The world today is submerged, amongst other things, in an over-exaggeration of the importance of physical love, and a dearth of spiritual values. In as far as possible the believers should try to realign this and rise above the level of their fellow-men who are, typical of all decadent periods in history, placing so much over-emphasis on the purely physical side of mating. Outside of their normal, legitimate married life they should seek to establish bonds of comradeship and love which are eternal and founded on the spiritual life of man, not on his physical life. (Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life, p. 14)
This is one of the hardest quotes for many people inside and outside the Faith to understand, that our spiritual life is more important than sex. I find it hard to rise above the level of those around me, who I fear are judging me for my “holier than thou” attitude. This creates a barrier between me and other people, because I tend to avoid movies, TV shows, books and magazines that promote sex and stay away from those who who indulge in pornography and extra-marital sex. I don’t mean to be judging them. I mean only to use discernment in how to keep my own thoughts and actions pure. This leads to a lot of loneliness’ and isolation. I’m serving in an inactive cluster so find it hard to maintain relationships with like-minded people.
After a life of moving every two years, I’m coming to realize that I don’t have the ability to seek to establish friendships founded on spiritual life and I’m learning that this is a capacity I can develop, and find true love with my “best lover” and myself first, so that I have that love to give out to others.
It’s OK to rise above the level of my neighbors and put my faith in the importance of maintaining spiritual values, and 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 Making Friends with Sin and Temptation
A lot jumped out. One of the hardest of spiritual teachings. It’s difficulty is recognise in the words “as far as possible” however within marriage it is inferred that sex can be enjoyed to the full. It is hard on those of us who have not found someone to share this gift with. I empathise with your loneliness and isolation and have compassion for your struggle to develop friendships based on spirituality alone. As well as the path of learning to live ourselves which many who are in committed relationships substitute with loving another person.
This teaching is a foundational one across most spiritual teachings and needs to be handled with care. The more we resist the more it persists. Finding comfort in love of self and others to soften this denial of the natural drive to sexual communion if we are to avoid anguish. We have seen the distortion of the soul created among some celibate clergy probably caused by being harsh on this throughout their lives
Yes, you’ve raised some important points! Thanks for adding to the discussion, Martin!