SammyUK

Hi there,

I was just wondering how this is considered in the Baha'i Faith:

A friend of mine is a spiritual healer. She uses 'hands on' and often a pendulum to dowse decision making and diagnosing, often with alarmingly accurate results.

In her view, it is not her that does the healing, but spiritual surgeons including her very own spirit guides acting through her.

She says that everybody has spirit guides (or guardian angels), and that you can learn to communicate with them ('channeling') through meditation. She also sees people as being 'old' souls - having lived through many lifetimes - or 'young' souls, with not so many lifetimes.

I have read Abdul Bah'a's words on spiritual healing, but cannot find anything on the concept of 'spirit guides'. I am aware that Baha'is do not believe in re-incarnation though - that is, we only live on earth once.

Has anyone seen/read anything on this aspect?

Thanks!

arthra

Sammy...Thanks for the questions!

I'm giving here my own personal responses as a Baha'i...

Generally I don't think most Baha'is place much credence in "spirit guides" and channeling as such..

Mainly because there are issues about channeling and spirit guides that conjure up spiritualism.. and there are those who have played on the naivete of those who say are looking for "guides" and "communicating" with loved ones etc.

And while we believe in the reality of the spiritual world and spiritual dimension we feel that our main emphasis while in this world is to reflect divine attributes in preparation for the next world or plane of existence..

As you noted Baha'is do not believe in reincarnation, that the soul returns to earth..but rather that the soul advances through the Worlds of God which are spiritual in nature.

Spiritual healing is not discouraged but it is not to be identified per se as Baha'i.. that is, the person who has such gifts is esentially on their own. They cannot say for instance that they are a "Baha'i spiritual healer":

I've added a few quotes..and these you'll understand are in the form of guidance for Baha'is:

With reference to your question concerning spiritual healing: Its importance, as you surely know, has been greatly emphasized by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Who considered it, indeed, as an essential part of physical processes of healing.

Physical healing cannot be complete and lasting unless it is reinforced by spiritual healing. And this last one can be best obtained through obedience to the laws and commandments of God as revealed to us through His Manifestations.

Individual believers, however, can also help by imparting healing to others. But the success of their efforts depends entirely on their strict adherence to the Teachings, and also on the manner in which they impart them to others. According to Bahá'u'lláh man cannot obtain full guidance directly from God. He must rather seek it through His Prophets.

Provided this principle is clearly understood and explained, the Guardian sees no harm that the friends should try to effect spiritual healing in others. Any such cure effected, however, should be done in the name of Bahá'u'lláh and in accordance with His teachings. For God, and God alone, is the Supreme and Almighty Physician, and all else are but instruments in His hands.

- Shoghi Effendi

(23 May 1935)

(Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 477)


Spiritual healing in our view cannot take the place of physical healing..

Healing through purely spiritual forces is undoubtedly as inadequate as that which materialist physicians and thinkers vainly seek to obtain by resorting entirely to mechanical devices and methods. The best result can be obtained by combining the two processes: spiritual and physical.

(Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 476)



Regarding psychic powers:

"What 'Abdu'l-Bahá always pointed out in this matter is that these psychic powers were not to be used in this world, and that, indeed, it was dangerous to cultivate them here. They should be left dormant, and not exploited, even when we do so with the sincere belief we are helping others. We do not understand their nature and have no way of being sure of what is true and what is false in such matters..."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, March 4, 1946 Ibid, p. 1)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 513)



"...he feels that the methods you are pursuing in regard to receiving inspired written messages, and your way of approaching your painting are really psychic, and that you should give them up for your own good. Some of Bahá'u'lláh's and 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Tablets are so poorly translated that it is almost impossible to grasp the true meaning, and one is misled into thinking that by getting into a practically psychic state the Holy Spirit will guide one. This is not what is meant: the world's greatest writers and painters have not been under psychic influence, but through innate ability, practice and study, have given us their masterpieces; this is the normal way for inspiration to reach us, through the channels of our own abilities, and not through control by forces which the Master warned us against, and which we do understand, and which -- as you yourself know -- are neither consistent nor reliable."

(From a letter dated February 24, 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to and individual believer: Spiritualism, Psychic Phenomena and Related Subjects, p. 2) *518*

"There is no ambiguity about the Master's attitude towards psychic forces. He very strongly warned the believers against using them."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, August 9, 1945 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, Ibid)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 518)

So these are basically reflecting the Baha'i view of the developing of psychic powers.. channeling.. spiritualism, etc.

In friendship,

- Art:wink

arthra

Here's an additional statement that applies I think:

The Bahá’í approach towards those who have passed over to the next world is very different from those who dabble in spiritualistic practices. The Bahá’í Writings clearly warn against indulging in spiritualist practices like holding seances, materialization of spirits, or communicating with the dead through spirit mediums. Regarding the materialization of spirits through mediums, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says:

"A person finding himself in a state of trance, or unconsciousness, is like one who sleeps; whatever he feels and sees he imagines to be matter and of material things, but in realty they are wholly immaterial."

