Up and down

Month, Day: 176, Knowledge, Sovereignty  (Glory)

The recent global "72 hours of bicentenary coverage" is an example of the former. It's great to see the Twin Festivals brought together. In the old days, my birth day brought in the start (10/20). Then, we had 24 days until Oct. 12. Now, there are some years where the celebrations might be close to 10/20. But, Nov. 12 is out of range.

Bicentenary, 2019

 Celebrations can lift if done right.

But, work reigns, too. As service, we are told. For some, that is definitely a downer. As well, there is plenty about life that can pull one down. So, we are to cope with, handle, both sides of this. So much is involved that there is only a brief reference here in order to bring in the below.

The Master wrote a letter to Alfred Lunt that provides some counsel in this area. You all know, some modern employment is really a type of slavery. So, again, we're punting this discussion down the road.

The letter, or a portion, thereof.

I pulled this off of a FB page which had picked it up from the "Star of the West." Alfred (Bahaipedia) is #87 in this photo at Green Acre in the summer of 1912. That's 109 years ago. Several of his family members are there: his wife, child, in-laws, friend, and many cousins (as in, old New England families that started the whole thing of the American Dream - lots to look at there).

Read this: patience but not sitting idle; smile (as in grin and bear it); joy (in the face of huge odds); no fear, except of God; etc. I thought that it was interesting that the Master took this tact. Well, one grandson of Alfred spent his career organizing labor. One thinks of the current bifurcations that have resulted from several factors that we have to look at further.

In short, the lot of many is hard work. I would rather be there than resting in a chair, I always said.

Now, those whose hand have nary a callous to show have no say in how spirituality relates to those who labor. Think of that. One huge source of conflict (and the resulting bifurcations) is that those who labor are way more smart than they are given credit. Many who do not labor wish that they were 'it' and the epitome of something (not so). Intelligence does not imply that one will rise to being ineffective.

Actually, agriculture having such a high status implies work of the nature that can be quite healthy both physically and spiritually. We have not gotten this right.

Yes, so much to look at.

Remarks: 10/17/2020

11/02/2019 -- After the post, started to look at the post on the 1912 visit by the Master to Green Acres. Want to look at those there, as most of them are cousins, from early New England's start. Like Grace Robarts Ober: Welcome to the kingdom. Interesting blog.

06/10/2020 -- This letter had been sent to Alfred by Ahmad Sohrad quoting the Master. See Crush the mind for more details.

10/17/2020 -- This is a reflection on a prayer sent by the Master to AE Lunt: Crush the mind, Up and down. Example: Swami Agnivesh.