The Baha'i view of states of consciousness

[YmirGF]

I have read a bit about the Baha's faith but I can't seem to find anything The Bab or Bahá’u’lláh said about the possibility of average people attaining altered states of consciousness such as those described in Buddhism.

Can anyone provide a synopsis of either of these two fine men's opinions on this subject? I would be quite interested and indebted.

For example:

Did either write about "cosmic consciousness". "samadhi" or enlightenment? Did they perhaps write about progressive stages of illumination? I realize these may be trivial questions to some but they are very important questions when taken from my perspective.

Thanks in advance. :flirt:

 

[arthra]

Thanks for your post Ymir and welcome to the Baha'i Faith Board of Religious Forums!

Probably the best know book that's been translated into English that deals with mystical states and consciousness is "The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys".... Most libraries have copies of this book and it is widely available on say Amazon and other book distributors and it is online at

Bahá'í Reference Library - The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys

There is also an essay avaialble on the Baha'i Faith and Buddhism at

Encyclopedia Article: Buddhism and the Baha'i Faith

This will give you hopefully a good background of how Baha'is relate to some of the issues raised in Buddhism.

Please freel free to ask any questions!

- Art

 

[YmirGF]

Based on your recommendation, my interest in the Baha'i point of view is now officially closed.

 

[arthra]

Based on your recommendation, my interest in the Baha'i point of view is now officially closed.

Well that's quite alright Ymir..

My personal belief is that Baha'is are not so much interested in attaining cosmic consciousness for themselves as in living a life in community with others and building the foundations for world peace.

Meditation is encouraged in our Faith but exactly what kind or form it takes is optional ...

Here are some selections on meditation:

"The prayerful condition is the best of all conditions, for man in such
a state communeth with God, especially when prayer is offered in private
and at times when one's mind is free, such as at midnight. Indeed.
prayer imparteth life."

('Abdu'l-Baha, from a recently translated Tablet: Spiritual
Foundations: Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional Attitude, a
compilation of the Universal House of Justice, 1980)

And the following:

"...There are no set forms of meditation prescribed in the
teachings, no plan, as such, for inner development. The friends are
urged--nay enjoined--to pray, and they also should meditate, but the manner of doing the latter is left entirely to the individual...
"The inspiration received through meditation is of a nature that one
cannot measure or determine. God can inspire into our minds things that
we had no previous knowledge of, if He desires to do so."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual
believer, January 25, 1943: Spiritual Foundationsrayer, Meditation,
and the Devotional Attitude, op. cit.)

Hope your search is rewarding!

- Art

 

[Popeyesays]

I have to wonder if the enli9ghtenment of the civilization of man for the future centuries is not just flat out more important than the enloightenment of any individual human being.

Regardes,
Scott

 

[Valjean]

What, exactly, is "the enlightenment of the civilization of man?"

 

[Popeyesays]

What, exactly, is "the enlightenment of the civilization of man?"

From: Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah:

"CIX: O Kamál! The heights which, through the... 1O Kamál! The heights which, through the most gracious favor of God, mortal man can attain, in this Day, are as yet unrevealed to his sight. The world of being hath never had, nor doth it yet possess the capacity for such a revelation. The day, however, is approaching when the potentialities of so great a favor will, by virtue of His behest, be manifested unto men. Though the forces of the nations be arrayed against Him, though the kings of the earth be leagued to undermine His Cause, the power of His might shall stand unshaken. He, verily, speaketh the truth, and summoneth all mankind to the way of Him Who is the Incomparable, the All-Knowing.
2All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. Say: O friends! Drink your fill from this crystal stream that floweth through the heavenly grace of Him Who is the Lord of Names. Let others partake of its waters in My name, that the leaders of men in every land may fully recognize the purpose for which the Eternal Truth hath been revealed, and the reason for which they themselves have been created.

Regards,

Scott

'

 

[mikeward62]

Google 'mystics annonymous' and read the mystical experience of a bahai - an experience project website - its a bit long but worth reading! GBY:angel2:

 

[arthra]

Google 'mystics annonymous' and read the mystical experience of a bahai - an experience project website - its a bit long but worth reading! GBY:angel2:

We don't deny that people can have mystical experiences but it's my view we don't place as much stress on these experiences as much as other groups..

I would also offer the following on "mystical experiences":

True Mystical Experiences Rare

"Regarding your question: In His chapter on 'Visions and Communications with Spirits' in 'Some Answered Questions' the Master evidently desires to point out that there can be, under certain rare circumstances, such as those experienced by the Prophets, communion with some soul gone before into the invisible world, but that most of this type of experience which people often claim to have with departed souls is nothing but the product of their own imaginations-however real it may seem to them to be.
"We have no way of knowing historically, at present, whether the experience Saul had of Samuel was an actual spiritual intercourse. It is not the product of imagination, however, as the Bible unmistakably affirms it.

"Truly mystical experiences based on reality are very rare, and we can readily see how dangerous it is for people to go groping about in the darkness of their imagination after the true thing. That is why, as you point out, we are warned against all psychical practices by the Master.

"If we are going to have some deeply spiritual experience we can rest assured God will vouchsafe it to us without having to look for it."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, dated October 25, 1942, to an individual believer, Ibid, p. 2)
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 514)

The Seven Valleys and the FourValleys revealed by Baha'u'llah when He lived in Kurdistan mountain areas is probably the best known classic in mystical writing for Baha'is:

Bahá'í Reference Library - The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, Pages 36-43

It is believed to be largely modelled after the Conference of the Birds a Sufi composition by Attar...