a person’s soul.

Philippe Copeland told me, “illness is like when a

cloud passes over the sun, and the sun is the soul

and illness sort of impedes the powers of the souls,

but I know they are fundamentally healthy because

God made them that way” (Copeland interview, p. 1).

This sentiment is reinforced by a passage written by

Baha’u’llah. He writes”

Know thou that the soul of man is exalted above, and is

independent of all infirmities of body or mind. That a sick

person showeth signs of weakness is due to the hindrances

that interpose themselves between his soul and his body,

for the soul itself remaineth unaffected by any bodily ailments.

Consider the light of the lamp. Though an external

object may interfere with its radiance, the light itself continueth

to shine with undiminished power. In like manner,

every malady afflicting the body of man is an impediment

that preventeth the soul from manifesting its

inherent might and power.When it leaveth the body, however,

it will evince such ascendancy, and reveal such influence

as no force on earth can equal. Every pure, every

refined and sanctified soul will be endowed with tremendous

power, and shall rejoice with exceeding gladness.

(Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah,

80:2)

Since the human soul is always seen as healthy,

despite the existence of physical and mental illnesses,

Baha’is use two methods to combat attacks on

the body. Brian Aull informed me that “The Baha’i

teachings say that we should rely on a combination

of spiritual and physical remedies . . . following spiritual

and ethical teachings of the faith are the path to

healing, but at the same time when you have a cut

on your hands, you put something physical on it to

stop the bleeding” (Aull interview, p. 1). Eric Walker

mirrored these sentiments, saying, “Baha’is believe

that healing can be achieved through spiritual and

physical healing, and they are not separate” (Walker

interview, p. 1). Courtney Craig related healing to

some of her everyday situations. She said: “I have

been sick, and I found myself saying prayers over

and over, and it makes me feel better . . . but you

know what, God gave us Advil—take the Advil.

There is a reason that God gave us Advil” (Craig

interview, p. 2). Physical remedies do not necessarily

mean consulting a doctor trained in the West or

taking pharmaceutical drugs. All those I interviewed

said that they were open to other forms of physical

healing, and one even pointed out to me that “there

are so many Baha’is that are not Western, that I am

sure are using old-school remedies” (Craig/Diehl/

Sani/Schuster/Walker interview, p. 3).

A two-fold approach is not only used when one is

sick, but also when others are sick. Many of my

informants told me that they prayed for the well54

/ Religious Healing in Boston

being of people who were sick, even people they did

not know. This does not mean they prayed for the

curing of those that were sick. Susan Boyd told me,

“Abdu’l-Baha wrote that sometimes if a person is

sick and they pray for a cure, God will give them

whatever is the best solution” (Boyd/Majzoubi/

Tomarelli interview, p. 2). I was informed by

Sharona Schuster that “The long healing prayer is

actually endowed with special potency, like if someone

is ill, people will gather together and say that

prayer or other healing prayers” (Craig/Diehl/Sani/

Schuster/Walker interview, p. 2). Baha’is not only

pray for those who are sick; they also do their best to

help out. Saeed Khase said that Abdu’l-Baha “would

always visit the sick, always ask about them, always

try to send something if he could not visit” (Belotti/

Khase interview, p. 7). Naseem Alizedeh takes physically

helping one who is sick to mean “to show love

and nurture the person, if they need your help or

assistance, whether that is a ride to the hospital or

some facility or just keeping them in your heart and

praying for them” (Alizedeh interview, p. 2).

What my informants do when they or someone

else is sick comes straight from the writings of

Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l-Baha. Baha’u’llah requires

that: “Whenever ye fall ill, refer to competent physicians.

Verily we have not abolished recourse to

material means, rather have We affirmed it through

this Pen which God hath made the Dawning Place of

His luminous and resplendent Cause” (Baha’u’llah,

Kitab-i-Aqdas, 60). Abdu’l-Baha adds to this teaching.

