health and healing; material and spiritual healing
Editorial introduction
To look after the sick, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says, is one of the greatest duties. Bahá’u’lláh sends the ill to competent physicians and confirms material means with His own Pen; the physician He describes heals first through remembrance of God and then through medicine, marked by trustworthiness, tenderness and the fear of the Lord as much as by skill. Prayer and treatment are two ways of healing that do not quarrel, each fitted to a different kind of cause. Care also takes humbler forms: a quiet room, a single nurse, rest, good news at a bedside, the happiness ‘Abdu’l-Bahá calls a great healer. The Samaritan who binds wounds, pays the innkeeper and promises to return shows mercy as sustained labour [1]. Health is never an end in itself but strength lent for service, which is why hearts can fall ill as bodies do and a whole world may be called an ailing patient. The way leads on through prayer for healing, through the moderation and balance a sound constitution rests on, and toward the Physician who comes for the sickness of humanity itself.
O thou servant of God! To look after the sick is one of the greatest duties. Every soul who becomes sick, the other friends should certainly offer the life (of service) in the utmost kindness.
For the physician, the first qualifications are: Good intentions, trustworthiness, tenderness, sympathy for the sick, truthfulness, integrity, and the fear of the Lord. With life and heart strive thou to be both a spiritual and physical physician.
Regarding what you wrote about one of the handmaidens of God who used opium for pain and who, after the prohibition was declared, abandoned it and nearly perished - the divine decree is that the patient must follow the physician's directions, but the physician must be skilled. In such case, whatever is prescribed must be followed, for the preservation of human life is, in God's sight, greater than any other matter. God, exalted be His glory, hath given precedence to the science of medicine, for in the existence and health of the body lies the obligation to carry out His laws. Thus health was and shall remain of primary importance.
Consider how much trouble it is to cure a single patient, and yet these governments slaughter millions and millions. Is it not true that you exert great efforts to heal just one sick person? Indeed, we save one by one, and they annihilate ranks upon ranks.
In treating the poor, the weak, the needy and the strangers, provide blessed healing and guide them to health and wellbeing. And in spiritual healing and guidance of human souls, breathe an effective breath - become a guide to every lost one, and free every prisoner of diseases of heart and soul from the darkness and bondage of the world of nature. Cast upon them rays of light and apply the greatest antidote, so that through destined grace you may provide immediate remedy to every deprived poisoned soul and become an easy cure for the incurable pain of error.
Due to lack of time to attend to the requirements of the patient regarding physician, medicine and nourishment, We have decided that he should return to 'Akka and rest there. We beseech God to adorn it with the ornament of healing and to change his illness into health. Verily, He hath power over whatsoever He willeth, and He is the Single, the One, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
For instance, they must say, "Since the Blessed Beauty has willed that I be a servant of the world of humanity, then I will serve this patient, remedy his ills, sooth his pains, treat his injuries, and give him all the comfort he needs."
Furthermore, do not allow too many people to frequent his bedside, and let only a single person remain in the room to nurse the ill. Let the ill rest. The very air of tranquility will affect a cure. That is, once calm, serenity and peace have surrounded the ailing, they will greatly benefit his condition. Conversely, if many come, each visitor speaking his opinion, tarrying for a while, engaging the ill in conversation, then, obviously, he will be fatigued. There is nothing better than calm and quite.
O physician! Seek thou the wisdom of spiritual healers and the medicine of the Baha'is. Treat the sick with divine glad-tidings, and heal the ailing with the supreme elixir of the All-Merciful's joy. Nurse the patient with hope and good news, and strengthen the weak with divine gladness.
No treatment is better for the sick than spiritual joy and delight, and joy and happiness are confined to divine glad-tidings. This is a remedy for every ill, a healing for every ailment, and a quenching for every thirst.
The science of medicine hath been, in the sight of God, the most distinguished and exalted of all sciences. Indeed, it is through His leave the preserver of human bodies from diverse ailments. Therefore, whosoever engageth in and acquireth this noble science is well-pleasing in the sight of God. Verily, the reward of him who healeth the servants is with God, the Lord of the worlds. And whatsoever he receiveth from the people is lawful and pure unto him.
Indeed, the station of both these is most exalted, for it hath been previously stated: "Knowledge of bodies and knowledge of religions," with knowledge of bodies being given precedence, for if health be lacking, memory becomes impaired and the faculty of understanding grows cold. But when health is attained, both the outward and inward senses remain firm in their respective stations and engaged in their service.
And since between physical medicine and spiritual wisdom there exists perfect correspondence and true similarity, exact in every detail, such that even the particular points between these two sciences are in complete agreement and harmony - there being absolutely no difference or disparity in the diagnosis of illnesses, the balancing of constitution, the arrangement of treatment, the care of the sick and ailing, and the kindness shown to the infirm and bedridden - therefore the spiritual physician who must arise to treat souls sick with inner maladies should take his cue from physical medicine in all treatments and proceed accordingly.
The decisive command of God is that the sick must consult a skilled physician and act upon whatever he prescribes.
