Baha'i Perspectives

iman November 27th, 2009

Envy is a feeling that sits in the gut that, even in small traces, could bring upon thoughts of hatred and malice.

O SON OF EARTH!

Know, verily, the heart wherein the least remnant of envy yet lingers, shall never attain My everlasting dominion, nor inhale the sweet savors of holiness breathing from My kingdom of sanctity.

Baha’u'llah : The Persian Hidden Words

Looking at a simple example of a teacher and a student.  The role of the teacher is to impart knowledge to the student.  In many cases it may be that the teacher is uncomfortable with allowing the student to surpass them.  Under this scenario progress, materially or spiritually, will be hampered.  The common adage today is “making a better world for our children” but with hints of envy subsequently grooming a culture of competition, this goal becomes more difficult to realise.  Someone mentioned a few weeks ago, “what greater joy for the teacher than to see their student surpass them”.  Progress is iterative and if we are sincere in our desire to “make a better world for our children”, we should allow ourselves to take gladness in the qualities and achievements of those around us and to use this as inspiration to strive higher.  Inspiration trumps competition.

Removing lingering hints of envy is more difficult to conquer. Perhaps a capability to try to develop is to see oneself (and the qualities one strives to possess) in the light of self-worth and, hence, as a tool of God for the benefit of society.  In this case,  not a self-aggrandizing form of  ’self-worth’, but rather one which is founded  upon meekness and humility, in the context of service.  In addition, what is needed to overcome envy is a mentality whose focus transcends the perception that happiness is achieved through the accumulation of material goods and, in particular, that which others may possess.

Tags: detachment, envy

• Baha'i Concepts , Reflections
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iman September 20th, 2008

It’s easy to get sucked into the world, and its routine dealings and material comforts:

Ye are even as the bird which soareth, with the full force of its mighty wings and with complete and joyous confidence, through the immensity of the heavens, until, impelled to satisfy its hunger, it turneth longingly to the water and clay of the earth below it, and, having been entrapped in the mesh of its desire, findeth itself impotent to resume its flight to the realms whence  it came. Powerless to shake off the burden weighing on its sullied wings, that bird, hitherto an inmate of the heavens, is now forced to seek a dwelling-place upon the dust.

(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 326)

Simply put, detachment can be viewed as “not being attached or dependent on something”.  Attachment to things such as wealth, power and people, even close family and friends, can sometimes act as a barrier between us and God.  Detachment implies that, while making use of what is available to us, our relationship with God is left uncompromised; a relationship that is based on service and obedience to his laws. It implies that, regardless of our present degree of prosperity — material or otherwise — our inner drive must essentially be spiritual in nature.

How can detachment make us happier? It obviates that yearning for the temporary, allows for a clearer, moderate and more objective thought process which in turn provides a stepping stone for the development of our spiritual character.

What are some of the ways in which we can increase our detachment? Through prayer, through continual reflection on our every action (and, hence, any necessary correction).  According to a talk delivered by Abdu’l-Baha,  we should exert our “our greatest efforts”, a counsel which is often neglected due to our apathy and personal comfort zones. In prayers revealed by the Central Figures of the Baha’i Faith, attaining the state of detachment is a common admonition — in fact, it is worth noting that entire sections of prayer compilations are devoted to this theme. Prayer is thus an essential element to help us progress towards a higher state of detachment.

Also, through the sorrows and suffering that we encounter, we can become more detached:

Just as the plough furrows the earth deeply, purifying it of weeds and thistles, so suffering and tribulation free man from the petty affairs of this worldly life until he arrives at a state of complete detachment

(Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 177)

In the next part of the this series, we will look into how suffering and sacrifice can provide us with greater contentment.

Tags: detachment, happiness

• Baha'i Concepts , General Interest
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