Meditation

Stellitsa · 10-10-2010, 02:58 AM

Hi!
I am some what new to the details of the bahai fath. Though I have read about it for a few years I have only started to practise the faith recently on my own. Now, I'm wondering about meditation; is there a certain way to do this or is it individual?

Thanks!

bwb · 10-10-2010, 03:25 AM

Here is a compilation of Baha'i quotations on this subject for you:
Compilation: Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude

Pollwr · 10-12-2010, 07:08 AM

Basically, although meditation is often referred to in the writings, we are not given instructions on how a Bahá'í should meditate. Wendi Momen wrote a really good book entitiled "Meditation" that is a good starting place to find out about meditation and ties together information on a different ways of meditating.

"As to meditation: This also is a field in which the individual is free. There are no set forms of meditation prescribed in the teachings, no plan as such, for inner development. The friends are urged -- nay enjoined -- to pray, and they also should meditate, but the manner of doing the latter is left entirely to the individual."

(Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 35)

SomeGuy · 01-27-2011, 11:50 PM

it is completely individual IMO. according to bahai writings, listening to a beautifull piece of music has the same effects as prayer. the idea is to just give your mind some time to rest

arthra · 01-31-2011, 07:01 PM

As above:

"As to meditation: This also is a field in which the individual is free. There are no set forms of meditation prescribed in the teachings, no plan as such, for inner development. The friends are urged -- nay enjoined -- to pray, and they also should meditate, but the manner of doing the latter is left entirely to the individual."

(Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 35)

This is so important! as it allows people from many different appraoches of meditation to continue what works for them in the broader context of the Faith...Had there been anything like an elitist or exclusive program of meditation in the Faith it would not be inclusive or welcome to many people...

tonyfish58 · 01-31-2011, 10:38 PM

The Inspiration Received Through Meditation

"… There are no set forms of meditation prescribed in the teachings, no plan, as such, for inner development. The friends are urged—nay enjoined—to pray, and they also should meditate, but the manner of doing the latter is left entirely to the individual…

"The inspiration received through meditation is of a nature that one cannot measure or determine. God can inspire into our minds things that we had no previous knowledge of, if he desires to do so."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, January 25, 1943: Spiritual Foundations: Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude, op. cit.)

With Prayer and Meditation Must Go Action and Example

"Prayer and meditation are very important factors in deepening the spiritual life of the individual, but with them must go also action and example, as these are the tangible results of the former. Both are essential."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 15, 1944: Ibid.)

The Importance and Power of Meditation

"Through meditation the doors of deeper knowledge and inspiration may be opened. Naturally, if one meditates as a Bahá’í he is connected with the Source; if a man believing in God meditates he is tuning in to the power and mercy of God; but we cannot say that any inspiration which a person, not knowing Bahá’u’lláh, or not believing in God, receives is merely from his own ego. Meditation is very important, and the Guardian sees no reason why the friends should not be taught to meditate, but they should guard against superstitious or foolish ideas creeping into it."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 19, 1945: Ibid.)

Wiser to Use Meditations Given by Bahá’u’lláh—Not Set Form Recommended by Someone Else

"As to your question about prayer and whether it is necessary to recite the prayers of only the Central Figures of our Faith, we have been asked to quote here the following two excerpts on this subject, from letters written by Shoghi Effendi's secretary on his behalf:

'…as the Cause embraces members of all races and religions we should be careful not to introduce into it the customs of our previous beliefs. Bahá’u’lláh has given us the obligatory prayers, also prayers before sleeping, for travellers, etc. We should not introduce a new set of prayers He has not specified, when He has given us already so many, for so many occasions.'

'He thinks it would be wiser for the Bahá’ís to use the Meditations given by Bahá’u’lláh, and not any set form of meditation recommended by someone else; but the believers must be left free in these details and allowed to have personal latitude in finding their own level of communion with God.'

"As to the reading of prayers or selections from the Sacred Writings of other religions: Such readings are permissible, and indeed from time to time are included in the devotional programmes of Bahá’í Houses of Worship, demonstrating thereby the universality of our Faith."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, June 7, 1974)

10-10-2010, 02:58 AM	#1
Stellitsa Junior Member Joined: Oct 2010 From: Gothenburg Posts: 1	Meditation Hi! I am some what new to the details of the bahai fath. Though I have read about it for a few years I have only started to practise the faith recently on my own. Now, I'm wondering about meditation; is there a certain way to do this or is it individual? Thanks!

