You should not neglect your health, but consider it the means which enables you to serve. It — the body — is like a horse which carries the personality and spirit, and as such should be well cared for so it can do its work! You should certainly safeguard your nerves, and force yourself to take time, and not only for prayer meditation, but for real rest and relaxation. (Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 296
One of my readers asked:
I am interested in perspectives on the healing of the mental and spiritual stresses placed on so many by the forced isolation caused by the pandemic.
There are lots of great articles on the internet about the importance of balancing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs for optimal health at this time. Things we can do in each area include:
Spiritual
- Prayer and Meditation (Reading the Bahá’í Writings morning and night with care and attention)
- Make God your Best Friend: when we’re missing our loved one, God is always available to us, 24/7, and deepening our relationship with Him helps us achieve our purpose in life
- Spend time finding God in nature each day
Mental
- Immerse yourself in the Writings (perhaps by attending a Study Circle)
- Set goals, preferably in alignment with the direction given by Bahá’í Institutions
- Stay positive. There’s lots that we can’t control; and lots that we can’t know, but we can watch our thoughts and focus our attention on the positive, perhaps by finding things to be grateful for several times every day
- Pay attention to your fears and give them to God instead of making them bigger
Emotional
- Journal your stressors every day – I do it in the form of a “Dear God” letter
- Make phone calls – hearing other people’s problems can give us a relief from our own
- Pray with people – reciting the prayers out loud has an effect on our souls and the souls of everyone around us
Physical
- Healthy eating
- Lots of water
- Lots of exercise
- Lots of good quality sleep
- Rest and relaxation
All of these things work together synergistically.
Knowing there are lots of practical ways I can care for my body and safeguard my nerves at this time, 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 Learning How to Be Happy
MASKED CONCERN
Beautiful clear sky day,
taking off the mask
a dark spot appeared
near my mouth.
Dried blood?
Was I cut
and not noticed?
I hadn’t felt a thing,
that itself,
not unusual.
But, what?
Bewilderment.
Then, memory arose:
before going in
I ate a protein bar
containing chunks
of chocolate!
dlh….
That really made me laugh, Duane! Thanks for sharing!
What jumped out at me was the idea to take care of my health so that I can serve. Sometimes I think we need a reason to stay healthy. What better reason than to serve our fellow man, community and society. Thanks Susan for sharing and keeping us focused on what is important as it relates to being a Baha’i.
My pleasure Donna. I need to keep myself focused on what is important as it relates to being a Baha’i too!
Thank you so much Susan for always bringing so much joy into our lives with your articles and sharing your wonderful insight. We really appreciate your love and care,
Thanks for stopping by with a word of encouragement, Marjan. That’s what keeps me going! 🙂
Great article, wonderful suggestions… I only would add reading, and get the advantage of more free time to develop/learn any form of artwork: from learning to play an instrument, to drawing or painting, there is a whole panoply of hypothesis available, and the internet is full of tutorials and courses to learn doing whatever we feel like.
Great additions, Pedro. Thanks!