O Afnan of the Sacred Tree! Your separation has affected us and day by day our longing increases. However, one must obey the command of God and submit to medical opinion. Thus, thou hast undertaken this journey to comply with His command and not for the sake of healing, since healing is in the hand of God, not in the hand of doctors.
Whenever sickness prevails and health is disturbed, seek the counsel of a competent physician. Protection of one's well-being and health is repeatedly enjoined in the Qur'an.
As in this Dispensation consultation with expert doctors is highly advisable and acting in accordance with their prescriptions obligatory, it is well for her to undergo an operation if deemed necessary by such doctors.
A.B.: The Blessed Beauty says that when man becomes ill he should refer to a doctor, for he knows how to diagnose the illness. However much a man may have done carpentering (or learned carpentering), the carpenter is always better. A learned man may try to become a chauffeur but he will not be like a real (trained?) chauffeur - one who has studied in college, naturally such a one is better.
It is impossible to study medicine in Iran, since they teach [traditional] Iranian medicine, which is obsolete. It is the modern techniques of medicine that must be acquired. For that purpose, Europe is better.
O servant of God! Although for several years you have been a wanderer far from home and distant from your familiar homeland, yet praise be to God, you have studied medicine, the noblest of arts. When you return to Iran you will become a peerless physician and renowned doctor, for there are few persons like yourself in Iran who have studied medicine for several years in major colleges. Therefore, in the end all your efforts shall be compensated.
And as for your situation, surely medicine and surgery take precedence over other paths.
I wanted you to stay here and practice medicine since all the doctors have been taken away and a vast field for practice is available. I once asked a British physician, "Why do you not practice medicine in your own country?" He responded, "I do not have the same opportunities for practice. Several doctors must gather and consult for every surgery. Then they closely scrutinize to see if the primary physician has committed an error or not. There are also many other obstructions. But here I perform twenty surgeries every day [without any interventions]."
For instance, the search for alchemy has brought into being thousands of useful medicines and the desire of finding a direct route to India from Europe became the cause of the discovery of America.
As to vivisection, however, it is productive of scientific discoveries and medical advantages which contribute to the welfare of all mankind. Perhaps through the vivisection of one animal discoveries may be made which will become the cause of life to a billion people.
If some one suffered with gout, it is so troublesome he prefers death, but his mind works intelligently. For instance, if the brain is diseased and one becomes insane, but his hands and feet are all right... his head is diseased but his body is all right. One is suffering from cancer, every day the pain increases and it is worse than death, but his brain is all right. If they experiment on this suffering animal, and he should die, it will shorten his suffering. There is great advantage in vivisection because by these experiments on animals humanity is saved from thousands of diseases... The animal should be chloroformed.
You have permission to practice medicine, but on condition that you use gentle, mild remedies and that when administering them to the patient you turn to the Divine Threshold and with utmost sincerity of heart seek healing, and deal gently with the patient.
When difficulties and complexities arise in diagnosing diseases and afflictions, turn with complete attention to the Lord of Lords so that thou mayest become a remover of sorrows, and sometimes persevere in reciting the prayers of the Blessed Beauty which have been revealed from the Supreme Pen for the healing of diseases, that health may be attained.
O possessor of the remedy for the afflicted!
Illnesses and diseases are of two kinds: physical and spiritual. For bodily ailments, the cure lies in the pharmacy of earthly physicians, while for spiritual maladies and afflictions, the remedy is found in the divine dispensary.
'Abdu'l-Baha: Diseases are of two kinds. There are some which are due to material cause, and such diseases should be treated according to material methods. For instance, supposing there shall be some sort of process in the liver that is tissue pathology. Its treatment should be entirely physical. On the other hand, another disease may be spiritual in character. For example, fear is a nervous disease resulting not from any material cause. It is psychological neurosis. That sort of disease has to be treated spiritually.
Disease is of two kinds: (a) Material (b) Spiritual. For instance, a cut of the hand; if you pray for the cut to be healed, and do not stop it bleeding, you will not do much good, this needs a material remedy.
Sometimes if the nervous system is paralyzed through fear, a spiritual remedy is necessary. Madness, incurable otherwise, can be cured through prayer, but an abscess cannot be cured by prayer alone. Extreme cases need prayer.
I say to you, if you have a mental ailment, it can be cured by thought. If you have a physical ailment or a broken bone, I would say to you, 'quickly send for a doctor.' Earthly trouble can be cured only by earthly means and has not to do with God."
But purely physical ills, such as a broken bone or a wound from a weapon, must be healed by physical remedies. God gives us such remedies in the natural world, even as He supplies our physical needs by physical means.
You understand healing. You understand healing! You know that many diseases can be cured through simple medicines and remedies and by suggestions to the patients, but when there is an abscess on the hand you must cut it out and clean it so that it will heal. [He demonstrated with His hands.]
You understand there is spiritual healing and material healing, and unless these two work together, a cure is impossible. The material healing is surgery and medicine, and the spiritual healing is of God.
