Rising to the challenge

Most countries of the world are now threatened by a particularly virulent new disease – COVID 19. In many countries, strategies have been adopted to curb its spread which have had a severe impact on the lives of ordinary people. Shops have been shut, people are having to distance themselves from others, people cannot have visits even from close relatives, there are to be no meetings and no travelling. People have lost their jobs and their livelihoods. On the positive side, volunteers have mobilised in many places to help those in isolation or who are short of food (as discussed in my previous blog). Despite all the restrictions, sadly hundreds of deaths have been reported in some countries, thousands in others.

One of the less expected results of this sudden change in lifestyle has been the spiritual response of many people. Put bluntly: if human life on earth has a purpose, many of us now have extra time to give serious consideration to what it might be! At the same time, people who have been seriously ill with this virus, but who have survived it, often seem to be changed by the experience. We hear people saying that they have changed what they think is important, and that their job and their material possessions now mean less than family, human relationships and life itself. It is sad that people have had to suffer so much to come to that realisation.

A fundamental aspect of this spiritual response is consideration of the question of life after death. The human body ceases to function at some point – we die. We are all aware of this fact, although when we are younger it is easier to put off consideration of the matter until later. However, we are now suddenly faced with the possibility of losing our loved ones prematurely. Will we meet them again – in whatever time or place, or indeed in whatever form? If we decide that the answer is “No”, then what is the point of our existence as conscious and reflective beings? Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, gave a very positive and heart-warming response to the question of life after death: “Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter.” If we decide that the answer is “Yes”, then perhaps we need to get on with preparing ourselves for the life to come. In the same way that we grow limbs and eyes in the womb ready for life in this world, we need to grow our spiritual qualities ready for the next world. Bahá’u’lláh’s Son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, said: “That world beyond is a world of sanctity and radiance; therefore it is necessary that in this world he [the human being] should acquire these divine attributes. In that world there is need of spirituality, faith, assurance, the knowledge and love of God. These he must attain in this world so that after his ascension from the earthly to the heavenly Kingdom he shall find all that is needful in that life eternal ready for him.”

At the very time when people are looking for spiritual guidance, places of worship have been shut, in order to prevent possible transmission of the disease among the congregation. These congregations are simply no longer able to meet together. Luckily, however, this new coronavirus has hit the world at a point where many humans have access to information and communications technology. Things are possible now which were scarcely dreamed of even a few years ago. The Bahá’í community, like many other religious communities, is already broadcasting devotional programmes which people can receive on their computers, laptops and phones. Another development is the online gathering. Instead of holding a physical meeting in a central place each Bahá’í month, many Bahá’ís and their friends are using new technology to join together and say prayers (see picture above) and engage in conversation and consultation through their display screens. This is providing spiritual sustenance, including often to those who have been unable to physically meet all their fellow-believers for a while because of ill-health. Those who do not have online access at home can still be in contact by phone, letters and cards. No-one should feel forgotten. We all need to keep our spirits up and use prayer and/or meditation to develop our spiritual lives. Then we can see how to cheer others.

Everyone is finding life difficult during the current situation. But this is our opportunity to find the spiritual power in our inner selves. Can we rise to the challenge of carrying on with our lives, making the most of the opportunities we have, helping others and staying cheerful?  ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was a wonderful example. He dedicated His life to serving others, especially the poor and sick, despite His own problems. For much of His life He was imprisoned, kept under house arrest, and suffered in many ways. He put it quite clearly, saying: “Anybody can be happy in the state of comfort, ease, health, success, pleasure and joy; but if one will be happy and contented in the time of trouble, hardship and prevailing disease, it is the proof of nobility.” This is the universal personal challenge of today.