He informs Baha’is that

The prayers which were written for the purpose of healing

are both for the spiritual and material healing. Therefore

chant them for the spiritual and material healing. If healing

is best for the patient surely it will be granted. For

some who are sick, healing for them shall be the cause of

other ills. Thus it is that wisdom does not decree the

answer to some prayers. (Abdu’l-Baha, Daily Lessons

Received at Akka, 86)

I believe that I received such similar responses

from people on the subject of healing in part

because of the clarity of the Baha’i teachings and the

importance of consulting the scriptures in times of

guidance. Baha’is do not just fall back on prayer

when it is needed. The Baha’is I talked to follow

what the teachings say on a daily basis, not just in

times of crisis. That, for them, is a major factor in

living and staying healthy.

V

My servants! Through the might of God and His power,

and out of the treasury of His knowledge and wisdom, I

have brought forth and revealed unto you the pearls that

lay concealed in the depths of His everlasting ocean. I have

summoned the Maids of Heaven to emerge from behind

the veil of concealment, and have clothed them with these

words of Mine—words of consummate power and wisdom.

I have, moreover, with the hand of divine power,

unsealed the choice wine of My Revelation, and have wafted

its holy, its hidden, and musk-laden fragrance upon all

created things.Who else but yourselves is to be blamed if

ye choose to remain unendowed with so great an outpouring

of God’s transcendent and all-encompassing

grace, with so bright a revelation of His resplendent

mercy?

—Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of

Baha’u’llah, pp. 327–28

Following the teachings revealed by Baha’u’llah is

not merely seen as obligatory when one is a Baha’i;

many Baha’is believe that by following the teachings,

they maintain a good level of health. The

teachings prohibit Baha’is from sex before marriage,

the consumption of alcohol, and the abuse of drugs

and strongly discourage the use of tobacco. These

are just some of the physical things mentioned in

my interviews that Baha’is are told to adhere to.

Clare Levesque also said, “We are told we are supposed

to pray and read the writings everyday, and I

think that centers you and gives you a spiritual cord

in your life” (Levesque interview, p. 1). Again we see

that there is also a two-fold approach to staying

healthy, which is also reinforced in the writings. I

want to reiterate that the answers I received were

fairly uniform. That is, they were uniform, until I

asked the one question which explicitly solicited an

opinion from the informants. To answer this question,

no one was really able to draw upon the scriptures

or on history to justify their response. The

question was: “Do you think Baha’is are more or less

healthy than non-Baha’is?” Seven said, yes, Baha’is

are healthier.Another seven said, no, that the Baha’is

are not protected from the ills that other communities

suffer from. One informant said that the Baha’is

may lead a healthier lifestyle than non-Baha’is, for

there are such specific guidelines for Baha’is to follow.

The most interesting answer was from Philippe

Copeland. Philippe felt that it was too early to say

one way or the other, whether Baha’is were healthier

or not. He said: “I think the Baha’i community is

very young, and it’s a global community, so I would

say that the Baha’is are in a process of learning a new

culture and new ways of being in the world. We

bring all our different cultural gifts and problems

with us” (Copeland interview, p. 2). I found this to

be a very astute observation. I interviewed an array

of Baha’is, from different faith backgrounds, ethnic

backgrounds, and generations. Because the question

“Do you think Baha’is are more or less healthy than

Tests of God / 55

non-Baha’is?” produced two such different sets of

answers, it is even more amazing to me that all the

other questions produced very similar answers from

all my informants. I think that in order to understand

why this unity exists in such diversity, one

must go back to the importance of Baha’i history

and scripture in the lives of the Baha’i. Because they

have a common, written history and common, written

scripture, which is so specific and detailed, from

which to draw, their approach to suffering and healing,

at least, is uniform. I do not mean to suggest

that all Baha’is think alike, nor that their history is

not contested in any way. One thing that came out

in all my interviews was that, although the answers

were similar, the ways in which each individual

informant related his or her answer to a certain

Baha’i passage or event in history was unique. Also,

as I delved deeper into Baha’i history, I did find that

many groups do challenge the Baha’i reading of history.

The Baha’i community is a young community,

and it will be fascinating to see the ways it develops

as the years progress.

The important point that can be extrapolated

from this initial research is the unique approach that

Baha’is have toward suffering and healing. To

Baha’is, suffering is a test from God, and overcoming

that test, healing from the pains of any test—

whether this means full recovery or death—is a

means by which an individual moves closer to God.