There is spiritual healing and there is also material healing. Unless these two work together a cure is impossible. The material element is medicine; spiritual healing is of God.
We pray but God bestows healing. We do not make claims for ourselves.
"There is but one power which heals--that is God. The state or condition through which the healing takes place is the condition of the heart. By some this state is reached through pills, powders, and physicians. By others through hygiene, fasting, and prayer. By others through direct perception."
The healing that is by the power of the Holy Spirit needs no special concentration or contact. It is through the wish or desire, and the prayer of the Holy Person. The one who is sick may be in the East, and the healer in the West, and they may not have been acquainted with each other - but as soon as that Holy Person turns his heart to God and begins to pray the sick one is healed.
When thou wishest to treat nervous pains turn thy whole being to the realm on high with thine heart detached from aught else besides Him and thy soul enraptured by the love of God. Then seek confirmation of the Holy Spirit from the Abha Kingdom, while touching the affected part with utmost love, tenderness and attraction to God. When all these things are combined, be assured that healing will take place.
Concerning the Tablet beginning "I call on Thee O Exalted One, O Faithful One" [BH00870] about which thou hadst written - this Tablet is for healing from illness. When seeking healing for a sick person, it should be chanted with the utmost attention, mindfulness and concentration in a sweet melody.
Say: God is the Most Healing, above all healing. None in the heavens or on the earth or between them can withhold from the sovereign King His healing power. He createth what He willeth through His command. Verily He hath ever been the All-Healing, the Healer, the Most Healing.
Say: O people! Eat not save when hungry, and drink not after retiring to sleep. Exercise in the open air strengthens the body's members, while eating to excess is a grave calamity. Abandon not treatment when it is needed, but cease it when health is restored.
… O Physician! Heal the sick, first through the remembrance of thy Lord, the Lord of the Day of Mutual Calling, then through that which We have ordained for the health of the constitutions of the servants. By My life! The physician who hath drunk the wine of My love - his visit is healing, his breath is mercy and hope.
If one is fully cognizant of the reason for the incursion of disease and can determine the balance of elements, he can cure diseases by administering the food that can restore the normal level of the deficient element. In this way there will be no need for medicines and other difficulties will not arise.
Medical science is only in its infancy, yet it has shown that our natural diet is that which grows out of the ground.
'Abdu'l-Baha: "There is a substance in the skin of the fruit which aids digestion. For instance in the skin of the grape there is an element which helps in digesting the grape. Of course the skin is hard, the same as with this date.
Mrs. P….: When will the physicians learn to treat by proper diet?
I treat myself always by diet. Yesterday I treated myself with this butter. Today it was not necessary, so I did not eat it.
'Why!' he was answered 'I have six children and every day they receive six cents. With this sum they can buy two pots of Abgousht from the bazaar and eat its broth by day and its meat by night. What else do they want? But you send to your children every eatable things [sic] - the result is the over-filling of their stomachs with different kinds of food - thus causing them dyspepsia, constipation and other ills but my children are always in good health and seldom complain of any sickness. Therefore you see that my parsimony is backed up by hygienic and physiological considerations while your extravagant family expenses lead to troubles.
The meaning is that when a sick person exercises restraint and, on the doctor's advice, abstains from sweet foods and even takes bitter medicines that are unpleasant to the taste, while one who lacks restraint--that is, a heedless patient--shuns what is bitter and craves what is sweet, partaking of every delicacy, mixing honey and sugar with almonds and rock candy--in the end, the patient who showed restraint will be happy while the one who did not will be distressed.
When the Doctor gives a sick person quinine, which is a very bitter medicine, it is not because he wishes to do ill to the sick man, but to destroy his disease.
A teacher traineth and reproacheth his pupils, and this proceedeth from love; yet the children are pleased at the teacher’s death. Thus, when they hear that the teacher hath fallen ill, they rejoice and make merry. Likewise, when the physician giveth the patient a bitter medicine, the patient crieth out and lamenteth, saying: "I wanted not this bitter draught," and counteth the physician as an enemy. The physician protecteth him, yet the patient complaineth and is not content. But this protective treatment springeth from love, while the patient’s complaint proceedeth from ignorance.
For although cleanliness, purity and sweet fragrances are physical things, yet since they are signs of spiritual sanctification and the breath of the All-Merciful, they bestow spirituality.
But they must on no account allow their children to drink wine or alcoholic drinks. Abdul-Baha spoke of the Druses who never drank wine or smoked, and in consequence of this, many diseases were quite unknown to them.
Our Lord spoke of the Druses who never drink wine or smoked, and in consequence of this, many diseases were quite unknown to them.
There is a certain effect from wine, but it is only good while it lasts, and no permanent good could ever come from it. A man might walk several miles among these mountains each day, and if he took some wine it might enable him to walk more than usual on the day he took it, but on the next day, without the aid of the wine, he could not walk even one mile. GOD has so created man that from within he possesses all the power to recuperate and his work properly without the aid of stimulants. Wine is only like a whip, and nothing more."
