The more difficulties one sees in the world the more perfect one becomes. The more you plough and dig the ground the more fertile it becomes. The more you cut the branches of a tree the higher and stronger it grows. The more you put the gold in the fire the purer it becomes. The more you sharpen the steel by grinding the better it cuts. Therefore, the more sorrows one sees the more perfect one becomes. That is why, in all times, the Prophets of God have had tribulations and difficulties to withstand. The more often the captain of a ship is in the tempest and difficult sailing the greater his knowledge becomes. Therefore I am happy that you have had great tribulations and difficulties… Strange it is that I love you and still I am happy that you have sorrows. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol. XIV, No. 2, p. 41).
I’ve always loved this quote, because it uses practical examples that are easy to understand, but the thing I love best is when `Abdu’l-Bahá tells us “Strange it is that I love you and still I am happy that you have sorrows”. It seems such an odd way to end this quote. The clue is in the middle though: “the more sorrows one sees the more perfect one becomes.”
Why is it important for us to become more perfect than we were? I think it’s so we can increase our capacity and be better fit for service; better soldiers in the Army of God. We know we’re never going to be perfect. That’s a station reserved for `Abdu’l-Bahá, but we can become more perfect as we accept the tests instead of railing against them, feeling punished by God or sorry for ourselves. When I’m being tested (as I am today!), I need to remember to let go, trust God and enjoy the ride, remembering it all serves a purpose.
Knowing the purpose of my tests, I can relax into them, and I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read through 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
I remember hearing this as a Bahá’í decades ago; perfection is the act of perfecting. And as you mentioned, we can never be perfect, but we can always strive to be better. That word, strive, reminds me of another quote.
“Therefore strive that your actions day by day may be beautiful prayers. Turn towards God, and seek always to do that which is right and noble…”
So, tests should encourage us to strive to grow spiritually, and when we don’t pass those tests, they will come back again, in one form or another until we do pass them.
Good one, Marian! Thanks! Joe Crone sings this quote so beautifully. Have you heard it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y2WGjl_9n4
How do maintain composure during tests?
Hi Jay, sometimes it’s almost impossible to maintain composure during severe tests; my technique is first remove myself for the explosive situation, then repeat over and over a Baha’i prayer or a phrase of it – something that brings my focus away for myself; if the situation is almost unbearable, I seriously clean house or go for a run/walk, and if the tests goes on for days or weeks, I say the long Healing Prayer, 500 Remover of Difficulties, and any prayer that speaks to my situation. Only in hindsight does it all make sense. I remember (especially as I get older) that this life is just a big school preparing us for the next. What we cannot understand now will be made clear when we meet our Creator.
So true, Bertha! Thanks for these really concrete, powerful tools. I’ve used them too. I’ve noticed that when I pray for my enemy or someone who has hurt me for a couple of weeks, I’m no longer mad anymore.
Great question, Jay! I think the Greatest Holy Leaf was our best role model of this. Have you read her biography?
Here are 2 that have been written:
https://www.amazon.com/Bahiyyih-Khanum-Greatest-Holy-Leaf/dp/B002J06XQ4/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=%22greatest+holy+leaf%22&qid=1577575318&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Greatest-Holy-Jacqueline-Mehrabi/dp/1870989775/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=%22greatest+holy+leaf%22&qid=1577575318&sr=8-2
I’m older now and having been a Baha’i for nearly 50 years, this subject has become the norm. I remember when I was a new Baha’i seeking shelter in my back yard, pleading with Baha’u’llah “This test is unbearable, I didn’t know this was going to be part of becoming a Baha’i!”. The irony is that we will have those test anyway but as Baha’is have a set of guidelines to resolve and be firm. I did get through that test, only to prepare for the next set of unbearables. There have been many times when the weight of misery has only deepened my love and longing to become closer to Baha’u’llah. I still do not like hard tests but know now that they too will pass because (now looking back) they are all in my best interest.
Yes, aren’t we blessed to know this, Bertha! One of the quotes that’s helped me through the unbearables is:
20 year ago when I lost my sight completely asked Baha’u’llah, why me? He answered me through these gems-like words; “My calamity is My providence, inwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly is light and mercy. haste thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. this is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.”on Meditating in these words empowered me to experience this light within me in China with all its difficulties and rejections for 6 years !
Bravo, Simin! I LOVE hearing people’s favorite quotes and how they helped them through. The most important quote that helped me recover from childhood trauma was: