Reflection: Rest & Regeneration in Your Tradition

by John McLaughlin

At our August meeting, IGR members shared contributions on the theme: “Rest and regeneration in your faith tradition”, an interesting theme considering how many of us struggle to balance response to the daily demands of life with the need to maintain our spiritual and physical health as we strive to meet these demands.

Contributions were many and varied, with most contributors sharing calendar-based times for stepping back from work, such as a weekly day of rest, or an annual period of fasting for reflection and spiritual renewal. Social and educational retreats, and summer camps and schools were also mentioned.

Bahá’ís also observe similar personal and collective practices. I think we all agree that in order for us to live productive lives, both spiritually and materially, we must observe moderation with regards to our diet, exercise, and working hours, etc. so that our bodies, emotions and mental powers do not fail us. But ultimately, to what end? What good are a rested, healthy body and mind if they are not dedicated to a higher purpose than self-satisfaction?

Along with Bahá’u’lláh’s admonition that we should observe moderation in all things, in the Bahá’í Holy Writings we are repeatedly urged to abandon rest on the path of service to humanity, because service demands sacrifice. For example:

“Rest not a moment and breathe not a breath of repose until thou becomest a sign of God’s love and a banner of God’s favour.”

In a letter to children, Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, “My highest wish and desire is that ye who are my children may be educated according to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and may receive a Bahá’í training; that ye may each become a lighted candle in the world of humanity, may be devoted to the service of all mankind, may give up your rest and comfort, so that ye may become the cause of the tranquillity of the world of creation.”

And in an often-cited statement, Abdu’l-Bahá, who lived a life totally devoted to service, advised, “Look at me, follow me, be as I am; take no thought for yourselves or your lives, whether ye eat or whether ye sleep, whether ye are comfortable, whether ye are well or ill, whether ye are with friends or foes, whether ye receive praise or blame; for all these things ye must care not at all. Look at me and be as I am; ye must die to yourselves and to the world, so ye shall be born again and enter the kingdom of heaven. Behold the candle, how it gives light. It weeps its life away drop by drop in order to give forth its flame of light.”

So, Bahá’ís are called upon to observe moderation so that we may preserve our health and strength, but also to follow the lofty example of Abdu’l-Bahá on a path of sacrifice and service. Finding the balance is a never-ending challenge, and one which each individual must find on their own.

We have explored rest of the body and mind as a way of maintaining our ability to live productive, service-oriented lives. But now, let us turn to the sense of rest and peace of the heart. No matter how much sleep, relaxation and recreation we fit into our lives, no amount of these will suffice if our hearts are not at peace.

The rest and tranquillity of the heart come from turning toward God, living in harmony with divine teachings, and aligning one's daily thoughts and actions with the love and good pleasure of the Creator. There are many passages in the Bahá’í Holy Scriptures addressing this theme. A few examples include:

“O SON OF MAN! Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the expanse of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our command and humbleness before Our Face.”

“Sanctify your souls from whatsoever is not of God, and taste ye the sweetness of rest within the pale of His vast and mighty Revelation, and beneath the shadow of His supreme and infallible authority.”

“If the heart turns away from the blessings God offers, how can it hope for happiness? If it does not put its hope and trust in God’s Mercy, where can it find rest?”

And regarding prayer, “…when a soul engages in commemoration of the True One, he will naturally feel the rest of soul and tranquillity of heart.”

Daily prayer and meditation on the Word of God, practices prescribed by Bahá’u’lláh, provide moments and means of attaining that restful condition of the heart, while His admonition, “Bring thyself to account each day”, involves daily taking daily stock of one’s spiritual growth, comparing one’s actions today with yesterday, thanking God for progress, and asking for help to do better, as we strive to align our will with the Will of God.

A prayer for inner peace:

“Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquillity on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!”  Bahá’u’lláh