Once again we arrive at the observance of Hallowe’en, which has never been one of my favorite observances and I have heard others express the same sentiment for different reasons. Mine is primarily age-elated as in earlier years, in rural areas in particular, (both with which I am well familiar), especially as a child–when “everywhere was country” as Moms Mably would say when referring to her husband, when he was a child.
In those days Hallowe’en was especially scary with pranks ranging from dangerous to sometimes fatal. Through the years, however things and customs have progressively changed to more friendly and safe door-to-door “trick-or-treat, “trunk-of-treats” and other safe observances, many sponsored by neighborhood churches and other organizations.
Recent reports now classify Hallowe’en as fast becoming one of the most lucrative for holiday spending. But then although all things in nature change, all change is not necessarily for the better for the reality of man is spiritual, not physical. Should he continue to progress mentally, physically and scientifically and not spiritually, his condition will descend to that of a mere animal whose allegiance is limited to himself and his immediate kind. That one who thinks only of one’s self and not of others is actually less than the animal that does not possess the faculty of reason.
“It is animal propensity to live solitary for one’s self, and animal proclivity to look solely after one’s own comfort,” we read in Reflections from Baha’i Teachings. But man was created to be man–to be fair, to be just, merciful and kind to all his spices, never willing to be well-off while others remain in misery and distress. Rather man should be willing, not only to accept hardships for himself that others should also enjoy happiness and wellbeing, thus teaching others by “the dynamic force of example, as this is the attribute of man; this is the becoming of man, otherwise he is less than the animal that has no other choice.
God’s grace is like the rain that comes down that is not bound by the limitations of form. Yet on whatever surface it pours, it takes on limitations, dimensions, appearance, shape and, unconfined, takes on the characteristics of that in which it is contained. With no geometry, limits or form itself, is takes on one form or another according to the restrictions of its vessel.
With all its change and advancement in knowledge, science and technology however, observe how the world remains divided against itself and continues with such hideous, hellacious warfare on so many levels! And while remaining unchanged, prejudice, whether racial, religious, national, cultural, territorial or other, will remain the primary cause of all warfare!
God created ONE earth and ONE mankind to inhabit it,” state excerpts from The Divine Art of Living. Man has no other habitation but has come forth and proclaimed imaginary boundary lines and territorial restrictions extending now into SPACE–as torrents of precious blood continues to be spilled and lives lost in defense of these imaginary divisions under the delusion of a fancied, limited patriotism!
Among the teachings of Baha’u’llah, believed by Baha’is to be the most recent of God’s Messengers in the chain of “Progressive Revelation”…“And the government shall be upon His shoulders,” is that religious, racial, political and patriotic prejudices destroy the edifice of humanity! As long as these prejudices prevail the world of humanity will not have rest…Nothing but the brightness of The Fire of Love will no doubt fuse the unity of the contending peoples and kindreds of the earth!
This sentiment was also more recently expressed in the following statement by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.– “I. believe that unarmed truth and unconditional Love will have the final say” in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant!