From Lights of Guidance, p. 519. [Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbás, 1979, p. 82].


He clarifies that apart from the Bounty of the Holy Spirit all that is said about

"…mesmerism or trumpet communications from the dead are sheer imagination.

[‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbás, Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, 1979, p. 85].

See:

Tempering with Psychic Forces

SammyUK

Thanks Arthra for that detailed response.

I was quite suprised to read there that the Baha'i view is to leave it well alone. I know a few people who have 'dabbled' in such things and I think alot of the time they are fooling themselves. So I would agree here.

But having recieved healing from someone who came highly recommended, it had quite a profound effect on me. The question of whether it was the healing or indeed my thinking it worked (placebo) was beside the point: it worked. Isn't this a good thing?

And also, I like the idea of having some kind of spiritual guardian watching over you - even if 'channeling' is to be left alone.

"What 'Abdu'l-Bahá always pointed out in this matter is that these psychic powers were not to be used in this world, and that, indeed, it was dangerous to cultivate them here. They should be left dormant, and not exploited, even when we do so with the sincere belief we are helping others. We do not understand their nature and have no way of being sure of what is true and what is false in such matters..."

This is quite a strong message. I think that for the majority of people who 'try' they should take heed of this comment. One thought I have is that if this should be left well alone, then why is it (seemingly) possible for some people to do this?

arthra

Ssammy,

Thanks for your comments..

First I don't think Baha'is deny the possibility of spiritual healing..

Secondly, it may well be a question of emphasis.. The Faith is more directed I think toward social issues that impact humanity today such as racial prejudice, war, economic disparity.

As to the "Guardian Spirit" as you note there's very little even suggesting such a being in our Writings.. but we do palce a lot of emphasis in what we call the Concourse of High that is believed to be near us and a spiritual resource.

The Concourse of High is somewhat alluded to by the term "Cloud of Witnesses" I believe in the New Testament.. and means the collective illumined souls of those who have gone before us on this physical plane:

“The invisible battalions of the Concourse on High, are mustered, in serried ranks, ready to rush their reinforcements to the aid of the vanguard of Bahá’u’lláh’s crusaders in the hour of their greatest need, and in anticipation of that Most Great, that Wondrous Jubilee in the joyfulness of which both heaven and earth will partake.”

In more detail:

"The spirit is the power of life, the mind is the power which apprehendeth the reality of things, and the soul is an intermediary between the Supreme Concourse (or Spiritual World) and the lower concourse (or material world). It, i.e., the soul, hath two phases:

The higher aspireth to the Kingdom of El-Baha, and the lights of the mind shine forth from that horizon (or kingdom) unto its higher sphere; the other phase inclineth to the lower concourse of the material world and its lowest sphere is enveloped in the darkness of ignorance. But when light is poured upon this phase, and if this phase of the soul is capable of receiving it, then “truth hath come and falsehood vanisheth, for falsehood is of short duration”—otherwise, darkness will surround it from all directions and it will be deprived of association with the Supreme Concourse and will remain in the lowest depths."

Pollwr

I was thinking about Angels and knew I had seen that word often in the Bahá'í writings. Just try typing Angels into "Ocean" a searchable resource of Bahá'í writings! I come to the Faith from a background that is definitely not mystical and so make no claim to understand references to Angels and a lot of the mystical stuff but I do like to read it and think about it. I found some quotations:

Glorified be my Lord, the All-Glorious! "O guardian angels! Return them to their abode in the world below,

Glorified be my Lord, the All-Glorious! "Inasmuch as they have purposed to rise to that sphere which the wings of the celestial dove have never attained;

Glorified be my Lord, the All-Glorious! "Whereupon the ship of fancy standeth still which the minds of them that comprehend cannot grasp."

(Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 223)

Verily, We behold you from Our realm of effulgent glory, and will graciously aid whosoever striveth for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the celestial Concourse and a company of Our chosen angels."

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 349)

Verily, He shall support you by the angels of His holiness and reinforce you with the breaths of the Spirit that ye may mount the Ark of Safety, set forth the evident signs, impart the spirit of life, declare the essence of His commands and precepts, guide the sheep who are straying from the fold in all directions, and give the blessings. Ye have to use every effort in your power and strive earnestly and wisely in this new century. By God, verily the Lord of Hosts is your support, the angels of heaven your assistance, the Holy Spirit your companion and the Center of the Covenant your helper.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 362)

The Holy Spirit will strengthen them and the hosts of the Supreme Concourse will render them victorious and the angels of Abha will come in succession. By angels is meant the divine confirmations and heavenly powers. Angels are also those holy souls who have severed attachment to the earthly world, who are free from the fetters of self and passion and who have attached their hearts to the divine realm and the merciful kingdom. They are of the kingdom, heavenly; they are of the merciful One, divine. They are the manifestations of the divine grace and the dawns of spiritual bounty.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 409)