Memorandum
To: The Universal House of Justice
From: Research Department
Date: 6 August 2007
Prayer of the Báb, Jungle Story, Statement Concerning Persepolis, Psychic Powers
At the instruction of the Universal House of Justice, the Research Department has studied the questions on the above-mentioned subjects posed by Mr.-- in his email letters of 13, 18 and 23 May 2007 received at the Bahá’í World Centre. We provide the following response.
Prayer of the Báb
Mr. refers to Velda Piff Metelmann’s book entitled Lua
Getsinger, Herald of the Covenant (Oxford: George Ronald, 1997). He indicates
that in this book, it is stated that "Lua used to say a certain prayer
that the Báb had given to Táhirih." Mr.-- wishes to know which particular
prayer Lua used. From a preliminary perusal of Mrs. Metelmann’s book, the
Research Department has located several brief references to Táhirih on pages 55
and 56, page 189, and pages 277 and 278, none, however, relate specifically to
Lua's recitation of a prayer by the Báb. If Mr.-- could provide the precise
page reference, it might be possible for the Department to undertake an
additional search.
Story about a person in a jungle
With regard to the enquiry about "a story about someone
trying to get out of a jungle, but repeatedly being put back by a hand to the
middle of the jungle, unable to reach the city", the Research Department
has found no information about this subject in the authoritative Writings of
the Faith.
Statement concerning Persepolis
Mr.-- refers to a statement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which indicates
that "Persepolis would be rebuilt in the future as a Bahá'í House of
Worship”. He enquires about its source and whether it might possibly be a
pilgrim's note. A statement concerning Persepolis as a future site of a House
of Worship is found in a talk delivered by ‘Abdu'l-Bahá on 18 July 1915. The
talk, which deals generally with Iranian civilization prior to Islam and the
prospect of its resurgence, has not, to date, been translated into English. It
is published in the original language in Abdu'l-Hamíd Ishráq Khávarí's
Rahíq-i-Makhtúm (Tihrán: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 131 B.E.), volume 2, pages
499-503.
Psychic Powers
Mr. cites the following extract from a letter written on
behalf of Shoghi Effendi which appears as section 1735 in ‘Lights of Guidance:
A Bahá’í Reference File’:
“What ‘Abdu’l-Bahá always pointed out in this matter is that
these psychic powers were not to be used in this world, and that, indeed, it
was dangerous to cultivate them here. They should be left dormant, and not
exploited, even when we do so with the sincere belief we are helping others. We
do not understand their nature and have no way of being sure of what is true
and what is false in such matters.”
Mr.-- provides a long list of subjects, categorized in an
encyclopedia as "psychic powers" and seeks clarification concerning
whether, from a Bahá’í perspective, these subjects might also be regarded as
"psychic powers". In addition, he enquires about the Bahá’í view of
such practices as "Reiki, aura reading, developing chakra’s, [sic.]
healing with hands etc."
As to what constitutes "psychic powers", the Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated 13 June 1982 written on its behalf to a National Spiritual Assembly, provided the following guidance in response to an earlier question on this subject:
“The Universal House of Justice does not wish to go into the various definitions and distinctions that you list under the heading "Psychic Powers, Spiritualism etc." It is clear that what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi had in mind when warning the believers against meddling with psychic forces were those that spiritualists believe come from a deliberate effort on the part of individuals to establish communication with the departed.”
Given Mr.-- 's interest in this subject, he might find it useful to refer to chapter XLII, entitled "Psychic Phenomena” in Lights of Guidance: A Bahá'í Reference File. This chapter contains extracts from the authoritative Writings of the Faith, which will, no doubt, help to further his understanding of this topic.
With regard to the Bahá'í view of reiki, aura reading, and developing chakras, the Research Department was not able to locate any information concerning these practises in the authoritative Bahá'í Writings. For Mr.-- 's information, we provide the following extract from a letter dated 17 August 2004, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer who enquired about the appropriateness of studying various approaches to natural therapy:
“As you may know, no specific school of medicine is endorsed in the Bahá'í Teachings. You should, therefore, weigh the various possibilities open to you in the light of the general teachings found in the Writings and reach your own conclusions about their acceptability.”
Finally, in relation to the Bahá'í perspective on "healing with hands" in the following statement taken from a letter dated 8 June 1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, certain broad principles are set out to guide a believer who had enquired about the acceptability of a kind of healing which involved the channelling of healing power through the healer's hands. The letter states:
“The Guardian knows nothing about your kind of healing, nor would he care to go into the question in detail, as he has no time for such matters. But he can lay down for your guidance certain broad principles: there is no such thing as Bahá’í healers or a Bahá’í type of healing. In His Most Holy Book (the Aqdas) Bahá’u’lláh says to consult the best physicians, in other words doctors who have studied a scientific system of medicine; He never gave us to believe He Himself would heal us through "healers", but rather through prayer and the assistance of medicine and approved treatments.
“Now, as long as your healing is in no opposition to these principles, as long as you do not try and take the place of a regular doctor in trying to heal others, but only give them your kind of help through constructive suggestion—or whatever it may be—and do not associate this help with being a channel of the direct grace of Bahá’u’lláh, the Guardian sees no harm in your continuing your assistance to others. But you must conscientiously decide whether, in view of the above, you are really justified in continuing.”
In addition, Mr.-- may wish to peruse Chapter 72 of Some Answered Questions.
(Baha’i Library Online)