I also think that their two-fold approach to healing,

to overcoming tests, is a unique fusion of religion

and science, in that Baha’is do not see the two as

independent of each other, but rather as complementary

to each other; for the two come from one

source—God.

Interviews

Alizedeh, Naseem. Interview by author. Harvard Square

Coffee Shop, Cambridge, Mass., 8 February 2002.

Aull, Brian. Interview by author. Harvard Coop Coffee

Shop, Cambridge, Mass., 17 February 2002.

Belotti, Frank, and Saeed Khase. Interview by author.

Boston Baha’i Community Center, 30 January 2002.

Boyd, Susan, Naghmeh Majzoubi, and Tomarelli Dawn.

Interview by author. Boston Baha’i Community Center,

10 March 2002.

Copeland, Philippe. Interview by author. Ras, Central

Square, Cambridge, Mass., 18 February 2002.

Craig, Courtney. Interview by author. Harvard Square

Chocolatier, Cambridge, Mass., 11 February 2002.

Craig, Courtney, David Diehl, Yasii Sani, Sharona

Schuster, and Eric Walker. Interview by author. Boston

Baha’i Community Center, 10 March 2002.

Levesque, Claire. Interview by author. Ground Round,

Needham,Mass., 15 February 2002.

Mitten, Eleanor. Interview by author. Algiers, Harvard

Square, Cambridge, Mass., 11 February 2002.

Walker, Eric. Interview by author. Chinese Restaurant in

Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., 2 February 2002.

Additional Sources

Christianity and the Baha’i Faith. A Pamphlet. Stonehaven

Press, 1997.

MacEoin, Denis. The Sources for Early Babi Doctrine and

History. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1992.

Miller,William McElwee. The Baha’i Faith: Its History and

Teachings. South Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey

Library, 1974.

Smith, Peter. The Baha’i Religion. Oxford: George Ronald,

1988.

Smith, Peter. A Short History of the Baha’i Faith. Oxford:

Oneworld Publications, 1995.

Sours, Michael. Without Syllable or Sound. Los Angeles:

Kalimat Press, 2000.

Weller, Susan C. “Structured Interviewing and

Questionnaire Construction.” In Handbook Of Methods

in Cultural Anthropology, edited by H. Russell Bernard.

Walnut Creek, Calif.: AltaMira Press, 1998.

http://bahai-library.org.Website, visited from 2/02 to 5/02,

for the scriptures and writings of Baha’u’llah and

Abdu’l-Baha.

Thank You, God, For Everything By Helen Steiner Rice

The fountain in the center of the garden near Akká where its believed Bahá'u'lláh revealed the Lawh-i-Bágh-i-Ridván (Tablet of the Garden of Ridván).

Thank you, God, for everything- the big things and the small, For "every good gift comes from God"- the giver of them all- And all too often we accept without any thanks or praise The gifts God sends as blessings each day in many ways, And so at this Thanksgiving Time we offer up a prayer To thank you, God, for giving us a lot more than our share... First, thank you for the little things that often come our way, The things we take for granted but don't mention when we pray, The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful, kindly deed,

A hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need... Oh, make us more aware, dear God, of little daily graces That come to us with "sweet surprise" from never-dreamed-of places- Then, thank you for the "Miracles" we are much too blind to see, And give us new awareness of our many gifts from Thee, And help us to remember that the Key of Life and Living Is to make each prayer a Prayer of Thanks and every day Thanksgiving.

Passages in the Holy Writings That Give Reference to Extraterrestrial Life

This elongated feature found in Meteorite ALH84001 that is believed to be from Mars, possibly represents a microfossil of a primitive form of life. The photomicrograph image is courtesy of Science

MEMORANDUM From: Research Department of The Universal House of Justice Date: 6 August 1996 "And among His Signs Is the creation of the heavens and the earth, And the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He Has Power to gather them together when He wills". (7) (Qur'án 42: 29, Al Shura, "Consultation") Also see the footnote (a) Bottom of page.

