If two souls quarrel and contend about a question of the divine questions, differing and disputing, both are wrong. The wisdom of this incontrovertible law of God is this: That between two souls from amongst the believers of God, no contention and dispute may arise; that they may speak with each other with infinite amity and love. Should there appear the least trace of controversy, they must remain silent, and both parties must continue their discussions no longer, but ask the reality of the question from the Interpreter. This is the irrefutable command! (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 56)
I love this quote and find it interesting that it’s embedded within the Tablets of the Divine Plan, our marching orders for spreading the Faith to every corner of the planet. This incontrovertible law and irrefutable command of God is important to be embedded into the hearts of all travel-teachers and pioneers, because it means we don’t have to be right. We don’t have to prove a point. We don’t have to engage in any controversial discussion. We can just listen and approach every interaction with a humble posture of learning. For someone addicted to adrenaline and drama, this is such a relief! It’s hard on my adrenals and my liver to keep fighting for my position. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be in a marriage or a job or a community, where this was taken seriously?
It can be a challenge to learn to speak with infinite amity and love, remaining silent and looking to the Baha’i Writings for some insights. First we need to have the discipline of turning to the Writings so we can develop the habit of “asking the reality of the question from the Interpreter”. Then we need to learn how to share them with “words as mild as milk”, and then leave the results to God, humbly asking Him to plant the truth in the hearts of those we teach.
Knowing I don’t have to dispute with anyone, and can remain silent and avoid controversy, 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 Letting Go of Criticizing Others
Hello Susan,
Today’s posting brought to mind the story in Mr. Adib Taherzadeh’s Revelation of Baha’u’llah, Volume 1, p. 303:
“… at one stage during the ministry of Bahá’u’lláh, there were two major schools of thought among the believers concerning His station. Some believed Him to be the Supreme Manifestation of God, while others went further than this. When Bahá’u’lláh was asked about His station, He confirmed that as long as individuals were sincere in their beliefs, both views were right, but if they argued among themselves or tried to convert each other, both were wrong. This indicates that man because of his finite mind will never be able to understand the true station of the Manifestation of God. The criteria are sincerity and faith. Knowing man’s limitations, God accepts from him what he is able to achieve.
Despite this divergence of view among the early followers of Bahá’u’lláh as to His station, attributable solely to their varying capacities to grasp so exalted a concept, it is of immense significance that the central purpose of His Revelation to bring unity to mankind was never deflected. From its earliest days the Bahá’í community was protected from division and discord, and has continued throughout its eventful history to demonstrate the cohesive and unifying influence which motivates it. Those who recognize Bahá’u’lláh and embrace His Faith come under the shelter of a unity which is spiritual in nature, which surpasses all human limitations, and is derived from the power of God’s Covenant for humanity in this age.”
Fantastic, Mary! Thanks for sharing. I hadn’t read that before!