Through the inculcation of a thorough knowledge of hygiene humanity must be freed from all manner of diseases and ailments. The parents must teach their children the laws of life and how to avoid evils and temptations. Thus may they grow into healthy and robust manhood and womanhood.
Give importance to this principle, for if a thousand healthy persons in the utmost freshness and refinement associate with one who has tuberculosis, the health of those thousand will have no effect on the tubercular one, while the disease of this tubercular person will in a short time affect those healthy bodies.
Thou hast inquired about the cure for the plague. The generality of the physicians are of the opinion that this disease hath no remedy and that there existeth no panacea for this malady. During the breakout of the plague, however, the extensive letting of blood, the consumption of drinks of a cold nature as well as the drinking of large doses of barberry juice are of great benefit. Especially prior to being afflicted with this disease, and during the outbreak of the plague in the city or villages, if a person continues with such measures, he will be protected.
But recreation which may improve the bodily powers, as exercise, is desirable."
America will make rapid progress in the future but I am fearful of the effects of these high buildings and such densely populated cities; these are not good for the public health.
However, when I came to 'Akka, it was prescribed for me to go to the sea everyday and this was not possible in Yarkih.
O thou my affectionate sister!
God be praised, according to what we hear the climate in that land hath proved not unfavourable. It is to be hoped that out of the grace of the Blessed Beauty thy illness will be completely cured and thou wilt return in the best of health, so that once again I may gaze upon that wondrous face of thine.
For example, when one disease overtakes two people, one treatment suits this one and another medicine that one. In any case, the point is that no physician can yet definitively judge that this theriac will certainly benefit this patient.
Therefore, come and be a spiritual physician so that you may observe with certainty that the divine theriac and the greatest heavenly medicine are the cure for spiritual diseases and the means of deliverance from spiritual perils and ills, that you may be freed from doubt and uncertainty and enter the kingdom of certitude.
[I ask God to shower upon him] His mercy and make his affairs righteous and make him certain in his heart that healing is in God's hand, not in the physicians' hands. Let him abandon the device for water analysis, for analyzing water causes doubt. The physicians' treatment is but a slight means having effect in the description of healing, not in the essence of healing.
If, however, these be not available, he should attach no importance thereto, for healing is in the hand of God. Behold all these wild creatures in the wilderness: they have no physician; their physician is God, and their ailments are far fewer than those of man. Yet medicine is among the lawful arts; it is one of the exalted sciences. God hath created medicine that it may serve as a safeguard for mankind.
In Persia the Arabs have no doctors. All the people submit to God. There are no physicians, nor remedies. When a person gets sick he eats barley soup. When he has a fever he eats dates. This material health is of no great importance.
Although physical ailments cause human distress, since the physical world is composed of different elements and the difference of elements leads to the occurrence of illness, this is therefore natural, for change and transformation are essential requirements of every contingent reality. But be assured that you will attain complete healing, spiritually and physically.
O daughter of the Kingdom! My health became impaired in Paris - the nervous fever is severe.
From this three-year journey and endless hardships and difficulties, Abdul-Baha's physical powers have been completely depleted - it is as if the limbs have fallen apart from each other. However, the assistance and favor of Baha'u'llah gives strength to the heart and glad-tidings to the spirit. These divine glad-tidings are the cause of Abdul-Baha's revival and life. Praise be to God, from this perspective all is complete.
And now I am at sea, in utmost weakness and illness, but the healing of soul and heart, even body, is in turning to the Abha Kingdom.
Though extremely weak at night, in the morning complete rest, health and strength were attained. This immediate divine healing was from the infinite bounty. When I arose from my bed in the morning, I immediately began writing and speaking. No one would have thought such rapid healing possible - no medicine, no treatment, no favorable climate.
[One day at three in the afternoon we were summoned. I had a severe fever. He said, "You have a fever," and in a jesting tone added that fever was the fruit of this land - everyone who arrives must have a fever. Tea was served in His presence. I perspired profusely, such that my clothes were soaked. He said, "Go change your clothes. You will not have fever again." During the nine months that we were blessed to be there, no illness befell me.]
All these ailments will pass away and you will receive perfect physical and spiritual health. I will guarantee it. Be content. Let your heart be confident and assured that thru the bounty of Baha'u'llah everything will become pleasant for you. You must be assured. Know thou of a certainty. But you must turn your face wholly toward the kingdom of Abha, giving perfect attention; the same attention that Mary Magdalene had for His Holiness Christ. Be like her and I will assure you that you will get physical health and spiritual health.
And as for thee, O precious handmaiden of God, be thou assured of healing from every ailment through the power of the Spirit from God.
I beseech God, glorified and exalted be He, to assist thee with a penetrating heavenly power that influences the realities of things, to grant thee that which thou lovest and with which thou art well-pleased, and to heal thee from every pain, ailment and disease.
Happiness has a direct influence in preserving our health while being upset causes illness.