"Thou hast, moreover, asked Me concerning the nature of the celestial spheres. To comprehend their nature, it would be necessary to inquire into the meaning of the allusions that have been made in the Books of old to the celestial spheres and the heavens, and to discover the character of their relationship to this physical world, and the influence which they exert upon it. Every heart is filled with wonder at so bewildering a theme, and every mind is perplexed by its mystery. God, alone, can fathom its import. The learned men, that have fixed at several thousand years the life of this earth, have failed, throughout the long period of their observation, to consider either the number or the age of the other planets. Consider, moreover, the manifold divergences that have resulted from the theories propounded by these men. Know thou that every fixed star hath its own planets, and every planet its own creatures, whose number no man can compute."
(Bahá'u'lláh: "Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh," pp.162-63)

---

"Regarding the passage on p.163 of the 'Gleanings'; the creatures which Bahá'u'lláh states to be found in every planet cannot be considered to be necessarily similar or different from human beings on this earth. Bahá'u'lláh does not specifically state whether such creatures are like or unlike us. He simply refers to the fact that there are creatures in every planet. It remains for science to discover one day the exact nature of these creatures." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 9, 1937)

A composite astronomical image showing several hundred galaxies from less than 3 percent of our sky. Image is courtesy ofScience News.

"O people! I swear by the one true God! This is the Ocean out of which all seas have proceeded, and with which every one of them will ultimately be united. From Him all the Suns have been generated, and unto Him they will all return. Through His potency the Trees of Divine Revelation have yielded their fruits, every one of which hath been sent down in the form of a Prophet, bearing a Message to God's creatures in each of the worlds whose number God, alone, in His all-encompassing Knowledge, can reckon. This He hath accomplished through the agency of but one Letter of His Word, revealed by His Pen--a Pen moved by His directing Finger-- His Finger itself sustained by the power of God's Truth."(Bahá'u'lláh, "Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh", p.104.) "‘Abdú'l-Bahá stated there are other worlds than ours which are inhabited by beings capable of knowing God." (From a letter dated March 31, 1949, written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, cited in McCulloch, Kenneth C, Mankind: "Citizen of the Galaxy" (Rings of Saturn Publishing: "The Pas", 1985), p.238.) Another note of interest, this time a "pilgrim's note" ("Though not strictly official, and in some instances inaccurate and misleading, these notes, as experience has shown, can be of tremendous help, guidance and inspiration to many individual believers, and their value as such should therefore be readily admitted" (from a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, April 28, 1939)) Notes taken at the dinner table in the Pilgrim House in Haifa from the words of the Guardian, by Agnes B. Alexander, April 22, May 12) As found at: http://bahai-library.org/pilgrims/alexander.html "This is the coming of age of this planet. Just as America was discovered so other planets may be discovered and in conjunction with them we may become a member of a greater entity." The above notes and quotation have been provided by Glen Little. This might be of interest... Glen Little From the Utterances of Abdú'l-Baha: "The earth has its inhabitants, the water and the air contain many living beings and all the elements have their nature spirits, then how is it possible to conceive that these stupendous stellar bodies are not inhabited? Verily, they are peopled, but let it be known that the dwellers accord with the elements of their respective spheres. These living beings do not have states of consciousness like unto those who live on the surface of this globe: the power of adaptation and environment moulds their bodies and states of consciousness, just as our bodies and minds are suited to our planet. For example, we have birds that live in the air, those that live on the earth and those that live in the sea. The sea birds are adapted to their elements, likewise the birds which soar in the air, and those which hover about the earth's surface. Many animals living on the land have their counterparts in the sea. The domestic horse has his counterpart in the sea-horse which is half horse and half fish. The components of the sun differ from those of this earth, for there are certain light and life-giving elements radiating from the sun. Exactly the same elements may exist in two bodies, but in varying quantities. For instance, there is fire and air in water, but the allotted measure is small in proportion. They have discovered that there is a great quantity of radium in the sun; the same element is found on the earth, but in a much smaller degree. Beings who inhabit those distant luminous bodies are attuned to the elements that have gone into the composition of their respective spheres." (I. F. Chamberlain, comp. "Divine Philosophy" (Boston: The Tudor Press, 1918), pp. 114-15.) As quoted in a letter of the Universal House of Justice, 8 June 