This work is more than a journey to personal transformation and spiritual fulfillment:
If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, what am I? _Rabbi Hillel
Three words can symbolize our invisible connection to one another. They are “alone” and “all one.” The only thing that separates them is one letter, the letter l, which I think of as standing for love. “All one” and “alone” are identical concepts. Within every cell in the universe there is a sense of aloneness, as well as a sense of all-oneness, existing simultaneously.43 _Wayne Dyer
This work is also about transforming the planet, about bringing peace and harmony to our divided world.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Christ, Matt. 5:9).
It is about building a global society in which the people of diverse races and cultures, like the flowers of one garden, blend and bloom in perfect charm; a world in which the talents of its citizens, like tiny droplets of rain, draw light and warmth from the “Sun” and make magnificent rainbows—the arches of prosperity and peace that stand high, the arms of hope and harmony that embrace our whole planet.
Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create…They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord…Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear…They will neither harm nor destroy in all my holy mountain… _Isaiah 65:17-25
The following quotations from the Bahá’í Scriptures express the most urgent message for our time. If heeded, they can transform the planet and its people:
Let your vision be world-embracing, rather than confined to your own self.44
The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord.45
Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow-men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts.46
You must…look toward each other and then toward mankind with the utmost love and kindness…You must, therefore, be kind to all men; you must even treat your enemies as your friends. You must consider your evil-wishers as your well- wishers.47
We need not create a melting pot of peoples but a magnificent mosaic of many cultures and colors that fit together with perfect harmony. We need to learn to dance together to the music of heaven without stepping on each other’s toes.
The world is in desperate need of spiritual and social transformation. The distress calls are heard everywhere. We need to act before the poison of despair paralyzes the human race. “A young mother, paying a visit to her doctor, was making no attempt to restrain her 5-year-old son who was ransacking an adjoining treatment room. Finally, an extra loud clatter of bottles prompted her to say, ‘I hope you don’t mind Johnny being in your examination room, Doctor.’ ‘Not at all,’ said the doctor calmly. ‘He’ll quiet down in a moment when he gets to the poison cabinet.’” The human race is quickly approaching the poison. Many have already lost consciousness.
We are living in the most critical time in history. The opportunities that we now have for universal peace, for spiritual knowledge, for personal transformation and fulfillment may never come again.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die…a time to weep, and a time to laugh…a time to gain, and a time to lose…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…_Ecclesiastes 3:1- 7
Seize, O friends, the chance which this Day offereth you, and deprive not yourselves of…His grace.48 _Bahá’u’lláh
Seize the time, therefore, ere the glory of the divine springtime hath spent itself, and the Bird of Eternity ceased to warble its melody, that thy inner hearing may not be deprived of hearkening unto its call. This is My counsel unto thee and unto the beloved of God. Whosoever wisheth, let him turn thereunto; whosoever wisheth, let him turn away. God, verily, is independent of him and of that which he may see and witness.49 _Bahá’u’lláh
Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live…Seek the Lord while he may be found… _Isaiah 55:3, 6
Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, if put into practice, can change the life and destiny of every human being on this planet. The world does not wait for anyone. The time to choose the course of our eternal destiny is now.
God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose. Take which you please—you can never have both. _Ralph Waldo Emerson
Love was offered me and I shrank from its disillusionment; sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid; ambition called to me, but I dreaded the chances. Yet all the while I hungered for meaning in my life. And now I know that we must lift the sail and catch the winds of destiny… _Edgar Lee Masters
Will the door to the heavenly Banquet, to God’s “many mansions” always remain open?
Many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. _Christ (Luke 13:24)
O my friends…! Haste ye forth unto your celestial habitation. Announce unto yourselves the joyful tidings: “He Who is the Best-Beloved is come! He hath crowned Himself with the glory of God’s Revelation, and hath unlocked to the face of men the doors of His ancient Paradise.” Let all eyes rejoice, and let every ear be gladdened, for now is the time to gaze on His beauty…50 _Bahá’u’lláh
Arise for the triumph of My cause, that while yet on earth thou mayest obtain the victory.51 _Bahá’u’lláh
Ere long, they will awake from their slumber, and find themselves unable to obtain that which hath escaped them in the days of their Lord, the Almighty, the All- Praised.52 _Bahá’u’lláh
