SCANNED AND SPELLCHECKED BY DUANE TROXEL; NOT PROOFREAD +1 [Cover Page of Booklet] SEVEN ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS [Title] THE DIVINE ART OF LIVING ¥ BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF YOURSELF ¥ A PATTERN OF LIFE THAT ELIMINATES FRUSTRATION ¥ SOLUTIONS TO YOU HUMAN RELATION PROBLEMS ¥ FREEDOM FROM WORRY AND FEAR ¥ SATISFYING ANSWERS TO YOUR RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS ¥ MORE TANGIBLE USE OF THE POWER OF GOD ¥ A JOYOUS ATTITUDE TOWARD LIFE +2 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK - BACKSIDE OF COVER PAGE.] +3 Round Table Discussions prepared by Marian Crist Lippitt Based on THE DIVINE ART OF lIVING A Compilation Approved by the National Programming Committee 1950 Fifth Printing, 1972 Printed in U.S.A. BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST Wilmette, Illinois U.S.A. +4 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK.] +5 Suggestions for Use of ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS THESE SEVEN ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS are prepared for informal group consultation on subjects that concern every human being in his struggle toward wholeness, toward mature relationships with the people and the world around him and toward an ever-expanding realization of the spiritual potential that exists within his soul. Many people approach the need for spiritual enlightenment through a desire for a better understanding of themselves and of the problems of daily living in the modern world.The questions posed here are those that confront each individual who desires a fruitful, efficient expenditure of his life. The answers concern the spiritual laws and principles that help to achieve this. The teacher or leader of the discussion group should try to keep the discussion open and free without wandering too far afield, and with more emphasis placed on the spiritual solutions than on the problems themselves. It is often a good idea to pose the question and have brief discussion of it before having someone look up and read the references. If possible, one lesson, or series, should be covered at a single session. The material is useful for Baha'i firesides and also for a Baha'i community study group. ************* +6 Is it not astonishing that although man has been created for the knowledge and love of God, for the virtues of the human world,for spirituality, heavenly illumination and life eternal, nevertheless he continues ignorant and negligent of all this? (DAL p. 99) +7 BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF YOURSELF Opening Prayer: "O Thou the Compassionate God! Bestow upon me a heart which, like unto glass, may be illumined with the light of Thy love." (Page 20, Sec. 14) Page Sec. 1. What sets the direction of a person's 24 13 development? 2. Self-preservation is the first law of 119 35 the animal nature. What will happen if we become dominated by it? 3. How is our spiritual nature stirred to 43 4 life? 4. What special instructions have we for 79 14 developing our higher nature? 5. What can the "meditative faculty" do 39 57 for man? 6. What difference does "spiritual birth" 14 2 make in a person? 7. What is your soul, and what two 123 2 alternatives does it have? 8. Where does the responsibility for my 51 14 faith in God lie? 9. What causes nervousness and how can it 58 14 be avoided? 10. What is my duty as a seeker? 82 4 (1st para.) 11. What is the most important knowledge 99 4 in this life? 102 10 +8 12. How can one know God? 101 7 Closing Prayer: "O Lord, I have turned my face unto Thy Kingdom of oneness and am drowned in the sea of Thy mercy!" (Page 25, Sec. 15) NOTES +11 A PATTERN OF LIFE THAT ELIMINATES FRUSTRATION Opening Prayer: "Thou are, in truth, He Whose mercy that encompassed all the worlds, . . . " (Page 103, Sec. 16) Page Sec. 1. What brings us the greatest happiness 22 8 and sense of fulfilment? 