1992 Found at: http://bahai-library.org/uhj/gaia.html "The earth has its inhabitants, the water and the air contain many living beings and all the elements have their nature spirits, then how is it possible to conceive that these stupendous stellar bodies are not inhabited? Verily, they are peopled, but let it be known that the dwellers accord with the elements of their respective spheres. These living beings do not have states of consciousness like unto those who live on the surface of this globe: the power of adaptation and environment moulds their bodies and states of consciousness, just as our bodies and minds are suited to our planet." (8)) 'Abdu'l-Bahá MEMORANDUM From: Research Department The Universal House of Justice Date: 6 August 1996 To: ___________ AFRICAN-BASED RELIGION IN THE AMERICAS; VISIONARY APPEARANCES OF THE VIRGIN MARY; UFOS, ABDUCTIONS, ALIEN GENETIC ENGINEERING (Letters of The Universal House of Justice, 1996 Aug 06, Sabeans, UFOs, Alien Abduction and Genetic Engineering) UFOs, Alien Abduction and Genetic Engineering Mr. _____ refers to a book entitled Abduction, written by a Harvard psychiatrist, Dr. John Mack, which posits that ... alien beings of a vastly superior intelligence, who are possibly from other planets or dimensions, or from our own distant future, have been conducting genetic experiments on unwilling humans to produce a crossbreed between humans and aliens (reportedly to repopulate our planet with a more peaceful species after we destroy ourselves). Mr. _____ comments on the popularity of this topic and mentions that a number of Baha'is claim to have had experiences similar to those associated with abduction by aliens. He requests guidance concerning how to respond to such matters. The Baha'i Teachings do not deal specifically with the subjects of alien abduction and genetic engineering. The following extracts concerning unidentified flying objects might be of assistance to Mr. _____: There is nothing in the Teachings about spaceships; and the Guardian does not feel this is a subject on which he can offer the friends any advice whatsoever. Indeed, to be frank, he is so busy with the work of the Cause that he seldom has time to devote much thought to speculation of this nature, however fascinating it may be. (From a letter dated 15 February 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to several believers) As you rightly state, Bahá'u'lláh affirms "that every fixed star has its planets, and every planet its own creatures".* The House of Justice states however, that it has not discovered anything in the Baha'i Writings which would indicate the degree of progress such creatures may have attained. Obviously, as creatures of earth have managed to construct space probes and send them into outer space, it can be believed that creatures on other planets may have succeeded in doing likewise. Regarding the attitude Bahá'ís should take toward unidentified flying objects, the House of Justice points out that they fall in the category of subjects open to scientific investigation, and as such, may be of interest to some, but not necessarily to everyone. In any case, Bahá'ís have a fundamental obligation at this stage of the development of the earth's people, that is, the responsibility of spreading the unifying Message of Bahá'u'lláh. (From a letter dated 11 January 1982 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer) Notes [1] (Letters of The Universal House of Justice, 1996 Aug 06, Sabeans, UFOs, Alien Abduction and Genetic Engineering) "Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh," pp. 162-163. Return Footnote (a): 1. Bahá'u'lláh, "Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh," pp.162-63. 2. From a letter dated February 9, 1937 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, cited in"Lights of Guidance," 3rd revised edition, edited Helen B. Hornby (Bahá'í Publishing Trust: New Delhi, 1994), p.479. 3. Bahá'u'lláh, "Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh," p.104. 4. From a letter dated March 31, 1949, written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, cited in McCulloch, Kenneth C, "Mankind: Citizen of the Galaxy" (Rings of Saturn Publishing: The Pas, 1985),p.238. 5. "Dabbatun: beasts, living, crawling creatures of all kinds. Similarly in Qur'án 2:45, and other passages, the word is used for living creatures of all kinds, life generally, whose material basis is the mysterious thing which science calls protoplasm. The more our biological knowledge increases, the more do we marvel at the unity of Life on the one hand, and its diversity on the other." Footnote 4568, edited, 'Abdullah Yusuf 'Alí, "The Meaning of The Holy Qur'án," (Amana Corporation: Maryland, 1993). 6. "Life is not confined to our one little Planet. It is a very old speculation to imagine some life like human life on the planet Mars. Though no scientific demonstration is possible, it is reasonable to suppose that Life in some form or other is scattered through some of the millions of heavenly bodies scattered through space. What a wonderful Sign of Allah! the Almighty Who created such countless beings has surely the power to bring them together." Footnote 4569, 'Abdullah Yusuf 'Alí, "The Meaning of The Holy Qur'án," (Amana Corporation: Maryland, 1993). 7. Qur'án 42:29, Al Shura, "Consultation", 'Abdullah Yusuf 'Alí translation. 8. 'Abdu'l-Bahá quoted in "Divine Philosophy" (Boston: The Tudor Press, 1918),

