Devotional Poetry

Virtues (19 Poems)

1
Purity Defined

Purity is the freedom from corrupting elements.
Is this achieved by withdrawing from the world?
The way to achieve independence is to live in society.
Freedom doesn't come from withdrawing! The only thing that comes
From receding from association is loneliness.
Corrupting influences can be found even in monasteries.
Elements that contaminate are everywhere!

2
Search

The door closed tight to everyone
Save seekers of the truth
I opening now for me.

3
Lowliness Is Protection From Elevating Ourselves Above Others

Lowliness is protection from elevating ourselves above others.
Is there any othe way to shield the soul from arrogance?
Protection from vainglorious actions helps advance the soul.
From the point of view of spirituality this is good.
Elevating the person over humanity causes adjustment difficulties for
Ourselves and humankind.
Above all else remember we are all children of God.
Others must be treated with respect.

4
A Token of Justice

As a token of justice
God has sent tidings,
to all of His Manifestations
concerning the cause of His Remembrance.

5
Love Is A Choice And A Commitment

Love is a choice and a commitment.
Is there any other way to define it?
A decision to see the best in others, despite their actions.
Choice leads directly to the duty to seek humanity's best interest.
And this means to love humanity as you would love God.
A responsibility to treat others as you would be treated.
Commitment is a the choice to love God and humanity.

6
Straight Path of God

What is the straight path of God?
The Path of His Remembrance!

7
Steadfastness

Strive to live a Baha'i life,
Teach the Cause of God,
Each day meditate on the sacred scriptures,
Attempt obedience to the laws and ordinances of Baha'u'llah,
Deepen in the sacred writings,
Fast,
Attend the Nineteen-Day Feast regularly,
Strive to commemorate the Holy Days,
The Fund: give regularly,
Never backbite,
Each day say an obligatory prayer,
Service to humanity,
Strive to live a Baha'i Life.

8
Obedience To God's Will

The Will of God
will be done in this day
whether or not we obey.

To live in the reality
of God's love we must strive
to obey God's commands.

9
Detachment is the Ability to Move Beyond Personal Preferences

Detachment is the ability to move beyond personal preferences!
Is there any other way of letting go?
The total liberation of nirvana is nothing more then our
Ability let go of the vanity, conceit, pride, and narcissism of matter.
To do this we must turn to God; turn to His Manifestation, and
Move to spirituality.
Beyond the confines of our attachment to mortal reality, our
Personal reality, as human beings--as children of God--can be found.
Preferences that attach us to material existence destroys the soul.

10
Dare to Be Different

Open your mouth
and speak the name of the Beloved.

Express your faith in words of kindness
and deeds of love.

Blessings descend
upon those who proclaim
God's new name.

11
Radiance's Ability

Radiance is the ability to share our happiness!
Is there any other joy in life?
The pleasure of sharing is a spiritual attribute.
Ability to share is developed through practice.
To show joy is the duty of God's servants.
Share God's love with humanity.
Our pleasure is found in spirituality.
Happiness is achieved through service to God.

12
Nonviolence

The paramount virtue
is nonviolence ...
non injury.

Nonviolence
is the true believer's
natural response.

Humanity's
true nature is
nonviolence.

Nonviolence or violence
is the choice
freewill is given.

13
A Token of Grace

A token of Thy grace, O Lord,
is sufficient to set the world ablaze,
to awaken out of a dreamless sleep the nightingales of dawn,
to call from the tombs of heedlessness the Children of Thy Book,
to burn to ashes the birds of hate and fear,
and to raise the Phoenix of love to life.

14
Virtues Defined

The visible record of spirituality
is the virtues reflected
by humanity.

15
Humility Defined

Humility is the point between a proud, boastful nature and low self-esteem!
Isthere any better definition for humility?
The arrogant nature is independent of God and humanity.
Point between the two extremes is the constraint placed on the soul.
Between arrogance and fear is the balance that reveals reality.
A person needs balance in their life.
Proud, arrogant natures are unstable in their approach to existence.
Boastful, pompous, natures are unbalanced in their concept of reality.
Nature (character) must be balanced between the two extreme of arrogance
And fear for true happiness.
Low regard of one's abilities lead to contempt of self.
Self-esteem must be balanced for the individual to be happy!

16
Faith Defined

Faith is a process
of steps toward the Beloved;
the Point of Adoration.

17
The Ultimate Theology

The paramount virtue
is nonviolence..
noninjury.

The true believers'
natural response
is nonviolence.

Humanity's karma,
the human being's true nature,
is non violence.

Violence or nonviolence
is the choice
freewill is given.

18
Is Hope

Is hope,
as some have said,
a desire for the tangible reality
of an item?

Is hope
a crystal goblet
reflecting the light of faith?

Is hope
a glass chain
attached to matter's plain?

Is hope,
as others have said,
a creature with feathers
that lays snuggled in the heart?

19
A Fragile Thing Is Hope!

A fragile thing is Hope!
Fragile when attached to a material
Thing. It shatters so easily when the material object
Is removed. When the object's attainment is gone,
Hope flies out the window.

Poet's Note: ▼

I wrote these sometime in 149 B.E. The inspiration was a deepening on the Baha'i scriptures about virtues.