Arts, science, crafts... with the right motive they are all worship in action

"In the Baha’i Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are (counted as) worship. ...All effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer. "


3 comments:

Gaijin21 said...

I did this in photoshop and I call it Dream of the Shrine. The original photo was as small as this one and yes, the original photo is nice by itself.

I tried to give it a look as if one might see the Shrine in a dream... somewhat fuzzy, somewhat bright or is it dark?.. not quite real where night and day seem to mix and symbols seem to have a dominant role in telling you a story.

http://www.martinsquest.com/personal/bahai_quotes.htm

Anyhow, I am sure digital art counts as art too... and in the right spirit and motive, perhaps it counts as worship as well.

BTW, I originally had planned to use this following quote today:

WORK IS WORSHIP

In this great dispensation, art (or a profession) is identical with an act of worship and this is a clear text of the Blessed Perfection. Therefore, extreme effort should be made in art and this will not prevent the teaching of the people in that region. Nay, rather, each should assist the other in art and guidance. For instance, when the studying of art is with the intention of obeying the command of God this study will certainly be done easily and great progress will soon be made therein; and when others discover this fragrance of spirituality in the action itself, this same will cause their awakening. Likewise, managing art with propriety will become the means of sociability and affinity; and sociability and affinity themselves tend to guide others to the Truth.

'Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - 'Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 377


I love the part that explains "when others discover this fragrance of spirituality in the action itself, this same will cause their awakening." I think we often get stuck at saying "art is worship" but we need to also see how art or work could influence others when it is infused with the fragrance of spirituality.

S. Scully said...

Wonderful quotation. Very interesting image as well!

Gaijin21 said...

Thank you for the comment. I visited your site as well. If you don't mind, may I share some of your photos on this site as well?