In this fourth blog when I am considering the adherence to Bahá'í laws, I am going to reflect on what happens when we fall short. I dwell on this topic because I fear that personal and community attitudes to this sort of thing can estrange people who are lovers of the Blessed Beauty from the Faith and that makes me sad.

At some point, after we become Bahá'ís, it is likely that, as an individual a person will fail to follow a law or two. There are those laws we break while knowing...

Like many new Bahá'ís I guess, it was not the laws that drew me to the Faith. For me it was the unity of religions and how the Bahá'í Faith seemed to be the only way that the whole world made sense. I loved the poetry of the Hidden Words and the Seven Valleys.

Now, many people around these days express a dislike of "organised religion". It is my opinion that the Bahá'í Faith is very well organised. This structure is different from that in other religions for a number...

In considering the many teachings of the Bahá'í Faith, one that I like very much, is that I am responsible for me. I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ME. I am not to be held accountable for the actions of Joe Bloggs down the street. I am not responsible for my spouse. When my children grow up, they are in charge of themselves and make their own decisions.

As an individual, I really only am expected to control me. As a parent, I have certain responsibilities to my children in that respect....

"Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws.
Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers
of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen
of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, O men of
insight!"

(Baha'u'llah, Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. v)

I always thought that there was a certain amount of humor in the above statement given that Bahá'ís are not...

I found that elusive quotation that I was wanting to double check.

"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: the light breaks forth and reality is revealed."

(Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 322)

Yes, it is as I recalled. Now, if only I really understood the link between body, mind, spirit and soul, I may...