Directives From The Guardian Part 9

91: GUIDANCE (QUESTION OF)

"The question of Guidance is a very subtle one. We cannot be positive that an impulse or a dream is guidance. We can seek, through earnest prayer and longing, sincerely to do G.o.d's will, His guidance. We can try, as you say, to emulate the Master and at all times live up to the teachings, but we cannot be sure that doing these things we are still making no mistakes and are perfectly guided. These things help us not to make so many mistakes and to receive more directly the guidance G.o.d seeks to give us."

92: HANDS OF THE CAUSE--INSt.i.tUTIONS (STATION AND FUNCTION--WHEN MENTIONED IN WRITING)

"The rank and position of the Hands of the Cause are superior to the position of the National a.s.semblies. In writing concerning the Hands, therefore, when there is reference to the Inst.i.tutions of the Faith, after the Guardian should be mentioned the Hands, and then the National Bodies..."

93: HAZiRATU'L-QUDS (FUNCTIONS OF)

"While the National Office in Wilmette, designated by the Guardian as Haziratu'l-Quds, is primarily an administrative center, its use should by no means be confined to purely administrative work, but should include such activities of a social and intellectual character, both local and national, as can best establish its character as the foremost teaching and administrative center of the Faith throughout the States."

"As a teaching center, where Baha'i lectures, conferences, meetings, whether local, regional or national, could be held, the Haziratu'l-Quds can also prove of invaluable help, and the N.S.A. should indeed see to it that the necessary facilities are provided in the building for that purpose. But thus combining these three features, namely teaching, administrative, and social the Haziratu'l-Quds can best fulfill its mission, as the visible symbol of the steadily-growing National Baha'i Community in Northern America, and as the chief rallying center for all its activities and plans throughout that Continent."

94: HEALING

"The Guardian knows nothing about your kind of healing... But he can lay down for your guidance certain broad principles: There is no such thing as Baha'i healers or a Baha'i type of healing. In His Most Holy Book (the Aqdas) Baha'u'llah says to consult the best physicians, in other words, doctors who have studied a scientific system of medicine; He never gave us to believe, He Himself would heal us through 'Healers' but rather through prayer and the a.s.sistance of medicine and approved treatments. Now, as long as your healing is in no opposition to these principles, as long as you do not try and take the place of a regular doctor in trying to heal others, but only give them your kind of help through constructive suggestion--or whatever it may be--and do not a.s.sociate this help with being a channel of the direct grace of Baha'u'llah, the Guardian sees no harm in your continuing your a.s.sistance to others. But you must conscientiously decide whether, in view of the above, you are really justified in continuing. He will pray for your guidance and happiness."

95: HEROISM IS NEEDED

"These, indeed, are the days when heroism is needed on the part of the believers. Self-sacrifice, courage, indomitable hope and confidence are characteristics they should show forth, because these very attributes cannot but fix the attention of the public and lead them to enquire what, in a world so hopelessly chaotic and bewildered, leads these people to be so a.s.sured, so confident, so full of devotion? Increasingly, as time goes by, the characteristics of the Baha'is will be that which captures the attention of their fellow-citizens. They must show their aloofness from the hatreds and recriminations which are tearing at the hearts of humanity, and demonstrate by deed and word their profound belief in the future peaceful unification of the entire human race."

96: HIDDEN WORDS (ARABIC)

"As to the pa.s.sage No. 13 of the Arabic Hidden Words: That which Baha'u'llah declares we can find abiding within us is the power of the Divine Spirit, the reflection of the light of His Revelation. This reflection of the Divine Spirit, however, can in no way be compared to the Revelation which G.o.d discloses to His Prophets and Messengers. The similarity in the terminology should not confuse this distinction which is most fundamental."

97: HOLY DAYS--BAHa'i

"He wishes the Baha'is to press for recognition of their right to observe their own Holy Days, and to observe them whenever possible in strict accordance with our teachings."

"He wishes also to stress the fact that, according to the Baha'i laws, work is forbidden on our nine Holy Days. Believers who have independent businesses or shops should refrain from working on these days. Those who are in government employ should, on religious grounds, make an effort to be excused from work; all believers, whoever their employers, should do likewise. If the government or other employers refuse to grant them these days off, they are not required to forfeit their employment, but they should make every effort to have the independent status of the Faith recognized and their right to hold their own religious Holy Days acknowledged."

98: HOLY DAYS OF OTHER RELIGIONS

"As regards the celebration of the Christian Holiday by the believers; it is surely preferable and even highly advisable that the friends should in their relation to each other discontinue observing such holidays as Christmas and New Years, and to have their festival gatherings of this nature instead during the Intercalary Days and Naw-Ruz...."

99: HOLY SHRINE (BELIEVERS TURN TO THE)

"He feels the drawing of the hearts together, as the believers turn towards the Holy Shrine, will produce a greater love and unity amongst the friends, and attract the blessings of Baha'u'llah."

100: HOSTS OF HIS TESTAMENT (THE)

"'The Hosts of His Testament' refers to those who are firm in the Will and Testament of Baha'u'llah and who defend and uphold it."

101: CORD (MEANING OF)