Selections from the Writings of His Holiness 'Abdu'l-Bahá'
translated by Khazeh Fananapazir
Chapter 3
On Spiritual Health
Síhhat-i-Rúhání
Thou[1] didst
ask a question: what is the cause of illnesses and afflictions? The causes are
many and various. For some souls, illnesses and afflictions are as a punishment
for deeds perpetrated, for others it is the cause of them becoming reminded that
they should not become attached to this ephemeral world. In this instance,
therefore, trials and calamities are a bounty from God because in the eastern
countries, when a kind mother wants to wean off her suckling babe from breast
milk so that it can nourish itself on delicious foods, the mother would cover
the breast with a bitter ointment so that its bitterness would result in the
baby experiencing a revulsion and thereby it would be weaned off breast feeding.
Similarly, the all loving God has created, in this ephemeral world, illnesses
and afflictions so that human beings may not become engrossed and involved in
this transient world. Furthermore, every composition will undergo a
decomposition. It is impossible that any elementally composed entity be not
decomposed. These ailments and afflictions are the cause of the body’s
decline, for, otherwise the composition of the elements of the human body will
remain forever. Nevertheless, physical comfort and spiritual tranquillity are
both necessary and desirable because both prolong life and therefore it is
necessary to have the benefit of a perfect spiritual life and a perfect human
progress. Both are wanted, but the fundamental essence of life is the spirit. If
the spiritual life and its purpose is present, then even though there be
deficiencies in the physical life, no major handicap will result. Yet, if the
spiritual life itself is deficient, even though the physical life may be
defective yet there is no benefit it will be futile and at the end it will
result in evident loss, sorrow, and lamenting will be the consequence on the
last day.
Note
- Recipient
and date of this Tablet are unknown (MW’s note).
|
