I
was sitting on a plane heading to Rome recently
when the captain announced we were going to Paris.
Moments later he apologised and
said we were indeed on the way to Rome!
I remembered this funny incident
when I read about research which scientists had
carried out at Bristol University.
They discovered that pilots and
cabin crew can suffer memory loss and disorientation
because of repeated jet lag.
Spiritual forgetfulness is a strong
theme in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh,
Founder of the Bahá'í Faith.
Bahá'u'lláh reminds
us that we are spiritual beings, but that our
absorption in the material side of life may have
left us forgetful of our spiritual needs.
In a beautiful book called the
Hidden Words, Bahá'u'lláh writes:
"Have ye forgotten
that true and radiant morn, when in those hallowed
and blessed surroundings ye were all gathered
in My presence beneath the shade of the tree of
life, which is planted in the all-glorious paradise?
Awe-struck ye listened as I gave utterance to
these three most holy words: O friends! Prefer
not your will to Mine, never desire that which
I have not desired for you, and approach Me not
with lifeless hearts, defiled with worldly desires
and cravings."
"O God! Thou seest
me, Thou knowest me; Thou art my Haven and my
Refuge … no path have I trodden nor any
will I tread but the path of Thy love. In the
darksome night of despair, my eye turneth expectant
and full of hope to the morn of Thy boundless
favour and at the hour of dawn my drooping soul
is refreshed and strengthened in remembrance of
Thy beauty and perfection."