Is there enough kindness and understanding?

[Pilosofia]

This question came about while reading the Bahai posts and other
religious post throughtout the internet.

Are the Bahai's friendly? is there enough understanding and love
among various religious groups?

In my opinion, the outward practice of fellowship is seen, at the core
within the mind where the reality of who we are appears different or
at odds when conflicts arise which are not constructive or peaceful
leaves me to question if there isn't a better way?

I believe there is, and I'm sure most will agree more work needs to
be done with each one examining themself for answers by not only
reading the Sacred Scriptures but by prayfully thinking it through.

I too have fallen from understanding and living what I believe, I just
do not stay down, by arising and asking forgiviness of God and start
again towards spiritual progress whether it is ten times or hundred
times, never, never give up !

[majnun]

My guess is that a few special lines of texts may
hold fair answers to the questions you just mentionned.

It has to do with concentration true a mental lense, if we concentrate
too much, like the rays of the sun passing trough the lense (crystal),
it will make "fire", mentally speaking. (hmmm.... valley 4 out of 7).

A lack of concentration (or focus), will produce only separated views,
described briefly in valley 4, by the 3 colored globes (i.e. the 3 preceding valleys), hence producing tensions in interpersonal communications.

On various religious forums, the "I-need-to-prove-i-am-right" mentality is easy to feel. We do it with arguments, citations from the scripture we get our training from, or simply by personal comparisons with the one person we answer a post to. Any efforts made to convince other groups that
we have a better solution than theirs, is a wast-o-time, if we used words only.

Religiously speaking, it is a bit like many egos living under the same roof, but every ego wish to choose one single direction for the whole group.

Ozzy wish to go to Fidji, his wife hopes for Bora Bora, the daughter longs for Hawai, and so on. Each one talks for his/her egocentrical envies.
Who is going to win ? After all, vacations are supposed to be fun and re-energysing.

Religion shoud be fun too, like a hobby we really like and enjoy.

Majnun.
.

[brettz9]

Very much agreed...

I think we need a feminization of our discourse here, to bring a little more balance, huh?...(as we could use in our leadership, in the media, and other areas as well)

"O SON OF DUST! Verily I say unto thee: Of all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. Say, O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.

[farid]

It's important to note the difference between disputing idly and discussing matters based on logic. Also advancing over another is different from tryting to show what you think is correct. Logical talks with the intention of showing what is the right thing helps casting light on issues and provokes minds to think deeper. We know many Bahai books defending the faith , in which all the author has done is to try to show that what he thinks is the truth is the truth.
On the other hand , if the intention is only to advance over another, then other methods other than logic will be used, since it is not an attempt to reach to truth anymore , but it's rather a fight. No rules is obeserved in a fight. Now it turns into idle dispute
In such a case , one involoved in this, stresses on his position without having any proof, or even worse than this takes refuge in foul-language in condemning others.

[brettz9]

Yes, this is true too...But there is also the need to try to do so in a manner which does not offend....Some people are even gleeful in exposing the mistakes of others, which is not worthy, even if they are technically correct...Modern academic discussions often are sadly also wholly lacking in this aspect. Courtesy, concealing of sins, and so on, is just not considered... Or, there are the others who live in such darkness that their only joy comes from attempting to depress the cherished beliefs or ideas of others. What a truly pitiful state for a person to be in...

[Pilosofia]

Thank you friends for your response, it has truly warmed my heart to
read the thoughts that come from understanding and the willingness
to appreciate one another's opinion.

Peace,
Pilosofia

[Pilosofia]

Thank you for the Seven Valley's, I have learned much, in fact I would
to like make a copy of it with your permission Majnun.

Peace,
Pilosofia

[majnun]

Oh go ahead dear friend.
My little commentaries are only temporary
states of minds. There are many things
so many concepts and spiritual notions in the Valleys
that I still don’t understand. The visions of John Wrigley,
on the “Planet Baha’i” site, is the most inspired I ever read on
the “valleys” tablets. It is a more serious analysis than my comments.

Majnun.
.

[Pilosofia]

Thank you majnun, as always I appreciate your thoughts.
Pilosofia