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As I look back at myself as a child, as far back as I can remember I have always been a seeker of beauty. I have often thought of my spiritual journey as one in which I have sought for truth, for goodness, for what is right. Because I know of myself as a severely abused child who always recognized the beauty around me no matter how terrible my life was, I think today that it was my search for beauty itself that led me to survive – and led me to answers that mean a great deal to me today.
These words I read today encapsulate my search, my goal, my belief, my desire. I am not in this search alone. This is the destiny of the entire human race.
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| BEAUTY AND HARMONY IN DIVERSITY |
| “The Creator of all is One God. |
| From this same God all creation sprang into existence, and He is the one goal, towards which everything in nature yearns. This conception was embodied in the words of Christ, when He said, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end’. Man is the sum of Creation, and the Perfect Man is the expression of the complete thought of the Creator—the Word of God. |
| Consider the world of created beings, how varied and diverse they are in species, yet with one sole origin. All the differences that appear are those of outward form and colour. This diversity of type is apparent throughout the whole of nature. |
| Behold a beautiful garden full of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Each flower has a different charm, a peculiar beauty, its own delicious perfume and beautiful colour. The trees too, how varied are they in size, in growth, in foliage—and what different fruits they bear! Yet all these flowers, shrubs and trees spring from the self-same earth, the same sun shines upon them and the same clouds give them rain. |
| So it is with humanity. It is made up of many races, and its peoples are of different colour, white, black, yellow, brown and red—but they all come from the same God, and all are servants to Him. This diversity among the children of men has unhappily not the same effect as it has among the vegetable creation, where the spirit shown is more harmonious. Among men exists the diversity of animosity, and it is this that causes war and hatred among the different nations of the world. |
| Differences which are only those of blood also cause them to destroy and kill one another. Alas! that this should still be so. Let us look rather at the beauty in diversity, the beauty of harmony, and learn a lesson from the vegetable creation. If you beheld a garden in which all the plants were the same as to form, colour and perfume, it would not seem beautiful to you at all, but, rather, monotonous and dull. The garden which is pleasing to the eye and which makes the heart glad, is the garden in which are growing side by side flowers of every hue, form and perfume, and the joyous contrast of colour is what makes for charm and beauty. So is it with trees. An orchard full of fruit trees is a delight; so is a plantation planted with many species of shrubs. It is just the diversity and variety that constitutes its charm; each flower, each tree, each fruit, beside being beautiful in itself, brings out by contrast the qualities of the others, and shows to advantage the special loveliness of each and all. |
| Thus should it be among the children of men! The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord. If you meet those of different race and colour from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness. Think of them as different coloured roses growing in the beautiful garden of humanity, and rejoice to be among them. |
| Likewise, when you meet those whose opinions differ from your own, do not turn away your face from them. All are seeking truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one. |
| Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow-men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts. |
| Rather, search diligently for the truth and make all men your friends. |
| Every edifice is made of many different stones, yet each depends on the other to such an extent that if one were displaced the whole building would suffer; if one is faulty the structure is imperfect. |
| Bahá’u’lláh has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the reality of unity in our midst, and as we work, so will strength be given unto us. Leave all thought of self, and strive only to be obedient and submissive to the Will of God. In this way only shall we become citizens of the Kingdom of God, and attain unto life everlasting.” |
- Author: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Paris Talks, Addresses Given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in 1911, 12th edition 1995, pages 43-46
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Stop the Storm 
Hi alchemynow :). You picked out the best quotes. I like that the reading is very gentle yet not hiding from truth.
It speaks about the fact that we are the same – for good or not and also recognising the value in diversity. I had
A Bahai friend years ago.. Very gentle guy.
Irritability – yes! I’ve also had a foggy brain but there’s always something we can do to feel connected to the earth again.
I woke at 2am our time today! So I’m about to go back to that happy state, hope you sleep better!
X
xoxoxo!!!
I really like what is said about appreciating diversity and loving all kinds of people.
I recently watched the movie Confucious which I enjoyed – this reading reminded me
Of some of his words.
Just now I was reading about ptsd and soul wounds – that every situation/ friendship that
Touches these wounds is a teacher. I also think that every good thing we experience – especially
If it involves others is a teacher. My resolve is to do things for others no matter how small so
That I can have some of that contact with diversity and ‘outside’. I liked what you said about
Sadness not being who we are.
O well, I’m going back to sleep after waking a bit too early this morning!
Take care.. X
Hi Dear Gingercat! I am happy to have you read and visit – glad! I woke 3 am again today – too early! In this reading today I especially appreciated ……
“Among men exists the diversity of animosity, and it is this that causes war and hatred among the different nations of the world.”
Diversity of animosity! Getting RID of that one every little way possible, and in the big ways….
Depression often creates ‘irritability’ – and I really try to watch that in myself, calm myself down, not lash out — trying really hard to THINK positively…
I liked this
“The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord.”
and THIS
“Likewise, when you meet those whose opinions differ from your own, do not turn away your face from them. All are seeking truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one.”
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I hope you have a restful sleep tonight! blessings!! xo