“The mind of a contented person is always peaceful and his heart is at rest.”
(Abdu’l-Baha)
contentment
The Oxford dictionary definition of happiness is “feeling or showing contentment”. The definition of happiness according to Wikipedia is “a state of mind or feeling such as contentment, satisfaction or joy”.
A contented life is one characterized by thanksgiving for what we have rather than moaning about what we do not have, or what the adverts tell us we ought to have.
Contentment is to see life as a perfecting process rather than a goal to reach:
“O SON OF SPIRIT!
Ask not of Me that which We desire not for thee, then be content with what We have ordained for thy sake, for this is that which profiteth thee, if therewith thou dost content thyself.” (Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)
“The source of all glory is acceptance of whatsoever the Lord hath bestowed, and contentment with that which God hath ordained.” (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 155)
“O QUINTESSENCE OF PASSION!
Put away all covetousness and seek contentment; for the covetous hath ever been deprived, and the contented hath ever been loved and praised.” (Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)
“We exhort all believers to observe justice and fairness and to show forth love and contentment.” (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 134)
“Concerning thine own affairs, if thou wouldst content thyself with whatever might come to pass it would be praiseworthy. To engage in some profession is highly commendable, for when occupied with work one is less likely to dwell on the unpleasant aspects of life.” (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 175)
“Verily the most necessary thing is contentment under all circumstances; by this one is preserved from morbid conditions and lassitude. Yield not to grief and sorrow: they cause the greatest misery. Jealousy consumeth the body and anger doth burn the liver: avoid these two as you would a lion…”(Baha’u’llah- Lawh-i-Tibb)
“The mind of a contented person is always peaceful and his heart is at rest.” (Abdu’l-Baha -SOW - Star of the West, Star of the West - 5)
"The confirmations of the Spirit are all those powers and gifts which some are born with (and which men sometimes call genius), but for which others have to strive with infinite pains. They come to that man or woman who accepts his life with radiant acquiescence.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 120)
In the Baha’i writings we are asked to work for the betterment of the world and to contribute towards advancements in medicine, technology and try to ameliorate the condition of disadvantaged and homeless people all around the globe. However in our personal lives we are also encouraged to practice contentment especially in time of difficulties and hardship. It’s very easy to feel content and joyful when things are going well–when we are comfortable, healthy, and just having a wonderful day. However, it is generally more difficult to feel the same way when we are unwell, troubled, or stressed. This does not mean that we should pretend to be happy and content, and paste on a fake smile even when our mind is in turmoil, but rather we should try to shift our mindset and remind ourselves of those people who deal with hardships on a far greater scale, yet never fail to find happiness in times of difficulty. We should consciously practice the virtue of contentment and try to not let troubling circumstances dictate our state of mind and prevent us from finding the joy in even the grimmest situations:
“VALLEY OF CONTENTMENT.
In this Valley he feeleth the winds of divine contentment blowing from the plane of the spirit. He burneth away the veils of want….From sorrow he turneth to bliss, from anguish to joy. His grief and mourning yield to delight and rapture.” (Baha'u'llah, The Seven Valleys, p. 29)
“Unless one accepts dire vicissitudes, not with dull resignation, but with radiant acquiescence, he will not attain happiness. The afflictions which come to humanity sometimes tend to centre the consciousness upon the limitations, and this is a veritable prison. Release comes by making of the will a Door through which the confirmations of the Spirit come.” (Abdu’l-Baha in London, p. 120)
“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.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 363)
“A thankful person is thankful under all circumstances. A complaining soul complains even if he lives in paradise.” (Abdu’l-Baha- SOW - Star of the West, Star of the West - 4)
“Be not the slave of your moods, but their master. But if you are so angry, so depressed and so sore that your spirit cannot find deliverance and peace even in prayer, then quickly go and give some happiness to someone lowly or sorrowful, or to a guilty or innocent sufferer! Sacrifice yourself, your talent, your time, your rest to another, to one who has to bear a heavier load than you. — and your unhappy mood will dissolve into a blessed, contented submission to God.” Abdu’l-Baha
However, contentment is for material conditions and not for spiritual progress and acquiring knowledge. The ultimate aim in the life of every human soul should be to attain moral and spiritual excellence--to align one's inner being and outward behaviour with the will of an all-loving Creator. Each individual has been bestowed with a unique destiny by God--a destiny which unfolds in accordance with the free exercise of the choices and opportunities presented in life. Bahá'u'lláh sets before us the highest standard of morality and urges us to strive to attain it. To do so is the only path to true happiness and fulfilment. Our moral and spiritual advancement is therefore crucial to our well-being in both this life and the next:
“Abandon not the incorruptible benefits, and be not content with that which perisheth.” (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 320)
“The bird seeketh its nest; the nightingale the charm of the rose; whilst those birds, the hearts of men, content with transient dust, have strayed far from their eternal nest, and with eyes turned towards the slough of heedlessness are bereft of the glory of the divine presence.” (Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)
“Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches.... Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low....” (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas", (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1988), p. 138)
“Happy are those who spend their days in gaining knowledge, in discovering the secrets of nature, and in penetrating the subtleties of pure truth! Woe to those who are contented with ignorance, whose hearts are gladdened by thoughtless imitation, who have fallen into the lowest depths of ignorance and foolishness, and who have wasted their lives!” (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 137)
“Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.” (Abdu'l-Baha)
“A thankful person is thankful under all circumstances. A complaining soul complains even if he lives in paradise.”