Complete physical health is to be enjoyed by the animals. Consider when the animal possesses perfect health, it brays, it rolls on the grass, it grazes in the meadows, it dances and kicks and it does perform all kinds of pranks. But man may enjoy the completest physical health, live in the palace and be surrounded with all the luxuries of modern civilization, yet he is not feeling happy, mental anxieties attack him, spiritual worries encircle him, he weeps, laments and stalks abroad ghostlike. This in itself shows that man must take greater care of his spiritual health.
Again a person may be sick, lying down in bed and a piece of good news is brought to him, suddenly he is revived and often he is healed. The happiness of man is through his spiritual health and not bodily health.
If a man thinks too much of his health, he will become afflicted.
Once during my early childhood I became very sick. At the time, my family lived in Teheran. I was lying in bed in a semi-conscious state. After much consultation the Doctors agreed upon a course of "musical treatment." Before sunset they brought into my room an old man with a very long beard. He carried under his 'Aba' a guitar. He sat near my bed and immediately began to play and sing. All through the night he played and sang, now in high, resonant voice and again in sweet, soft strains. My soul was charmed with his music.
A.B.: There is no doubt that music has therapeutic effect over the body. The ancient physicians healed many sicknesses with music. Some of the ailments ware healed by treating trough music.
Once I called on a patient. He was suffering from insomnia beside his other trouble. He told me with a haggard and hollow-eyed expression of utter weariness: 'I wish to God I could sleep one hour, then open my eyes to feel its restoring effect, then die peacefully.' God answered his prayer. he slept for one hour after which he unshut his eyes, looked around with an air of utter relief and then passed beyond the Borderland.
First view every illness as a purification and consider that in each illness there lies the blessing of solitude: The Lord God wants to keep you to Himself for a brief or long time.
If physical health and vitality are expended in the path of the Kingdom, this is most acceptable and beloved. If they are expended for the benefit of all mankind, even though it be a physical benefit, and are the cause of good, this is also acceptable. However, if man's health and wellness are expended in the gratification of selfish desires, the life of the animal, and in evil pursuits, then illness, nay death, is preferable.
Looking after one's health is done with two intentions:
1st. Man may take good care of his body with the intention of satisfying his personal wishes.
2nd. Or he may look after his health with the good intention of serving humanity and of living long enough to discharge one's duty towards mankind.
The latter is most commendable.
One must certainly seek physical health for spiritual health, that is, to serve the Cause of God. Otherwise what result has health? Eventually health will decline and one will pass from this world to the next.
Of what benefit is physical well-being? If it is spent in service to the Cause of God and in mindfulness and awareness, then health has importance - otherwise, if this is not the case, what importance does it have? Those effects that result from good health, these are praiseworthy. Therefore health is acceptable and beloved, but in and of itself what importance does it have?
It is certain that it will decline. In the end, no matter how much you protect this body, no matter how much you nurture it, it will eventually deteriorate. No matter how much you repair this edifice, it will ultimately fall into ruin.
O beloved physician! Physical healing is achieved through herbs, electuaries, essences and antidotes, and is temporary. Eventually the patient becomes weary of this abode of sorrows and must one day take flight to the eternal realm.
But spiritual healing and inner health and well-being are desired and beloved and the ultimate aspiration of those possessed of understanding hearts, for this is an eternal healing and everlasting life.
How many sick ones you treated with herbs and essences, and how many patients confined to bed you granted health and comfort through the power of elements and spirits! But this health does not endure and this comfort is not lasting or established. It appears for a few days like a mirage but in reality does not exist. And if you truly observe, physical treatments are merely palliative rather than curative, and health is temporary not permanent, for ultimately this structure must necessarily collapse and in the end this health will certainly decline.
Though thou art physically sick and ill, praise be to God thou art spiritually sound and healthy, nay rather, enjoying perfect health.
This body is a mine of diseases and the seat of diverse ailments. However much it may be safeguarded, ultimately the hosts of maladies will prevail and illnesses and pains will break down this frame.
I do not give any importance to physical health. The real health is spiritual and that is eternal. The spirit of man must become reinforced. This body will be decayed; this building no matter how solid its basis will be destroyed. Just think how J.P. Morgan travelled everywhere to get back his health but there was no result.
Bodily health is not important. What is more important is spiritual health which gives eternal pleasure and has everlasting effect. The more the body is cared for, the worse it becomes. Thus denial is preferable for the body. I took only a cup of milk today and I feel much better. Why should man undergo so much trouble and hardship merely for the purpose of eating?
She then asked, "Are these people who claim to surpass the other Christian sects in charity and good deeds to be considered possessors of a special excellence or are they one of the new sects of Christianity?"
… "As to healing the ills of the body and caring for the sick and the poor. This is very good, but its effect or result is not a permanent one. For when a man is healed of one physical pain, another will sooner or later affect him; and finally as a result, bodily death will overtake him.
Therefore, whenever I inquire about your health I mean your spiritual health. That is fraught with importance. To the same degree that the material life has no importance, the spiritual life is of supreme moment. Then the heart is purified, the spirit gladdened with the Good-News of the Kingdom and the realm of morality will become the delectable paradise.
My spiritual health is always perfect. I enjoy an eternal health of the spirit. I hope all the people of the world will gain this celestial gift.
You pray that the spiritual health of mankind may be improved daily; for there are many doctors who attend to the physical ailments of the people, but there are very few divine physicians.
Physical weakness is eliminated by small means. Within a few days in good air and with good food it is eliminated, but spiritual weakness is difficult. No matter what you do to strengthen it, it does not strengthen. Even in the human body, if minor organs experience a weakness, if an illness occurs and a weakness results, it is quickly eliminated, but if the principal organs experience a weakness, strengthening them is relatively difficult.
Deprive not thyself of the portion of striving, for hearts become ill just as bodies become ill.
As the body will be cured from physical disease, in the same way the spirit will be cured of all spiritual diseases. A cure of physical disease is very easy, but the cure of spiritual disease is very difficult.
If one has fever and you give him medicine, the fever will vanish; but if the spirit is afflicted with the disease of ignorance it is difficult to remove that disease.
O physician, O beloved! When physical physicians diagnose an illness, the treatment becomes easy and the physician becomes very hopeful. But spiritual diseases, even when diagnosed, are difficult to treat.
Even now, while in a feverish state, this letter is being written to inquire after your condition, requesting that you write in detail. The physician heals others while he himself is sick. My condition should be inquired after, yet despite having a fever, I am thinking of the true friends.
Every disease hath its remedy and every pain its cure, save the malady of foolishness which is an incurable affliction - "and though they should see every sign, they will not believe therein."
O divine physician!
From the beginning of history until this day, there have existed two classes of physicians in the world - divine physicians and natural physicians - and in the books and scriptures it is recorded that there were blessed souls who were divine physicians and diagnosed spiritual ailments and treated them with divine theriac. Those physicians studied medicine in the divine school, therefore they diagnosed chronic diseases of human souls and even deadly illnesses of the world and prescribed treatments. Similarly, natural physicians came and underwent many hardships, nursed the sick, and treated physical ailments of the infirm.
Verily, I beseech the Lord of Hosts to increase thy faith each day over that of the previous day, to confirm thee through His Holy Spirit, to give thee capacity to partake of the lights of knowledge and wisdom, to make thee a herald of the Covenant in those regions, and to instruct thee in that which thou knowest not; so that thou mayest become a physician for bodies as well as souls, to heal bodies with the medicines which are useful and beneficial for physical (sickness), and to cure hearts and souls with that antidote which quickeneth hearts and souls.
Praise be to God, you are physicians of hearts and spirits, and doctors of bodies. Surely such beloved physicians are dear to heart and soul, and such wise ones are manifestations of the wisdom of the All-Merciful, for this title requires that one heal the pain of hearts and apply balm to wounded souls. Through the special grace and gift of the Lord, I hope that you will give swift cure to every patient and grant matchless remedy to every sufferer.
O faithful servant of the Most Glorious Beauty! The renowned Plato was a physical physician and a mere human being, yet because he arose with great determination he became accepted throughout the horizons and famous in the world of ethics. Now you are under the shadow of the favors of the Lord of the Covenant and have well acquired physical medicine, therefore strive until you also gain complete proficiency in spiritual healing. If you succeed in attaining this station, you will surpass Plato and become even more renowned throughout the horizons, for two gifts will be combined in you and you will be assisted by the confirmation of the Lord of Hosts.
This spiritual medicine is established and enduring, its influence everlasting and its gift heavenly.
And if you hasten to London to perfect physical medicine, let your purpose be to spread spiritual medicine in that northern clime, that perhaps you may guide a soul to the greatest guidance and grant healing from spiritual diseases.
For guidance is the medicine of the spirit and the cause of spiritual victories - it is healing for the soul and a remedy of joy and delight for the heart. When wisdom shines with spiritual radiance it becomes guidance, and when its lights beam upon the body it becomes medicine.
Therefore, one who combines these two qualities and possesses these two virtues - which in essence are one reality but appear as two realities in relation to the spiritual and physical worlds - is a perfect person.
Be assured that if you act according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah and carry out the divine counsels and are raised up with heavenly characteristics, you will become a physician of body and soul and heal both physical and spiritual diseases.
The treatment of bodies, drawing upon the outpourings of the All-Merciful and the confirmations of the Mighty, All-Knowing, will be realized for thee when thou art so attracted to God that thou givest spirit to spirits and life to hearts in this world of forms.
O maid-servant of God! Continue in healing hearts and bodies and seek healing for sick persons by turning unto the Supreme Kingdom and by setting the heart upon obtaining healing through the power of the Greatest Name and by the spirit of the love of God.
Especially if he is a sage and physician, his wisdom is greater, for he applies the supreme remedy and treats with the divine elixir. Sometimes he uses illness as a pretext to visit the sick, becomes their nurse, treats both body and soul, and applies an immediate cure. In short, this is true healing, this is wisdom, this is the gift.
The physician's joy and delight is in healing the sick, and the teacher's happiness and success is in the progress of the students in school. Each of the friends must be a knowing physician and a skilled healer.
Thou hast applied balm to wounded hearts and bestowed healing upon the grievously ill - that is, thou hast found a remedy for every spiritual patient and sought the supreme antidote for every afflicted soul.
I beg of God to assist her in that which will enable her to become a healer of the spirit and a minister to the spiritually sick; and that she may, day by day, deepen thy conviction, that thine assurance and trust in God may grow.
O physician of souls! Direct your blessed thoughts somewhat toward the healing of hearts, and become a spiritual physician. Completely forget the body and physical matters.
At that time, both spiritual and physical healing will be attained, and health of body and soul will both be realized.
O thou who art spreading the Cause of God! I hope thou wilt become as a rising light and obtain spiritual health--and spiritual health is conducive to physical health--so that thou mayest be enabled to liquidate thy debts and be strengthened to attain the blessing of the Forgiving Lord; that thou mayest become a mirror of truth and reveal the spiritual brilliancy of the heavenly universe to all eyes, direct large numbers of people under the shadow of the Powerful Lord and guide all thy family and relations unto the Greatest Guidance; and that thou mayest be honored with a visit to the Holy Threshold after having attained to all these gifts.
O thou who hast turned thy face unto God!
His Holiness Job endured diseases, ailments and great affliction until he plunged into the healing spring and was cured of his incurable malady. Thou, without bearing such tribulation, affliction and illness, hast plunged into the true healing spring and attained eternal health. Thou hast found deliverance from every ailment and healing from every malady. This is everlasting health and eternal well-being.
O Nasru'l-Atibba! The true healing is the healing of hearts and the treatment of souls, for through it everlasting health is attained and the face becomes flushed with the heat of love for the Most Glorious Beauty. Through it heavenly life is made possible and immortality in the Most Glorious Kingdom is achieved.
Therefore, O physician, open wide the court of divine healing and establish a dispensary with the theriac of guidance. Take the pulse of creation and heal the ailing form of the world.
Convey My utmost longing to the beloved and cultured Aqa Mirza Aqa, the physician, and say: O healer of spiritual ills! Human souls have become sick and afflicted. Apply the swift-acting remedy and bestow the divine elixir. Administer the sovereign antidote and offer the pure chalice, that every poisoned soul may, through this fragrant medicine, attain eternal health, and every deprived one may receive an abundant portion of this grace.
Hasten to life before death, to spring before autumn, and to healing before sickness, that you may become a spiritual physician, healing all ills and diseases through the breath of the spirit in this praiseworthy century and this witnessed age.
Thou shalt heal the diseases of spirits and hearts, and thou shalt raise a flag with such firmness and steadfastness the holy wavings of which shall be witnessed betwixt the heavens and earth forever more; spiritual ears will be perceived and everlasting restoration will be obtained.
O Shah Khalil! Be a true heir to that illustrious Mir and become the cause of healing for every ailing heart.
Whosoever is filled with the love of Baha and forgets all things - the Holy Spirit breathes into his mouth and the spirit of life into his heart, the lights of verses shine from his face, words scatter like strings of pearls from his mouth, and he heals ills and sickness by the touch of his hand.
He who is filled with the love of the Glory (of God) and forgets all things, the Holy Spirit will be heard from his lips and the spirit of life will fill his heart, the light of the sign will shine forth from his face, the words will issue from his mouth in strands of pearls, and all sickness and disease will be healed by the laying on of his hands.
When the material world and the divine world are well co-related, when the hearts become heavenly and the aspirations grow pure and divine, perfect connection shall take place. Then shall this power produce a perfect manifestation. Physical and spiritual diseases will then receive absolute healing.
Indeed, all humanity is endangered by diverse ailments and maladies, yet the remedy prescribed by the divine Skilled Physician is not heeded. Therefore, unskilled physicians are now holding sway, while they themselves are afflicted with incurable ailments.
The body of the world is sick and the form of creation is ailing, while skilled physicians are considered worthless and despised by the patients. These patients flee from the physicians, and these sufferers are incurable.
O physician! The health of the body of this world is ruined and its illness is chronic and complete. The skilled and choice Physician is indispensable and the real and true remedy is needed.
Also, the body of mankind suffers chronic diseases. The Lord of Grandeur hath therefore chosen a skilled, an all-powerful and inspired Physician in order to heal this body. From the point of view of the good health of the body of mankind, this is a great bounty. But alas! The people are ignorant and unaware of this.
O thou proficient physician! This ailing world with its weakened body and feeble constitution hath fallen desperately ill and all its chronic maladies have become inveterate. There is no alternative now but to administer the one supreme panacea to relieve its ills and no other medicine left but the Most Great Elixir.
O Trusted One among physicians! Divine medicine has pitched its tents in this plane of existence, and has driven its stakes in its expansive plains and heights.
Beneath its supported pavilion sits its All-Merciful Christ and its conscientious Luqman, who have diagnosed the illness of the temple of the human world and have administered the greatest divine antidote - namely, the Ancient Covenant and the Mighty Testament and the Manifest Light - the sole remedy for the sickness of the world and the ills of nations and peoples.
