It is written in the Holy Bible “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
In view of this revelation, we should exert every effort to purify our thoughts by avoiding individuals, trends, habits, or whatever tends to have a more negative than positive influence on those thoughts. To do otherwise will not only frustrate and contaminate our own thoughts but the thoughts of others within our environment. But in our fast-paced, people-programmed society, who even finds (or creates) the time to think? We hit the remote control upon arising and allow television to program our thoughts and emotions until leaving for work, school, or whatever destination during which time we are conversing on the cell phone or sending text messages with no time to think outside each self-imposed box. However, thought purification does not come automatically upon recognition of its need or merits. A deliberate concerted, conscientious effort is needed. Nor can we lift ourselves by our own bootstraps. It requires concentration on how we were created and communication with our Creator (prayer). Through such regular communication (which requires talking and acquiring the art of listening) we become better able to distinguish between those things that exalt us and those that reduce us to lower terms.
If one has low self-esteem, their actions will be governed by low standards while those who are encouraged and inspired to excel will be more likely to aspire to their fullest potential. In so doing we are encouraged in the Baha’i Holy Writings to “Be patient with ourselves, lest we become discouraged and to be patient with others lest we become a source of discouragement to them.” We must also be keenly aware of the fine line between patience and overindulgence.
It is very difficult to create a tranquil atmosphere in today’s “high-density” society which has everyone hooked on hype. How many years ago did Russian Soviet leader Joseph Stalin remark: “You don’t need to lay a hand on America. She will destroy herself with her morals and her music,” both extremely influential– just look about us. Infants, children, and youth are being increasingly exposed to offensive, degrading sights and sounds with little or no purity of thought or intent to balance the degradation. The effect of music has long been proven to have a prime influence on its hearers. Numerous experiments also claim or have proven that soothing music has a positive effect on plants and animals including increased milk production from cows and higher IQs in classrooms.
Man alone of all created beings has the power to control his thoughts, through choice and not succumb to being perpetually controlled by them. The physical infant is controlled by emotions until mature enough to control those emotions, Likewise the spiritual infant will remain ever controlled by the music and hype spoon-fed it until it matures enough to exercise control over and some balance through the dangerous weapon of choice.
With the approach of Spring (the vernal equinox) also emerges a new Spiritual Springtime–choose to investigate! For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he!