2. By what power can we enjoy "the ecstasies 17 9 of the spirit" and how should we use it? 3. How does the soul move toward its 27 6 fulfilment and become effective in living? 4. Does the pursuit of wealth lead to 28 10 fulfillment or frustration? 5. Does God forbid enjoyment of material 71 9 things? 6. How shall we cope with illness? 55 6 7. Could good health ever be a handicap to 59 20 worthwhile living? 8. Lack of opportunity for education makes 46 11 some people feel frustrated. How can this be overcome? 9. Does living a spiritual life mean 65 17-19 ignoring our individual talents? 10. Obeying God's laws interferes with my 82 1 freedom. How can I avoid feeling frustrated by this? 11. What about humility? - doesn't this bring 84 8,10,11,15 a sense of frustration in itself? +10 12. How can we enter this unseen Kingdom 21 1 of Heaven on earth? Closing Prayer: "Lord! Pitiful are we, grant us Thy favor . . . " (Page 61, Sec. 23) NOTES +11 III SOLUTIONS TO YOUR HUMAN RELATIONS PROBLEMS Opening Prayer: "Waft, then, unto me, O my God and my Beloved, from the right hand of Thy mercy and loving-kindness, the holy breaths of Thy favors. . ." (Page 31, Sec. 24) Page Sec. 1. The self-protective instinct makes us 120 41 rebel against injury and injustice to ourselves? Is this wrong? 2. How should we react when others wrong 9 7 us? 118 30,32 3. What should our attitude be toward 34 34,35 someone we know is doing wrong? 68 31 4. But sometimes we would like to influence 116 24 and help people who are doing wrong. Can we do this? 5. How should we feel and act in general 62 5 toward other human beings? 68 32 78 7 6. How can our religious faith help us in 116 22,23 dealing with people? 117 26,27 7. What new point of view in the Baha'i 110 6 Teachings helps us to love the unlovable? 8. What new instructions about loving people 115 19 help to dissolve natural hatreds? 9. What are the new drastic Teachings about 87 19,21 criticizing and slandering people? 71 7 (2nd para., 1st sent.) 10. What definite rewards are promised to 80 18 those who are humble, generous and 86 17 patient toward others? +12 Page Sec. 11. Some people say that helping the poor 67 24,26 only makes them more helpless. Does 119 33 this excuse us for turning our backs on them? 12. Isn't working for the Kingdom of Heaven 62 8 on earth a hopeless task? 76 23 Closing Prayer: "O kind Lord! Thou Who art generous and merciful! We are the servants of Thy threshold..." (Page 120, Sec. 43) NOTES +13 FREEDOM FROM WORRY AND FEAR Opening Prayer: "Every time I lift mine eyes unto Thy heaven, I call to mind Thy highness . . . (Page 38,Sec.53) Page Sec. 1. How much can we depend on God for 10 13 practical help 11 15 (2nd para.) 2. How does prayer protect and help us? 27 (2nd para.) 26 (1st. para.) 28 12 3. We don't always feel an intense 35 41 gratitude to God. Does this matter? 36 42 4. Aren't we all bound to worry sometimes? 22 7 5. How can we attain faith to replace 51 15 worry? 52 16 6. What is the first sign of faith, and 51 10 how can our faith be increase? 52 20 7. When we are in trouble, what should 10 10,11 we do? 12,13 8. Can "detachment" free us from worry 70 1 and fear? 71 5 9. Are Baha'i's taught to pray "Thy will 88 24,25 be done?" 10. Do Baha'is pray "deliver me from evil?" 94 24 11. Shall we not always have to fear 123 3,4 death? 125 8 +14 Page Sec. 12. How can the love of God in our hearts 104 20 eliminate worry and fear' 105 23 Closing Prayer: "Glory be to Thee, O my God! The power of Thy might beareth me witness. . ." (Page 37, Sec. 48) NOTES +15 SATISFYING ANSWERS TO YOUR RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS Opening Prayer: "I bear witness, O my God, that Thou has created me to know Thee and to worship Thee..." (Page 23, Sec.10) Page Sec. 1. What do all the sacred scriptures of 23 11 the world say is the purpose of creation? 2. What is our first and foremost obligation 82 4 to God? (1st, 2nd para.) 3. Why "be good?" 18 13 (1st, 2nd para.) 4. What about good actions without conscious 100 5 love of God? 105 25 5. Who will be "saved?" 