O spiritual physician! The weak body of the world is afflicted with a hundred thousand chronic, fatal diseases, and the ailing existence of humanity is exposed to great dangers, restless and suffering. … Therefore, O physician, it is time for healing and treatment, it is time for bandages and salves, until divine confirmation determines what will transpire.
O physician of the hearts of the loved ones of God!
Today severe illnesses and various ailments and maladies have overtaken the spiritual temples and hearts and souls of human beings. Therefore, with the help and favor of the Ancient Beauty, skilled physicians must treat them with the most great universal remedy.
Today the contingent world is a hospital, and all creation is ailing and sick. The friends of God are the divine physicians and heavenly healers. They must treat the patients and cure the ill with utmost kindness, for the maladies and ailments are spiritual - spiritual treatment and cure is needed, and the divine theriac is required.
Be a spiritual physician, become a heavenly doctor. Give the divine remedy to those sick in heart and soul, and guide the ailing ignorant ones to the divine hospital. Apply the tincture of the Abha Kingdom, use the antidote of the Supreme Concourse. Dispense freely the supreme theriac of divine virtues, and liberally bestow the greatest elixir of the love of God, so that you may give freshness and grace to the withered souls of the Turkmen, and with your Christ-like breath bring to life the spiritually dead among those tribes and peoples.
O physician! Wisdom is the light of guidance, and the healing art is the antidote of the love of Baha. As much as thou canst, employ this divine medicine that thou mayest bestow eternal healing and effect an immediate cure. … A particle of this remedy is the cure for every ailment and the healing of every breast. It bestoweth such healing that illness shall never follow, and such a medicine that it becometh the remedy for every incurable disease.
O beloved physician of hearts and spiritual healer! For every patient Thou hast ordained a remedy, and for every ailment Thou hast prescribed a cure. To one Thou givest a divine elixir, to another a merciful antidote.
You are the unfailing remedy for the incurable pain of humanity and the swift cure for the disordered constitution of the horizons.
Ere long you shall become physicians to the helpless and educators in the school of seekers, for the Cause of God shall gain such strength that all will run after the physician like patients, and hasten like the wounded in search of the supreme healing balm.
Let us be a remedy for every ill and a healing balm for every wound of heart and soul.
I ask Thee by Thine Ancient Beauty, and I supplicate Thee by the manifestation of Thy Greatest Majesty, and Thy Name, around which the heavens of the Manifestations revolve; by which the waters of the oceans overflow, the full moons appear, the lights diffuse, and verily, the visible and the invisible, the mysterious and the celebrated; by which all sorrow will be turned into joy and all disease will be turned into health, and by which every sick, afflicted, unfortunate and constrained one may be healed, to suffice to heal this weary, sick-worn one of the seen and the unseen disease.
Glorified art Thou, O Lord, Thou Who art my God and my Beloved! I beseech Thee by Thy Name, through which Thy mercy hath preceded all things and the Sun of the beauty of Thy hidden title shone forth above the horizon of creation, and through which Thy bounty was perfected unto all who dwell in heaven and on earth, to send down upon this sick one, from the clouds of Thy mercy, that which shall cleanse him of every malady, illness, and affliction. Immerse him, then, in the ocean of Thy healing, O Thou in Whose hands are the Kingdom of decree and the Dominion of ordainment!
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
As you know Baha'u'llah has ordained that in case of illness we should always consult the most competent physicians. And this is exactly what the Guardian strongly advises you to do. For prayer alone is not sufficient. To render it more effective we have to make use of all the physical and material advantages which God has given us. Healing through purely physical forces is undoubtedly as inadequate as that which materialist physicians and thinkers vainly seek to obtain by resorting entirely to mechanical devices and methods. The best result can be obtained by combining the two processes, spiritual and physical.
As regards Miss ... Shoghi Effendi feels unspeakably grateful for all the kind assistance you have been continually extending to her father in this assuredly heart-rending, nay indeed calamitous situation facing him. You did certainly well, however critical and hopeless his daughter's case may have been considered by the doctors, to advise him to take her to a hospital, and give her the best treatment medical science could possibly offer. In doing so you have acted in full conformity with the counsel so tenderly and repeatedly given by Baha'u'llah that in case of illness one should invariably consult and follow the treatment of competent and conscientious physicians.
Baha'u'llah tells us that in case of disease we should pray but at the same time refer to competent physicians, and abide by their considered decisions. Shoghi Effendi wishes you therefore to find whether your some has really become ill, and if he is, then follow the directions of the doctor. Being versed in the medical sciences they can treat better than even a loving mother can. You can render your assistance by praying for him and at the same time helping the physicians to treat him.
We have no reason to believe that the healing of the Holy Spirit cannot be attracted by ordinary human beings. But this is rare, a mystery, and a gift of God.
The greatest form of healing which the Baha'is can practice is to heal the spiritually sick souls of men by giving this greatest of all Messages to them. We can also try to help them, both physically and spiritually, through prayer.
For thought and discussion