He will become like unto a sea that although on its surface the tempest is raging and the mountainous waves rising in its depth there is complete calmness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Oct-26 in Ramleh -- ABU1946)
Tranquillity: a steady heart in a changing world
composure; tranquillity; serenity
Editorial introduction
The surface of a sea can be torn by a gale while its depths stay perfectly still, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offered that picture of the person whose heart is anchored. Tranquillity, in His counsel, is not a clenched jaw. Outward self-mastery is admirable, He says, but no one should mistake it for the highest cultivation of character; the calm that matters is inward, rooted in faith and certitude, and it shows itself in contentment, in patience, in the quiet joy of a frugal meal and a peaceful night’s sleep, and in the composed handling of practical affairs. Prayer asks for it directly, and Bahá’u’lláh commands it: be not disturbed by anything, for that is the way of the heedless. The Bhagavad Gita’s undisturbed ocean, receiving every river without rising, pictures a similar peace, though it has desire rather than circumstance in view [1]. Such counsel, given to people in prison, in epidemic and in upheaval, is meant to steady and not to shame; another’s distress is never a measure of their worth. The road passes through acquiescence and contentment, through detachment and severance, and on to the steadfastness that lets courage and care arise from a settled heart.
Selected passages
Be calm, be joyous, and not only when the sky is clear, but when the clouds gather as well. To be calm and brave under difficulties is a proof of spiritual force.
But let no man, because he has gained outward control over himself, imagine that he has accomplished the highest cultivation of his character. There must be inner calmness, based on a sense of security in God's protection, and a desire to do good for the sake of good.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Myron Phelps and Madame Canavarro in Dec. 1902 -- ABU0361)
A really happy human being will no longer be subject to the changes and chances of life. Like an immortal king he will sit on the throne of firmly-founded reality. He will be inaccessible to outer, changing circumstances and will make others happy through his actions and deeds.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jan-07 in Haifa -- ABU2691)
Peace of mind is the soul's delight, as it is the means of acquiring that extraordinary state in which man finds happiness in times of affliction and tranquility in trouble.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Baha'is, spoken on 1912-Nov-29 -- ABU1453)
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Mulla Husayn Qazvini -- BH04421)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB09479)
In this world the greatest gift of God is the tranquility of the heart, especially when such a heart becomes the abiding place of the Love of God. This is the highest attainment in the world of creation!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken in Sep. 1913 in Ramleh -- ABU1110)
True joy comes from the tranquility of heart, and this state comes from faith! Praise be to God who gave us tranquility of heart!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ali Kuli Khan, spoken on 1906-Jun-09 -- ABU3055)
Dignity and composure arising from faith and certitude are most acceptable.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1893 ca., to Shaykh -- AB03055)
Live thou in the station of resignation and contentment so that thy heart and soul may obtain peace and serenity. Do thou ever possess the immensity of heart so that it may never be contracted.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Feb-25 -- AB08156)
The mind of a contented person is always peaceful and his heart is at rest. He is like a monarch ruling over the whole world. How happily such a man helps himself to his frugal meals. How joyfully he takes his walks and how peacefully he sleeps!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Dr. Getsinger, spoken on 1914-Aug-24 -- ABU1198)
But a wisely-directed soul, a person whose heart is illumined with the Light of God, who is imbued with the quality of radiant acquiescence, and who is informed with the open mysteries of the divine world - is always in the same condition and is never upset by the constantly-changing events of life.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken on 1913-May-20 -- ABU1296)
The hearts of believers are serene. They have a thousand enemies, yet they stand firm. The greatest of divine bounties is certitude of heart that one is protected from harm. Then whatever occurs, one is at ease, even if outwardly he be in a prison.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Latimer, Remey et al, spoken on 1914-Oct-18 -- ABU2572)
Therefore, neither the prison is a cause of sorrow, nor freedom from it a source of joy.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904-Oct-18, to Roy C Wilhelm -- AB05095)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB12038)
Anxiety is not permitted. The world is a theater of upheaval. One should not be affected by anything, but rather should conduct oneself with the utmost expansion of heart, joy of conscience, peace of mind, dignity and steadfastness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-May ca., to Mirza Aqa Bashir Ilahi (Bashirus-Sultan) -- AB05092)
Regarding the upheaval about which you wrote - turmoil exists in all the atoms of the world. The loved ones of God must maintain complete composure, calm and dignity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Apr-19, to Abdu'l-Husayn Dihqan -- AB10896)
Now the loved ones of God must also act with perfect calm, dignity, confidence and strength of heart in such situations, meaning during the onslaught of the cholera epidemic.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904 ca., to Nasrullah Baqiruf -- AB01845)
Therefore, keep your heart strong and attend to the arrangement of affairs with the utmost calm and composure, and seek utter devotion at the sacred threshold of the Self-Subsisting One.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Siyyid Asadullah Baqiruf -- AB10163)
Among the divine commands is composure and tranquility in affairs. If the release of Ibn-i-Abhar is delayed, do not become extremely agitated.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Haji Aqa -- AB00899)
What is incumbent upon the people of Baha is patience, calmness, steadfastness and forbearance in all things.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Hasan Hammami -- AB06703)
Thou must conduct thyself with the utmost patience, composure and dignity. To utter words that would cause tumult and clamor among the people is not permitted and hath been strictly forbidden in God's Book.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298 [1880-1881] -- BH00529)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Words spoken in the house of Aqay-i-Kalim to Nabil-i-A'zam 2, 1306-05-08 ca. [1889-Jan-10], to words to Nabil-i-A'zam -- BHU0002)
You must act with utmost dignity and composure, and never oppose him, neither in word nor deed.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Aqa Mirza Ali Muhammad (Egypt) -- AB02060)
Walk ye upon the earth with the dignity and tranquility that come from God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Karim -- BH07508)
The people of truth must move with the utmost tranquility and dignity. Conflict, contention and the like have been forbidden in God's Book, and the triumph of His Cause hath been made dependent upon and conditional on wisdom and utterance.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-06-03 [1881-May-3], to Khajih Muhammad Nayrizi -- BH06911)
O peoples of the earth! Adorn your temples with the ornament of tranquility and dignity. Thus have We commanded you aforetime and in this Book.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1298-09 [1881-Jul], to Aqa Muhammad Hasan et al -- BH05482)
We counsel you, O My loved ones, to observe calmness and dignity, and that whereby the Cause of God may be exalted throughout all lands.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Mirza Rahim -- BH07491)
Preserve your stations through patience and tranquility.
