Measures and methods

"High aims and pure motives, however laudable in themselves, will surely not suffice if unsupported by measures that are practicable and methods that are sound."
Baha'i Writings

We need to create frameworks for ideas to become reality. Sounds obvious. But how often do we stop at the thoughts, how often do we get seduced into overlooking logic, and how often we just do, without a proper plan...

I think this applies to everything, but let's take a specific example, such as being healthy. I want to be healthy (high aims), without doing anything about it (which is illogical), and if I want to change that, then I need to sit down and think about a plan to change my habits...

Baha'i Holy Day

"Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Ruz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhorrent unto Thee. Grand, O my Lord, that the fire of Thy love and the heat produced by the fast enjoined by Thee may inflame them in Thy Cause, and make them to be occupied with Thy praise and with remembrance of Thee."
Baha'i Prayer

Happy Naw-Ruz!

Civilization carried out to excess: Moderation

"Whoso cleaveth to justice, can, under no circumstances, transgress the limits of moderation ... If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation."
Baha'i Writings

Civilization carried out to excess, what could that be... What about talking about agriculture? Isn't that where civilization began, when we stopped living a nomadic life to take care of our crops? All along the history of mankind, we've improved our tools and the processes we use for agriculture. And the improvements keep on getting better, even today. I've read an article recently about a sensor that can be inserted inside the roots of plants to monitor the level of hydration of the plants, so that exactly the right amount of water can be given to each plant, saving water, and avoiding plant over-watering.

But that's a good improvement. Not like super-intensive agriculture, or fields after fields of uniform crops, or lots of chemicals to keep bugs away. Or with genetically modified species... I'm not saying I'm against GM food, but to add my drop to the societal debate, I ask: where do we draw the line of moderation?

The needs of the age we live in

"Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements."

Baha'i Writings

This is a well-known Baha'i quote. I like the word "anxiously". We really need to feel what are the problems of the world. And I also like that it's the "needs of the day we live in". Nothing specific, but the meaning is clear. It's like an open door that we should look for. And this door is one of many doors, because there are always new needs, and therefore always new ways for us to contribute to society.

The second part is a call for action. How often do I concentrate my thoughts on my own little world, instead of centering them on the exigencies and requirements of this world?

The essence of man

"Man is even as steel, the essence of which is hidden: through admonition and explanation, good counsel and education, that essence will be brought to light."

Baha'i Writings

The essence of man = his humanity? We say "inhuman" when we talk of acts that were carried out by humans. But maybe we could say that these men lacked the "essence of man", a bit like iron before it has been changed into steel?

I like that the "bringing into light" is carried out by words (admonition, explanation, good counsel, education). Somehow, with our words, we can help others find out their own essence...

Family unity

"Note ye how easily, where unity existeth in a given family, the affairs of that family are conducted; what progress the members of that family make, how they prosper in the world. Their concerns are in order, they enjoy comfort and tranquility, they are secure, their position is assured, they come to be envied by all."
Baha'i Writings

"Envied by all"... Interesting, cause it's true. If I have an aim in life, it's not to be famous, rich, and so on, but rather to have a nice, united, family. Even my work: it can give me mental satisfaction, but first of all, it provides for the family...

How strange, then, that we have magazines about pop stars who marry and divorce in an endless circle. Do we really envy pop star? Why do we engage in gossip which can so easily become pointless envy...

In between

"Man is in the highest degree of materiality, and at the beginning of spirituality - that is to say, he is at the end of imperfection and at the beginning of perfection."
Baha'i Writings

I am familiar with the notion that the man is at the crossroad. He has the choice. He can stay at the crossroad and enjoy "freedom" but go nowhere, or he can choose a path and discover new worlds.

In this quote, the junction is not just between several religions, it's between materiality and spirituality. In fact, it's not really a junction, it sounds more like a continuous line with materiality on one end, and spirituality on the other. We're in the middle, and can choose to go either way.

What I like the most in this quote is the direct connection between:

• Materiality = Imperfection
• Spirituality = Perfection

That definitely talks to me.