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10-10-2010, 03:25 AM	#2
bwb Senior Member Joined: Aug 2010 From: earth Posts: 700	Here is a compilation of Baha'i quotations on this subject for you: Compilation: Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude

10-12-2010, 07:08 AM	#3
Pollwr Senior Member Joined: Jun 2009 From: earth Posts: 311	Basically, although meditation is often referred to in the writings, we are not given instructions on how a Bahá'í should meditate. Wendi Momen wrote a really good book entitiled "Meditation" that is a good starting place to find out about meditation and ties together information on a different ways of meditating. "As to meditation: This also is a field in which the individual is free. There are no set forms of meditation prescribed in the teachings, no plan as such, for inner development. The friends are urged -- nay enjoined -- to pray, and they also should meditate, but the manner of doing the latter is left entirely to the individual." (Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 35)

01-27-2011, 11:50 PM	#4
SomeGuy Junior Member Joined: Jan 2011 From: USA Posts: 8	it is completely individual IMO. according to bahai writings, listening to a beautifull piece of music has the same effects as prayer. the idea is to just give your mind some time to rest

01-31-2011, 07:01 PM	#5
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 From: California Posts: 3,063	As above: "As to meditation: This also is a field in which the individual is free. There are no set forms of meditation prescribed in the teachings, no plan as such, for inner development. The friends are urged -- nay enjoined -- to pray, and they also should meditate, but the manner of doing the latter is left entirely to the individual." (Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 35) This is so important! as it allows people from many different appraoches of meditation to continue what works for them in the broader context of the Faith...Had there been anything like an elitist or exclusive program of meditation in the Faith it would not be inclusive or welcome to many people...

01-31-2011, 10:38 PM	#6
tonyfish58 Senior Member Joined: Sep 2010 From: Australia Posts: 828	The Inspiration Received Through Meditation "… There are no set forms of meditation prescribed in the teachings, no plan, as such, for inner development. The friends are urged—nay enjoined—to pray, and they also should meditate, but the manner of doing the latter is left entirely to the individual… "The inspiration received through meditation is of a nature that one cannot measure or determine. God can inspire into our minds things that we had no previous knowledge of, if he desires to do so." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, January 25, 1943: Spiritual Foundations: Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude, op. cit.) With Prayer and Meditation Must Go Action and Example "Prayer and meditation are very important factors in deepening the spiritual life of the individual, but with them must go also action and example, as these are the tangible results of the former. Both are essential." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 15, 1944: Ibid.) The Importance and Power of Meditation "Through meditation the doors of deeper knowledge and inspiration may be opened. Naturally, if one meditates as a Bahá’í he is connected with the Source; if a man believing in God meditates he is tuning in to the power and mercy of God; but we cannot say that any inspiration which a person, not knowing Bahá’u’lláh, or not believing in God, receives is merely from his own ego. Meditation is very important, and the Guardian sees no reason why the friends should not be taught to meditate, but they should guard against superstitious or foolish ideas creeping into it." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 19, 1945: Ibid.) Wiser to Use Meditations Given by Bahá’u’lláh—Not Set Form Recommended by Someone Else "As to your question about prayer and whether it is necessary to recite the prayers of only the Central Figures of our Faith, we have been asked to quote here the following two excerpts on this subject, from letters written by Shoghi Effendi's secretary on his behalf: '…as the Cause embraces members of all races and religions we should be careful not to introduce into it the customs of our previous beliefs. Bahá’u’lláh has given us the obligatory prayers, also prayers before sleeping, for travellers, etc. We should not introduce a new set of prayers He has not specified, when He has given us already so many, for so many occasions.' 'He thinks it would be wiser for the Bahá’ís to use the Meditations given by Bahá’u’lláh, and not any set form of meditation recommended by someone else; but the believers must be left free in these details and allowed to have personal latitude in finding their own level of communion with God.' "As to the reading of prayers or selections from the Sacred Writings of other religions: Such readings are permissible, and indeed from time to time are included in the devotional programmes of Bahá’í Houses of Worship, demonstrating thereby the universality of our Faith." (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, June 7, 1974)