What `Abdu’l-Bahá Says About Pain, Sorrow

In a talk titled Pain and Sorrow in the book titled Paris Talks, `Abdu’l-Bahá said this world is influenced by the two sentiments of joy and pain.

“Joy gives us wings!” He said. “In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled. The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp, the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries, and we become even as dead beings.”

Does that sound familiar? It should, because `Abdu’l-Bahá said, “There is no human being untouched by these two influences; but all the sorrow and the grief that exist come from the world of matter—the spiritual world bestows only the joy!”

Where does suffering come from and is it something that will be a reality on the next realm of existence?

“If we suffer it is the outcome of material things, and all the trials and troubles come from this world of illusion,” `Abdu’l-Bahá said. “For instance, a merchant may lose his trade and depression ensues. A workman is dismissed and starvation stares him in the face. A farmer has a bad harvest, anxiety fills his mind. A man builds a house which is burnt to the ground and he is straightway homeless, ruined, and in despair.

“All these examples are to show you that the trials which beset our every step, all our sorrow, pain, shame and grief, are born in the world of matter; whereas the spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual joy. The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by, but they only touch the surface of his life; the depths are calm and serene.”

Today, as when `Abdu’l-Bahá gave this talk, “… {H}umanity is bowed down with trouble, sorrow and grief, no one escapes; the world is wet with tears; but, thank God, the remedy is at our doors,”

There is immediate Divine assistance, but one’s heart has to be open, akin to a fertile field is to sown seeds.

“Let us turn our hearts away from the world of matter and live in the spiritual world! It alone can give us freedom!” He said. “If we are hemmed in by difficulties, we have only to call upon God, and by His great Mercy we shall be helped. If sorrow and adversity visit us, let us turn our faces to the Kingdom and heavenly consolation will be outpoured. If we are sick and in distress, let us implore God’s healing, and He will answer our prayer.”

Impediments to prayer may come from within.

“When our thoughts are filled with the bitterness of this world, let us turn our eyes to the sweetness of God’s compassion and He will send us heavenly calm!” He said. “If we are imprisoned in the material world, our spirit can soar into the Heavens and we shall be free indeed!

“When our days are drawing to a close, let us think of the eternal worlds, and we shall be full of joy!”

Have you ever bought something or gone shopping and expected the experience and/or purchase to elevate your mood? Perhaps it did help your mood, but then there is an emptiness that follows.

“You see all round you proofs of the inadequacy of material things — how joy, comfort, peace and consolation are not to be found in the transitory things of the world,” `Abdu’l-Bahá said. “Is it not then foolishness to refuse to seek these treasures where they may be found? The doors of the spiritual Kingdom are open to all, and without is absolute darkness.

“Thank God that you in this assembly have this knowledge, for in all the sorrows of life you can obtain supreme consolation. If your days on earth are numbered, you know that everlasting life awaits you. If material anxiety envelops you in a dark cloud, spiritual radiance lightens your path. Verily, those whose minds are illumined by the Spirit of the Most High have supreme consolation.”

`Abdu’l-Bahá, Who suffered greatly, is the Exemplar of the Bahá’í Faith, putting into practice the guidance in the Writings.

“I myself was in prison forty years — one year alone would have been impossible to bear — nobody survived that imprisonment more than a year!” He said. “But thank God, during all those forty years I was supremely happy! Every day, on waking, it was like hearing good tidings, and every night infinite joy was mine. Spirituality was my comfort, and turning to God was my greatest joy. If this had not been so, do you think it possible that I could have lived through those forty years in prison?

“Thus, spirituality is the greatest of God’s gifts, and ‘Life Everlasting’ means ‘Turning to God.’ May you, one and all, increase daily in spirituality, may you be strengthened in all goodness, may you be helped more and more by the Divine consolation, be made free by the Holy Spirit of God, and may the power of the Heavenly Kingdom live and work among you. This is my earnest desire, and I pray to God to grant you this favor.”