Remember My days during thy days, and My distress and banishment in this remote prison. (Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í Prayers, p. 210)
When I was in the deepest despair, remembering traumatic events of my childhood, I came across this quote, which helped to lift me out of my “self”. I was feeling a lot of “poor me” and “why did this have to happen to me”, and then I had to stop and remember Bahá’u’lláh’s days.
Bahá’u’lláh was born into a wealthy family and was expected to follow his father into an important position in the government of Persia (Iran). He didn’t want the position or the power. As a result, His life included a series of imprisonments, and banishments. At one point He was imprisoned for four months in an underground reservoir for a public bath, with its only outlet a single passage down three steep flights of stone steps. When He was freed from prison, He and His family were banished four times, sometimes on foot over the mountains in the middle of winter without enough food or proper clothing. He was discredited by His uncle, poisoned by his jealous half-brother and witnessed the death of His son. He was betrayed by people He trusted, stoned, and isolated from the Believers. He was the victim of ignorance, injustice, cruelty and fanaticism. To protect the Faith from the efforts of His half-brother, He even lived as a hermit for 2 years. But every crisis was followed by victory, and this, I believe, is what is important to remember.
Although my repressed memories included all the positive and neutral memories too, once they came back, I was able to see that, like Bahá’u’lláh, there were times in my life that were peaceful, and activities that weren’t abusive. From anger I learned to find my voice and take action. From poverty I was protected from materialism and learned to rely on God. From estrangement I gained knowledge of myself, and through it, knowledge of God. From being silenced, I was protected from backbiting and gossip.
Knowing I can focus on the victories instead of the negative things that happened to me, I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read today’s meditation? I’d love it if you would share so we can all expand our knowledge of the Writings!
If you liked this meditation, you might also like my book Strengthening Your Relationship with God
“O SON OF BOUNTY! Out of the wastes of nothingness, with the clay of My command I made thee to appear, and have ordained for thy training every atom in existence and the essence of all created things.”
-The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’llah, #29
“I swear by My life! Nothing save that which profiteth them can befall My loved ones. To this testifieth the Pen of God, the Most Powerful, the All-Glorious, the Best Beloved.” “Let not the happenings of the world sadden you. I swear by God! The sea of joy yearneth to attain your presence, for every good thing hath been created for you, and will, according to the needs of the times, be revealed unto you.” “O my servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will be unveiled to your eyes. You are destined by Him, in this world and hereafter, to partake of their benefits, to share in their joys, and to obtain a portion of their sustaining grace. To each and every one of them you will, no doubt, attain.” – the Advent of Divine Justice page 82
Yes, those are both excellent quotes to add to the discussion, Michael.
Funny story: In the last part of the second quote, starting with “O my servants” – many years ago, when I was first dealing with the trauma from my past, I wrote a letter full of questions to the House of Justice and they gave me lots of great advice, which I continue to reflect on even today. They concluded with this quote, without giving a reference, and I always thought that it was written just for me! I was so disappointed to discover that it was from Baha’u’llah, in Gleanings, and therefore in the public domain for everyone! Such a test! 🙂
Susan!! How penetrating this offering on dealing with awakening to the terrors of childhood trauma is! The counter balance to them amazes me! I must remember that! Thank you! The quote added by Michael Morris fits and by that Listening Force unseen but known flows right from Baha’u’llah conveyed through the Universal House of Justice (How precious is that?!?!)?
And even this story goes on >>> well brought! dear hearts thank you!
My pleasure, Charlotte! Yes, I love remembering that the unseen forces are working full-time behind the scenes and the scattering angels are being made busy by our prayers during this trying year!
I love the writing that says : As you have faith so shall your powers and blessings be❤️
Thank you Susan for always inspiring us❤️❤️
Yes, I love that one too, Naidoo! Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
This is inspiring to me on this particular day and in this particular moment of my life. It might be coming to see this post is a message for me. Thank you.
My pleasure, Barbra! Thank you God, for answered prayers!
I’ve also been digging into and reflecting on my past, being abused at least emotionally from age two (when I was first suicidal) til I left home at 17 and various unhealthy (of course) relationship after that. Many people have told me I would not have the positive qualities I possess if not for all of that. But I’ve never considered the flip side of the abuse: there were times in my life that were peaceful, and activities that weren’t abusive. From anger I learned to find my voice and take action. From poverty I was protected from materialism and learned to rely on God. From estrangement I gained knowledge of myself, and through it, knowledge of God. From being silenced, I was protected from backbiting and gossip.
I’ve copied that statement so I can meditate and reflect on that further.
Thank you,
dlh…
I’m so glad, Duane. I remember when I was dwelling on the bad things that happened to me, I made a beaded bracelet representing a timeline of my life, in black and white, with each line of beads representing an event, either good or bad, and was shocked to see that the timeline was equally divided. It’s a visual image I come back to again and again when I’m tempted to focus only on the bad.
Dear friends, All the above is so enriching, Indeed, we all have our burden,We are not alone, God is in our heart and He is always on time! Hardship and tests come in our life for a reason, There is always a positive side that intervene, This is how we progress. The problem with the virus that attacks so many people nowadays is here for a reason.
The House of Justice sent a Message to all National Spiritual Assemblies dated 9 May 2020, ” …We have been impressed by so
many communities have taken strides to this new reality…. some activities have had to be suspended, and particular strategies or methods that are unsuited to current conditions have had to be set aside for a time. However, while certain possibilities have been temporarily closed, others have opened up, and new means have emerged for strengthening existing patterns of activities,……”. There are many other points in the message that will be too long to write them.
Thank you Susan to bring this subject to our attention.
Yes, we are truly blessed to have the ongoing guidance of the House of Justice to reframe and reassure us, aren’t we, Maboube?!