7 Jun
2012

Posted in: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Editorial, Peace, Promulgation of Universal Peace, Spiritual Qualities
By Sofie    1 Comment

The Divine Physician

During His stay in New York, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed mankind’s need for love and unity twice (these addresses can be read here and here).  His discourse, which is filled with the imagery of disease and healing, is a refreshing yet penetrating reminder that still resonates today (perhaps more strongly than ever before).  On the 8^th of June 1912 He stated:

In the hearts of men no real love is found, and the condition is such that, unless their susceptibilities are quickened by some power so that unity, love and accord may develop within them, there can be no healing, no agreement among mankind.

What is the power He spoke of here?  It is not science, patriotism or racial allegiance, He explained, but:

The spiritual teachings of the religion of God can alone create this love, unity and accord in human hearts.

Nine days later the Master returned to the idea that the human heart is the central locus of transformation and that a Divine Physician is needed to cure the ills of the world.  On the one hand He gave us a key to how we, as individuals, can contribute to healing the world.  He explained that, as kindness and compassion are needed in our relationships with individuals who are sick, so too is the world of humanity in dire need of the manifestation of these spiritual, unifying virtues.  What would our lives look like if we applied the following, very practical, advice about friendship and its resulting happiness to our relationships with those individuals around us and also to the collective body of mankind?

We should all visit the sick. When they are in sorrow and suffering, it is a real help and benefit to have a friend come. Happiness is a great healer to those who are ill.

On the other hand ‘Abdu’l-Bahá elaborated on what “the religion of God” is and how we humans have access to it.  He explained that it has been brought to us throughout time by the different Manifestations of God and that Bahá’u’lláh, being the most recent one, brought spiritual remedies adapted to the needs of this particular time just as all the previous Manifestations did.  Living one’s life according to the current Divine Physician’s Teachings of peace and unity is “the secret of everlasting health” – it is not only a form of protection; it is also to the benefit of those around us and the world at large.

It is my hope that you may assist in healing the sick body of the world through these teachings so that eternal radiance may illumine all the nations of mankind.

Photo by Fiona Gohari, www.nineteenmonths.com