As we walk upon Mother Earth, none of us is spared the storms of this material world. Sorrow, pain, humiliation, grief, illness, disappointment, and loss may meet us along the Sacred Path. These trials are real, and they may touch the surface of our lives, but they do not have the power to possess the deepest place within us.
When our thoughts and hearts dwell in the spiritual realm of Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka, the Great Mystery, we discover a peace that the changing conditions of this world cannot take away. The winds may shake the branches, but the roots remain strong. The waters may become troubled upon the surface, but far below, the depths remain calm and serene. So it is with the human spirit when it is deeply rooted in prayer, love, faith, and service.
Yet we must remain watchful. Attachment to possessions, comfort, recognition, and the endless demands of material life can slowly weaken our spiritual awareness. Even good work and necessary responsibilities can consume so much of our energy that, without realizing it, we begin to neglect the sacred practices that nourish the soul.
Therefore, pause each day. Become still. Pray, reflect, listen, and renew your relationship with Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka. Remember that you are more than your labor, your possessions, your suffering, or the circumstances surrounding you. You are a sacred spiritual being, carrying a light within you that no earthly trial can extinguish.
Live fully in this world, fulfill your responsibilities, and serve the Human Family, but do not allow the material world to capture your spirit. Keep your roots deep in the spiritual realm of Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka. Then, even when the storms of life pass over you, the sacred center of your being will remain peaceful, steady, and filled with everlasting joy.
Inspired by the teachings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi