Virtues | Contentment

Contentment

Source: – Abu’l-Qasim Faizi’s Talk in Melbourne Australia

`Abdu’l-Baha traveled in Europe after He had been released from prison, and he traveled in America too, to propagate the Faith of His Father. One of the greatest and cruellest enemies, one of the princes of Persia, was in Europe at the same time as `Abdu’l-Baha. One day he went to `Abdu’l-Baha and said, “I have come to ask you one question. Look at me, my hat is covered with diamonds, my garments have all sorts of jewels, and yet when I walk in the streets, nobody looks at me or pays any attention to me. And yet, when you walk in the streets and you have the simplest garment in the world, everyone makes way for you. They come to you. There are always hundreds of people at your door. I want to know why.”

`Abdu’l-Baha knew him and knew that because of him many of the Baha’ís had been put to death. Therefore he told him, “Your Highness, will you sit down a little and I will tell you a story.” The prince sat down. … [`Abdu’l-Baha] said: “Once a wise man passed the square of a certain town and found one of the richest people of that town gloomy and sad, brooding over his sorrows in the corner of the square. He went to him and asked, `What is the matter with you?’ He answered, `I have enough money to be the greatest merchant in this town, but I am not satisfied. I want to be greater than that.’ The wise man said, `For instance, what would you like to be?’ The merchant replied, `I want to be the governor of this town.’ The wise man said, `If I make you the governor of this province, not the town, but the whole province, will you be satisfied? Please search your heart and give me the true answer.’ The man pondered and then said: `Honestly, I will not be satisfied. I want to be a minister.’ `I will make you a Minister, but give me another honest answer, will you be satisfied?’ After that, he wanted to be King of the country, and the wise man said, `I will make you the king, will you then be happy and satisfied? Do you want anything beyond that?’ The man replied, `After that there is nothing.’ `Abdu’l-Baha then said to the prince, “Your Highness, I am that nothing.”

At another time Abdu’l-Baha stated, “We must look higher than all earthly thoughts; detach ourselves from every material idea, crave for the things of the spirit; fix our eyes on the everlasting bountiful Mercy of the Almighty, who will fill our souls with the gladness of joyful service to His command ‘Love One Another’. (Paris Talks).”