23 9 105 26 84 7 6. Is faith enough to save us? 50 7 25 14 (last sen.) 7. Where shall we turn today for more 41 60 spiritual enlightenment? 102 13 8. What is the real power in philosophic 45 7 teachings? (1st. 3 para.) 9. What new explanation of "Holy Spirit" 42 1 is given? 43 2 (last 2 para.) 10. What is meant by "created in God's 23 12 image?" 11. What new knowledge is given in the 74 17 Baha'i Revelation about Jesus Christ? +16 Page Sec. 12. New knowledge in Baha'i Revelation about life after death: (a) What rewards are promised in heaven? 122 1 (b) Shall we meet those we love 123 5 in the next life? 124 6 (1st para.) (c) Is there no "hell" then? Shall 125 9 all fare equally well in the hereafter? (d) Is a soul "lost" if one dies in 126 13 a condition of sin and unbelief? Closing Prayer: "O Thou forgiving Lord!. . . the ocean of Thy forgiveness is, verily, able to redeem and make free the sinners. . . " (Page 127, Sec. 16) NOTES +17 MORE TANGIBLE USE OF THE POWER OF GOD Opening Prayer: "I give praise unto Thee, O my God, that Thou has awakened me out of my sleep..." (Page 32, Sec. 27) Page Sec. 1. Is there a relation between "detachment" 16 8 and the power of God? 2. How are we assured our souls may 28 10 receive Divine power? 67 27 3. Do we need to make a definite effort to 28 14 cultivate the love of God? 4. How much may we expect definite answers 31 25 to prayer? (last 3 para.) 5. What new promise is given in the Baha'i 37 5 Revelation about using the "verses revealed by God?" 6. How can one connect with the "Holy 46 9-13 Spirit?" 75 22 7. Do we all have the same receptivity to 46 8 the power of God? 8. What "magnets" for assurance and 51 1 spiritual power are promised? 9. How can we dwell in the "presence of 71 8 God?" 75 21 10. How does knowledge of God increase the 48 3 thrill of acquiring virtues? 11. What consolation and promise does the 66 21,22 Baha'i Revelation offer to those who (1st para.) fail to gain worldly wealth? +18 Page Sec. 12. What are we promised as a source of 68 30 courage and power? Closing Prayer: "O my God! O my God! This, Thy servant, hath advanced toward Thee, is passionately wandering in the desert of Thy love, . . . (Page 105, Sec. 30) NOTES +19 VII A JOYOUS ATTITUDE TOWARD LIFE Opening Prayer: "Aware as I am, O my God, that Thou wilt send down upon Thy servants only what is Good for them. . . " (Page 94, Sec. 22) Page Sec. 1. How can one be happy in adversity? 15 6,7 2. What two kinds of happiness can man 17 10 experience? (1st, 2nd para.) 3. What is "spiritual happiness" and its 18 10 place in life's pattern? (last 4 para.) 4. Is it possible to be happy in these 18 12 days of world unrest? 5. Is happiness a worthwhile objective? 55 5 92 8 6. What kind of an outlook on life produces 22 7 a happy heart? 70 7. What "happens" that we can't control or 28 11 change must be God's will for us (He 49 4 could change it if He so willed). 71 6 How can we accept it gracefully? 8. Must we undergo grief and sorrow? 30 19 89 2 9. Can a person bring his spirit "within 45 6 the bonds of serenity? by will power? 10. Must we accept all illness and suffering 59 19 as punishment? 89 1 11. What does the Baha'i Faith teach 73 13,15 about sacrifice? 74 16 12. Can we welcome "tests?" 90 4 91 5 93 15 +20 Closing Prayer: "I fear no tribulation in His path, nor any affliction in my love for Him." (Page 94, sec. 23) NOTES +21 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS. 'Abdu'l-Baha. [Section on Origin, Powers and Conditions of Man] THE REALITY OF MAN. Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha PRESCRIPTION FOR LIVING. Ruhiyyih Rabbani [Chapters I to VIII] PORTALS TO FREEDOM. Howard Colby Ives A NEW WAY OF LIFE (What it Means to be a Baha'i Youth). [A compilation] BASIC BAHA'I TEXTS BAHA'U'LLAH AND THE NEW ERA. J. E. Esslemont ALL THINGS MADE NEW. John Ferraby