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Tags: Bahai devotions, Bahai devotionals, Bahai devotional programs, Bahai writings, Bahai prayers
Hinduism c. 3000 BC The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal
the flame of a lamp in a windless place. In the still mind, nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch
in the depths of meditation, the eternal self reveals itself. with God.
Beholding the Self by means of the Self, an aspirant knows This faculty brings forth from the invisible plane the
the joy and peace of complete fulfillment. Having sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty
attained that abiding joy beyond the senses, revealed in inventions are made possible, colossal undertakings are
the stilled mind, he never swerves from the central truth. carried out; through it governments can run smoothly.
He desires nothing else, and cannot be shaken by the Through this faculty man enters into the very Kingdom of
heaviest burden of sorrow. The practice of meditation God.
frees one from all affliction. This is the path of yoga… Nevertheless some thoughts are useless to man; they
Wherever the mind wanders, restless and diffuse in are like waves moving in the sea without result. But if the
its search for satisfaction without, lead it within; train it to faculty of meditation is bathed in the inner light and
rest in the Self. Abiding joy comes to those who still the characterised with divine attributes, the results will be
mind. Freeing themselves from the taint of self-will, with confirmed.
their consciousness unified, they become one with God. The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror; if you put it
before earthly objects it will reflect them. Therefore if the
– Bhagavad Gita 6.18-27 spirit of man is contemplating earthly subjects he will be
informed of these.
But if you turn the mirror of your spirits heavenwards,
Meditation is greater than thought. The earth seems to the heavenly constellations and the rays of the Sun of
meditate; atmosphere and sky seem to meditate; the Reality will be reflected in your hearts, and the virtues of
waters and the mountains seem to meditate, as do gods the Kingdom will be obtained.
and men. That is why whenever men achieve greatness on Therefore let us keep this faculty rightly directed –
earth, they may be said to have received their [due] turning it to the heavenly Sun and not to earthly objects –
portion of the fruits of meditation. So, while small men so that we may discover the secrets of the Kingdom, and
are quarrelsome, slanderous gossips, the great may be comprehend the allegories of the Bible and the mysteries
said to have received their [due] portion of the fruit of of the spirit.
meditation. Revere meditation. May we indeed become mirrors reflecting the heavenly
realities, and may we become so pure as to reflect the
– Chandogya Upanishad 7:6 stars of heaven.
– `Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 174
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD Judaism c. 1500 BC
Bahá'u'lláh says there is a sign (from God) in every When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be
phenomenon: the sign of the intellect is contemplation silent.
and the sign of contemplation is silence, because it is
impossible for a man to do two things at one time – he – Psalm 4.4
cannot both speak and meditate.
It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you are
speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you
put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it
the light breaks forth and the reality is revealed. day and night so you will be sure to obey everything
You cannot apply the name 'man' to any being void of written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all
this faculty of meditation; without it he would be a mere you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous!
animal, lower than the beasts. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is
Through the faculty of meditation man attains to with you wherever you go.
eternal life; through it he receives the breath of the Holy
Spirit – the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and – Joshua 1:8-9
meditation.
The spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened
during meditation; through it affairs of which man knew
nothing are unfolded before his view. Through it he
receives Divine inspiration, through it he receives
heavenly food.
Meditation is the key for opening the doors of
mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself: in that
state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in
that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of
spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-
themselves. To illustrate this, think of man as endowed
with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is being
used the outward power of vision does not see.
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Buddhism c. 400 BC The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
Meditate, bhikkhu, don't be careless, don't let your mind Meditate profoundly, that the secret of things unseen
take pleasure in the senses. Don't have to swallow the may be revealed unto you, that you may inhale the
iron ball for being careless. Don't have to cry out, "This is sweetness of a spiritual and imperishable fragrance, and
terrible" as you burn. that you may acknowledge the truth that from time
There is no meditation without wisdom, and there is no immemorial even unto eternity the Almighty hath tried,
wisdom without meditation. When a man has both and will continue to try, His servants, so that light may be
meditation and wisdom, he is indeed close to Nirvana. distinguished from darkness, truth from falsehood, right
When he has gone off to a lonely building, the bhikkhu from wrong, guidance from error, happiness from misery,
whose mind is at peace experiences a more than human and roses from thorns.
joy, when he recognises the supreme Truth.
Whenever he meditates on the rise and fall of the – Bahá'u'lláh, Kitab-i-Iqan
constituent elements of existence, he experiences joy and
rapture. It is immortality for men of discrimination.
– Dhammapada
Sayings of the Buddha 1, tr. J. Richards
– Dhammapada, p. 38
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD Buddhism c. 400 BC
For the core of religious faith is that mystic feeling which Wake up! It is time to wake up!
unites Man with God. This state of spiritual communion You are young, strong – why do you waver,
can be brought about and maintained by means of why are you lazy and irresolute?
meditation and prayer. This is not the way to wisdom.
– Dhammapada, p. 134
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Christianity 1 AD Islam c. 613 AD
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever A blessed Book have we sent down to thee, that men may
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever meditate its verses, and that those endued with
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever understanding may bear it in mind.
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think [meditate] on these things. – The Qur'an (Rodwell tr), Sura 38
– Philippians 4:8
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