The importance of deepening

»Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths.«

(Writings of Bahá’u’lláh/Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh/LXX/2)

»First and foremost among these favors, which the Almighty hath conferred upon man, is the gift of understanding. His purpose in conferring such a gift is none other except to enable His creature to know and recognize the one true God—exalted be His glory. This gift giveth man the power to discern the truth in all things, leadeth him to that which is right, and helpeth him to discover the secrets of creation.«

(Writings of Bahá’u’lláh/Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh/XCV/1)

»I counsel you that you study earnestly the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, so that, God helping you, you may in deed and truth become Bahá’ís.«

(Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá/Paris Talks/30/10)

»It is my hope that you may put forth your most earnest endeavor to accomplish this end, that you may investigate and study the Holy Scriptures word by word so that you may attain knowledge of the mysteries hidden therein. Be not satisfied with words, but seek to understand the spiritual meanings hidden in the heart of the words.«

(/Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá/The Promulgation of Universal Peace/137/1)

»It is imperative to acquire the knowledge of divine proofs and evidences, and to acquaint oneself with convincing testimonies which demonstrate the revelation of God's resplend Light. The study group thou didst organize hath imparted much joy and happiness to the heart of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Thou must exert much effort and show forth perseverance and constancy that, God willing, through the reviving breaths of His mercy, souls may be so educated as to become like radiant candles shining in the assemblage of divine knowledge and understanding. This matter is highly important. It is binding on everyone and must be regarded as an obligation.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá)

»The attainment of the most great guidance is dependent upon knowledge and wisdom, and on being informed as to the mysteries of the Holy Words. Wherefore must the loved ones of God, be they young or old, be they men or women, each one according to his capabilities, strive to acquire the various branches of knowledge, and to increase his understanding of the mysteries of the Holy Books, and his skill in marshalling the divine proofs and evidences.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá)

»O thou true friend! Read, in the school of God, the lessons of the spirit, and learn from love's Teacher the innermost truths. Seek out the secrets of Heaven, and tell of the overflowing grace and favour of God.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá)

»I have been informed that the purpose of your class meeting is to study the significances and mysteries of the Holy Scriptures and understand the meaning of the divine Testaments. It is a cause of great happiness to me that you are turning unto the Kingdom of God, that you desire to approach the presence of God and to become informed of the realities and precepts of God. It is my hope that you may put forth your most earnest endeavor to accomplish this end, that you may investigate and study the Holy Scriptures word by word so that you may attain knowledge of the mysteries hidden therein. Be not satisfied with words, but seek to understand the spiritual meanings hidden in the heart of the words.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá)

»If you read the utterances of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha with selflessness and care and concentrate upon them, you will discover truths unknown to you before and will obtain an insight into the problems that have baffled the great thinkers of the world.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi)

»Ours is the duty to ponder these things in our heart, to strive to widen our vision, and to deepen our comprehension of this Cause, and to arise, resolutely and unreservedly, to play our part, however small, in this greatest drama of the world’s spiritual history.«

(From the Works of Shoghi Effendi/The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh/The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: Further Considerations/28)

»To strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s stupendous Revelation must, it is my unalterable conviction, remain the first obligation and the object of the constant endeavor of each one of its loyal adherents. An exact and thorough comprehension of so vast a system, so sublime a revelation, so sacred a trust, is for obvious reasons beyond the reach and ken of our finite minds. We can, however, and it is our bounden duty to seek to derive fresh inspiration and added sustenance as we labor for the propagation of His Faith through a clearer apprehension of the truths it enshrines and the principles on which it is based.«

(From the Works of Shoghi Effendi/The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh/The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh/8)

»I strongly urge you to devote, while you are pursuing your studies, as much time as you possibly can to a thorough study of the history and teachings of our Beloved Cause. This is the prerequisite of a future successful career of service to the Baha'i Faith in which I hope and pray you will distinguish yourself in the days to come.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi)

»To deepen in the Cause means to read the writings of Baha'u'llah and the Master so thoroughly as to be able to give it to others in its pure form.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi)

»Shoghi Effendi hopes that you will exert all your efforts to deepen your knowledge of the literature of the Movement, until you become fully acquainted with its spirit and tenets. Unless you do obtain such a firm hold you will never be able to teach others and render real service to the promulgation of the Faith.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi)

»If the Baha'is want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they need to be much better informed and able to discuss intelligently, intellectually, the present condition of the world and its problems. We need Baha'i scholars, not only people far, far more deeply aware of what our teachings really are, but also well read and well educated people, capable of correlating our teachings to the current thoughts of the leaders of society.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi)

»Another essential thing is that those who do embrace the Faith should be constantly urged to study the literature of the Cause. It is not sufficient that our numbers should increase, we want people whose faith stands on a rock and no trial can move.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi)

»The Cause needs more Baha'i scholars, people who not only are devoted to it and believe in it and are anxious to tell others about it, but also who have a deep grasp of the teachings and their significance, and who can correlate its beliefs with the current thoughts and problems of the people of the world.«

(Compilations/The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith: Extracts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi)

»As a person cultivates the habit of study and deep reflection upon the Creative Word, this process of transformation reveals itself in an ability to express one’s understanding of profound concepts and to explore spiritual reality in conversations of significance.«

(/Messages of the Universal House of Justice/Framework for Action/PART III/Training Institutes: Attaining a Higher Level of Functioning/1. THE MAIN SEQUENCE OF COURSES/1.2 Ensuring a Steady Flow of Participants through the Sequence of Courses/4)