PRAYER EARING GOD

FROM ANOTHER GROOPS
JUST WANTED TO SHARE IT
--------
I want to thank everyone who prayed for young Chinese Chris who was on his death bed a short while ago with Cancer of his colon and a month old baby girl and his family

Because the doctors had told his wife and parents that he had just days or weeks to live. He has been on a life support machine.



However Prayer is such a strong healer and evidently God has work for them to do because he has just been told his liver cancer is benign and he can go home next week.

Thank you dear Bahá’ís all over the world

Question. -- It is said in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas "...whoso is deprived thereof, hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed." What is the meaning of this verse?

Answer. -- This blessed verse means that the foundation of success and salvation is the knowledge of God, and that the results of the knowledge of God are the good actions which are the fruits of faith.

If man has not this knowledge, he will be separated from God, and when this separation exists, good actions have not complete effect. This verse does not mean that the souls separated from God are equal, whether they perform good or bad actions. It signifies only that the foundation is to know God, and the good actions result from this knowledge. Nevertheless, it is certain that between the good, the sinners and the wicked who are veiled from God there is a difference. For the veiled one who has good principles and character deserves the pardon of God, while he who is a sinner, and has bad qualities and character, is deprived of the bounties and blessings of God. Herein lies the difference.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 238)

Elucidation of the Meaning of "The Greatest Name"

By Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, with words of Abdu'l-Baha

(copied by May Maxwell)

In every age the Manifestations have revealed a Name by which Their followers could call upon the Infinite Power of the Almighty. This name expresses the attributes of God, and His Revelation for that age. It is the epitome of that mysterious Power which the Messenger of God has brought to earth.

In the time of the Jews it was Jehovah. In the time of Buddhah it was OM. In the time of the Christians it was Christ. In the Book of Revelations it says, "In that Day I will write upon them My new Name."

Now in this great Day that Blessed Bab has revealed this New Name of ABHA, which is in the Persian and Arabic language, the superlative of Glory, the Most Glorious.

The Name by which Baha'is call upon the Power of the God (in worship) is Allah'u'Ahba, meaning God the Most Glorious; and in the Book of Akdas, the most Holy Book of Baha'u'llah, we are instructed to call upon the Power of the Greatest Name 95 times, preferable at dawn, but sometimes during the day.

The wisdom of repeating the Greatest Name 9 times before each prayer and 95 times daily, is as follows: Abdu'l-Baha said that there is in man a power of concentration not fully developed, which power rightly directed can lead him to great heights of knowledge, understanding and illumination. Prayer and supplication are the ladder, He said, "by which the soul ascends and as the power of sustained communion with God develops the capacity to receive the influx of The Holy Spirit and to penetrate, the hidden mystery unfolds". Prayer and communion is the only direct approach of the should to God, and Baha'u'llah has likened it unto "a river of milk" which is the perfect nutriment, and the more we partake of this lifegiving food, the more the soul shall advance in the path of God and the greater will be its progress.

Abdu'l-Baha has likened the power of concentration to a cubic crystal. He said, "If you place a ruby, the hardest stone, in a seven times heated furnace, the heat will have no effect, but if you place that ruby in a cubic crystal in the rays of the mid-day sun, it will be dissolved." This, He has likened to the powers of concentration in man. He said, "Whatsoever man concentrates upon, he will draw to himself." Therefore in prayer and supplication he must close the door to all the outer world and turn his whole being to the Focal Point, the Manifestation of God in his day and thus draw into his soul the burning rays of the Sun of Truth, the Infinite Love, Light Beauty and Perfection of God.

Therefore, before each prayer, man should repeat the Greatest Name 9 times and each morning he should repeat it 95 times (successively) seeking the Divine Beloved with all his heart and soul.

(Copied by M.S. Perry; 1945)

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