I had another very uplifting conversation last night with another friend. we talked about spirituality in conversations, being willing to bring up topics that are a level above the routine topics of conversation (weather, sports, work, etc - see here). we had a very good talk about it, not really making any concrete step-by-step plans or so, but mostly just about being the one who "dares"/wants to bring these topics up with people that you know will "support" and encourage you and be interested in conversations about spiritual ideas. eventually people will catch on, because hopefully these topics will be more interesting to talk about than the usual stuff. maybe just by listening at first, and then joining in - everyone has interesting ideas and thoughts, it's just a matter of giving them the opportunity to talk about it.
it was a very giving conversation, so I turned out to be staying up more than an hour than I have planned. and at the end of it she sent me this quote, which I found really interesting and worth thinking about:
In this day, to thank God for His bounties consisteth in possessing a radiant heart, and a soul open to the promptings of the spirit. This is the essence of thanksgiving.
As for offering thanks by speaking out or writing, although this is indeed acceptable, yet when compared with that other thanksgiving, it is only a semblance and unreal; for the essential thing is these intimations of the spirit, these emanations from the deep recess of the heart. It is my hope that thou wilt be favoured therewith.
Regarding one's lack of capacity and one's undeserving on the Day of Resurrection, this does not cause one to be shut out from gifts and bounties; for this is not the Day of Justice but the Day of Grace, while justice is allotting to each whatever is his due. Then look thou not at the degree of thy capacity, look thou at the boundless favour of Bahá'u'lláh; all-encompassing is His bounty, and consummate His grace.
it was a very giving conversation, so I turned out to be staying up more than an hour than I have planned. and at the end of it she sent me this quote, which I found really interesting and worth thinking about:
In this day, to thank God for His bounties consisteth in possessing a radiant heart, and a soul open to the promptings of the spirit. This is the essence of thanksgiving.
As for offering thanks by speaking out or writing, although this is indeed acceptable, yet when compared with that other thanksgiving, it is only a semblance and unreal; for the essential thing is these intimations of the spirit, these emanations from the deep recess of the heart. It is my hope that thou wilt be favoured therewith.
Regarding one's lack of capacity and one's undeserving on the Day of Resurrection, this does not cause one to be shut out from gifts and bounties; for this is not the Day of Justice but the Day of Grace, while justice is allotting to each whatever is his due. Then look thou not at the degree of thy capacity, look thou at the boundless favour of Bahá'u'lláh; all-encompassing is His bounty, and consummate His grace.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá -
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