Thus doth My Most Exalted Pen command you from this praiseworthy station.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1300 ? [1882-1883] -- BH05068)
O Fayd'u'llah! The Wronged One makes mention of thee on this blessed day and commands all to patience and tranquility.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1300 or > ? [1882-1883], to Faydullah -- BH06896)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Oct-03, to Spiritual Assembly of Tihran -- AB04621)
Be thou assured in all conditions and fix thy gaze upon His horizon.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1304-04-25 [1887-Jan-21], to Uzra Khanum Diyaul-Hajiyyih -- BH06344)
God willing, thou shalt be enabled to act according to what hath been sent down in the Book. Be thou detached from the world and all who dwell therein, and with the utmost joy and fragrance remain firm and steadfast beneath the shade of the Beloved of all creation.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1292-06-19 [1875-Jul-23], to Ruqiyyih -- BH11236)
If the heart becometh absolutely tranquil, suspicion and imagination will entirely pass away.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909 or < -- AB10279)
At all times one should consider positive possibilities in matters and attribute good intentions, or hidden obstacles. When this is one's approach, peace of mind and tranquility of conscience result; otherwise one is constantly tormented.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Ali-Kuli Khan -- AB02892)
A material man lets himself be worried and harassed by little things but a spiritual man is always calm and serene under all circumstances.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jul-10 in Haifa -- ABU3559)
Therefore, man should never allow any disturbance in his composure. He should never be disturbed by any event that occurs, for all things possess consummate wisdom which will later become manifest.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1915-Aug-22 in Haifa -- ABU1032)
Man must never brood over inevitable misfortunes nor let his soul be afflicted with misery.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken on 1915-Jan-11 -- ABU1578)
Should anyone at any time encounter hard and perplexing times, he must say to himself, "This will soon pass." Then he will be calm and quiet.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU2539)
Be not disturbed by anything, for this is the way of the heedless.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Ibrahim Davvatgar -- BH06635)
Rest and repose are necessary for thee in these days; be thou composed in all conditions.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903-Aug-22, to Sarah J Farmer -- AB05391)
Sleep truly brings great tranquillity to the body and relieves one altogether. A sleep so deep that it can be likened to death itself, a sleep which renders one utterly oblivious of the world, grants rest to the body and preserves one's physical health.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Rue St. Didier 30 in Paris, 1913-Feb-20 -- ABU3693)
Perfect tranquility in spirit and repose hath been intended for him, that the eastern winds might not settle upon his heart, and the means of encouragement in writing and composition have been prepared for him in a perfect manner, that he might never witness any sorrow, neither secretly nor openly.
(The Báb, to Baha'u'llah -- BB00482)
Now praise be to God, thou hast a body of brass and a soul in perfect peace and composure.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Apr-28, to Isfandiyar Bihmard -- AB06690)
His thought is peaceful and serene, contrary to the city people who are always haunted by the nightmare of livelihood
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Sep-21 in Ramleh -- ABU1920)
They find no anxiety except confidence, and seek no war and cruelty except peace and tranquility.
Such happiness is eternal and such a station is the cause of everlasting life.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Jun-04 in Paris -- ABU1432)
This divine benediction bringeth tranquillity to the heart and comfort to the soul in both this world and the world to come.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-Feb ca., to Ahmad Aqa Balazadih -- AB03851)
The best hour that I like in these days is just after sunset. Over one's soul steals a quiet serenity. A calm beauty and satisfaction comes unheralded and one is submerged, as though, in a sea of contemplation.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ahmad Sohrab, spoken on 1915-Feb-15 -- ABU1944)
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- What does the image of calm beneath a storm illuminate about inward steadiness?
- How does the distinction between outward control and inward cultivation affect our understanding of tranquillity?
- What relationships emerge among prayer, faith, contentment, rest, and attention to practical affairs?
- How does the Bhagavad Gita’s ocean amid incoming waters compare with the sea amid a storm described here?
- How might these counsels encourage someone facing difficulty without judging or dismissing their distress?
- In what ways could tranquillity support courage, care for others, and useful action?